When the Covid-19 pandemic began, I was stressed, tired, and felt like I could use some more energy and connection with others. Running had never been my thing. In fact, I used to hate it, but as a mother of two kids, running gave me a much-needed break. I would run between 2 and 5km with friends from the neighbourhood.
Over time, my love for running and my running friends grew stronger and stronger. I was captivated by the iconic goal of runners around the world: a marathon! I had once heard about the London Marathon and that race became my vision. The dream of achieving my goal and running through the streets of London motivated me to put in the work. I decided I would manifest this dream into reality.
Manifestation is a concept that has been gaining more and more popularity in recent years. The idea is that by focusing your thoughts and energy on a particular goal or desire, you can attract that thing into your life. I have been a firm believer in the power of manifestation for many years now, and I have seen it work time and time again. Where energy goes, energy flows!
Don’t get confused, manifestation isn't just about wishing for something and then sitting back and waiting for it to happen. You have to set a goal and do everything in your power to achieve it.
Upon looking into the London Marathon, I was disappointed to see that I would need to qualify or win a lottery to participate. My friend told me it was nearly impossible, so I put my London dream aside and set my sights on the P’tit Train du Nord Marathon in Québec and started training.
One month before the P’tit Train du Nord Marathon, I broke my foot playing basketball and was devastated. Once again, I had to revise my plans. While I still dreamt of completing a marathon, I decided to shift my focus to train for a half-marathon in Ottawa based on the advice of my physiotherapist. This was a blessing in disguise though, because the more achievable goal helped me recruit some great friends to run with. We formed a running group that we call “RPM”. Not only did it help us physically improve, RPM allowed us to connect as friends and form a community. Together, we completed a half-marathon in Ottawa and then the full marathon at P’tit Train du Nord the following year.
While I had initially planned for my marathon journey to be a "one and done", at a Napa reunion dinner a few months ago, I found out that it was possible to run for a cause in London Marathon. My London dream was back in action. I got a spot with Make-a Wish-UK, raised £2,630 for sick children, realized my dream of completing the London Marathon, and got to celebrate my 36th birthday in my new favourite city with my RPM friends and chosen family.
During the race, I learned a great lesson. Sometimes, you need to just let go and enjoy the experience. I missed my wave and started with the 5-hour bunny. I had to dodge other runners to try to catch up to the 4h30 pace. After the halfway mark, I got in my head and forgot to take it all in. I wish I had just enjoyed the experience and taken in the scenery. Sometimes, a race should be for the experience of high-fiving kids, taking selfies, and running in the present moment. Regardless of the details, I am so proud of my accomplishment.
Many people have fitness goals but struggle to turn them into daily habits. The key to manifesting your goals is to consistently take daily action, even if it's just one push-up or a five-minute workout. Remember, something is always better than nothing. By making small, daily investments in your future self, you WILL make progress.
Stepping out of your comfort zone is where change happens. Sign up for a race or tell your friends and family about your goals to hold yourself accountable. Running is a lifestyle. Training for a race becomes a journey where each step opens up a different part of you.
There are other workouts you can add to your training routine to cross-train and avoid injury. Yoga and strength exercises are great options to complement your running regimen. Consistency is key, but it's also essential to listen to your body and know your limits.
To keep yourself motivated, you need to enjoy the process:
Sunrise runs can be some of the most magical experiences.
Try listening to motivational podcasts, audiobooks, or music to keep you inspired.
Dressing appropriately for the weather is crucial. Dress for weather ten degrees warmer than what the forecast says because you will warm up quickly. Don’t fear the cold, some of the best runs are the coldest runs because they give you a runner's high like no other.
Try meeting up with a friend or joining a group of amazing people. Knowing someone is waiting for you will help you stay accountable. One of my RPM friends, Vira, even bought me the book Shut Up and Run by Robin Arzon, which inspired me to consider running an ultra-marathon – something I never would have imagined myself doing before.
Remember that stretching, foam rolling, seeing a massage therapist, or an osteopath are essential when you're running or training weekly.
Staying fueled is important. I like sweet potato porridge with banana and peanut butter because they provide me with the energy I need to power through my run.
As with everything in life, it's all about trial and error. Find out what works for you.
Vira’s Favorite Things for Running
Anti-chafe Balm
One thing I discovered when I started long-distance running is that chafing can be an extremely uncomfortable problem and can really mess up your run. Apply an anti-chafe balm before your run to moisturize and protect your skin from chafing and rubbing. It’s not greasy and long lasting. Your bikini line will thank you for it!
Hydration accessories
Going for a short run without water is fine if you hydrate before you run, but if you’re training for long-distance running, you will need to invest in a hydration pack. There are many different options. Our running group really liked a running belt that had either one or two bottles. The advantage of two bottles is that you can put plain water in one bottle and, in the other bottle, you can put water with electrolytes. For a half or full marathon, Melissa prefers a hydration backpack.
Massage tools
It’s important to rest and recover between your runs and take care of your sore muscles. Foam rolling should be an integral part of your pre- and post-run routine. Foam rolling has been shown to increase range of motion and help alleviate the pain associated with delayed onset muscle soreness. It’s a great idea to invest in a good quality, dense foam roller, and a massage ball for the facia under your foot.
Running socks
Invest in a good pair of running socks made with combination of merino wool and nylon. Avoid cotton socks! Cotton absorbs water and on long runs it will cause blisters.
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