Lessons From the Half Marathon I Almost Didn’t Finish

Photo by Christina Moroz on Unsplash

A tough terrain if ever there was one. Hills, humidity and hard running all through. But after twelve weeks of training, I was up to the task. The Kilimanjaro Marathon and Half Marathon are run at the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro. The entire race was held between 830m and 1150m altitude.

I can’t remember another event where I was so captivated by my surroundings. Set against the backdrop of the snow-capped mountain the scenery is spectacular. On the shoulders of the road, children stretched their hands out, urging the runners on. Running clubs ran in packs, singing and chanting into the distance. Regular water tables, sponging points and the odd ‘shower’ kept the runners hydrated. Much-needed energy for the homestretch was provided at the fruit stands at the 18km mark.

The Goal: A Half Marathon Personal Best

I had come into this race with high expectations. After twelve weeks of training, I was going for a personal best time of 2hrs 18 minutes.

This training was the fourth of the year and the second half marathon training I had participated in. It ran from December to February. The last program had run from August to September, in preparation for the Standard Chartered Nairobi marathon. But ten weeks into the program I got a groin injury. While out on a time trial run with a friend, I ran at a pace my body wasn’t ready for. Two days later walking became difficult. I pulled out of the training.

A Different Approach

I changed my strategy this time around.

I took it easy on the easy run days, paced myself during the time trials and made sure I participated in more group runs. This new community not only challenged me but gave me motivation on those days I wanted to quit.

I also lucked out on the work front. My schedule eased as we approached the end of our financial year. With more time on my hands, I was able to get more rest between the training sessions.

A Mixed Bag of Tricks

Muscle soreness and stiffness are interwoven into the fabric of marathon training. Enter the 30-day Yoga challenge. This challenge offered more benefits than I had anticipated. On one hand, it took the guesswork out of my day; reducing any resistance I felt to working out on the rest days.

Yoga Enhances Fitness

I read in the Harvard journal that:

Yoga is known for its ability to soothe tension and anxiety in the mind and body. But it can also have an impact on a person’s exercise capacity.

Yoga helped me manage the performance anxiety inherent in group training. In the earlier programs, I often compared myself to other runners. This comparison intensified on the time trial days. I would run hard and long, exerting myself beyond what I was capable of. While there is nothing wrong with giving one’s best, it is important to run at a pace your body can handle.

1: Mastering the art of balance

The 21K( 13miles) race follows a gradual uphill route till the eleventh km before easing to flat terrain. We needed to run relaxed in the first ten km. To help us finish strong our training program included a pacing strategy.

At the fifteenth km (9 miles) mark, I realized I would not complete the race at the target time. In a moment of panic, I increased my pace. I kept this up till the seventeenth km when the pacesetter on my GPS watch beeped. I was running above the target pace. This pace was unsustainable over the last 4km stretch. It would sap my energy and rob me of the kick needed to finish strong.

I slowed down my pace.

When you feel like you’re overexerting, scale back.

Keep your effort in control.

2: What is the Voice In Your Head Telling You?

But, I was not out of the woods yet.

The realization that I was behind target turned up the negative voices in my head.

‘I can’t finish this race.

I don’t have the stamina.

This terrain is gruelling. My teammates will understand if I don’t finish.

I felt my legs get heavier, each step requiring more effort than the last. I started panting, the breath coming out in loud shallow gasps.

I slowed down to a walk, then to a complete standstill.

A DNF at the 18km (11 miles) mark

Twelve weeks of training lost in an instant.

I raised my head and looked at the stretch ahead of me.

Canopied by endless trees runners lined the road. With a tinge of envy, I watched as an elite runner, his stride long and confident, zoomed past me. With sirens blazing, an ambulance, racing in the opposite direction cleared the path.

The voice in my head grew quiet, replaced by a different voice.

I am still in the race. I can finish this. I will feel good when I get to the end.

One weekend, after a long easy run we sat sipping water and swapping stories with my teammates.

‘Whenever I feel like quitting, I say to myself- I can do this, I am strong. I have come this far, I can get to the end’.

‘I didn’t know you have moments of doubt too, you run so fast, I said.

I do, we all do’, he said.

Long-distance running is a mental activity. When you feel your body getting weaker, use your mind. Slow down your breathing. Smile. Encourage yourself by changing the words in your head.

Use your thoughts, don’t let them use you.

3: No Regret

I surged at the last km, finishing strong and with energy to spare.

And no, I did not meet my target. At 2hrs 23Min, I fell short by five minutes.

But, that is a failure I can live with.

The sense of achievement far outweighed any disappointment. Because I did not quit when I felt weak, I have more faith in myself. I know now that what I need on my runs and in life is to pace myself, rest and silence the negative voice of doubt.

After twelve weeks of training, I came out with more than a faster pace.

Lessons From the Half Marathon I Almost Didn’t Finish