The past week has definitely been an emotional roller-coaster. When the week started the half-marathon, countdown began but so did my cold. Unfortunately, on the Monday I came down with a sore throat and found breathing difficult especially with running in the cold air. This meant I had to stop training until this got better. I soon got anxious about the lack of training I was doing compared to normal. I went from running around 16 miles a week to nothing all because of a cold.
However, I was relieved slightly when I was reminded that I should be tapering off my running anyway before the race (Houmard, Scott, Justice & Chenier, 1994). The runs during my tapering week should be less intense and be shorter so that my legs can be as fresh as possible for race day. I thought I could get away without training for a couple of days and everything would be fine. However, my cold didn’t clear up until Saturday 2nd March which also happened to be my 21st birthday. With a party planned and the race the next day, I knew I would not be running that day. I started to panic again thinking about how unfit I was going to be and how much I would struggle. Being off training for a week can lead to a lot of physical setbacks such as, decline in stamina and muscle loss. I couldn’t afford to lose any stamina or muscle for my first half marathon which I thought would be a struggle anyway.
At this point I made the terrible decision to drink and celebrate my 21st despite telling myself I could do that without the alcohol. 6 bottles of champagne down and I know I’ve messed up but at that point I couldn’t care less. It felt like I had already given up any hope of completing the race.
My hangover made its appearance on race day which only made my negative thoughts worse (Piasecki, Trela & Mermelstein, 2017). Waking up at 7am is no easy task on a normal day but on Sunday, it became the first big challenge of the day. With the next following shortly after: eating breakfast. I didn’t think I could stomach anything out of nerves or the hangover. I’m not sure which. After forcing down some Weetabix it was time to go and I was really dragging my heels. It was cool and starting to rain slightly, good running conditions but not for my non-existent morale. I was really struggling and the race hadn’t started.
However, things started looking up slightly when I arrived and found the born to run group. The atmosphere in the area was palpable and lifting. I still felt like I was going to fail but not as badly. Just talking to pass the time with other people really lifted me and took my mind off things. I thought begin with people would just annoy me considering the state I was in but it was needed to get me in the running mindset. They also reminded me why I was doing this which gave me back some of my motivation which I had been struggling with during the week. Soon it was time for us all to go to the race start which is when the nerves made an appearance again. Even after having a conversation with one of our lecturers, whose an experienced runner, I was still not at ease. But how I felt didn’t matter when the race started because I had to do it regardless.
I was determined to stick with 2 other girls also on the born to run module. As far as I was aware, we all run at similar paces which I thought I could use to my advantage. I have yet to learn how to pace myself properly as I always set off too quickly then regret it very quickly. Running slightly behind the girls maintained a constant pace for me to stick to and match. This worked out well for me as it meant that I wasn’t going too quickly and would be able to run for much longer. Once I got into a comfortable rhythm I felt ok to deviate slightly from them if I wanted.
By mile 3, my calves felt like they were giving up and my hopes for finishing were too. All the training I missed must have been catching up with me. I wanted to stop at the water station thinking I couldn’t do this. However, being in a group with other people made me feel accountable for my actions and running in the race. Therefore, after hearing the girls wouldn’t be stopping until at least mile 6, I kept pushing. This point seemed like a turning point in the race for me. I found my motivation and suddenly started feeling good running. My calves stopped aching and I felt like I was truly enjoying running for the first time. This spurred me on the for the next 3 miles.
At mile 6 we started our ascent up the first small hill. I pushed myself up all the way up which revealed the next water station. I quickly stopped for water and an energy gel, eager to continue with the race. Little did I know that how much of an effect an energy gel could have. I now understand the importance of practising with gels before a race. Not only did the gel taste awful but it left me feeling ill. I hadn’t taken it with water so the gel felt like it was just sat in my stomach. I was already feeling tired after using up most of my glycogen storage and did not need to be feeling ill on top of that. Slowly the race was becoming a nightmare, with more hills emerging and my motivation to continue running gone. All because of a gel that could have been avoided.
The only thing that kept me going during the next few miles were the crowd. Locals had lined up along the sides to cheer us on despite, the rainy weather. It really lifted and boosted me to keep going for a bit longer (Gould, Guinan, Greenleaf, Medbery & Peterson, 1999). The crowd and other runners were carrying me along by just being there. However, mile 10 brought problems the crowd couldn’t fix and it came down to how gritty I am as a person (Duckworth & Eskreis-Winkler, 2013). My foot began hurting and made it very difficult to run. At this point I wanted to cry and give up. This had been the race from hell.
Purpose. I had to tell myself again why I was doing this. I wanted the medal, a time of under 2 hours and 30 minutes and to prove to everyone as well as myself, that I could do this. So, I continued running. It also helped that I’d have to go that direction anyway to go back home. Another mile, and I was struggling beyond belief. it becomes apparent I was getting tendonitis and should probably stop but with only 2 miles left, I was determined. A couple from Warrington running club, were just in front of me so I decided to stick with them so they could drag me through the longest 2 miles of my life. The last 2 miles seemed never ending, even if they were downhill. But I limped on and finally the last corner was in sight. So, as you do, I sprint for the finish in style.
I have never felt more relieved in my life. I was over the moon finishing with a time of 2 hours and 25 minutes. Getting my medal and everything was a blur until I met with the group. I don’t think I have ever felt so happy in my life even though I was in so much pain and could barely walk.
I’m so glad to have had this experience because this race has taught me a lot. I couldn’t have got around my illness but I understand the importance of training and tapering if I want to complete the marathon. The illness was out of my control and fingers crossed I don’t get ill again especially the week before the marathon. Drinking before the race is definitely in my control and will not be happening again. Feeling rested and well is important for races, not being hungover. I also need to practise with gels and find the right gel for me. I don’t take on much water during races so I am going have to use isotonic gels and make sure they sit well with me as a I run. Finally, I know I need to listen to my body when its telling me I’m doing too much or something isn’t right. This tendonitis is going to put me off training and set me back. I’ve been too focused on the half-marathon to realise my actual goal is the marathon. I need to look after my body and make sure I get there in one piece.
I am so proud to have completed the half-marathon and I would not change anything that has happened. It has made me realise I’m much stronger than I think I am and that I am definitely capable of running the distance. This has been a learning curve for me and is going to spur me on to do so much more. I can’t wait for the marathon because right now I feel like I could do anything I set my mind to.
References
Duckworth, A. L., & Eskreis-Winkler, L. (2013). True grit. Aps Observer, 26(4).
Gould, D., Guinan, D., Greenleaf, C., Medbery, R., & Peterson, K. (1999). Factors affecting Olympic performance: Perceptions of athletes and coaches from more and less successful teams. The sport psychologist, 13(4), 371-394.
Houmard, J. A., Scott, B. K., Justice, C. L., & Chenier, T. C. (1994). The effects of taper on performance in distance runners. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 26(5), 624-631.
Piasecki, T. M., Trela, C. J., & Mermelstein, R. J. (2017). Hangover symptoms, heavy episodic drinking, and depression in young adults: a cross-lagged analysis. Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 78(4), 580-587.
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