So you want to run a half marathon…

Our very special Pram Fitness mum (Gillian) will be running the New York Marathon in just a few short weeks.

In the latest instalment of Gillian’s running journey she explains why running a half marathon is so much fun…

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m not really sure I ever wanted to run a half marathon, until I actually decided I was going to run a half marathon. Looking back, it was probably a bit of peer pressure. My sister was doing it, my friends were doing it … and I guess I figured it’d be a pretty cool thing to achieve. So, at some stage, I decided it was going to be my fitness goal once Jonah was born. Fast forward to July 2015; I ran my very first half, the Gold Coast Half Marathon, in 2 hours + 17 minutes. And I LOVED it.

As part of my current training regime, I have signed up to three half marathons this year; the Great Ocean Road half (23km) was in May. The Gold Coast half was this weekend just gone, and the Sydney Blackmores half is in September.

If you’re contemplating signing up yourself, I say go for it! Here are a few reasons why:

 

Your goal keeps you accountable

It is so great having a big goal to work towards … especially when you need an extra kick to get out of bed on a cold winter’s morn. The reality of a 21km goal definitely keeps you accountable to yourself! Even when I haven’t felt like running out the door for a mid-week interval session, or getting up early on a Sunday for my long run – I just think about my goal, and how great it’s going to feel on the day when I’m fit, strong and prepared.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The atmosphere is amazing

I’ve now completed the Goldie half twice, and it’s safe to say it won’t be my last time. The atmosphere is so amazing, with happy, healthy and fit people roaming everywhere. Along the course, everyone is chatting, encouraging each other, and cheering the leaders as they sprint back past at a ridiculously fast pace. And it definitely helps that the weather is awesome – it’s a lovely mid-winter break from wintry Sydney.   But I also found the Great Ocean Road half to be so much fun – lots of people lined the route (particularly the last few km), called out our names printed on our bibs, and cheered us as we ran past. Although the weather was brisk, the scenery was second to none – what a privilege to run along the GOR with no cars! I’m confident that other halves will be just as fun, with the same exciting, inclusive, and healthy lifestyle focus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You’ll feel the fittest you’ve ever been

The thing about running is that there is nowhere to hide. In a good way! It forces you to push your boundaries and it is because of this that you’ll begin to see incremental improvements to your overall fitness; particularly if you’re combining it with other training (like 1:1 PT, or Pram Fitness sessions). I’ve constantly surprised myself with how great I feel after completing a training run … and as time passes, I am proud to watch my fitness improve exponentially.

 

You get to join the Half Marathon finishers club

It’s an elite club because, let’s face it, not everyone has the fitness or willpower to run 21km at pace, without stopping. You’ll get a finisher’s medal, and bragging rights on social media. Totes worth it! But – be careful, it’s a wee bit addictive!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Gillian

/0 Comments/by

A plan to run a marathon and be a busy mum with 3 kids….

For those of you who don’t know Gillian, she is a client of mine and a dear friend who is going to be undertaking the massive task this year of running her very first marathon… IN NEW YORK!!

I thought it would be a good idea throughout this journey for Gil and I to write a few blog articles about the process, the struggles and the major wins of achieving such a big task!

For anyone who thinks they are “too busy” to train and run a marathon I hear you…

It’s a massive task, especially for Gil as she has 3 beautiful children to look after. With this in mind, Gil and I sat down a few months ago and mapped out her entire year of training sessions so that she know’s exactly what she needs to do to be in tip top condition to run an incredible 42km’s at the end of 2017.

I asked Gil what motivated her to make this happen, what was her inspiration and what was going to give her the drive to keep training when it’s all going to get really hard.

Here is Gil’s story of inspiration – enjoy.

Love Karen

img_5284 img_5241

GILLIAN’S INSPIRATION

 

It seems everyone, these days, has a bucket list.  Well, I’m no exception.  My list grows annually, as I add new adventures and destinations to my life’s wish list. But the one listing that has been a constant for a very long time now is to run the New York City marathon.  Funnily, it was on my mind before I even started (properly) running just a couple of short years ago.  Back then, though, it was a bit pie-in-the-sky.  I mean, 42 kilometres is a LONG way to drive, let alone actually run. But it’s in my nature to challenge myself — and what bigger physical challenge for a novice runner than to complete a marathon?  

Why New York?  Well, why not?  I could’ve chosen to run my home city marathon in Sydney, but decided that if I was actually going to commit, it needed to be a running destination with a bit of bang.  So, New York it is!  If you Google New York City Marathon, you’ll see countless pictures of throngs of people shuffling their way across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.  I itch to be part of that crowd!

The other inspiration angle to this crazy venture of mine is that this year, in 2017, I turn 40 years old. I love the fact that I am fitter and stronger at 40 (after a few babies) than I was at 30 … possibly even 20.  I was never a runner, so I’m proud of the events I’ve run to date, and of my grand plans.  I’m by no means fast – but I’m persistent, and pretty determined.  I decided, all those years ago when I added this marathon to my bucket list, that I would complete it before I turn 40.  As it turns out, I’ll be 40 and 3 months.  Still counts, right?

Finally, and most importantly, I find inspiration every single day from my baby daughter, Layla Emerald.  We said hello and goodbye to Layla – all at the same time – in July 2011.  Layla should be five years old and starting school this year, and I should be a busy mum of four.  Instead, my three at home keep me smiling, and busier than I ever knew possible.  I just hope Layla is proud of her mama for setting out to achieve this little dream of mine.

Stay tuned for more stories of my adventures.

Gillian

img_5054

/1 Comment/by