How I got into Running

Ten years ago to the very same weekend as the start of Capital to Country, I was in Florence, standing on the start line of my very first marathon. Why?

1 – Emily had said something to me in the March,

and

2 – If was going to be in pain running this far, I may as well be somewhere beautiful.

But what was it that got me there in the first place? What would make me, a person who looked at people out running and think – What? Why? Who would do that? How can anyone enjoy running, of all things? It’s pointless, and so on… I used to hate running with a vengeance, unless it was after a ball, in a team, with a half time. I’d run a mile (excuse the pun) to avoid cross country at school, and hated hockey training runs. Give me short sharp strength and skill sessions, or the game itself, and I’d go for it. But a run, no thanks.

I’d recently joined my local gym. I’d never had any intention of becoming a runner when I joined. I was purely interested in getting fitter, having had to stop playing hockey as I couldn’t keep up with the pace of the game any more and was starting to enjoy it less and less. I also knew I needed to keep moving.

I’d decided to try a spin class as I’d heard they were great, and once in there and had the bike set up properly, I fell in love with the class almost immediately. I’d go at every opportunity, and always chose the same bike, same position, two rows back and one in from the left. I loved the loud music, dark room, pulsing lights, and intense nature of those sessions. Invariably I’d end up totally drained and with a pool of sweat below me that suggested the mains had burst. It was mad, and great fun. Jo, the instructor, was fantastic. I miss those days.

Next to me in those classes sat a lady. She was going for it, looked super keen, strong and determined. We looked across at each other, and the competition was on! Knowing looks, nods, angled heads, a turn of the knob to increase the resistance, and we’d be off, battling one another throughout the classes. This went on for a good few weeks before we really spoke. I got properly fit and strong during that time, and we spurred each other on in each and every session. Soon enough I was working out in the main gym above.

And then one fateful day my life was changed forever. Emily sidled up to me. I was sitting at leg abductor machine at the time, I remember it that clearly. “You know you’ve got a marathon in those legs”, she quietly suggested in my ear, turned, and walked away, not looking back. I stopped dead. What had she just said? I knew what she’d just said. I also knew I was totally snookered.

For the next two or three days all I could think was “what reason can I give for NOT running a marathon?” Every reason failed me. People in far worse situations than myself had run them. Every reason I conjured up with was hopelessly weak. All I could come up with was CBA – Can’t Be Arsed.

I continued to rack by brain to come up with a reason why I could NOT run, let alone run a marathon. At each and every thought I came up with I realised that it couldn’t actually stop me running. I was able bodied, had both legs, had the time, it wasn’t expensive (it’s virtually free!) and I was getting fitter. I was still young enough, and I had determination. As each and every possible reason (excuse) crumbled away, it dawned on me that I would have to admit defeat, and that running a marathon was an inevitable consequence of that whisper.

That was the point, and Emily had known that all along. I was defenceless, and running a marathon was a foregone conclusion.

To be fair, Emily trained me from that moment on, was there every Sunday morning for the long runs and set every other run for me to follow. I just did what I was told. I was given the most massive encouragement, and when November came, I was ready.

I cried when I crossed the finish line in Florence and collected my finisher’s medal. I was knackered and ecstatic, and I ate my way through the evening. Emily had woken something inside me. Little did I know where it would lead me, nor how much pleasure it would give me in the years to come, but let’s agree that my future was changed forever, and ten years later I was to get the shock of my life.

On opening the “Capital to Country Nepal 2023” WhatsApp group to meet my fellow runners who should be there, but Emily! We had not a clue that the two of us, living just three miles apart, would both be on this trip.

“OMG you’re coming to Nepal” was the simple message I received, virtually immediately. Yep, I sure was.

This was happening…