It’s been 5 days since I completed my first ever marathon, the virtual London marathon, and I’m feeling delighted, overwhelmed and a little dazed! Did I really do that?!

Working from home this week has allowed me to recharge and work at my own pace, yet I’ve craved seeing people to share my experience! I guess that’s a relief for those who may have had their ears chewed off ;o)

So, this blog is being written partly for me, to get my thoughts and feelings down, to reflect on what this achievement has given me, and the crazy journey this past year. Plus friends have shared that they have been inspired by my running story, and likewise there have been many friends who have inspired me, to believe in myself and to not give up. So if anyone is reading this wondering “should I take that leap?” – whether that be a fitness challenge, or a stretch within your professional or personal life, then this may be helpful too.

On a side note I’m part-way through a 6-week virtual programme to develop my skills in creating simple graphics and illustrations, to incorporate into my business. I decided to be brave and create some drawings for this blog, illustrating my marathon journey – so please be kind!

It’s been a long, turbulent, emotional, anxious, rollercoaster of a journey over the past 12 months, from the moment I found out I had been awarded Wood Green The Animal Charity’s sole charity place to running the virtual London marathon.

So why did I apply to run my first marathon in the first place, and why London?

I will be turning 50 next month so last year I decided to reframe my less positive association with this milestone age with how could I celebrate it, starting with setting myself a huge fitness challenge. London appealed as it’s iconic, for the route, the experience, the crowds. Plus, a few of my running buddies had also applied, so everything was lining up just nicely…

So, looking back, what’s been the biggest challenge?

• Initially, it was the enormity of the challenge, taking on a marathon. I’d run 2 half marathons, both were tough, and I couldn’t quite envisage running that distance again, for the same event!
• The worry of fundraising the money needed, £1750.00.
• Once lockdown hit, and the marathon was post-poned, the lengthy uncertainty and lack of clarity of whether and when any marathon event would take place, and with that the stop/start of our training plans.
• The devastation of losing my Dad in the peak of Covid-19, and not being able to grieve in the way we needed.

What has helped me to overcome these challenges, to stay focused, and keep `looking forwards’ to the virtual London marathon?

• Running has been a gift over the past 9 months especially. Historically running has brought so many benefits mentally and physically, as shared in my earlier blog for my first half marathon in March ’19 –http://kcsunshine.co.uk/what-a-stretch-what-an-achievement-what-a-reward/. Those benefits inspired me to keep running, as often as I could. Working through the fog and pain of grief is tough at any time, and running was my outlet, my headspace.
• There were many tough, low, sad, emotional times. Noticing this was happening and dosing up with self-care, was so important. Some days this was easier than others. It’s so important we practice self-care. We wouldn’t head out with an empty tank of petrol or a flat phone battery, we need to recharge ourselves regularly too. I included self-care in the top tips for building & sustaining resilience in my earlier blog this year. http://kcsunshine.co.uk/leading-self-others-personal-resilience/

• Having a growth mind-set; accepting uncertainty is here to stay for the foreseeable, looking for the opportunities, accepting mistakes are fine and help us learn and see the improvements I’m making through practice and effort.
• Using the reframing tool. When the longer runs felt a bit of a slog, reframing my thoughts of `Oh this is going to be a long training marathon run’ to `I’m running for me’ was helpful, especially through the vast periods of uncertainty. Reminding myself I would be running anyway to keep my fitness up.
• Practicing gratitude, 2-3 times a week writing down at least 3 things I’m grateful for, a practice that serves me well, and helps to rewire the brain towards positive aspects (this helpful article explains the science behind rewiring your brain https://medium.com/thrive-global/these-life-changing-exercises-can-train-your-brain-for-happiness-f1293d1c75bf) when we’re living in times of constant bad news, which as we know can be so draining.  Appreciating my husband and girls, friends and family who continued to believe in me, encourage and support me.

• Running with friends when I was able to. After the lockdown restrictions were eased this made a huge difference, I found the longer solo runs hard, and I left home tearful on a few occasions.
• Signing up for virtual running challenges, with the reward of a medal (or even an end of run cookie!) made a difference. My favourite challenge was the GNRSolo; to run 40 times in 78 days. This was a clear goal which was a stretch yet achievable, and was finished off with a half marathon, that kept me going!
• Receiving encouragement and advice from my fitness coach Larissa (http://transitioncoachingbedford.co.uk/) and reminding myself that other women in our group have taken on the marathon challenge and have done so brilliantly.
• Seeing the fundraising total grow and grow! £2786.24 has been raised so far! So many generous and thoughtful donations and messages, with a huge boost from my fun race night. Keeping front of mind the amazing work Wood Green (https://woodgreen.org.uk/) do and how the fundraising will support that. 
• Running with my daughter Emma has been wonderful, and for her to be part of history in joining me on the day itself for the 40th race, Virtual London Marathon 🙂  I recently read  “Research shows that girls are 80% more likely to exercise if their Mums do…” in the FB group This Mum Runs, which is hugely motivating.
• Being flexible with the plan and expecting change to continue.
• Remembering I `get to run’ and many can’t.  
  

In the days leading up to the big day, the weather was awful, and the forecast for Sunday was constant rain, lower temperatures and a bit windy, fabulous!

I researched mindset strategies for the day itself, a super helpful one was adapting the visualisation technique . Rather than visualising finishing the marathon (which always made me emotional and it felt so far away), the suggestion was to visualise breaking this larger event into chunks, so similar to the analogy of breaking down a pizza, you wouldn’t eat it all in one go!

I decided to visualise instead the faces of the different runners supporting us for the 2 mile loops arriving throughout the day, which broke it into 4 more easily digestible sections.

So, how was the day itself? Well I’ve put this into pictures…. 🙂

I had a fabulous day. I’m still on cloud nine, and I’m super proud of my achievement, so grateful for the opportunity and for our wonderful cheerleading squad and runners that made it so much more doable and memorable.

An old knee injury returned painfully at mile 9-10 which panicked me briefly, and thankfully seeing my family had arrived (watching me in the pouring rain!), running company, painkillers, cups of tea and delicious homemade mini sausage rolls got me through!

My daughter joined me for my last mile, and as I reached mile 20 still smiling I allowed myself to visualise her joining me soon 🙂

The determination, optimism (most days!), drive and courage to prepare for and run the marathon has paid off, and I know Dad will be proud. 

So, what next? I await patiently for news of my date to run the marathon in London, I’m hoping for October 2021…

Also, to pocket this feelings of achievement, to hold this tight and remind myself whenever I’m looking to be brave and for inspiration, to take that leap of faith out of my comfort zone, to seize those chances, and ask myself…

With warm wishes,

Karen