Spiderman, Elvis, a ninja and a man dressed as a princess were just some of the dressed-up supporters I saw as I tried to stay warm in the 28-degree weather before starting in the 27th annual California International Marathon alongside six thousand-plus other runners.  Some were there to support their favorite charity, some to support a friend or family member. But all were there to complete the arduous task of running or walking 26.2 miles.

According to official results, 5,845 of more than 6,000 race participants finished the marathon.

Unlike runner Tim Twietmeyer, who completed his 27th consecutive CIM on Sunday, I was running my first marathon, hoping to finish in less than four hours. Although I ran one season of cross-country at Sacramento's Jesuit High School, running always has been something I did for fun rather than competition.  

However, after my final season of rowing at Gonzaga University, I needed something to keep me active and running was the natural choice.

After completing my first half-marathon in Seattle's inaugural "Rock N' Roll" half-marathon this summer, I thought there was no way I could finish another 13.1 miles.  Yet, two weeks later I found myself scheduling a 20-week marathon-training plan that would allow me to finish the CIM.  This plan, designed by Runner’s World magazine’s Bart Yasso, took me all the way up to 22 miles in a single training session before the actual marathon. By race-day I was feeling ready.

The weather forecast said the storms would hold off until after the marathon, but that it still would be near freezing the morning of the race.  Unfortunately, the forecast was correct. Runners who'd tried to keep warm by layering had to strip their layers off quickly as the countdown began.  Many threw their clothes into gift bags they were given prior to the race and then tossed the bags onto trucks after the start gun went off. 

A couple miles into the race, we began to warm up just enough to start pulling off our gloves and long-sleeved shirts. Many chose to ditch them on the side of the road to be picked up by race volunteers. All along the course, residents, family, friends, and people in cars that were stopped at intersections cheered loudly. Some held signs encouraging a runner they knew and some held signs to make runners laugh, knowing that a bit of humor in a four-hour-plus run goes a long way.

However, despite the loud applause and words of encouragement from family and friends, it was hard for my body to get loose and warm.  Looking back, ditching my gloves at the start of the run might have been a mistake as stiff head winds picked up, making my body numb as I pushed for the halfway mark.  Crossing that point in about an hour and forty-five minutes, I was on pace for a 3:30 finish. But I knew I was pushing too hard and would have to slow my pace if I wanted to finish in time.  

At the 16-mile marker,  medical stations were filling up with runners receiving treatment for minor muscle pain. As I continued running, I passed some people who were walking while trying to massage their legs and stretch to relieve cramps. In the true spirit of the sport, runners offered each other words of encouragement as a reminder that although far, the finish line would eventually come.  

My own fears started to creep in around mile 20 when my quads began to seize with every step.  I slowed down and changed my gait to try and stretch while running, which seemed to help.  I was too far into the race and too close to the finish to stop. Close to the finish, spectators yelled “only two more SHORT miles!”  I almost smirked, knowing that those last two miles would be the longest.

With my legs still seizing, I continued to alternate between slowing down and speeding up to keep my legs moving.  I started running next to a police officer. With less than a half-mile left, a fellow officer rode next to him on a motorcycle, encouraging him.

As I turned the corner to the finish, a feeling of accomplishment set in when I saw 3:55 on the official clock. I ran through the finish, stopped my watch and realized I had just finished the race like 5,853 other runners that morning.  

My finish time pales in comparison to Tesfaye Bekele, who won the race in the male division with a time of 2:13.42, and Buzunesh Deba, who won the woman’s title in 2:32.17. But the CIM allowed me to accomplish a goal that many people don’t.  Congratulations to everyone who ran the California International Marathon on Sunday. It was great running with you!