I have always enjoyed running, for me it’s therapeutic. To some that sounds crazy but to runners that sounds right.
February 2017 - The Hug around the Harbour
I ran my first marathon called “The Hug around the Harbour”. I didn’t tell anyone I was doing it. Well, I only decided I was going to attempt to do it 3 days prior. The Marathon cost $50, there were no medals, no time limits and every cent went to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.
Of course, I realised en route that I forgot the protein bars I had made...but there was no going back.
The route was from Manly to Watsons Bay,there was about 40 of us on the day and we were given maps to direct us. I was new to Sydney, so I wasn’t really sure where I was going but for the first 25-30km I kept up with the majority of the group.
It was 30km’s in and I lagged back, it was tough. I took the wrong route and got lost, when I eventually found my way back, I had added on an extra 3 km onto my journey! I was exhausted and starving, I needed something to fuel me, so I had to stop at a Coles express and pick up a sandwich. Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but I probably would have fainted if I didn’t.
35km in nowand I was walking/running trying to keep focused. Thoughts going through my head of getting an Uber to the finish line, but I soldiered on.
40kmsin and I could see a couple of runners ahead of me that I started with and we all cheered each other through the next 2 km. TO FINISH!
The feeling when I finished was amazing, I was ecstatic! I checked my time and it was 5 hours and 5 minutes. For my first marathon, I didn’t think it was that bad, I was happy I completed it and didn’t cave into getting an Uber.
The following days were horrendous, I was so stiff and walking like a newborn calf. I swore I would never do another marathon again.
September 2017 - Blakemores' Sydney Marathon
May 2017 - I was off to do my regional work to get my second-year visa. When you do your regional work, you are a Backpacker and your diet consists of goon and $5 domino pizzas, no thank you. I signed up to the 'Blackmores' Sydney Marathon' to keep focused, tried to eat as healthy as I could on a weekly wage of $500 and trained for my next marathon!
Race Day - The day came around pretty fast, and the weather was perfect, I set off at 7 am - fully prepared this time. I finished my second marathon in 4 hours and 20 minutes. Shedding 45mins off my time. Woohoo!
September 2018 - Blackmores' Sydney Marathon
I wanted to be a little different this year so my goal is to complete this marathon in under 4 hours and to raise money for a particular charity.
I chose a charity called the Black Dog Institute, which is a not-for-profit organisation focusing on mental health. I decided I would try to raise over $1,000and I was lucky enough to have the help and support of Kennedy Reid who sponsored me the first $500.
The training was a lot more intense this time, I did an advanced training course for 13 weeks, hill sprints and long runs on Sundays, giving up my social life for a couple of weeks, but it was worth it.
Race Day: I had my pacer band on and my Fitbit monitoring my time and distance. Coming up to the finish line I felt completely overwhelmed, I knew I was going to complete it in under 4 hours. This was 100% the most emotional I have ever been during the marathon process (apart from tearing up with pain). I finished in 3 hours 45 minutes and raised over $1,100 for the Black Dog Institute.
Running a marathon is so strenuous on your body, mentally and physically, but the more training you do the quicker your recovery is. Whether you do a 5km or a 42km, it’s an achievement and one step closer to running your first marathon or achieving some of your own goals. If someone had told me 3 years ago, that I would have run 3 marathons before 2019, I would have laughed in their face. Challenge yourself and see what your body and mind can do!!
What’s next? Maybe an Ultra Marathon?