What goes though your head on a first marathon.
Back in 2008 I was going through the motions with my training, didn’t really have a goal apart from at that age just to lift very heavy weights and train like a machine (like we all do at that age). I was working at great club back in Essex called Woodlands health and fitness club. When a lot of members kept saying "Why don’t you enter a Marathon!”.
Now straight away I can tell you im not built for a marathon, I have short legs and to broad shoulders so the thought of a marathon at that point was a big "HELL NO"!
As the weeks went by the thought kept creeping into my head "Why not" why not show everyone that I can do this challenge and enter the proud club of being able to say I have finished a marathon and not only a marathon but one of the toughest marathons in the UK (Halstead and Essex marathon).
Entry in time to train!!!!
My entry was in I had committed, time to get serious about this. Training went really well leading up to the marathon. All as planned with some good times coming my way on the longer runs.
I remember the first time I got to 19 miles the achievement of that alone was a great feeling, one of relief that I could do it and also the fact I had just ran 19 miles!!!!
The night before.
Food, I ate a lot! I got a good early night mentally prepared myself, I slept well.
The morning hit and it was game on, ironically I was not that nervous I was calm I was ready I knew I had the miles in my legs, I was ready!
BANG!!
So it starts the mental war fair 26.2 miles.
Here are the 4 big things that went through my head during the marathon and how I overcame them.
1, Am I going to complete it!
This was a constant worry, there are so many things that could go wrong in a marathon for example have I prepared right with my nutrition, have i got the right trainers for the day, are the cloths im wearing the right ones, am i going to have to stop and quit at some point.
Doing a marathon is one of the toughest physical endurance events you can partake in, how I overcome this fear was by simply breaking down the marathon into small chunks. I took every 6 miles and tried to reset my brain and start again every time i hit that 6 mile mark setting little goals for the next 6 to come.
2, what happens if I need the toilet!
Now you may laugh at this one but it was a genuine concern, what do I do if I need to go to the toilet? The Halstead and Essex marathon is not like London where there are toilets placed around the course. If you need to go your options are limited.
Now I know Paula Radcliffe just goes like many other top elite marathon runners but im not an elite marathon runner and I don’t want to come across the finish line smelling like wee or even worse have a stain where everyone can see it just to save a few minutes on my time.
So the solution was go where you can, tree's bushes there was plenty to choose from along the country side marathon that was the Halstead and Essex marathon.
3, am I going to hurt myself?
This was always one that was at the back of the mind and would creep up on you when you felt something painful. I was always aware that people have died doing marathons and its regardless of age or health.
The simple answer to this was always remember your preparation, if you got it right in training you have reduced the risks of damage to your body. Your body has adapted to this form of exercises and is prepared.
4, how bad is the so called "wall" going to be?
Nothing prepared me for this!!! I had no idea what it was going to feel like but it was the most interesting feeling and I can honestly say it was all in the head! The wall is different for many people, I have spoken to a few people who have completed the task of a marathon and some have said their legs gave up and injuries kicked in.
For myself it was all in my head, when you have mentally prepared yourself up to the 19 mile mark in training then hit that when competing your mind all of a sudden reminds you "you have 7.2 miles to go".
Now that’s when realisation kicks in and you know you have another hour at least of running ahead. You’re in uncharted water here!
How do you get by this, again everyone is different but my sole savour was the mental strength to say to myself " You have come this far, you will be a failure if you stop". I can honestly say that is the only thing that got me though. My head was just constantly saying you need to stop!
The best feeling I have ever experienced in my life by a long way, I have finished a marathon and finished it well. Crossing the line at 26.2 miles is a sense of achievement that you will only get from that event, it’s not for the faint of heart but you have done it, to have the privilege enter the big book of human beings who have come and concurred 26.2 miles!
