Running a Marathon

Saturday 28th October 2023

I was reflecting on my running journey after completing my 3rd half marathon this month. I am only now beginning to see myself as a runner. I have even joined a running club! Back in my school days I would do absolutely anything to get out of cross country. The very idea used to fill me with dread. I think it was a combination of the humiliation of running in hideous polyester running briefs together with my beetroot face and heavy panting that used to give me sleepless nights. I even used to make my dad drive me to a field on our farm in the middle of nowhere to practice but I just couldn't seem to breathe and run at the same time and would end up with an burning pain in my chest after what seemed like just a few strides.

Fast forward to 2016 when I was working for a mental health charity and someone suggested I run the Oxford Half Marathon. I had gone for a few short runs a few years earlier and had a lightbulb moment when I realised if I started slowly and breathed in through my nose and out through my mouth I could manage a mile or two. So I signed up and downloaded the Bupa Half Marathon training programme for beginners. I invested in a decent pair of trainers and also had a gait analysis check which was encouraging as I have perfect gait apparently! It was a 3 month programme and I followed most of it and one day I came back after running 10 miles and felt quite emotional. Building up gradually I hadn't noticed the training get much harder and so I was amazed to be able to run that distance. I still looked like a sweaty beetroot but I was a very happy one! The other benefit I found with running is that if I had had a stressful day at work or was feeling overwhelmed, after a run my head would feel so much clearer and I would feel more at ease and relaxed. I also slept much better too! I managed to complete that first race in 2 hours and 40 minutes. The cheering crowds were amazing and the children handing out jelly babies along the route kept my energy levels up. I felt so ecstatic at the finish line and was hoping to keep the running up but a car accident the following month interrupted my training and I took up yoga instead.

Last year I met my partner and he had just completed the London Marathon. I was in awe. I couldn't imagine doing that kind of distance but before long he had encouraged me to get back into running and to sign up for the Hampton Court Half Marathon. I used the same training programme as 6 years previous and in March 2023 on a very cold and wet day we completed the race in a similar time of 2 hours and 40 mins. He ran with me (even though he could have gone much faster) and the last 2 boggy miles were tough but we did it and my love of running had returned. I decided I wanted to push myself a bit harder and aim for a slightly faster time so I signed up to the Oxford Half again. This time I downloaded the intermediate training plan and was introduced to interval runs for the first time. These were really tough but gradually I could see my pace improving and so I continued with them. I ran pretty much the whole 12 week programme (except for a week in Cyprus when the coolest it got was 28c!) and on Sunday 15th October I managed to complete the Oxford Half in 2 hours and 15 mins - shaving a whole 25 mins off of my time which felt incredible. And for the first time, I actually saw myself as a runner. 

Running a half marathon is a lot like working with a coach to achieve your goals. You need self-belief, a plan, to invest in the right resources (I can recommend Nike vapor fly trainers!) and then encouragement and support along the journey. I am so lucky to have a supportive partner and running buddy who keeps me running even when I feel like giving up. He knows how to gently encourage me and keep me motivated. We've even semi-run up Snowdon a few times! So whatever your goal - with belief, support, encouragement and plan it is possible to achieve whatever you set your mind to. We have just signed up to run an actual marathon next April (not the London one as unfortunately we didn't get in!) but a lovely route around Stratford-upon-Avon. It will be another great running achievement and I'm looking forward to pushing myself outside my comfort zone once again. Because that is where the magic happens!