Learning from mistakes

I started running in 2006 and have since completed quite a few half marathons, as well as the London Marathon. But it was my first half – in Bristol in 2007 – that made me appreciate just how important it is to plan a proper race-day strategy. Because, quite simply, I didn’t. But I had done all my training, following my schedule religiously, so what could go wrong? As it turned out, a lot.

Don’t sprint before you can run

That race day, I remember standing in the starting pen desperately trying to calm my nerves – it was my first big race and I felt physically sick. Within the first mile, I got a stitch, something that had never happened in my training, but I managed to push through it. I reached the 6 mile (10K) marker quicker than I’d ever run an actual 10K race before. So you’d think alarm bells would have been ringing. But no – because I hadn’t given much thought to pacing, I kept pushing on. I was tired, but hey, it was a half marathon – that was what I was supposed to be feeling, wasn’t it?

Hitting the wall

I can’t be sure, but I think it all started to go wrong at about mile 9. My legs felt like lead and I couldn’t quite comprehend the fact I still had four miles to go. Surely the finish would be just around this next corner? No? OK, how about the next? No? Oh.And then things went so spectacularly pear-shaped, I stopped worrying about what was around the next corner and only had a split second to start worrying about the hard grey concrete that seemed to be rushing towards my face. Yes – I passed out. Luckily for me, several kind-hearted runners, who I will forever be grateful to, spotted what was coming and grabbed my arms, breaking my fall. My head did hit the pavement, but thankfully not with the almighty crack that would have occurred otherwise. Several (wonderful) race marshals were at my side in seconds, wrapping me in foil (I remember thinking, ‘Ooh, I get a foil – I must be a proper runner! Note to self: no I wasn’t) and helping me to the roadside. I was ridiculously spaced out, to the point where I decided it would be a brilliant idea to take my shoes and socks off, and I couldn’t quite remember my surname (Me: ‘It’s the same as my husband’s.’ Race marshal: ‘Right, and what’s his surname?’ Me: ‘I’m not sure.’) Thank goodness for the personal details written on the back of my race number, or I fear that little exchange could have gone on for some time.So, there I was, shoeless and suffering with memory loss, sitting in the gutter. It couldn’t get any worse, surely?

Don’t accept sweets from strangers

A moment later, a concerned runner stopped to see if I was OK and gave me one of his energy gels so I could start to refuel. Now, what’s the number-one rule of race-day nutrition strategy? Never try out new foods on race day. What did I think? ‘Oh look, a nice squishy energy gel – this’ll go down nicely.’ Needless to say, it didn’t. So now, not only was I shoeless and suffering from memory loss, I was also being sick. Have I mentioned I have a phobia of being sick? I panic, worry that I’m going to choke and therefore try not to breathe, and – so as not to bore you with the details, all I can say is thank goodness for my knight in the shiny cycle helmet – the paramedic who rode up on his bike with his calming words and his oxygen mask.

The end in sight

As I was regaining control of my senses (and my breathing), the paramedic, trying to console me, said, ‘What a shame, you were doing so well. There’s only half a mile to go – the finish line is just around that corner.’What? I thought I was miles from the finish. I’d given up hope of making it across the finish line right about the time my head hit the floor. But it was just half a mile away? Right. I put my trainers back on. I stood up. I wobbled. I sat back down again. There was clearly no way I was going to make it by myself. And then my half-marathon saviour walked over. ‘Do you need a hand to the finish line?’ asked the lovely girl. ‘I’m only walking now anyway.’And so, with the roads only minutes away from being reopened around me, I made it! I completed my first half marathon, along with the help of two race marshals, a paramedic and a selfless runner who sacrificed a better finish time to half carry me across the finish line.That first half marathon was not fun. But I managed to get back up, complete the race and have gone on to develop a love of running that makes it a big part of my life now. And I’ve definitely learnt the following (albeit the hard way):• Always start at a comfortable, easy pace.• Always be mentally prepared for what lies ahead • Study the race route the night before, so you know exactly which corner the finish line is going to be around.• Never accept energy gels or drinks that are offered to you if you’ve never tried them before.• And always give a friendly smile to the race marshals, paramedics and your fellow runners – everyone is doing a great job on the day and you never know when you might need their help.