Running The Extra Mile

As some of you know, I have just completed my first marathon. I attended the 40^th Ottawa Race Weekend. What a trip.

When I first decided to sign up for the race, Ottawa was still covered in meters of snow. I remember sitting in front of my computer on a January morning, sipping my coffee in my winter robe. I kept on glancing outside wondering how I was going to train for my first marathon in a great Canadian winter. Stubbornly enough, I convinced myself that it was a great idea and that the challenge was accepted. Once I decided in my mind that I was going to do it, there was no turning back, no matter how bad it might get. So, I went out and bought the Runner’s World Big Book of Half-Marathon and Marathon training guide. I started by reading the introduction, but flipped immediately to the appendix where I would find the training schedule. As a former student-athlete, it was always something I wanted to have in front of me. Whether it was my schedule for two-a-days in pre-season or my spring training schedule, I always wanted to know what I was getting myself into. It was never a deterrent, even if it demanded a great deal of time, dedication, commitment and passion. I couldn’t believe the mileage I would be doing for the next 20 weeks. Running 4-5 days a week was no small task. These runs included yasso 800s, short runs, hills, sprints, time trials and of course long Sunday runs. This may not mean much to some of my readers, but let me tell you this, training for a marathon isn’t simple lacing up your shoes and getting out there. It takes preparation, commitment to your logistics and constant trial and error.

As you develop yourself a “running brand”, you have to go through many obstacles in the first few weeks. My challenges varied. I had to get used to changing speeds as I ran, monitor my hydration and making sure I felt full enough to run long-distances. I think my toughest challenge was getting up every Sunday morning at 5:30 am in the winter cold weather to complete my 15 to 22 mile runs before I had to head to work for 11am.  In the end, it was worth it.

I arrived Sunday morning to my race and felt ready. The night before, I did what most runners do, carb load with two large plates of spaghetti with a small splash of tomato sauce. I slept a full 7 hours and woke up ready to take on the day. As I crossed the starting line, I knew that I had to risk everything I had done 20 weeks prior to race day in order to finish my 42.2km race. As I ran each kilometer, I basked in the beauty that surrounded me. Ottawa is a great city to run in, but the people are what really took my breath away. Marathon runners may be some of the most resilient and determined athletes I have ever encountered. The physical preparation, mental toughness, psychological and emotional preparation are imperative for these runners. And it is those who stick to their training plan that succeed, no matter what the time they finish. I was happy with my preparation, but what I was most grateful for was the people that showed up that day to cheer me on. I had friends and family that cheered me along the way. I have to give a special thanks to my dad. He had ran in the Boston Marathon a month before and decided not to run the Ottawa Race Weekend this year. But he found me at different points of the race and ran by my side. It was such a great surprise and such a source of my inspiration. My almost 60-year-old father was running as though it was destined for him to do so. He is such a graceful runner. I am lucky to have such inspiring parents that have always showed me the value of doing sports and committing to my goals. Although it felt amazing to finish such a race, it was the journey that really made it worth the while.

Here are 5 lessons I learned during my marathon training:

1. The first few weeks are going to be tough. Running 4-5 a week is no easy task, so stick with it. In a few weeks, running will become a pleasant part of your schedule.

2. Get to know your body. Any runner will tell you that aching knees will be the least of your worries. Long distant runners know that there is so much you discover about your body during training.

3. Have faith that you can finish. Whether it is completing a 5k run or a 32km run, have faith in yourself and your training that you can finish.

4. Give yourself a round of applause after every Sunday run. I know that each Sunday was such a rewarding run because I pushed myself to a new high. Give yourself a round of applause as you finish your LSD (Long Slow Distance) run. On race day, I remember doing the same as I crossed the finish line.

5. Enjoy the journey. This goes for your training and race day. It doesn’t matter how many people you pass or may pass you, the point of it all is to enjoy what you have been through the past few weeks and the 42.2km you will be clocking that day.

Whether you are thinking about running a 5k run or a marathon, commit to your goal. You can do it. Find inspiration around you, but above all find inspiration within you. Each run is an opportunity to dig deep and get to know you on a whole new level. I know at the end of my training and race, I had a newfound respect and appreciation for myself. Visualization is key. If you can see yourself completing your running event in the mind, it will manifest itself in the body. No matter what obstacles or challenges you may face, know that at the end of the road is success, sense of accomplishment and profound respect for yourself and others like you who have committed to their goal.