Deadlifts and Distance Running — Half-Marathon Adventures

Completing my first marathon was the gateway drug to running. Being ambitious, I signed up for a half-marathon — The Great Scottish Run.

I wanted to go for a PB effort this time.

A Strange Feeling

I’ve been going pretty much flat out for nearly a year. Starting in December, I’ve done the following:

Started running 2x per week alongside lifting weights.
Completed a 10km trail run.
Done a sub-4-hour marathon.
20-minute 5km.
Prepped and completed a photoshoot.
Started a weekly newsletter.

In most cases, I was straight out of one into another. There was little time to dwell between them.

A week after the marathon, I began my photoshoot prep. I didn’t have much time to think and instead continued pushing hard towards my next goal.

After the shoot, however, I stopped to reflect on the progress I’d made.

I was proud for tackling my limiting belief of not being a runner.

I had gotten into the best shape of my life.

Instead of feeling buzzed to train for the half-marathon, I felt deflated. A bit meh.

Was I experiencing a comedown from the photoshoot? Was it something else? Had my interest waned?

Motivation being low is part of the process. It’s perfectly normal. Being compassionate with yourself when you feel this way is important as you don’t want to push yourself to an extreme when your mind clearly isn’t in a position to do so.

This only leads to resentment.

I reached out to some friends and my coach to tell them how I was feeling. They empathized and told me they had or were experiencing similar feelings post-photoshoot.

Getting Going

With a drop of perspective, it was time to begin training. Not by going hard right from the off but by doing one workout at a time.

Putting one foot in front of the other gains momentum. It’s how you start. Hitting the small targets compounds into big wins.

I got into a rhythm. I found my groove with my new workout and running schedule.

My program looked like this:

4 gym sessions per week (2x upper, 2x lower).
2 runs per week.

The runs weren’t as focused on distance but more on pace. As this was going to be a PB attempt I knew this was what I was going to have to work on it in training.

This was a different kind of hard compared to the marathon.

The long, slow runs were tough on the mind however the shorter, faster runs focused on my physical ability and discipline.

Road Bumps

A month or so before I race, I went on holiday for two weeks.

I knew this was going to be the case when I signed up for the event. This is life, though. Stuff is going to get in the way.

I enjoyed my time away and only ran once during the break. I trained sporadically focusing more on being present and enjoying the new scenery, experience and surroundings. I ate and drank more than I usually would.

It was worth it.

I was fortunate in the run-up to the marathon and photoshoot with no injuries, illnesses, or holidays to contend with. I hardly drank when training for these too.

Coming back from two weeks away meant I wasn't lifting as much as before I left. The first run felt awful. My legs were heavy and I struggled for pace.

It could’ve been easy here to wallow in my own self-pity. Instead, I let it pass. It would come back after each session and each run.

And that it did. I found my strength, my legs got lighter and my pace came.

I set a 10 km PB a few weeks prior to the event.

It was a major win. I needed it for my confidence after a few weeks of no training and getting back to it.

The truth is these road bumps are all part of the journey. They’re inevitable. How we navigate them is what determines the outcome on the other side.

Are you going to let the journey be defined by the obstacles or by how you overcame them?

Race Day

The week before went to plan. I trained weights early in the week and tapered off towards the end.

The day before was relaxing for my body and my mind — you don’t want to be feeling too worried the day before.

I woke up that Sunday feeling refreshed and ready to go.

I had my breakfast and a coffee to fuel me up. I drank plenty of water to ensure I was hydrated as I wasn’t planning on carrying water around the course with me.

Standing at the start line, there was a buzz of anticipation.

I was focused. I had my target in mind and knew what had to be done.

It was a fun route since you got to run over the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow. It’s strange running along a road where you usually drive at 50 mph.

About 3–4 km in, I started to feel sick. To counter the feeling I focused on taking deep breaths. Strangely, my pace was better when I did this. It helped me from dropping off and remaining on target.

I pushed hard and kept my pace up. Crossing iconic bridges and running through parks made the route fairly flat. It was a good course for a PB attempt, only furthered by the dry and cloudy conditions.

I came down the home straight with a smile on my face as I ran by my parents cheering me on. It was a nice contrast from pounding towards the marathon finish line deep in the pain cave.

I crossed the line and stopped my watch.

1:42:34 — a new PB by over 10 minutes.

I felt strong as I finished.

Coming down the home straight feeling strong

The central nervous system takes a beating when doing these events. Your emotions are all over the place and it's why I felt a wave of emotions while walking to get my medal for completing the race.

Perspective

A year ago I was reluctantly running once per week on top of three weight sessions that lacked intensity.

Now I’m turning up to the gym ready to get after it. I look forward to runs and the mental game you play before, during, and after.

Reflecting on my journey of the last year shows me what is capable when you challenge your mindset and limiting beliefs.

A question I ask myself is whether I want to be in the same place one year from now.