Sunday 16th October (Race Day):
I think in the end I had about an hours sleep before my alarm went off and it was time to get up and get sorted. I’d made a jar of peanut butter overnight oats for breakfast which were lovely and so easy to make! Once I’d got ready and packed the car, I set off at 7.45am to Elvington Airfield where the Park and Run was. I completely underestimated how many people would be turning up. There were hundreds of cars all queued up down the old runway itself and looping round to where they were all parking. The buses were all going to and fro from the race village, one after the other. Despite it being so busy I didn’t have a long wait to get parked and get a seat on the bus. It was well organized.
Once I got to the race village the nerves were really starting to kick in. I met up with my colleague Millie who was also running the marathon and we did a quick scout out and dropped off our stuff at the baggage area before a quick pee stop and then onto the start line. We cut it pretty fine that’s for sure; All the queuing we did meant that we had just short of 10 minutes before the gun went. Kinda nice though as it was less time to wait about and become even more nervous.
The gun went and the crowds gradually moved up to and over the start line. I think out of the whole route, this was the bit I was dreading most. From running it previously I remember it being too much for the senses. Running through busy York with crowds and music etc. I found it really hard to not be overwhelmed with it all which then had affected my pace. I reminded myself this time to keep my head down, stay focused and just keep to the plan of 6 minutes running and 4 minutes walking. Once we started pushing out towards Stockton Lane/Sandy Lane people started to spread out a little and I didn’t feel the pressure as much. At the 5 mile flyover (which I actually ran up with ease this time) I had my first mummy supporter waiting. Alex, who was tracking my run on the app is one of Ava’s friends mums and has been a great friend to me too. She’s in the military and so just “gets” what my life is like and how difficult it has been to juggle Guy being away with training and Ava etc. She joined me for 5 minutes or so for a little bit of pep talk before disappearing and reappearing at around 10 miles. By this point my hip had started to ache, which is something that has never happened before but could be a knock on effect from the back injury. Weak hips have been my problem in the past and I really should’ve worked harder in my strength training with them. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I’d also been just overtaken by the race official 6 hour pacers, so I knew that whatever time I was now going to get was over 6 hours. I did shed a few tears whilst Alex joined me for that short stretch of the route (after deserting her car in Sand Hutton to reach me). “It’s just one foot in front of the other Siobhan. You’ve got this. You can do this.” She was a wonderful boost of moral and departed shortly after, with me feeling more positive.
Between 11 and 12 miles the laces on my right trainer were starting to hurt the top of my foot and I had to pull over several times to adjust them. I’d bought lock tie laces because my previous normal ones kept loosening off. These laces were good, but I think I’d just done them a little too tight and obviously should’ve tested them before race day. The road along Buttercrambe Moor Wood was beautiful, had I not been enduring a long distance race I would’ve spent the time to really soak up the autumnal beauty; the colours, the smells and the faint sound of a buzzard overhead (yes I’d taken my headphones out, my music was irritating me). After I’d passed the 12 mile point I was joined by my good friend and boss Lisa and her fiancé Nathen. A quick cuddle and some more tears shed and it was onward from there. This time walking more than running. Nathen joined me for section of the route up to Stamford Bridge where I passed a couple of my friends from gym days (one of whom was my bridesmaid) around 13.5 miles in. They were shouting and cheering and handed me some jelly babies! After Stamford was the long old stretch up to Dunnington on the A166 where my family and friends were waiting to cheer for me. By this point Nathen had gone and I was on my own dealing with a blustery headwind under a blue Autumn sky. I walked the majority of this bit, I didn’t want exert energy running on an incline when I needed to retain as much energy as possible to finishthe race (bearing in mind I’d only had an hours sleep). Once I was nearing Dunnington I passed Millie going the other way ( technically around 2 miles in front) we had a quick cuddle, exchanged some positive encouragement and carried on. I could see my niece Lacey at Dunnington first, she ran alongside me until I got to a whole bunch of people waiting; My sister Jenna, my niece Libby, my daughter Ava, my best friend Susie, her little boy Teddy and my wonderful friend Becki with her 3 girls, plus Milo my mum and dad’s blue staffy puppy. It was an overwhelming feeling of emotion and again I cried. Susie and Lacey speed walked with me for a little while before I made my way down to 18 miles. Coming back up to 19 miles and my mindset was completely changed; I felt strong and positive. I’d accepted the fact I was going to finish this in over 6 hours so now it was just a case of maintaining a good run/walk pace for the duration of the course. After a quick kiss and cuddle with little Ava and hello from my Mum on FaceTime from her holiday in Portugal at 19 miles, I carried on to the Holtby turnoff where the miles continued to tick down.
My watch fell quiet for a bit with messages from people, but by that point my mind was in a good place and I was able to self motivate. I marched past folk who had overtaken me previously and I ran parts of the route I felt strong enough for. I kept a pace just short of 15 minute miles; really stomping it out with a fast walk and pushing past the pain I felt in my hip. At Osbaldwick at 24 miles Lisa and Nathen reappeared and this time Lisa joined me for a mile. We were laughing at the fact supporters were applauding the both of us when it was just me who was clearly hanging out. Lisa left me just as we turned onto Hull road and the last stretch of the race. I ran most of this until I reached the bottom of the hill at the petrol station and swapped to stomping my way up there. Support at this point was great, lots of people still out and cheering racers on. It was wonderful. As I was just nearing the top of the hill my coach and fellow colleague Martyn appeared, shouting my name and gave me that last boost I needed for the final 200m. I started to run, as fast as my legs could go, I could hear the commentators saying my name as I gave myself that final push. Let me say that finish line has never felt so good! I instantly burst into tears. What a journey that was. In fact what a journey this whole thing has been...
I can’t tell you what all this has done for my body and my mind. At the start of all this my mental health was bad; my anxiety was ruling my days and I was frustrated that could never find clothes that would fit through the weight I’d gained over the past 2 years. But getting outside, breathing in the fresh air and having a challenge to aim towards has been my god send. I’ve seen the seasons go from winter to spring, to summer and now autumn. I trained in snow and through a heatwave and it’s been nothing short of magical.
I want to take this last bit of the blog to say a huge thank you to everyone who has followed my journey over the past 7 months, to everyone who came out to watch on the day and to the team here at Hands That Heal for everything they have done with training, physio and support. Martyn has been a great coach and has steered me the whole way. Lisa has been a star and if it wasn’t for all the help she gave me in that last week, I wouldn’t have even been at that start line. She also cleaned my dishes and cooked my dinner on the evening after the race! What an angel she is!
So this is me signing off this blog. The couch to 26.2 miles in 7 months; I’m living proof that if you want something bad enough, it can be done. I hope this maybe now inspires you to challenge yourself, to push yourself to the limit and do something just for you.
Siobhan xx