Categories Fit Bits (78) Hilde's Ramblings (28) Success Stories (15) You are currently viewing a blog within the Fit Bits section of the Get Active Online Blog. About Me I'm a 32 year old health & fitness fanatic! I run "Get Active Online" with my wonderful hubby Cam and when I'm not training others I'm off flying all over the countryside as a Flight Attendant. I strongly believe in practicing what I preach so this blog is all about my personal health & fitness journey, plus lots of good training & nutrition info. If you have a question you want answered or just want to say hi, please leave me a comment. Looking forward to hearing from you! Hilds

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BLOG > FIT BITS > TOPIC #119

Wow, it’s over! I’ve finally run the Loch Ness Marathon!

I’m feeling happy, sore, tired and a bit frustrated as well. Yesterday was an amazing day, it started early as we had to get a bus pickup at the finish line to take us to the start at 7:30am which was in town (about a 30 minute drive). So wakeup was about 5:30 and the fun began.

It was freezing cold in the morning and leaving home in shorts was a little scary, but considering what the weather was like the day before we were hoping for a good day. On the drive up the day prior we had 70mph winds, lots of rain and it was freezing, I was actually wondering if the whole thing would be cancelled! Anyway it turned out to be a beautiful day, not quite what I’d call warm but good to run in.

So the day started with an hour bus ride to the start of our running track along the Loch Ness. We actually ended up leaving an hour late as some of the buses didn’t turn up and somehow they had to get 3500 people to the start. The bus ride was an experience in itself, all glamour goes out the window when people are running a marathon! On the bus ride we ended up having to stop for someone to go to the toilet, as everyone had loaded up on their sports drinks only to be sitting on the bus for an extra hour. It was hilarious when we stopped as the whole bus (double decker) ended up getting of (men and woman) all peeing on the side of the road, that kinda set the tone for the day, he, he. Plus with the tubs of Vaseline getting handed around and people rubbing it all over their body and most importantly their nipples it made for an interesting bus journey!

So after two hours sitting on the bus we finally arrived to the middle of now where and yet again we were all needing to go to the toilet, although we had the luxury of portaloos here!
We all lined up in our places and we all slowly got away, it’s a bit slow going at the start as 3500 people need to cross the line. I was lucky enough to have a couple of running buddies, Mark and Phoebe who just made the day so much more fun!!! It was Mark’s second marathon (crazy boy) and mine and Phoebe’s first. So anyway the first half of the race went well, I ran with Phoebe and we had a nice pace and just chatted along the way (plus phoebe was texting, taking photos and updating her facebook all while running, crazy girl, got some good pics though!). I was a little surprised though at some of the pains I was experiencing in the first few miles, my foot hurt and I was having trouble jogging properly, oh well only 20 more miles to go. Anyway we managed to get to the half way mark just past 2 hours when we ran into Mark again and then we all ended up going our separate ways. Phoebe bounded off and that was the last I saw of her and Mark and me plodded along for a bit longer together.

When I hit the 17 mile mark it all started to go downhill (not literally unfortunately)! I had just taken a Gu but made the mistake of having some Lucozade to wash it down (I knew I wasn’t suppose to but there was no water at the station), after doing that I got severe cramps and was kinda hunched over, not happy Jan and to make it worse ahead of me was a hill from hell! We had been warned about the hill at the 18mile mark and the stories were true, it was straight up and most people ended up walking it. As stubborn as I am I didn’t want to walk it but I did have to stop for a minute so I could at least stand up straight and try and run, the gu and energy drink weren’t quite having the effect I had planned! So I plodded up this hill and was seriously wondering how I was going to make it to the end, although pure determination would get me through.

I made it through the last 8 miles forcing every step, at times I wondered if I would be quicker walking but was determined to keep jogging. At this stage I was feeling a little disappointed as I knew I wouldn’t make sub 4:30 and my body was seriously letting me down. I was getting pains that I hadn’t experienced before and was feeling so frustrated that I couldn’t get it to do what I wanted. I think the cold weather and the fact that the course was a series of hills made me struggle. Anyway being the stubborn Leo that I am I had no intention of giving up and just kept going, I saw that 20 mile marker and was so relieved only 6 miles to go (about 10km). I knew I could do it, it would be hard but I could make it through 10km. I counted down every single mile and was so excited to see the mile markers around the corner, my ipod was getting a thrashing and I was trying to find any song that would keep me going for just another mile.
By this stage we had reached the edge of town and out of never, never land and it was great to have some people cheering on the sidelines, it seriously makes the world of difference just hearing someone clap or say something as you run (sorry maybe not the best word), hobble past!
It got down to the last 3 miles and I really wanted to give it my all but I just couldn’t make my legs go much faster, just going from the road up to the footpath seemed like a huge task. From here every step was mental, I thought about all the money I’d raised, my little sister and my gorgeous hubby. I knew how supportive everyone had been and there was no way in hell that I would not finish this thing. For sure I was disappointed because I felt like an 80 year old woman running and it had taken me longer than planned but I would still finish this thing. The last mile I kept listening to the same song over and over again “stand my me�, it was my wedding song and I absolutely love it. I actually started to get a bit emotional at this point but realized that crying and running just made it even harder. I was nearly there!!!!

That last mile seemed to go forever but just around the corner I saw team Aussie, the other guys we were staying with who did the 10km run that day, they were all yelling and screaming and it was sooooo good to see some friendly faces and I knew I was nearly there!!! Then I saw Cam and just wanted to stop and give him a hug but I hadn’t quite finished yet. I came around the corner and there was a short run on the track inside the stadium and I was done!!!

I made it in about 4:40mins, longer than I wanted but the best I could do on the day. Once I crossed the line I could see all the other guys but hadn’t found Cam yet, and all I wanted to do was give him a big hug but I had to get my medal, goody bag and get off the track. Finally I saw my gorgeous hubby who has supported me through my crazy desire to run the Loch Ness Marathon, he has been my rock and believes in me more than I do myself sometimes! He was so proud and he had even done his own achievement that day and run the 10km in sub one hour (well done Cam!). Once I stopped I thought I was going to seize up, I just wanted to sit down although I knew there would be no getting up again. The whole team was there once again, 13 crazy Aussies with a desire to run in Scotland. Having a group around made the day sensational and just knowing everyone had achieved their own personal goals was very inspirational. Some just wanted to finish the 10km, others had a time they wanted to beat, whatever their goal everyone was just getting out there and giving it a go!!!!

Last night we celebrated, we are staying out in the hills in these cottages in the middle of nowhere (spectacular scenery) and the guys all organized a feast of pizza & wine and we all celebrated our achievements.

So I’ve done it! I’ve run a marathon! For sure I would have liked to have done better but most importantly I never, ever gave up. I set myself a goal and I did it (I need to remind myself of this as I’ve a bit hard on myself sometimes). So regardless of how long it took me I can now say I’ve run a marathon, it’s been an experience and I’m sore now but I’ve done it! Would I do it again? Right now I’d say no, I don’t really enjoy the long distance running although the stubbornness in me to do better might just make me put on the running shoes again, although for now I’m going to enjoy my holiday!

A massive thank you to everyone who has emailed, text or left me a message, they all meant so much and really helped me get through those last few miles.

Also thank you to all my patient clients who have waited a bit longer for an email reply. I’ll be back on track today and will be busy catching up (too sore to do too much else)!

So what have I learnt? You really can achieve anything you set your mind to! Determination and believing in yourself will get you through, the power of the mind is truly amazing & finally listen to your trainer, if he say’s don’t have gel and energy drinks together, don’t!he, he!

Anyway time for some breakfast and then start chugging through my work for today (if waiting for an email you should have a reply waiting for you when you wake up due to the time change!).

Thanks again everyone, I’ve attached a few pics for you to check out and I’m sure there will be many more to come.

Lots of Love, Hilds

EMAIL : hilde@getactiveonline.com