The Overwhelming Kindness of Runners

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been fortunate enough to witness and experience the overwhelming kindness of runners.  They are a special group, with big hearts and a willingness to put themselves aside for others.

We all saw it in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings - stories of runners forfeiting their own race to stop and help others; of runners uniting to support the victims and their families; of runners simply showing kindness to those around them.

I then saw it in action again at our local parkrun last weekend.  We held our first fundraiser, for Brisbane dad, Col Pittorino.  Col became a paraplegic in a cycling accident last year, and we were raising funds to support his rehabilitation.  We had such a wonderful morning and the community spirit was so strong.  We had 225 runners, who were all so generous, and the morning raised over $1000 - a fantastic achievement!

And as if I hadn't come across enough kindness, the story of this week's long run really takes the cake.  Dean & I decided to make the most of the Anzac Day holiday and get our long run in on Thursday afternoon/evening.  My in-laws came over to play with the kids and we headed out around 4:15pm, with our sights set on 26km.

Just a few hundred metres in, we bumped into one of regular parkrunners, Steve.  He asked if he could tag along for a bit - and of course, we were more than happy to have some company.  But team Gibson hit a snag in the first kilometre, when Dean tweaked his hamstring.  He'd had a bit of soreness on his previous run, but this time, the pain shot right up the back of his leg.  He knew he wouldn't make the distance and didn't want to risk making the injury any worse, so he had to walk home.  I felt so disappointed for him - when you have your mind set on a long run and a particular distance, it's really frustrating to have to cut it short.

But I was prepared for the run, so I continued on my way, still running with Steve.  He was a welcome distraction - it's great to have someone new to talk to on a long run, as it really takes your mind off the task at hand.  After a few kilometres, which had gone by quite quickly and easily, I checked in with Steve about how he was feeling and how far he thought he'd run with me.

Well, in an overwhelming act of kindness, Steve decided to stick with me for the WHOLE 26 KILOMETRES!  Dusk was approaching and it would be getting dark soon - which I was prepared for, with my phone in an armband and an LED light attached to my shoe.  But Steve felt an obligation to Dean to not let me run by myself in the dark, so he just kept on running!

Not only was the company such a welcome distraction, but Steve has run several marathons in his time, so was full of tips and advice for my training.  The poor man - just setting out to run a few kays on his relaxing public holiday, and ending up running 26km!  I was so amazed at his kindness and grateful for his company.  On top of that, I felt it was my best long run yet - and I'm really feeling my body recover more quickly as I get more under my belt.  I've had a great running week, and feel so fortunate to be around other runners - who truly are special types of people!

I don't really enjoy running the 3km stretch of the Hornibrook Bridge, but the sunset certainly makes it more bearable!

The moon was huge & stunning...the photo doesn't do it justice, but I didn't actually stop running to take it!

Back on Track

Well, I'm happy to report that after last week's run down Struggle Street, things are back on track!

I put into practice all the things I learnt on my tough run and got back on the horse on Saturday afternoon.  We had the kids looked after and Dean & I set out together, aiming for 24km.  We mapped out the course roughly before we left so we had a fair idea of where we'd end up.

It was a beautiful run, basically from Twelfth Avenue at Brighton, down to the Shorncliffe Jetty, then right back to Decker Park, across the Hornibrook Bridge, to the Woody Point Jetty and back over the bridge to Twelfth Avenue and home.

Here's what I did differently to last week:
- ran at 4:30pm, finishing up around 6:45pm - soooo much better without direct sun!  And watching the sunset was just beautiful.
- put blister strips on my feet (still got small blisters, but was a massive improvement)
- went armed with chemist jellybeans and had about 8 of them at the 12km mark - energy levels were so much better!

We completed the 24km fairly easily in 2:12:57, with an average pace of 5:32 minutes/km.  We were both in a great mindset and found that we weren't really out of breath - but our legs/feet were starting to get sore.  I was really proud of us that we pushed it at the end too, and did the final km in 5:23.

The 3km stretch of the Hornibrook Bridge (I know that's not really the correct name but that's what I always call it!) is definitely a mental battle - it's just so long and straight and flat and BORING!  But I tried to distract myself and chat a lot while we ran it, and it wasn't as bad as usual :-)

It was definitely the run I needed after last week and it left me in a way more positive state of mind - and ready to tackle 26km this weekend!

3 months out and a bit of self-doubt

I had a bit of a moment last week where I realised the Marathon is only 3 months away.  That means I need to really start ramping up the long runs, because I need to reach about 36km, approximately 3 weeks before the big day.

I feel like that's really crept up on my, so I realised it's time to knuckle down and get more structure into my training.  I needed a long run on the weekend, so Dean & I sorted out babysitters and set out for a 22km run along the waterfront at Sandgate.

Dean started the run not feeling great and he struggled to find a rhythm.  He ended up stopping after 11km and heading home, which was definitely the smart thing to do.  It's important to listen to your body - there's no point pushing yourself way past your limit and then ending up sick or injured, and having a much bigger setback.

I stuck it out and managed the whole 22km - which is actually the furtherest I've ever run.  I felt okay, except for the last 3km or so.  I really hit a wall at that point and had lots of self-doubt running through my head.  In those last couple of kilometres, I was telling myself I didn't want to do a marathon anymore.  I even thought about what injury I could fake so I could pull out!

Not the best thought process!  So I got a little mantra in my head and said it over and over until I finished (good posture, good breathing, you're in good form).  That helped.  I did the run in 2:01:00, which was my aim, so I was happy.

I made some mistakes in the run though, and even though I was absolutely exhausted from it, I felt like it was a win, because I learnt some things and have some strategies going into the next run.

Lesson 1:
As much as possible, I need to try and run in the early morning or late afternoon!  We went at 12:30pm on a sunny, 25 degree day. HOT!!!

Lesson 2:
I need to fuel my body properly.  I've never really been one to eat or drink much over a 2 hour run, because my stomach just doesn't feel like it.  When I hit the wall at 19km, my body was screaming out that it needed energy.  Next time, I'll definitely be consuming something at the one hour mark.

Lesson 3:
Put bandaids on my feet!  I have a spot where I keep getting blisters - must cover them up!

Lesson 4:
I do not have time or room for any negative self-talk - just don't do it!

Of course, I didn't mean it when I said I wanted to pull out of the marathon.  By the next day, I was motivated again!  This morning I did my first group training session as part of Intraining's Marathon School and LOVED it (more on that to come!)  It was wonderful to train with a group and I pushed myself so much further than if I'd been running alone.  I did 6 x 800metres fast, with 200m recovery.  It was HARD but speed training is one thing I've not been doing much of, so it was a welcome change (especially being without the pram, yay!)

So, 3 months to go and I feel on track.  The hard part is scheduling in long runs amidst busy weekends and babysitters.  It's definitely been a learning week, so I'm looking forward to getting back out there a little bit wiser and fitter!

The 3-year-old PT

This is my daughter, Hope.  She is 3 years old and her favourite colour is pink.  She loves Dora the Explorer and Angelina Ballerina.  She is my biggest supporter and the best Personal Trainer I could ask for!

While she pulls on a pink tutu as much as any 3-year-old, she also loves to don her sneakers and go for a good old run around the park.  After going to the Lions match last weekend, she now dreams of playing football.  And she is always asking if she's old enough to do the 5km parkrun by herself yet :-)

She is a constant source of encouragement as I run with the pram.  I often hear calls of "faster, mummy!" or "you can do it!" She is a welcome source of distraction as we run along, too.  She wants to know what each footpath sign says, or what that lady's name is, or if we're at the playground yet.

Hope limbering up before parkrun!

A couple of weeks back I decided to do some hill runs with the pram.  I wasn't feeling super energetic that day, so I told myself I'd do 3 laps.  Well, Hope had different ideas!  She decided we were doing 5.  I got to the end of 4 and was feeling pretty exhausted so announced we'd be going home.  The little voice from the pram calls out "no mummy, that's only 4 - one more to go!"  Well, what could I do but one more lap?  She is very good at counting!

Whenever she sees me doing push-ups or squats or sit-ups, she always wants a turn.  She helps me count, or she sits on my lap, or she takes over herself.  She loves to stretch as well, so I always have company when I'm doing so!

When I started exercising just over a year ago, she wanted in right from the start.  We made this video of my little PT and I love it!  Here she is, barely 2 years old:

I love that an active and healthy lifestyle is part of Hope's everyday life.  She looks forward to parkrun each Saturday so much and I love that she's around a community of runners so regularly!  She and Jed are the reason I embarked on this journey and they motivate me each time I get out there.

I am thankful every day for my 3-year-old PT!