halfmarathon – curiousgnome

An addictive personality is like Voldemort, as described by Mr Ollivander: “terrible, but great”. Falling for running, cycling, climbing and so on will make you fitter, healthier and more focused. But falling too hard will leave you injured, frustrated and restless.

I’m blessed and plagued with a tendency to throw myself into things blindfolded and headfirst, without self-control, moderation or any kind of plan. An idea gets into my head and I get tunnel vision: all my energy goes into performing or achieving that idea, at the expense of everything else.

For example, I read a book about running. Got inspired, went for a run and didn’t stop until I’d done a half marathon and was late to an appointment. Got drunk that night and entered an ultramarathon. Sobered up and started training. Ran 40 miles in less than a week and got shin splints. Had to stop running for 2 months. Am still suffering, but finally back running – today I ran my second ever 13.1 mile (21.1k) half-marathon.

I’m interested to find out how far I can push myself because today’s run felt great. I set out intending to do 10k or so (about 6 miles) but felt so good that I just carried on. I’ve been “easing myself back in” for a few weeks, squeezing in a handful of 5-12k runs, and wanted to start running properly. Initially I thought I’d have to cut it short today as my shins started to ache despite copious amounts of KT tape, but (and some physio somewhere will tell me off) it subsided so I didn’t stop.

I actually felt stronger after an hour; my form improved and I got quicker. This is despite my decision to weave my way around, up and down St Catherine’s Hill on the edge of the South Downs, along rocky paths, up mega-steep sections and through walls of brambles (coming out the other side grinning and bloody-kneed).

I stopped at half-marathon distance because my feet started to ache and I didn’t want to get injured again, so maybe I am learning. I did it in 1hr 52mins 48secs, so it wasn’t fast but I’ll have to get even slower. Fitness-wise I felt fresh as a daisy and I actually wanted to keep running, so I think it’ll be my feet/legs that let me down first when it comes to the ultra.

So I’ve never run more than 13.1 miles and in three and a half weeks I’m supposed to run 50. Have I pulled out of the ultra? No way. Do I think I’m going to complete it? No way. I know that I’m not physically capable of running that distance – I’ve barely trained, I’m still recovering from injury and I’ve never done anything even close. But I’ve accepted that and I have nothing to lose, so I’ll run, walk and hobble for as long as I possibly can.

I won’t be disappointed if I make 20 miles, and I’ll be delighted to make 26.2 – marathon distance. I know I’ll look like an idiot next to the seasoned ultramarathoners (at the start, anyway!) but that doesn’t bother me; as far as I’m concerned, I’ll be the only person in the Peak District. This is the beginning – one day I’ll be eating 50-milers for breakfast.

In the meantime, I believe I have a hydration pack, blister plasters, vaseline and some trail shoes to buy…

Two days ago I downloaded the audiobook version of Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run to occupy my hour-long commute to uni. I wanted something outdoorsey-adventurey to remind me of the great big world beyond law books and inspire me to push on through my last couple of months in education. Perhaps I’ll reward myself with some crazy exploit in July-August, I thought, which will give me an incentive to work hard in the meantime.

I won’t review the book now as I’m only halfway through, but it’s good. So good, in fact, that today I accidentally ran a half marathon.

I enjoy running but rarely get round to doing it; I’ve only been once since February. Like anything, I think it’s about getting in the habit. I have a feeling that will change – having listened to the book, I’ve realised that I should run for running’s sake, not specifically to get faster or fitter. That way it’s not a chore.

Today I did that. I let myself enjoy each step the way a child enjoys aimlessly tearing around a playground, and didn’t beat myself up for not hitting sub-five minute kilometres. I planned to run from Winchester to Alresford via the back roads, about 8 miles. I think the furthest I’ve run before is about 10 miles, and that was a long time ago for a one-off charity event.

The first 2-3 miles were a breeze and I enjoyed not focusing on achieving a “good” pace. I felt a blister heat spot about 4 miles in but didn’t want to stop running, so ignored it. Miles 4-7 were probably the toughest, but then I realised that it had got easier – I had settled into a rhythm and wasn’t struggling despite the hills. My breathing was slow, the blister had eased (or gone numb) and my legs moved (almost) effortlessly. Perhaps I had got over the “wall” that runners go on about.

I felt so at ease that I decided to extend the run, first to 10 miles, then, when I still felt good, to 13.1 – a half marathon. I find that when I have a finite endpoint the last bit is tough, so the last half mile was a bit of a slog. Nevertheless I think I could have kept going, but I wanted to get to an exhibition that closed at 4pm (which was well worth it – How Many Elephants). I did it in 1hr55 and averaged 5mins 28secs per kilometre – not my best pace as I like to stick as close to 5-minute kilometres as possible, but I don’t mind as I didn’t expect to run that far.

To conclude (in a rush, as I’m already late for my plans), please go running. It took me 1hr 55mins to fall in love. Let yourself enjoy it, go as fast and as far as you feel like going, and realise that you’re capable of more than you think. Book review to follow…

curiousgnome

Tag: halfmarathon

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The Accidental Half-Marathon