So on the 25th July 2020, I went out and ran my first ever marathon by myself – completely unsupported. Here I go through the day – how I planned and prepped, and how it went!
So firstly, how did I get here?
How did I even get here? That’s what I kept thinking as I prepped for my first ever marathon the evening before the run. Never in my life I would’ve thought I would be capable of this, let alone doing it solo.
I’ve been running since 2013 starting with couch to 5k and caught the running bug! I quickly moved up the distances, completing my first half marathon the next year and joining the fabulous Hyde Park Harriers in 2015.
I’d put off doing a marathon for many years. I was studying for my PhD from 2014-2019 and actively decided not to train for a marathon at this time. Running helped me a lot through my PhD, but I knew I couldn’t allocate the time I’d want or need for a marathon during my studies.
In 2019, once I settled in my post-PhD job, I thought there are no more excuses! It’s time to sign up for a marathon and get serious about training! After a bit of research, I signed up to the 2020 Edinburgh Marathon. I also booked a holiday around it as it’s one of mine and my partner’s favourite places to visit.
The Training
After doing a lot of set training programmes in the past, I’ve learnt what I need from a programme, as well as knowing what I need it to fit around (i.e. social life!). I designed my own training programme based on existing ones and with the guidance of our club’s long-distance coach (thanks Lucy!).
At this time, I also got my new job in Belfast. It was never my plan to move to Belfast, but running has been fantastic in giving me structure, something to do in the evenings, and exploring the city. My housemate (from NI) thinks I probably know the city better than him now! I’ve got used to running along as nearly all my runs out here have been solo, though I was lucky enough to run with the local Ormeau Runners a few times before lockdown.
When lockdown happened, I was still slightly hopeful that the Edinburgh Marathon would go ahead. They quickly postponed to September, it quickly became clear that it wouldn’t be safe or sensible to go ahead. They eventually cancelled in mid-June. I was expecting it, and completely support the decision, but I was still very sad.
In lockdown, I had still been training towards that September date, and had averaged a half-marathon each week for my long slow runs. Keeping up this as my “base-line” distance was really helpful in the long run of my training.
After the cancellation, I didn’t really know what to do – should I just stop the long runs? Ease off the training? Well, I’d really enjoyed my long runs at the weekend. They gave me head space and new places to explore so I just carried on with them, doing whatever distance I felt like on the day.
In June, I signed up to the Great Owl Running’s VirtuOwl race series. It was £25 to enter, then you have 11 distances (from 1 km to 50 km) plus bonus challenge rounds to complete in your own time. One of these distances is a marathon so I thought why not? I’d been training for it – let’s do it!
In anticipation of my solo marathon, I got up to 19 miles as my furthest distance (also a VirtuOwl distance!), and had a few lower mileage weeks in the run up.
The night before - Prepping!
A lot of preparation went into the run itself. I got all my usual running snacks, plus extras as I had no idea how hungry I would get! I put half my supplies in my backpack and the other half, plus the random extras, in a box and left these in the foyer of my apartment complex.
On my back:
· 1L water
· 500 mL electrolyte drink
· 2 energy gels (I like High5 orange + caffeine
· Small bag of jelly babies
· Body glide (small tube just in case!)
· Arm warmers and buff
· A mask (in case I ended up needing to go into a shop or get public transport home etc.)
In my pitstop box:
· Replacements for all the fuel in my backpack for topping up
· Fruit – grapes, bananas and raisins
· Granola bar
· Chocolate (in case of emergency!)
These are all the things I had learnt over time in my training to be those that my stomach can tolerate and things that have needed in the past when out and about (i.e. body glide). It pays to try different things and learn from mistakes in training!
I also prepped my route. I thought it would be a bad idea to do a big circular or out and back – I did not want to be in a situation of being miles from my house and running out of water. There is only so much you can carry. That’s why I left a box of supplies in my foyer! I also wanted it to be a route I was familiar with, so I wouldn’t get lost or need to constantly check my map.
After chatting to a few fellow Harriers (thanks Robyn and Clare!) I plotted the route so that I would do an initial half marathon loop, knowing I could comfortably do this distance with the supplies I can carry, followed by two 10km loops. Each loop would end at my flat, giving me the opportunity to refuel and stock up my backpack supplies if needed.
Whilst plotting the route, I was very clear with myself that this would be an attempt. I knew that if it got too much at any point, I would stop and save the marathon for another day. I think this is especially important, not only with the pandemic and not wanting to burden the NHS, but also, I was running this completely solo, this is not like Leeds where I know tonnes of fellow runners and have close friends and family on call if I needed help. (Not to say I’m completely alone in Belfast! Just fewer friend with less availability!).
I also had been toying with the idea of “jeffing” – structured run/walking. At my estimated pace, it is suggested to do 60 secs of running then 30 secs of walking. I set the run/walk settings on my Garmin to this to try it out on the day.
Last but certainly not least – charged my Garmin, headphones and phone. I would not do for any of these to die on me whilst out running!
The morning of the run
I felt weirdly nervous on the day –like I feel on real race days. But I stuck to my long-run morning routine. I had my single Weetabix with milk, orange juice and coffee.
Getting dressed is a precise business - again learning from past mistakes! I know where I need to apply body glide to stop chafing, I know exactly how I like my hair, sports bra, runderwear (yes, runderwear) and laces adjusted so that I don’t need to faff with these when out running.
I knew I was going to wear my Hyde Park Harriers vest. These guys have taken me from a half-hearted on/off runner, to someone who is now a qualified run leader averaging over 30km a week. I can’t thank you all enough for your support and enthusiasm.
I always put on sun cream on for long runs (I use P20 SPF50 for running as it lasts a long time and isn’t sticky) regardless of the weather forecast is as I’ve been caught out several times before.
I took my time getting ready – it’s important to get everything right, not rush and give plenty of time for the coffee to run through the system!
The Run!
First loop – half marathon
I started with the Jeffing (60 s run/30 s walk) for a while with continuous running down any downhills. I did this for about 5 km, but it became mentally frustrating. The walks were good for leg longevity but taxing on the brain. I decided to run up to 10 km by taking it slow and found this was much easier. I ended up running at this pace for the whole first loop, occasionally walking any of the rare steep up-hills, knowing I’d need to save that energy for later.
There was a really nice moment when I was running on a particularly boring road where I realised I’d reached 1000 km for the year – one of my two running aims for the year! The other aim was to run a marathon. I didn’t plan to do both on the same activity - it felt like running a marathon today was meant to be!
I was taking lots of pictures throughout my run. I’d learnt from experience that this helps me enjoy my runs by taking the time to look around (thanks Lizzie!). I also realised that there wouldn’t be any race photographers for my first marathon so it was up to me to take pictures if I wanted any to remember it by.
Back at my flat for the first pitstop, I was so glad I planned my route this way as I really needed the loo! I think the initial run/walking had allowed the water to run through me a bit quicker than it normally would have. I had a good drink at my stop but didn’t need top up my backpack liquids. I scoffed half a banana replaced my backpack energy gels (I have 1 per 10 km) and set off again for the 1st of two 10 km loops.
Second loop – 10 km #1
The first 10 km loop was mostly ok. I could feel my legs getting tired but nothing I hadn’t experienced before. It was very weird running down paths that I had run on my first loop hours before. By the end of this loop, my legs and hips were feeling it, so I went back to the structured run/walking to give them the chance to ease off.
Throughout my run, I was posting my progress on social media. Running completely solo I found to be mentally tough. I missed the cheers of a race, of running with other people – it’s amazing how much this support keeps you going. When times got difficult, I would open Facebook and read all the lovely comments people had posted there – plus the fab videos my mum and dad kept posting. I can’t tell you how much these lifted my spirits! Thank you all so much for these.
Back for my final pitstop, I topped up my liquids I was carrying, finished my banana and headed back out. This is when it really hit me that the next time I’d be home I’d have ran a marathon! Combined with the knowledge that every step was now my furthest run ever, I was really motivated for my final lap.
Second loop – 10 km #2
The previous run/walking had paid off, and I was able to run constantly for a good few kms. It was helpful that both my 10 km loops had started with the same downhill which helped get the legs moving – something I had deliberately planned. Joining the embankment for the third time, I found myself behind a runner going a slightly slower pace to me, so I stuck behind him, using him as a pacer for a while.
Getting into the mid-30 kms, I knew that I wanted to finish this run off somewhere where I wouldn’t have to stop for traffic or people, so I headed to Ormeau park. With wide paths and beautiful green space, this also has the benefit of having a parkrun route that is permanently sign posted. Knowing the distance of the two parkrun-loops helped me immensely in breaking down the remaining distance, with my legs getting more and more tired. I was walking all the small up hills in the park, but still running the majority which I was really happy with!
Once my watch ticked over to 42 km, I just ran as fast as I could until it reached 42.2 km. There was no finish line, no MC calling out finisher’s names, no medals to be had, but the atmosphere in my head was amazing! I was so happy with how my run had gone. I was happy how well my planning had worked out – I was bloody happy that I’d done it. I’d just ran my first ever marathon!!!
Après-run
After taking a few pictures, (using a tree as a tripod!) I started my slow walk back home. I had deliberately finished a mile away from my flat to make sure I walked enough to ease my legs off.
Since my stomach felt ok, I visited my local independent ice cream shop to get a high calorie milkshake! I’d finished it before I reached my front door. On the way home, a lady I passed said “you’ve earned that!” Turns out, she’d seen me a few times out on my loops (she’d recognised me from my rainbow shorts) and I stopped to have a lovely chat with her.
Eventually I managed to stumble home. I grabbed my pitstop box which had another surprise for me. I’d left a note on my box explaining that it was supplies for my marathon, just to ensure no one moved or thought it was a ‘help yourself’ situation (as people often kindly share things in the foyer). Some lovely person had left a note on my box to say congratulations.
For the rest of the day, I took it easy. I stretched thoroughly several times, had a long salt bath, watched Disney films in bed, and had KFC for dinner with a pint!
Final Thoughts
How do I even sum this up? This wasn’t the marathon experience that I had planned for my first, it was different, but still an amazing experience!
I’ve learned a lot over the past few months about myself, and about long distance running and those lessons were so useful for the planning of this marathon. One of those lessons is to stop doubting myself, but another important lesson is that planning is key.
I’ve really enjoyed this journey. I think I’m going to rein my running in for a bit, but I’ll keep going with my half-marathon weekend runs so that when we do race again, I’ll be in a good position to make it ‘official’.
Update! I couldn't do my first ever marathon without getting a momento of it so I ordered my own medal engraved with the date. The day after it arrived, another one turned up in the post - made by my Mum! Totally had me in tears. How lucky I am indeed.