My Half Marathon Race Recap
All my life I’ve identified as an athlete. I played almost every sport imaginable before settling on field hockey. I played in university on a team that was quite successful and as you probably know if you’re here, channeled that passion for movement into a fitness career. However, that all changed at the end of the summer in 2016. I experienced an unusual injury to my pelvis which to this day (October 2023), has still not fully healed. Throughout that entire time, I felt my identity as an athlete slowly fade away, with some people not knowing I was ever someone who played sports! Fast forward to earlier this year - I decided to sign up for my second ever half marathon as a way to challenge myself again and celebrate my 30th birthday. I know what you’re thinking…what a fun birthday celebration right?!
May 2016
I was just wrapping up my fifth and final year of university and I had been training throughout the past few winter months with a friend to run my first half marathon. I ran it faster than anticipated and was so proud of myself that I decided to sign up for the half marathon that would take place later that year in October.
August 2016
I suffered my pelvis injury and had to forfeit my spot for the race. I was super disappointed but didn’t realize it would be an extremely long time until I’d ever run that far again.
September 2016-May 2023
As painful as it is to admit, I’ve had to think about my pelvis every day since the injury. I usually get a flare up when I am not being mindful of my movements or I’m tired, so I have to constantly be aware of how I’m moving. For several months I didn’t run at all. Up until July 2023, I actually hadn’t really run more than a max of 30 minutes inconsistently since my half marathon in 2016. I’m also a fairweather runner - so you won’t find me out there if it’s too wet or cold. I was competing in a Dancing with the Stars fundraiser event in May 2023, and I decided I would begin my training after that, with my sights set on making it to the start line of the race I was signed up for 7 years prior.
June 2023
I set out on running 20 minutes once a week for a few weeks, and then adding a second run weekly shortly after that. I had to make sure that any aches, pains, or injuries would not flare up. I only told a handful of people about my idea at this point for fear of not being able to make it happen. Although I still felt like an athlete on the inside, I wanted to make sure that my body would be able to do what I needed it to, without further injuring myself.
Summer 2023
I shared on social media that I was in fact training and planning to run the half marathon on October 15th. I guess that meant I had to take my training a bit more seriously and actually sign up for the race. At this point, it didn’t feel real just yet and I think I felt that I could always make up an excuse about my injuries and back out, rather than just sign up and commit. I only ran twice a week to train. One short run (30 minutes max) and one longer run where I gradually increased my mileage. I was going to do this the smart way, ensuring my body felt strong every step of the way. I eventually signed up and paid for the race, making it official. It was happening.
I did however, experience a setback in mid August where I had to take 2 full weeks off of running to do a flare up in my foot. I didn’t share too much at the time because I wasn’t sure how and if I would heal in time. The key for me was listening to my body, getting treatment on it right away, and never pushing myself past a safe amount of intensity and effort.
October 2023
Fast forward to 10 days out before the race. I had just returned from a birthday trip to Switzerland and I HAD to get one final long run in. I was happy it was finished but I felt like I was running backwards. I was jet lagged and probably not hydrated or nourished enough for the run. It was one of the last hot days of the year and boy was I sweating. But, I got it done and there was no looking back. What was done, was done. All I could do was get to the race.
Race Day
I was nervous the week leading up to the race, the night before, and the morning of. One of my clients even noticed that I had been quiet about sharing on social media that week too. However, when I started the race, I somehow wasn’t nervous at all. It felt like I was meant to be there. This was the race I was meant to do 7 years ago. Today, I had friends running the race. My parents, friends, and clients came to watch. I ran past the current U of T field hockey team and the field I used to play on. I ran past my old neighbourhood and first apartment in the city. It felt so nostalgic. I was running faster than I anticipated and the aches and pains I was worried about were nonexistent. With 5 km to go, the blisters on my feet were almost unbearable, my quads tightened up and my time slowed down. However, I finished the race proud of myself and still with a faster pace than I expected.
I was extremely emotional during some of my final training runs. Crossing the finish line felt the same way. As a fitness professional, I encourage clients to listen to their bodies. Push when you’re able, and ease off when you need to. I however feel that I was honestly too afraid to try to push myself the last several years. Last weekend during the race I finished feeling more accomplished than ever and ready to race again next year!
I must send a HUGE shoutout to all of the people in my corner that made this race possible. My family, friends, and clients for cheering me on throughout my training and on race day. I also have a LONG list of practitioners who believed in me and helped my body feel well prepared. It truly takes a village! We did it!
If you are interested in setting a big goal for yourself, whether that be a race, or other fitness/health/wellness/life goals, let me know! I am here to listen, cheer you on, or help you set up a plan for success. The key for me was to have a plan, listen to my body, and gradually increase my running. I also recognize that some of us aren’t nearly as competitive as me (haha) and don’t feel the need to set those big fitness goals. Do what works for you and know I’m always here for it all!
Yours in self-discovery,
Rachel