Why am I going to run another half marathon? – E|F Shorts

In 2018 I ran a half marathon.  In some ways it was one of the hardest things I have done.  In other ways it was very simple.  I completed it in 2 hours 17 minutes which was good because my older brother had told me he would double his donation to Cancer Research UK if I did it in under 2 hours and 20 minutes.  Well worth the final big push at the end. Why am I going to run another half marathon?

I have decided to do it again this year.  Call me crazy.

There are 4 reasons why I am doing this.

1. I said it was hard but also very simple.  It was simple because you complete this type of run by devising a plan and following the plan.  I was expecting that as I set out on this, feeling the pain when 5 minutes into the run, that eventually, I would be able to go for longer and longer before the pain set in.  I was wrong.  Even at my peak, I still felt the pain after 5 minutes.  I learned to cope with it, to adjust and I also discovered that the pain of running didn’t last in the same way for the full 2 hours plus of running.  I learned that even something that seems impossible can be achieved with simple systems followed with consistency and perseverance.
2. I learned that achievement takes time and that this is normal and ok.  I was never going to be able to run a half marathon without putting in months of training.  You are not going to be able to achieve that much without putting in the work.  You cannot expect to achieve great things all at once and right away.
3. Having a goal helps me to focus.  I have been trying to get back into running consistently with mixed success for many years.  The time I have been most consistent was when training for the half marathon.  I had a goal and a target and deadline.  This time, my training plan doesn’t stop on race day however.
4. The past 2 years have been pretty rough.  This has impacted my health quite severely in multiple directions.  I need to do this to sort out my physical health & fitness.  I need to do this to sort out my mental health.  I do not know if this true for you but when I feel fitter and healthier I feel more alert, more focussed, more confident and more capable.  

So there you have it.  My plan is in place and my training is underway and in October this year, I plan to run a half marathon again.  

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