On Sunday 8th September, I ran my first ever half marathon, for Catalyst Support. I share my experience to help other runners prepare for the challenge and know what to expect on the day.
The Event Village
Arriving at the event will build excitement and adrenaline as thousands of others gather at the event village to run or cheer. Catalyst Support had a gazebo at the event with snacks and water, which was a great base to meet with other team members and prepare for the run.Â
The Surrey Half organisers will lead you in a warmup, after which you must listen out for announcements so that you can find your pacemaker, who will run with you for the first few miles. Â
The Run
The Surrey Half route starts at Woking Leasure Centre where you will begin the 13.1 miles. The first half of the run is a circle that goes through Jacobs Well. The second half tracks down Guildford Road and back again. Â
The running might be tough – my trickiest points were halfway and the very last mile – but supporters will be there to offer applause, sweets and water which can make you smile even when your legs are giving up. Throughout it, you can remind yourself of your motivation (mine being Catalyst Support) and trust that the reward at the end will be worth it, as the endorphin rush and pride at the finishing line is unbeatable! Â
Training
I have always enjoyed running, but have never taken it that seriously… Once I signed up to run for Catalyst Support, and the donations started rolling in, I knew I had to get myself a training plan. Some tips I learned from my more experienced running friends and family include:
- As you train, keep your weekly increase of workload to around 10%, not more.
- Incorporating fast/slow/fast/slow runs can show the most improvement! (i.e. run faster for 1km, very slow for 1km and repeat for 6km).
- A couple of weeks before the big day, try to get a run in that’s close to 13.1miles, so you know your limits.
- Strength train alongside running to prevent injuries.
- Give yourself a rest for at least three days before event day.
- Don’t compare yourself! You are running your own race.
Motivation
Finding an extraneous motivation when you run will help you through the trickiest points of training and the final race. My motivation was the work of Catalyst Support.Â
I started working for Catalyst Support as PR Executive earlier this year. Over the past few months, I have met some incredible people within the charity and heard some very powerful stories. I spoke with a woman who had come close to taking her own life, but now, with the support of Catalyst’s Women’s Support Centre, is creating remarkable poetry and artwork. At a local social group, I spoke with a man who became isolated after a mental health breakdown, but through the group regained his sense of self and found new friends. These are just some examples of the work Catalyst Support does in Surrey. So, when I heard the charity was entering a team of runners into the Surrey Half marathon, I knew I had to participate, and raise what I could to support an invaluable cause. Â
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