I always used to say I didn't have enough time to train, that was my excuse and I was sticking to it! Finally this year I made the decision to prioritise and make the time to run! And now I'm a runner!!
With a change in job at the beginning of the year resulting in a change in work schedule I now have my days free to train which is a huge bonus. And I'm very lucky to have a live-in coach who helps to keep me motivated.
Before I met Scotty I didn't even like walking to the shops, let alone run anywhere. That soon changed once we started dating five and a half years ago. I still remember the first time I wanted to run from the house I was living at in Christchurch to the end of the street, around a very small park and then back home. It was probably about 1.5km at the very most. I jogged slowly to the end of the street and then put a burst on to cross the road to the park. I instantly got a stitch and had to walk around the park and walk home. I was so upset and wondered how I'd ever run if I couldn't even make it 1.5km.
But just like anything in life, if you stick at it and don't give up, you will achieve your goals. About 6 months later I walked a half marathon in just under 3 hours down in Dunedin (south of Christchurch). It was a great accomplishment and I was so happy to have completed such a huge challenge. I had blisters like you wouldn't believe, but I was determined to finish - and I had to impress my new fitness freak boyfriend!
About 9 months later I competed in my first half marathon. I tried following a training program leading up to the race but had injuries in my feet and knees and didn't do half the amount of training I'd hoped to do. I remember my first two hour training run that I had to do, and Scotty was away on a camp so I had to do it alone. It was pouring with rain and freezing cold but I was determined to get it done. I mapped out a route and jogged the whole way. It felt great!
The day of the Christchurch Half Marathon rolled around quickly and I was lucky enough to have Scotty running with me. I really struggled, especially when it came to running into the wind and I didn't know how I was going to make the distance. But, just over 2 hours after I started, I ran down the finishing chute! I'd done it, I'd run a half marathon. At the time I thought this would be the biggest race I'd ever compete in.
Over the next couple of years my running was very sporadic. I did a few short races (around 10km) in NZ and then in Perth once we moved. Every time I started training for a race I would end up injured which was very frustrating.
Last year I was doing a few of the WAMC 5 and 10km races. I was really enjoying them and said to Scotty that I thought I'd stick to those distances. I said I might train up for a half marathon, but I really enjoyed the shorter races. I look back now and realise that this was probably just my excuse not to have to push myself.
Later that year I decided to train for the Perth Half Marathon. During my training I was doing a 10km run with a friend and started to get pain in my right foot. Being the inexperienced runner that I was I ran through the pain. The next morning I couldn't even walk on it and I knew something was seriously wrong. I went to the podiatrist and was diagnosed with having a stress fracture. That meant I could kiss goodbye any hopes of doing the Perth Half Marathon.
It took a long time to get over my stress fracture, 4 months to be exact. And it was a very slow process of being able to walk on it again before even thinking about running.
Just before Christmas last year I competed in a 5km race in the 43 degree heat. The heat mixed with the fact that I hadn't run in 4 months was a bad combination, and I walked about 3 of the 5km. It was an interesting event to say the least.
On New Year's Eve I competed in the WAMC 8km run which was heaps of fun. I struggled a lot and walked some of it, but it was such a fun way to start our New Year's Eve celebrations.
After that I did a few more of the WAMC 5 and 10km races and started running a lot more regularly. I thought it was about time I tried some Hokas since Scotty raved about them so much. I think this was a major turning point in my training. I absolutely loved the shoes and they were perfect for me. They allowed me to run pain free and I pulled up the following day after a run without any pain in my legs.
I was loving running and decided I'd train up for the Bunbury Half Marathon in April. I was getting a lot of training in and feeling great. I knew I was getting serious about running when I decided to do the Darlington Half Marathon as a 'training run'. I had a horrible stitch for most of the race but still finished faster than I had in my previous half marathon years earlier which I was happy with.
My training continued along nicely and before I knew it I was tapering for the Bunbury Half. I had a great run in Bunbury with Scotty on the bike cheering me along. I ran 1.48 which was another PB and I was ecstatic.
After Bunbury I had a very quiet month while we were in America. I was supposed to be doing the Perth Marathon once we got back but decided that with my lack of training on holidays I wouldn't do it.
As it turned out I was 'talked into' doing the race the day before it was on, by Scotty and a friend Grant. Scotty had entered but had a sore knee so they convinced me that even though I'd only ever run 27km that I'd be fine to do my first marathon.
I was feeling pretty good on race morning and managed to get my breakfast down without any trouble. Scotty was going to come on the bike and meet me along the way. The start gun went off and we were away. I planned on doing about 5.30 pace which is what I thought I could maintain for the race. I came through the half marathon in exactly 2 hours which was great. Things were going along nicely until I hit the 28km mark when the wheels fell off. It was still a long way to the finish line and I was really starting to struggle. My aim was to run to each aid station and then walk for a bit while I had a drink. It became harder and harder to run and I spent a lot of the last 5km walking. I refused to walk to the finish, so I really pushed myself to run for the last kilometre. It was such an emotional feeling running down the finishing chute. I couldn't believe I'd just finished my first marathon. I was so excited and so sore! It was really nice having my sister and her family there to watch me finish. And I couldn't have done it without the support and encouragement of Scotty on the bike. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd ever run a marathon, and I'd just done it. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.
Since then I have competed in the Geraldton Marathon which was 3 weeks later. I paced myself a lot better and managed to run the whole way which was a great feeling. And I took 3 minutes off my previous time which was fantastic. I also did the Perth Half Marathon in August which was great fun, especially after not being able to do it last year. It wasn't my fastest time, but I was only a couple of minutes off and was happy with that considering my build up to the race (two weeks holiday and then training up until race day with no taper!) Something I'm learning about is choosing A and B races, which basically means that not all of my 'races' have to be run at 100%. A lot of them can just be for fun or as a means of getting in another training run. The Perth Half Marathon wasn't one of my A races for the year, which is why I didn't taper and did the race even after having a couple of weeks off.
I am now training for a race called 6 Inch which is a 46km trail race in December. My goal after that is to compete in the Tarawera 60km Ultra Marathon in Rotorua, NZ in March next year. And after that... Who knows! I absolutely love trail running, nothing beats being out on the trails with no one else around, running through the bush and listening to the birds in the trees. In saying that though, I do enjoy my runs around the river and along the coast when I'm doing a shorter training run.
It's no secret that I love running, it's such a great feeling getting fitter and faster and it's something Scotty and I can do together. I would recommend getting into running for anyone that wants to get fit or lose weight. It's a great cardio workout and it has a great social aspect too. I've met some great friends through running and continue to meet new people all the time. Running communities are filled with friendly, outgoing people who are always willing to teach you what they know about running and racing. There are lots of different running groups around Perth for all different levels of fitness, with people that can help you achieve your running goals.
I'm very lucky to have Scotty who teaches me everything I need to know about running. There are so many small things that I'd have no idea about if it wasn't for his advice. Every time we run together he explains things to me and tells me the best way of doing things, whether it be about pacing, running up and down hills or my nutrition. Without his support and guidance I would've never achieved what I have and for that I am very grateful.
I often have people asking my advice about running or training and I love helping people with any questions they have. So, if anyone has anything they'd like to know, please feel free to ask, I'd be more than happy to help out. And don't forget, I couldn't even run 1.5km when I first started, so anyone can do it, even if you've never run before!
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