How do I know I gave everything? I collapsed at the finish!
The 50th BMW Berlin marathon last weekend was my 1st marathon medical tent encounter (collapsing at the finish and helped by 2 other runners😳), 2nd destination race after Paris last spring and 16th marathon. It was fun, challenging, rewarding and instructive. Here are some of the lessons I learnt from this one:
- No shortcuts: There is no substitute for hardwork, discipline and consistency if you want to achieve anything worthwhile. You’ve got to put the work in; you get out what you put in. Early rises, effort, training while travelling and even on holiday (17 miles on a treadmill, anyone?👀)
- It’s the journey that matters: Perhaps the most significant reward of chasing a big goal — whatever that may be— is the person you become and the relationships you forge along the way. Who you become during the process and what you learn about yourself are invaluable.
- Aim for more than 1 thing: It’s advisable to have multiple targets, rather than getting hung up on one single thing. You can analyse what went wrong, needing improvement and what went right, worthy of celebration. It provides balance. I had 7 targets for the race and achieved 6 of them.
- Practise: If possible practise in a safe space, with low stakes. That way you can learn from mistakes, adjust and course correct at low risk. I used a spring marathon in Southampton as preparation for Berlin.
- Make it fun. Having a kickass playlist and having fun with my kit is how I add enjoyment to what could otherwise feel relentless or arduous (I colour coordinate my kit even when running in the dark and no one sees me… I see myself🤣).
- Know your ‘why’: Running in memory of my mum, teaching my children the importance of fighting for their dreams and having my family be proud of me were big ones, as was raising money for a charity. Infuse what you do with meaning and purpose.
- No regrets: Give everything you’ve got, hold nothing back. Then you have no regrets and have done all you can. If in the end you know you couldn’t have given any more, then you can be satisfied knowing you’ve done everything in your power. That was my legs giving way at the end of the race. I left it all on that course and had nothing else to give! Very happy with that🏃🏾♀️😊
- Do it now: Whatever your dream don’t leave it until later. A wise person once said, ‘Later people grow old, day turns into night, strength wanes (my addition), life goes by and you regret not doing something when you had the chance.’
The marathon owes you nothing. All you can do is control the controllables. The weather could surprise you or your body just doesn’t play ball on race day. You simply prepare the best you can and leave the rest. My body gave me a 12-minute personal best (a colossal 24 minutes faster than my marathon in Southampton in April!) and I enjoyed the experience, despite the mishap at the finish😊
The journey was neither smooth nor easy. It was littered with doubt, despair and even despondency at times. It shaped me and taught me many lessons. Hearing my children express pride (any parent knows how hard it is to impress teenagers!) was so special and made it all worthwhile.
As the saying goes, If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.