3 essential tips to run a marathon:

1. Taper. (Have a relaxed week leading up to the run, so your legs are fresh)
2. Start the run slow and aim for a quicker 2nd half.
3. Don’t try anything new on race day!

I ignored all three of these.

Despite having a personal goal of finishing the 42km in 3 hours 30 minutes, I went about it in a less than ideal way.

1.

I arrived in Sydney on the Monday, with the Marathon being on the Sunday. Overall, the week went like so:

• Monday: 5 hour cycle around the city, along the coast and back to the city centre. Met up with G Bradford, an old uni flatmate.
• Tuesday: Coastal walk from Coogee beach to Bondi Beach. Dips in the sea, and walking round the city. Met up with Ashmita, my Nepali Sister.
• Wednesday: 7k run with Midnight Runners Sydney! Beautiful route around the Opera house and some great people.
• Thursday: Hiking Day Trip in the Blue Mountains.
• Friday: An actual rest day spent on Manly & Shelly Beach. Dinner & drinks with Loy in Bondi.
• Saturday: Shakeout Run and Marathon Expo with Midnight Runners crew.
• Sunday: RACE DAY…

2.

Ideally, you want to carb-load the night before and a nutritious breakfast to provide enough energy. Plenty of sleep is a must, giving your body some rest and last minute recovery. Once you start the run, you want to start slow, build into it and aim for a quicker second half of the race…

• My evening meal: Microwaveable spagbol and Mac n cheese. Mixing these two meals into the same bowl was yet another mistake.
• Breakfast: A bar of chocolate and a slice of banana bread.
• Hours of sleep: 6

I met with Loy and Ben, two fellow brits living in Aus. The race horn bellowed at 7am and we weaved our way through the crowd. Running across the Harbour Bridge was quite the experience. Encapsulated in such a crowd of people, all with their own personal battles, over such an iconic landmark. The downhills at the start were enticing. The adrenaline of the run, enthralling. Overall, we were feeling good.

Myself and Loy ran the first half with pace, maybe slightly too fast. I set a personal best in the 1/2 marathon distance and I could feel my legs starting to suffer.  I was entering cramp city. The hamstrings were falling apart and my hips were in agony. One foot in front of the next. I carried on.

Each runner has their own breathing or mental tactics.Some recite animals or countries of the alphabet, I like to simply count 1,2,3,4 in tune of my steps. I repeat this over and over, and over. Smiling through the pain and attempting to maintain pace and form, I battled on.

3.

“Don’t try anything new on race day” – a famous saying amongst runners. Your immune system does not want you experimenting with energy gels, bars or drinks in fear of a sticky disaster.

Due to poor planning and preparation, I relied upon: energy bars I found in the supermarket the night before, chewy energy sweets that Loy had given me, and the electrolyte drinks provided at the water/ aid stations every 4km. The chewy energy sweets actually worked a treat, a little tough to break down but fairly tasty. Each water/ hydration station along the run was a life saver, particularly in the last 10km. I manage the pain carefully in fear of falling at the very last hurdle. Unconscious runners on the floor, with medical teams around them were a sign to of caution.

The final kilometre was a downhill sprint to freedom, finishing at the Sydney Opera House.

I crossed the finish line, stopped my watch, and slowed to a hobble. Knowing my chip time would be slightly quicker than the clock, I looked up at the finishing clock.

3 hours 28 minutes.

2 minutes safe of my goal. Even with poor planning, a tough course and the Australian heat…I had achieved my goal of a sub 3 hour 30 minute marathon. The physical pain dissipated, making way for other emotions and a couple of tears.

My running journey began after a disastrous 2016 and 2017 involving: breaking my leg twice, a bone infection, regrowing my leg 3cm, living with a metal cage inserted through my leg for 6 months, unable to walk without crutches for 4/5 months, and having a metal rod re-inserted into my shin bone. Learning to walk, without a limp was a challenge itself. For me, a run can feel difficult, slow or sometimes a bit boring. It is also a privilege. It’s freedom. It’s a reminder to be precious of what you have and enjoy it whilst it’s here.

Harry