From Zero to Marathon

My First Marathon: Chicago 2024 🏅

From not running one mile to finishing 26.2

In 2021, I couldn’t even run one mile.
In 2022, I ran my first half marathon.
In 2023, I set the goal to run a marathon.

And in October 2024, I crossed the finish line of the Chicago Marathon — my first marathon — in 5:32.

Officially, I can say it: lo logré. ✨

This blog post isn’t just about race day. It’s about the journey, the people, the lessons, and everything that led me to that finish line.

The Months That Led Me Here

Getting to Chicago wasn’t about one magical workout — it was about months of consistent training, early mornings, long runs, sore legs, and learning to trust myself.

There were days when training felt heavy, when motivation was low, and when my body reminded me just how demanding marathon prep can be. But every run — even the hard ones — was building something bigger than endurance. It was building confidence.

Seeing my training come together reminded me why I always say:

You don’t have to be fast. You just have to keep showing up.

Chicago Marathon Weekend ✨

Chicago marathon weekend felt surreal from the very beginning.

From picking up my bib (and realizing, wow… I’m actually running 26.2 miles) to walking around the city with my family, everything felt special. There was carb loading, shakeout runs, visiting the Bean, deep dish pizza, and soaking in the energy of a city that truly celebrates runners.

Seeing the infamous blue line on the streets made it real. Every step through the city felt like a reminder of how far I had come — not just geographically, but personally.

Race Morning: Nerves, Gratitude & Trust

Standing in my corral on race morning, I felt everything: nerves, excitement, fear, gratitude.

I thought about:

• My family, who supports me in everything I do
• My dad, who continues to inspire me every day and was chasing his third star at 63 years old
• My coach, who guided my training and believed in me
• My nutritionist, who made sure I fueled my body properly
• My therapist, who helps me take care of my body and mind
• My team, who wakes up at 4am and runs alongside me — estamos locos, pero disfrutamos demasiado

And above all, I felt deeply grateful — a Diosito, for giving me strength, calm, and faith throughout this process.

The 26.2 Miles That Changed Me

Running my first marathon taught me so much.

There were moments where I felt strong and moments where I had to dig deep. I learned how powerful the mind truly is and how important it is to listen to your body, trust your training, and take the race one mile at a time.

Crossing the finish line was emotional in a way I can’t fully describe. Relief. Pride. Joy. Gratitude. Exhaustion. Everything at once.

That medal instantly became my new favorite — not because of the race itself, but because of everything it represents.

What This Marathon Taught Me

My first marathon taught me that:

• You don’t need to look like a “typical runner” to be one
• Progress doesn’t have to be fast to be meaningful
• Consistency beats perfection every time
• Community makes everything better
• You are capable of more than you think

This race wasn’t about time. It was about proving to myself that big goals are possible when you commit, trust the process, and surround yourself with the right people.

What’s Next?

Chicago was my first marathon — but it won’t be my last.

This experience reminded me why I started Run With Gabi: to show that running is for everyone, especially beginners who are just starting to believe in themselves.

If you’re reading this and thinking “I could never do that” — I promise you, I once thought the same thing.

Vamos por más. 🏃‍♀️✨