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

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