Always try something new. Never understood those crazy running people? Me neither.
There I was, among hundreds of people, ready to start running 21 kilometres. Load music coming from the speakers, inspiring runners to get ready and going. People stretching and starting to move towards the starting line. My first half marathon was about to begin. Ready or not, now it was showtime. Some weeks ago I had doubted my ability to run such a long distance for many times. And for a good reason. Well, you know how some people practice like crazy for certain events (which I also should have done) and usually get good results too. I had been able to run 9,43 kilometres once, which was the longest distance I had been running ever. Meanwhile others were running 15-18 kilometres, just like that. Touché. I had done what I could. You can't practice while having flu, or when kids are keeping you busy.
Running has never been something I enjoy. If someone had told me two years ago, that I would be running a halfmarathon, I wouldn't have believed it. When I started practicing, even five kilometres felt like a long distance.
This morning I had taken the train to Helsinki. It seems like everyone was coming to the Stadium with some friends, or they were a part of a team. I realized, that I was going to go there alone. Not a good idea, should have thought of this before. It's much more fun to go with a friend. Well, couldn't do anything about it now. My husband had already started his run one hour before mine. I went to take my stuff to storage and it started raining. Great. At that moment I wished this not fun experience would be over as soon as possible.
Ready, steady, go! Here I was running around Helsinki with lots of people. Wow. I would never have thought, that time went so fast. The painful part started at 15 kilometres. If my legs would have agreed, now it could have been the right time to add speed. I guess the hardest thing is to know what speed you should run. I knew, that if I would tun too fast my energy would be used long before the finish line. If I would ever get there.
There across this run I actually started to understand life deeper. I ran past some people, who ran past me after a while again. There was a limping man, who kept up his speed persistently and finished his run just a bit after me. Some little girls where encouraging runners on the way, wishing energy and power. That was sweet. Sweet were also the power gels I ate during the run, wouldn't have survived without them. And finally the finish line was there, I had done it.
And what did I learn? Running is not only about your legs working, it's between your ears. It's a decision to keep running, no matter how you feel. It's about going outside your comfort zone and not giving up until you pass the finish line. Some people who encourage you on the way will be helpful.
After the run my legs started to hurt so much, that I had big challenges to get home. Every step was painful, so I was limping to the train station very slowly. When I made it home, I felt like a real winner.
Next morning the pain wasn't totally gone. It had just turned into sweet and bearable. Almost nice. I have to be crazy. Who enjoys aching feet really?
