Editors note: Ellen Jaffe Jones is an Anna Maria resident and 5K runner, as well as an in-home personal trainer, who is training for her first marathon race. She also is chronicling her run-up to the Dec. 5 race for The Sun. She can be reached for questions and comments at 941-704-1025 or at www.vegcoach.com or ejones@vegcoach.com.

I arrive in West Palm Beach the day before the marathon full of excitement and fear. I had read reports of people dying after a marathon, including one recent study that said your heart can suffer a temporary injury, like any other stressed muscle. The report said the heart usually recovers in even better shape. Comforting.

We drive to City Place, a touristy part of West Palm that is next to the Intracoastal Waterway and near the race start and finish line. I get my bib number and then proceed to the expo hall where I am overwhelmed with everything running – shoes, shirts, orthotics and gizmos and gadgets that promise to make the running experience healthier and happier. I’m already feeling both, so I proceed to the packet pick-up area where they give out the official race T-shirt and a bunch of freebies to every runner. Most frequent race runners don’t need yet another race shirt. But this is one I plan to wear with pride and won’t give to charity. Since I’ve never been to a race expo, I wander around for a bit until my husband, Clarence, parks the car and catches up.

I catch a glimpse of the race course map. I had seen it online, but it wasn’t as detailed as this one. It shows we run over a bridge to Palm Beach. I’m not sure I remembered that. I see that the course actually wanders through Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Lantana, and Lake Worth. For the first time, I feel really scared about biting off more than I can chew.

We have lunch where I munch on a beautiful Cheesecake Factory salad full of all kinds of seasonal greens and veggies. We check in to the hotel, rest a bit and then meet Clarence’s brother at Carrabba’s Italian Grill where I carb load on veggies and pasta. Carb loading is supposed to help prevent hitting the wall at about mile 20. This can happen in marathons when your body is depleted of energy. Some runners collapse and either don’t finish or crawl to the finish line. To avoid that, I have stashed a small package of Sport Beans in my ID pocket that attaches to my shoe.

My goal to finishing the 26.2 mile marathon is to do it without hobbling or pushing the limit to serious injury. A running friend my age did the recent New York Marathon in amazing 10 minute miles. But I learn that she is injured enough that she had to cancel her reservation to do the Palm Beaches Marathon.

More than finishing the race, I want to be able to run until I’m 100. Some injuries prevent that. I see it in so many runners who were first-place finishers who can no longer run. I know other older or master's runners who only do shorter races because they believe the longer ones may risk their long-term running careers. It is why I feel the need to do the marathon now, before I no longer can.

Race morning

On race morning, we arrive 45 minutes in advance of the 6:15 start time. I find long-time Bradenton Runners Club gurus Chuck and Esther Van Duzee by the side of a building near the start line. They have attended this race before and know that the building will protect us from the windy 50 degree temperatures. The Van Duzees are both in their 70s. They often win or place in their age groups in many races. Chuck belongs to the exclusive 50 States Marathon Club. That means he’s done a marathon in every state. He easily does multiple marathons a year. He is a wealth of knowledge and graciously shares tips with wannabes like me.

They walk me over to the start line where we squeeze together. Esther is her usual giving, supportive self and calms the jitters. Both the marathon and half marathon start at the same time and place. There is a huge crush of people and I ask, “We won’t get stampeded will we?” I have never been so tightly packed in a crowd before.

Surprisingly, it is a gentle wave that begins and takes about 30 seconds to reach the start line. Sunrise drenches the running masses yearning to be first as we cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway. I am surprised I can keep up with Chuck and Esther until Esther breaks away to take the half marathon course, which now separates from the marathon course. She has only done one marathon and is quite happy with half marathons now. I think I am beginning to understand why half marathons are the fastest growing race in the U.S. Esther will go on to place first in her age group, Chuck will place third in his.

Ouch

At mile 18, the neuroma in my left foot becomes increasingly unbearable. A neuroma is a group of pinched nerves that occurs between toes when the nerves are compressed. It is usually from high impact such as a foot slamming down on concrete. It is common in runners who are forced to run on hard surfaces. A neuroma can be offloaded with good orthotics. In cases when it can’t be corrected, surgery is the last resort.

I sit on the ground to remove shoes and try to run barefoot (bad idea). The asphalt feels like seashells. Clarence later tells me many people came across the finish line limping and holding their shoes. We spend so much money on shoes! Why don’t they work? I know, I know. The human body was not meant to run on concrete invented in relatively recent times. Let alone for 26 plus miles!

I sit down again and apply Biofreeze to my throbbing soles and after I put my shoes back on, walk and run the rest of the way. By this time, my quadriceps aren’t allowing me to run very much. I really want to quit. I think of my mom, aunt and both sisters who had breast cancer. My dad must be smiling from heaven. And my three daughters, my coach. Keep going, my inner voice prevailed.

My dear husband, Clarence stands at the finish line for two hours waiting to take pictures even though he wasn't feeling well. He enjoys perspectives. Among the many kind things he says, “The distance you ran is about from our home to the Skyway Bridge or down to Siesta Key.”

In fact, Google Maps says the distance to Siesta is 26.4 miles and would take you 49 minutes to drive! I’m feeling better already about my perceived sluggish finish. Or remembering another friend who said, “You know, 26 miles is a long way for even a car to go.”

I look at the race results and see that I am eighth in my 55-59 age group. Many people didn’t finish the race at all, including another woman in my age group. And if I’d just been two years older to be in the 60-64 age group, I would have finished third and received an award! In the 65-69 age group, there was only one woman. In fact, there were only four other women who were older than me who competed, making me the fifth oldest woman in the race!

I got on Facebook initially to keep up with my kids and business. As I posted about my training, a small but mighty group of friends I called Team Facebook were so encouraging.

I also know that I couldn’t have completed the marathon without the loving support of my husband. He has been at almost every race I’ve done, cheering me to the finish, taking pictures to document the journey. I love him beyond belief, especially knowing that running was never a priority for him until he met me.