Großbottwar is a town in the district of Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated 13 km northeast of Ludwigsburg, and 16 km southeast of Heilbronn. According to the town's local history the area was populated since the stone age. There are at least three ruins date back to the Roman Empire time frame, between 150 and 260 a. d. In 1525 the town was one of the centers of the Farmers War that raged through this part of Germany. In 1693 the French raged through the town stealing the valuables and setting most of the town on fire. Fortunately, the town remained relatively unscathed during the second world war, and many of the beautiful timber frame houses can be seen throughout the original village. The region is a wine growing region and the marathon route offered spectacular views of vineyards that cover the hillside.
While running with Conny and a few of our friends a month or two ago I was introduced to a new member of our running club, D. who is the daughter of one of our veteran runners. D. had just finished running her second half-marathon, in Karlsruhe, and was training for another half-marathon in October. After a week or two of running with her I remarked to Conny that D. was in super shape and could probably run a marathon in October. As it turned out D. was actually thinking about this and with our encouragement decided to do just this.
Conny and I offered her lots of tips and a few weeks ago I casually mentioned that if I have time maybe I could run with her. I kept this thought in the back of my mind as I began my swim course and started renovating our kitchen at home, I really wasn't sure if I would have time, let alone be in shape for a marathon. But this past week I managed to finish all the preparations in the kitchen so that we can start wallpapering the following weekend when the plaster was dry. So it became clear by Thursday that I would have some time on Sunday to run. I contacted D. and offer to accompany her and early Sunday morning she picked me up and we drove to Großbottwar for her first marathon!
It was cold 6°C (43°F) and rainy when we arrived about an hour later in Großbottwar. We found a parking lot about 7-8 minutes from the Start and I registered for the race while D. picked up her race packet. After collecting mine we dropped off our bags at the drop point and found a cup of coffee and a warm place to sit. We chatted for awhile then went for a last bathroom break before lining up for the 10:00 a.m. start.
D. was a bit nervous as we lined up, normal for a first marathon, but I reassured her that she would be fine. I was actually more worried about me, I had done only one long run in the past 4 weeks and then only 16 miles. I knew I was not prepared, particularly for the pace that D. wanted to run, she was hoping to finish in around 4:15! I tried not to think about it as the starting cannon went off.

I suggested that we start running at a pace of just under 6:00/km (9:30/mi.), which would bring us over the finish line in time. As we progressed over the first several kilometers we ended a bit faster, around a 5:45/km (9:15/mi.) pace, I decided this would work so suggested we continue at this pace.

The first half of the race followed a northern loop, through several small towns, along a valley encased in vineyards on the hillsides. The foliage was wearing its fall clothing, the rained had stopped before the start and the air was cool and crispy. We wound our way around the loop, chatting away, enjoying the sights and sounds of the race. There were lots of spectators along the way, the most in the towns and more accessible points along the way. In contrast to Karlsruhe the most were energetic in their support, they really fired us up as we passed by!

We passed the 10K marker in around 57 minutes and the half-way point in almost exactly two hours. D. mentioned later that her legs were already feeling tired by this point, but she tried to ignore this. The halfway point was back at the start, we passed over the timing mat and continued on over the southern loop. The southern loop was an out and back that, for the most part, followed the same route.

By kilometer 26 (16 miles) my legs were already feeling less than friendly, I knew I was in for a hard time. I encouraged D. and we were able keep our pace going. We passed the 30 km (18.6 mi.) point in just under 3:03, but by this time D. had started to walk the short uphill sections that we encountered. I had no problem with this, my legs were complaining about the pace so were only too willing to slow down. The wind had picked up and by kilometer 32 (20 miles) we were running against it, chilling us to the bone and sapping our energy.
I mentioned to D. that I couldn't keep up the pace that we had been running and she should run on ahead if she thinks she can run faster. But by this time she was also losing steam and we stayed together.

The cold wind continued to batter us, despite my long running pants my legs were cold and stiff. We continued on running for awhile, then taking short walk breaks when a hill or aid station appeared. I switched to drinking coke, hoping the sugar and caffeine would provide me with a second wind.
With 5K to go D. was still looking pretty strong, but she said she was fighting to keep moving. I was a bit worried that I was holding her back, so mentioned again that she could go on ahead, I'll be along shortly. I managed to stay with her until about 2 km before the finish when she started slowly moving ahead. I caught her again when she walked a small hill and we stayed together until a few hundred meters before the finish. Here her youth (15 years younger) and enthusiasm that she was about to finish her first marathon gave her a burst of energy.
The last curve right before the finish was uphill and she had to walk again, I dug deep and ran up the hill catching up to her and pushed her on and we ran over the finish line together! I am overjoyed that D. finisher her first marathon. With only minimal training she managed to finish in 4:19:46!
We walked it out and looked for something to eat and drink, eventually finding both hidden behind the sport hall. After relaxing a bit, we headed back to Stutensee - as we drove I noticed D. was still proudly wearing her finisher medal - a new marathon runner is born, way to go D. !!!