My first half marathon – by Katherine Lang
After training for 12 weeks, I was ready to take on my first half marathon, something I never thought I’d be doing. I’m not fast, and in training had ‘only’ ever ran ten miles, and this was with several walking breaks. I’m not a natural runner and only started running four years ago, when I did the C25K podcasts on my phone. When I got to week ten, I contacted the club to see if I could join. Gareth invited me to track night at Ratcliffe College and the rest is history! On that first night, I met my running buddy Rachel – who has been my companion and running wife through most of my running journey.
So, I’d put in the hours on my feet for sure, but when the morning arrived, I was nervous as hell – I was the only one in my group of runners from the club who hadn’t done a half, so I really didn’t know what to expect. Club members had assured me ‘you’ve done ten miles, you’ll be absolutely fine – the crowd will get you round and the adrenalin will get you up New Walk’ – this advice I learned was totally spot on. Although I think with the weather being so horrendous – there was a severe lack of crowds…
Anyway, my half marathon started rather chaotically as I needed to visit the loos, nervous bladder had gotten the better of me – so was in the queue at 8.20 with several others – only coming out of them at 8.40 – giving me and my cousin and running buddy Alison five minutes to get to the start line. So after a mad dash (our warm up!) and throwing our jackets in at the bag drop, we made it, but rocked up in the two hour timing pen – next to Mr Gareth Tomlinson our club Chairman – who is a damn sight quicker than I am – ‘you’re too far forward’ he said, and with that, the claxon went off and it was time to start running – arghhhhhh!
I knew that I shouldn’t go off fast, advice given to me by another lovely running pal at the club Karen Holt – just run at your own pace she had told me on countless club nights, but when you’re going downhill in the pouring rain with other speedy runners, it’s hard to slow down.
I knew my first few miles were too quick, but it was too late to think about that – so at mile three I started to chill out and settle into my running. With the constant rain, my feet were soddened, something that in hindsight I think helped me, as I’d been suffering from black toes in the lead up to the race – but I’ll spare you the details of that now!
Miles 5-6 were the longest and the toughest I think for me, I knew that my family was standing at mile 6 but it just took so long to come. But it was totally worth the wait when I saw them, along with more friends and family standing at the Hope and Anchor pub with three homemade banners with my name and number plastered all over them. Nothing could’ve prepared me for that, my heart skipped, and I just felt amazing. I had no idea that they’d spent so much time and effort doing that for me!
So, it was onto Watermead next, a route which I’d ran countless times, and then on through to Birstall and Abbey park. These miles were tough, but my mantra ‘I am strong, I am running’ got me through. I chatted to a couple of guys running for the charity SANDS – with us playing tag as they run/walked the race.
I was determined not to walk – apart from a couple of steps at the water-stations, although I was so soaking wet, I’m not sure I really needed to take on any more water!
I saw my family again at about mile 9 which was just brilliant, although they were looking a little wet by this time, especially my little three-year old daughter Daphne – but my husband and eldest daughter Ruby really did lift my spirits.
After taking my second SIS gel at mile ten, I said to myself, come on now, lets get to the finish and I dug deep and headed for the finish – with the rain still driving down on all of us. The SANDS boys were still there tig-tagging me, which was a great little lift too.
I wasn’t sure of the end part of the route so when I was running towards the clock tower I knew I was nearly there. I could then hear the drums as I turned the corner to New Walk and thought, ‘come on Kath, last push’. My eldest cousin is big into his cycling and had promised to follow me around the route and it was at this point that I saw him for the umpteenth time and he said ‘so proud of you Kath, come on last push – enjoy this last mile and soak the atmosphere up’, wise words I thought from him.
I kept going up New Walk – another goal I’d set myself and then when the course flattened out and I could see the finish line I went for it. It’s amazing how you struggle but then when the end is in sight there is always something left. I was delighted to cross the line, my body felt wobbly, the pain in my hip and knee was searing but I’d done it, I’d bloody ran my first half marathon and I can honestly say I loved every soaking wet minute of it….
The support from my fellow Wreake Runners was immense, from those who took part and ran but also from those who marshalled the route. Ash at mile three with a high five, Karen at mile five with a bear hug, JB in Birstall with a welcomed bit of banter, Andrew at mile ten on the underpass section and the many many spectators who just shouted encouraging words, it honestly was brilliant!
So next for me, the London Landmarks half in March, who’s coming??
