I lately celebrated my forty seventh birthday. Across the time of my birthday, I at all times pause to mirror on the issues I’ve executed or needed to do over the past 12 months. The most important one which stood out for me this 12 months was finishing a half marathon. Beforehand, for those who requested me if I might do it, I might’ve mentioned most likely not.
A ten-kilometre race in Ottawa
It began in December 2023, when my daughter Anne informed me she was going to run the 10-kilometre race with me. She was going to return from Fredericton, to be by my facet to race on the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. I’d registered alone. Now I used to be motivated and excited.
The race came about in Could 2024. My objective was to finish the race, even when I needed to crawl throughout the end line. There was no time restrict. I might be high quality. And I did full it, in just below one hour and half-hour. I discovered it difficult, I loved the power vibe and my household was ready for me once I was executed.
A couple of weeks after we accomplished the 10-kilometre race, Anne talked about that she was going to do the half marathon in Fredericton, a full 21.1-kilometre race, with a few co-workers. I wasn’t certain if she was critical, however she mentioned I ought to take into consideration becoming a member of them. There have been plenty of logistics concerned, together with taking day off work, shopping for airplane tickets, registration after which the whole coaching itself all through the sizzling summer season.
Coaching for the half marathon
I briefly considered it and determined to go for it. My dream had at all times been to do a 10-kilometre race, however a half marathon by no means even occurred to me. Nevertheless, I took this as a chance. My daughter can be within the race and we’d spend time collectively. I began hatching out my coaching plan instantly.
A pair weeks into my coaching schedule, I needed to surrender. I labored 12-hour shifts on the weekends and didn’t drive. There was no approach I might get any working in on Saturdays or Sundays. In order that left me with 5 days, Monday to Friday, to get all three coaching runs in. I wanted a shorter one, a medium one after which an extended run. I’d maintain growing every because the weeks glided by.
On the times I ran my farthest, I used to be toast. I wasn’t in a position to do anything besides exist. I used to be nonetheless hanging in there, although, till I discovered there may be a cut-off time for the race. This was information to me, as a result of for the opposite race I’d accomplished, there had been no time restrict. I checked, and certain sufficient, all racers needed to end inside three hours and half-hour.
I panicked. It was over for me. I used to be a sluggish runner. A few days earlier than I flew out for the race, I accomplished the longest run I’d completed as much as that date. I ran 19 kilometres in three hours and 22 minutes, however I needed to cry. I had no concept how I used to be going to have the ability to run one other 2.1 kilometres in solely eight minutes.
The 2024 Fredericton Fall Traditional
There was no turning again, so I flew out to take part within the 2024 Fredericton Fall Traditional. It wasn’t till we picked up our bibs and shirts that it felt actual. I keep in mind that as I touched my shirt, shivers went down each my arms.
I stored repeating optimistic affirmations. I reminded myself that I’d made it this far. Even when I didn’t end the remainder, I’d tried. I used to be frightened about embarrassing my daughter, however the time for doubt and second-guessing was over, and it was time to gear up for the race.
I used to be frightened about embarrassing my daughter, however the time for doubt and second-guessing was over, and it was time to gear up for the race.
The minute the gun went off, I panicked. I began working, however there have been so many individuals that I needed to deal with shifting ahead one step at a time. I solely noticed my daughter for a few minutes, after which she was within the thick of the group.
The primary few kilometres glided by OK. The climate was good. Not too sizzling, not too chilly. It wasn’t raining. It was stunning fall climate. By 8 kilometres in, I used to be nonetheless repeating optimistic affirmations and motivating myself. Once I noticed the marker for 13 kilometres, I used to be doing OK, however I used to be spending an excessive amount of time watching the clock. By marker 16, I felt like I wasn’t in that nice of form total. Folks had been cheering and giving me high-fives, however I used to be truthfully beginning to doubt that I had one other 5 kilometres left in me to proceed.
The timing couldn’t have been extra excellent, although, as my daughter Anne ran previous me whereas getting into the other way. She cheered me on. She was about to complete the final leg of the marathon. Seeing her smile and her phrases of encouragement gave me the motivation I wanted to push ahead.
I stored going till I hit marker 19, after which I finished for a couple of minutes in confusion. There have been two methods to go. If I went the incorrect approach, not solely would I not full the race, however I’d be misplaced. Fortunately, simply then, one of many volunteers was coming by to begin closing up the water station. I knew I used to be working out of time.
The volunteer pointed me in the correct course and informed me to deal with optimistic affirmations and run. That was it. It was easy, maintain shifting ahead, so I did.
In my thoughts, it appeared to take endlessly, however there it was: marker 20. I had one other 1.1 kilometres to go, after which I might verify half marathon runner off my record. As I used to be about to show a nook, I heard an odd noise, however I stored pushing ahead. There was a girl volunteer who was cheering as she jumped up and down; she informed me to maintain going, I had this, I used to be going to make it.
I virtually stopped in shock. It wasn’t over. I used to be nonetheless good for time. There was an opportunity. For that whole final kilometre, there have been wonderful volunteers full of power pumping me up. I absorbed as a lot as I might. I stored working, albeit slowly as a result of I used to be practically empty.
The end
Lastly, I got here across the nook and I heard the announcer yell my title. I turned to my left and noticed that the bleachers had been utterly empty, besides for 2 fantastic folks. I noticed my son-in-law first as a result of he was so tall. Standing beside him was my daughter Anne, leaping up and cheering for me.
As I crossed the end line, the medal was positioned round my neck. Anne hugged me, yelling “You probably did it, you probably did it!” My race time was 3:18:18 and I got here in second-last. None of that mattered. I’d executed what I’d thought can be unattainable.
After the race, all I might keep in mind is scarfing down the new canine my son-in-law Callum picked up for us and desirous to cry as a result of I felt so pleased. Actually, I used to be so overwhelmed with emotion, I couldn’t even reply to the messages that had been ready for me. I’d been holding my associate David, in addition to my family and friends, up to date till the race had began. Everybody needed to know if I’d made it.
A reminder that I can do onerous issues
Again at Anne’s, I took a two-hour nap to breathe and let all of the sunshine and good emotions soak into my whole physique. Afterward, I referred to as David to inform him the excellent news and replied to the messages that had been ready. The medal is pinned up in my workplace as a reminder that I can do onerous issues!
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picture 1: ianhun2009; picture 2: Anne-Marie Miller
