After completing my first road half marathon, I decided to book a half marathon every month leading up to my full marathon as part of my preparation. The plan was to use each race as a stepping stone, learning and improving along the way. October was the next race on the calendar, booked just before the first road half marathon. However, as we all know, plans don’t always go as expected.

The Plan and Preparation

Feeling I had more to give after my first half marathon, I focused on better gel planning during the race. Armed with this knowledge, I also planned a 30K walk along the southern English coast two weeks before the half marathon. The morning of the race started off fresh, so I dressed warmly and had a good breakfast to fuel my run.This race was new to me, and I had never been to the location before, but this time, I planned my journey well. It was easier to get to than the Richmond start. Over-preparing, I took more gels than needed, determined not to repeat past mistakes.

The Race Day

The day started with a warm-up by the organizers, which helped get everyone pumped up and ready to go. I lined up in front of the 2-hour pacer, aiming to beat my previous best time. Initially, I took it easy, pacing myself carefully. However, a few kilometers in, I had a talk with myself: “Stop messing around, put in a good effort.” With that mindset, I pushed harder, aiming for a 5-minute per kilometer pace. Self-motivation was key, and I reminded myself not to go too fast too soon.

The gel intake was carefully planned, and I felt the benefits as I ran. For the first time running a half marathon, I felt well-prepared, despite having only done two long runs under 18K.

The Challenge

Everything went smoothly until around the 15K mark, when I started to slow down. I took another gel, but it didn’t kick in until about 20 minutes later, which meant I had miscalculated my intake. However, the last 3K felt good as the gel’s effects began to take hold.

Crossing the Finish Line

I finished the race feeling strong and confident. Unlike previous races, I didn’t feel like I could have done more; instead, I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride in the hard work I had put in. In fact, I felt like I could have gone on for another 10K. After the race, I spoke with another runner who had finished close to me. I shared that this was my third half marathon and that I had only started running races in June. It felt great to share my journey and to realize how far I’ve come in such a short time.

Reflection

Reflecting on this race, I realized how much I’ve learned and grown as a runner. From better planning my gel intake to pacing myself effectively, each experience has taught me valuable lessons. It’s important to recognize these small victories and use them as motivation for future challenges. Have you ever felt like you could push yourself further after completing a race or challenge? What strategies do you use to keep yourself motivated and prepared? Sharing our experiences can help us all improve and stay motivated.

Looking Forward

The next race is in November, and I’m already thinking about setting another personal best. This experience has taught me valuable lessons about pacing, gel intake, and the importance of preparation. It’s exciting to see the progress and to feel ready for the next challenge.

Feel free to share your thoughts, experiences, and advice. Together, we can motivate and uplift each other on this incredible journey.