We stayed in Chester the evening before and indulged in an amazing 3 course meal to ensure we fuelled the run.
On the morning of the race nerves had kicked in and as I ate my porridge all I could think was ‘what if I can’t complete it, what if I can’t do it!?’ These thoughts obviously led to me feeling extremely nervous and I knew that if they carried on they would suck the enjoyment out of the whole experience. I challenged my doubts and constantly told myself that I could do it – it’s something I have trained for and worked hard on so there is no reason why I can’t, and in the end my best is all that I can do.
As we arrived at the start line at Chester Race Course my nerves had quickly changed to excitement. There was multiples of runners with their family & friends waiting for the race to begin. The atmosphere was buzzing and I knew that regardless of how well I ran I was going to have an amazing time and really that’s all that mattered.
I can honestly say that I enjoyed every second of the race –
of course there were times that I felt extremely tired and the only thing I
could think about was my aching feet and the next incline I had to face- but
the most powerful thing about the whole experience was the support and that’s
what kept me going. Strangers were constantly supporting each other to ‘just
keep going’. We were all in it together and I began to focus on the people
around me and doing my bit to encourage them.
Across the whole route there was people on the side lines
holding big posters and blowing whistles, reading our names out from our
running vests to tell us how well we were doing. Children had made huge ‘touch
me for more power’ signs and every time one of us did, their faces lit up.
Bands were playing along the side of us, and of course the Lucozade and power
gels being handed out were more than helpful. It was one of the most physically
exhausting things that I had ever done but I had a huge smile on my face from
start to finish. I’ve talked before about the power my trainers have on my
mindset and I think sometimes my friends and family think I’m mad, but it’s so
true. Running taught me that even when you’re convinced you can’t carry on or
can’t make it- you really can! It’s taught me to be persistent and never give
up on anything that I choose to do. Most of all it’s a solid reminder that we
need people and support- yes its ultimately up to us to do it- but that
supportive, community atmosphere got me through that run and allowed me to
enjoy every second. I’m known as quite an independent person that doesn’t
really open up to many people, that day reminded me how beneficial other people
are in any area of our lives. We’re all in this life together no matter what
our job, circumstances, financial status or mood- lifting others, aiming to
make people feel good, even if it’s just by a smile- can be the most worthwhile
and feel good thing that you can do. The result it has on the other person
could be more significant than you ever realise. 
Crossing the finish line was incredible, thousands of people
were there cheering and runners were congratulating each other. I’d completed
the race in just above 1 hour 50s, I
remember receiving my medal and feeling so proud of myself- Not only had I put
in a lot of hard work building up to this but just a year ago I was barely
fuelling my body enough to walk in to work. It wasn’t just the physical
training I had to do, it was the mental training to change my focus and mindset
on food and fight against my disordered thoughts to take on this challenge and
be healthy enough to participate. I’d not only done it, I smashed it (if I do
say so myself) and still to this day I am beaming with pride about it!
So will I be running another half marathon? The answer has
to be yes, however at the minute I’m focusing on strength training and building
my physical strength along with my mental strength. For those of you that have
been thinking about signing up to one- I’d say go for it!! It’s the easiest
thing to sit thinking ‘I could never do that’- sign up and work towards it- I
promise you won’t regret it!!
KB x
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