Redland runs first marathon

Fifty-year-old Michelle Redland ran the Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon June 5 in Deadwood, S.D.

Redland said this was her first marathon and it took her five hours and 58 minutes to run the 26.2 miles.

"The first 14 miles was a steady climb," she said. "At about mile 16, I first saw my husband and I was overjoyed. During mile 18, I started crying because I was exhausted and I had another hill to conquer. So, I walked miles 18 and 19, and I never looked at my watch once."

Running a marathon was something Redland decided to do at the beginning of the year, she said.

"I said, 'I want to do it and I'm going to do it now,'" Redland said. "The best thing about running the marathon is just to say I did it because not many people run marathons."

Redland said she spent four months training for the marathon, but she was never a runner.

"I was never a runner growing up," she said. "I never ran track. I never ran cross country. I didn't start running till about six years ago."

Redland ran her first half-marathon in Denver, Colo. and has run seven other half-marathons since. She has also participated in a mini-triathlon in Seattle, Wash.

The Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon, however, was her first full marathon, she said.

"I just thought I might as well tackle this endeavor at least once in my life," she said. "You have a lot to think about when you're running out there by yourself. I don't know if I'll do it again, but I'm glad I did it once."

When she finished the race, Redland said she did not feel how she thought she would feel.

"I thought when I finished that I would cry, but I think I was so relieved to be finished that I really just collapsed," she said. "The only thing I wanted when I was done was an extra-large 7 Up."

Redland said her biggest motivator to complete a marathon was her four grandchildren.

"Just do it," she said. "It doesn't matter how old you are. I didn't start running till I was 44 years old and I'll be 51 soon. It makes you feel good. For me, my motivation is that I want to be a good example to my grandkids."