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Crossing a Marathon Finish Line
One
major bonus of being a non-working Expat Partner is that you have more time to
train and participate in sporting groups. It is a wonderful way to meet
like-minded people, as well as doing good to your body and mind.
I had
been running for several years. I was a weekend runner who ran to blow off
stress and to be outdoors. Over the years, I had completed several half
marathons, however, a marathon seemed impossible. With a full-time career and
children, I didn’t see how I could cope with the training.
At the
start of my expat period, I found an Expat running group and was regularly
doing twice weekly training with them. Running became a part of my weekly
activities which I really enjoyed. Soon, I was contemplating my first marathon.
Contemplating,
as I also doubted if I could make it to the “Finish Line”. I imagined all kinds
of situations which would prevent me from finishing. After 2 months of
intensive training which required one long outing at the weekends, I was
feeling weary with the regular training. It required motivation and dedication
to get up on a weekend morning and run for over 2 hours, knowing that others
where tucked up warmly in their beds.
The
week before the marathon, I started to get anxious. I kept thinking of
obstacles like, what if it rains, what if I get a cramp, what if my feet hurt,
what if I can’t find a toilet, what if I can’t sleep the night before, what if
I am hungry…The list was long!
To be
sure to put all the odds to my side, I followed the advice I got in preparation
for the countdown: getting a good night’s sleep, drinking plenty of water and
carb-loading prior to the run. During my training period, I enjoyed eating my
pasta meals as I was more hungry than usual given the calories I was burning
during my outings!
The day
of the Marathon arrived, and I woke up feeling confident and ready to run!
Despite all my prior anxiety, I had slept well and was eager to get started.
Not knowing my capacity to finish or what was going to happen to my body during
the race, I ran slower than normal, hydrated regularly and took my glucose
gels. I concentrated on enjoying the atmosphere, exchanging words with other
runners and saying hi to all those nice spectators on the sideline who
encourage the runners.
During
the entire race, I regularly reminded myself that I was going to finish. I
didn’t care about achieving a finishing time. I just wanted to finish in good
shape. I had heard so much talk about the “wall” which a runner can encounter
during the marathon. So, when I reached the 30 Kilometers mark and I was still
feeling fine, I knew that I would finish. It was an exciting feeling, to know
that in just over 10 Kilometers, I would have done it.
When I
crossed the finishing line, I said to myself “you did it” and I really felt
happy about my accomplishment! I had a great first marathon and I feel so lucky
that I did not encounter any of my previous anxieties.
What I
learned from my first marathon is that in midlife and without a medical
condition to prevent you from running, a first marathon is possible with the
right dose of self-motivation and the right training.
What
has changed since I became a “Finisher” is that I have gained in
self-confidence. From now on, whenever I have moments of doubt about my
capacities, I will think back to the 42.195 Kilometers that I finished.
With
determination, we can succeed. By setting goals and by sticking to them, we
advance on our path to success. Sometimes, we must push ourselves to go that
bit further! There is a lot to be gained from tenacity and believing in
yourself!
I
dedicate my first Marathon to my husband who ran with me, my children and my
coach from the running club. Their encouragements and belief in me, made it
possible.
Author. Brid Doherty-Appriou
