Swiss City Marathon Lucerne 2016

I was waiting for this Marathon for more than 360 days. The day finally came, but I was sick. A cold cooled the expectations ten days before the big day. However, I did not want to leave blank this event. 
  The day started early. At 4 am I woke up, got dressed quietly, ate my breakfast that was not more than a slice of bread and a coffee. My stomach did not give me respite and everything seemed to complicate my day.Shortly after 5 a.m , me,  my husband and my daughter got in the car towards Lucerne. The journey was long and I could get some sleep. I ate another slice of bread and a banana around 7 a.m . Around 8 a.m we arrived at Lucerne. My eyes saw part of the route and I felt more and more excited. Every step toward Verkehrshaus made my heart race. I could not believe it, my Bib number was in my  hands. The cough continued to make me doubt and only after a second banana and another coffee I joined the others to warm-up .
 The cold in Lucerne was so big  as the excitement of 10,000 runners talking, laughing, warming-up. I remembered the previous year, oh my god, this year I would run the marathon. Increasingly enthusiastic, between races to the bathroom, clean the nose and coughing I could profite from some tender moments with my family. I did not rush to join the other runners, which made me run at the last minute through them to join the squad that belonged to me. Thirty seconds to go, I did not pull the socks as usual, control cords or greet anyone. I only took a deep breath three times, one methol fishermann's friend under the tongue and pressing start on my garmin few seconds before the first passer control. The shot went off  and I was not concerned, I was relaxed. I get more nervous about half-marathons than marathons.

 I chosed to follow the Pacemakers 3:40 even doubting if I could. My eyes were attentive to the feet of runners in front of me. I did not want crash on anyone. Slowly, I recalled mentally, remember: you are sick. Control the cough.
What a wonderful feeling it was the joy of the bands playing, people screaming: "Hoop hoop hoop" ,  laughs, hoots, clap hands.  It is  all of that, what  make this marathon so magical.

The first kilometers were easy. I felt I was running comfortably when I looked my garmin an hour later and saw that I had run 12.6 kilometers, is going better than expected, the cough is short, the legs are good, the pace is good. 

 The route had been changed and we were going to run inside of the stadium Swissporarena. What a moment! I felt a huge excitement from the assistance, the cameras, the giant screen... We were all smiling. We were running happy. We were many, shoulder to shoulder and time by time a arm pulling here and there, special on water stations.  After the dark tunnel,  we embarked the city streets again where crowds were supporting their friends and family. I loved hearing my name. It made me feel great. I tried to find Julia, which should be somewhere... I tried several times along the way discover her through the unfamiliar faces, but nothing.  I looked at the clock of the Church, I remembered my grandmother again. I remembered my grandfather and other family members who aren't here anymore.
  It was shortly after the 16th kilometer that my cough complicated. There  were long, intense and painful moments. I slowed the pace in the tentative to calm my lungs. Continued to put fishermann's in the mouth every half hour, but nothing made me stop coughing. Every 4 minutes a new attack.  Seeing my pace getting worse and starting to feel cold in the chest, I began to ponder if I should follow with the half-marathon runners to the finish-line.  But I was feeling good. My legs were still fresh and I didn't feel like I  had made 20 km in 1:40. I went to the right lane and turned to the second round. 1:46:07 for the half-way . A good pace, I thought, maybe I will finish it in 3:35 if I stop coughing. 


 Now we were less, we were only marathon crazy runners. But it was just after two hours I realized I would not be able to finish in less than 3:35. Took water at every station to clean my throat and ended up coughing up more and more. Now my bladder was full. I used Paula Redcliff technique, as I did in my past marathon too. ( no shame )
Feeling much better, I felt the eyes focusing me while I was coughing without stop. My chest was hurting enough and I already pressed it in an attempt to relieve the pain. At km 35 , the pacemakers (3.40) surpassed me. I felt sad. I thought, well, at least I will not miss the 3:35 per seconds ( lol ) , that would be very frustrating. It was around the 40th Km that the pacemaker Markus realized my cough, turned and gave me a boost: "Los Silvia, Wir sind fast dort. Komme mit uns " - Come on Silvia, We are almost there, Come with us. Only 5 runners were with them, I joined them coughing but a minute later I decided to leave them. I was approaching me from the final curve . I saw the time in the display. The red carpet announced the finish-line and I smiled . I had achieved. So that was my marathon.

Soon after finishing the race, my cough came stronger, which led other runners to offer me help, asking how I was feeling. Soon arrived Markus who congratulated me for the performance, and others who have heard me during the race and were wondering if I could finish it. I was not very happy, I wanted less than 3:35. When they heard my voice , they offered me the best words they could. Be happy that you could do so well with that cough. It's unbelievable that you could make it. 


 After all, I was sick and had a new record. It took a little for I know my result. 3:39:00 was recorded in my medal. I drank a beer without alcohol, I joined my family, weared something warmer. 



 
 A cold day in Lucerne that ended by the best way. I met Julia, a fantastic person, full of energy and positive mind. We talked a little bit and she cheered me by my results. She also made a Personal Best at the 5 mile Run.



 Today, I am proud to say I qualified myself for the London Marathon.To all my family and friends who supported me during these months and helped me grow as a runner , my deepest thank you. You were critical, you were my base, you were so important. Thanks Joel for  your nutrition advices. Thank you Ian for the strength you gave me when my mind wanted to betray me. Thanks starlet for all your training advice. Thank you Catherine and Israel for all your support and help throw my sickness. To all of you who throw Social Media gives me motivation words, you guys, you all are very special to me. I am so blessed for have you.
 And to my husband and my daughter who constantly miss me while I am training and even comes with me to support me on race days, doesn't matter how far it is , you're the key of all my power. I love you.