Slightly Askew

Running business

Sunday, September 25th, 2011

Today I completed my first half marathon, so I thought it was only right and proper that I should blog about it and shoehorn in some pithy lessons.

Here’s seven:

1. Big achievements require hard work
Sounds bloody obvious, but sometimes there just isn’t a shortcut. Running a half marathon requires you to run for thirteen miles. And the only way to do it well is to put in the miles before the big day.

Want to do something remarkably rewarding? Make a decision to do it, and get to work.

2. Small victories make big achievements
I didn’t try to run thirteen miles today. Instead, I decided the first mile would be a warm-up, then I’d settle into a nine-mile run, and finish with a gruelling five kilometres. My parents’ house was half-way into the nine miles, too – so it was a great boost when all my family were outside cheering me on.

Avoid big idea inertia by ripping it into smaller pieces.

3. Don’t follow the crowd
“Pace yourself,” they tell you. “I will,” you say. You have every intention of doing so. Then the race begins, runners push forward, and the adrenaline kicks in. Before you know it, you’re running much faster than you want to, fully aware that you’ll pay for it in the latter parts of the race. This happened to me today. I had to slow down, let people overtake me, and stick to my strategy.

Know what you’re trying to achieve and have the confidence to stick to it.

4. Be proud of your achievement
It’s very British to be quiet about your successes; after all, nobody likes a boaster. But being proud of doing something difficult isn’t necessarily boasting. Who knows? Your achievement might inspire others to do something remarkable. Watching Mo Farah storm to victory in Daegu inspired me to step up my training and do this half marathon. As did training with Jen.

Modesty is an overrated virtue.

5. Dress for success
I bought a special pair of Nike underpants and a nice Adidas t-shirt for the run today. Not because they’d make me a better runner, but because they made me feel like a better runner. Nothing wrong with that in my book. In fact, I think we can trick ourselves into performing better by getting ourselves in the right mindset. And if what you wear does the trick, why the hell not?

You can’t always change your attributes, but you can change your attitude.

6. Don’t judge yourself against others
While I was huffing and puffing my way round Ipswich, finally finishing my half marathon in two hours, seven minutes and nine seconds, Kenya’s Patrick Makau was in Berlin setting a new world record for the full marathon in a time of two hours, three minutes and 38 seconds. Simply incredible running – but I’m no less thrilled to have completed my half marathon.

If you’re always comparing your achievements to those of others, you’re in for a miserable ride.

7. Get some support
Running’s a lonely old sport (although there’s appeal in the solitude). But running today wasn’t lonely at all. People came out of their houses to clap and cheer, the marshalls were supportive throughout the course, and loads of people tweeted me with messages of encouragement. My lasting memory of today will be seeing my dad with 200m to go. He was willing me on, just he like used to when I was a terrible eight-year-old footballer – with pride and passion and unwavering love. I sprinted those last 200m on the adrenaline of those claps and cheers. Thanks, Dad.

Want to do something big? Surround yourself with brilliant people.