Getting ready to run in Brussels
I think I've been in denial. Of course logically I knew I'd signed up to run 13.1 miles at the Reading Half Marathon on 17 March, but while it was still weeks away (plural) I managed to think of it as a far off event that I was training for but might never have to actually do. Now, the morning after a particularly tough 7.5-mile training run, with a niggling pain in my foot and a desire to eat all the carbs in the world, it’s suddenly hit me hard that the race is in ten days’ time. Sunday week, I’ll get up at an inhumanely early hour (for a weekend), get a train to Reading, queue for registration, wait around, join in group warm-ups, battle my desire to puke, and then – actually run 13.1miles. Right.
On the plus side I’ve had a really good week of training and I did manage to do a full 10 miles on Sunday while I was in Brussels. The change of scenery combined with a really pretty route through some of the city’s parks made it a really enjoyable run. At 1hr 36mins, it was even a little faster than my last one, too. And another positive – I’m getting used to the longer distances. Before I started my training, I ran in kilometres. In a typical week, I’d do two or three 5 – 8K runs. Now I’m thinking in miles, and all of a sudden, knowing I can do 10 and still feel somewhat human at the end, 13 doesn’t sound quite so daunting.
I know I can do it, I just need to stick to my training plan, not let the nerves get to me – and focus on how amazing it will feel to add a half-marathon medal to my collection!
