I Completed My First Full Marathon

At the beginning of 2025, I set a few personal goals–one of them was to finish my first full marathon: 42km. I didn’t set any time targets or performance expectations. The goal was simple–to finish. And finish, I did. 

As much as I now have the  bragging rights of being a marathoner,  I also carry physical scars on my body that keep me grounded. 

Running is a very difficult and demanding sport. It takes a toll on you physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially and psychologically. There are constant negotiations between your mind and spirit– your mind pleading with your body to keep going, and your spirit carrying you to the finish. Your  legs  grow heavy, yet they are guided by your mind, heart and the months of training behind you. It is discipline that keeps you moving forward when everything in you wants to give up. 

I honestly believed that, out of all my  goals this year, this would be the easiest to achieve–but no way! This goal stretched and pushed me beyond my limits. I made sacrifices just to park my body at the finish line. Yes, running may be “just a hobby” and some might call me insane for pushing myself this hard–but for me running has become part of my lifestyle. It’s my constant reminder of possibility. 

Running, for me, is not just about breathing–it is living. It’s a reminder that my body is capable, my organs are working and I can go wherever my spirit desires. Endurance, to me,  means  the patience to keep on slowly building, trusting that my body will adapt and grow stronger. Those same lessons of endurance show up in my daily life, making me a more resilient and grounded person. 

Yes, I attribute it all to running and my running journey. Why? Because when I run, I’m fighting silent battles that words cannot describe– and every kilometre is a story of victory waiting to be told. Finishing my first full marathon stands out as one of the most extraordinary achievements of my 2025. The tears, training, the pain–they were all worth it. 

No, I didn’t do it alone. My family, friends and running community were instrumental every step of the way.  

What’s next? The journey to my first ultramarathon begins.  

If you want to feel alive, I DARE you to sign up for a marathon.

Yours in running.   

Phiwe Mncwabe is a pan-African storyteller, blogger and founder of Botlhale Hub Afrika.

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