One of our graphic designers Alan is running the Reykjavik Marathon in August for the charity A Little Lifetime. Last Saturday he ran the Waterford Half Marathon as part of his training. We asked him how it went.
It’s 7.30 on Saturday morning and I can hear my dad calling me to get up. For a second I feel like I’m having a very mild nightmare because I’m a grown man with my own house and I get up when I want on Saturday. Then I remember that I’m home in Waterford and I have to get up to run a half marathon.
I’m Alan and I’m a graphic designer here at Marketing Network. I’ve been running long distance for about 5 years now and I’m currently training to run the Reykjavik Marathon in August, which will be my 5th full marathon. As for why I put myself through this, I don’t really know. I just really like running. Maybe it’s genetic.
This Waterford run is a bit of a family affair, as my mam, dad and brother are all running it as well. I’d like to say we’re running together as a family but we’re all a bit too competitive for that, especially me. My mam and I have run the full marathon in Waterford before and not only did she win her age category, but she beat me by about 45 mins as well (awks) so I have a bit of a score to settle here.
We head into Waterford City, make for the starting area and slot ourselves in with the other runners. In my time running races I’ve learned a curious thing, if what you overhear is to be believed about 90% of people running long distance races “haven’t done enough training” or “haven’t really trained at all”. Curiously most of these people are also wearing athletics club singlets and have legs that look like they’re carved out of granite.
The countdown to start begins, I pop my headphones in start my timer and we’re off. I’d like to tell you some really deep insights that I’ve gained about myself and the world while running. In reality, my mind goes mostly blank when I’m out on the road, except for when I occasionally catch myself mouthing the words to the music I’m listening to.
Most of the run goes by fairly quickly and I feel good as I’m coming up on the finish line in Waterford Regional Sports Centre confident that I’ve finished in a good time, 1:46:45 as it turns out – a personal best. My mam comes in about 10 mins later. Technically I win this round, but it’s bitter sweet as she is injured. My dad and brother follow up quickly after. We’re all happy with our times and its smiles around despite some soreness, but that might have something to do with amazing medal.
Another run done and training for Reykjavik continues, I’ll keep you posted on how that goes. I’m running the race for A Little Lifetime Foundation, a wonderful charity that deserves a lot of support so if you can donate anything please do. You can find my charity page over here: www.mycharity.ie