Run Your Own Race, It’s Not a Race?

When the Plan Fell Apart

I made the mistake of walking that was never in my race plan. I have always said to myself just run even if it’s a shuffle just run don’t walk once you walk it’s over. So why did I start walking?

Running Without the Training

It was one of those races, I knew I had not done the training. It was my 5th half marathon, this one had 300 metres of elevation gain. Due to the pandemic I had not had any races in 2020 and 2021. I had been struggling with training. I was running but had not been doing much of speed work, hill training or long runs.

Instead of canceling the race I said to myself, just take it as a long run. Have an easy pace all the way, forget about the race, just run the distance. I had completed the same course with a personal best three years prior.

The Temptation to Keep Up

When the race started I was towards the back. As the run progressed I got talking and running with another girl. Unfortunately around the 13km mark the girl started to walk. I kept shuffling along. She would catch up to me run with me, past me then walk. I would catch up to her, shuffling, shuffling, then it would be a repeat. She would run with me, past me, then walk.

For 4km I persisted with running my own race and not letting whatever she was doing affect my rhythm. But at the 17km mark I lost my determination and gave in. I started walking.

When the Mind Starts to Quit

Once I started walking it was hard to get running again. The next 3km would be the most challenging. I almost gave up on finishing the race because it was all too hard. It was mind over matter. I would run for a few metres then walk. It did not help that there was more elevation. I felt like giving up.

There are times in a run when it’s all mental, this was it. Walk, shuffle, walk shuffle, I’m going to give up. Walk, shuffle, walk, shuffle, I’m not going to give up. At 20km I started to run again. Run again I did, it was easier, I had found the rhythm again. I ran all the way to the finish line.

When I crossed the line I was ecstatic but laughed at myself: this is why you never walk. I finished the race in 2hours and 22 minutes, not my best effort, but I had finished.

Life is not a race, 
it is a race that you pace yourself to a finishing line.
Life is not a race, 
run at your own pace based on your capabilities.
Life is not a race, 
but there is a set unknown distance to finish.
Life is not a race, run the mile that you are in. 

Lessons for the Marathon Ahead

As I start training for my first marathon, I can’t help but realise how running principles apply to life in general and to financial independence. Have a goal, work towards it. Why do I want to run a marathon? When will I run that marathon? Break that goal into small achievable steps.

To run a marathon I need to be consistent with running and build up the miles slowly and steadily. Surround myself with others that I am accountable to, and people that inspire and challenge me. Others have done this, I can do this at my own pace.

I look forward to crossing the marathon finishing line and giving myself a pat on the back, look, you did it! All the sacrifices were worth it. Stay tuned on the marathon progress.