Keep on running! Yes, you can do that marathon

By Dr Jemma Regan

I am training for a marathon. My second. The first being in Amsterdam ten years ago.

Whilst I am not a mother, I use the analogy of childbirth – since both are physical endurance events - to describe the difference in attitude towards training now and then, as I imagine a mother may feel for her first and subsequent pregnancies. Then – I was anxious, lacked confidence in my abilities, training took over my life, feared the unexpected, vowed I would never run again after the event. Now – I am less fit but more confident, have a better awareness of nutrition and rest, I recognise the commitment required but have perspective about the role of training in my life.

Here are some tips for promoting confidence in your long distance running:

Recognise the mental challenge

The most important thing is to recognise long distance running is a mental challenge. Yes, it is undeniably physically demanding, but it is more about confidence. I am not the fittest person I know, but I am aware of my mental strength and I know that I can achieve whatever I put my mind to.

Break down the targets

It is easy to feel overwhelmed with the task. Breaking down the training really does make it manageable. I started with running 5k park runs in April, then I did a 10k a month ago. In February I am running a half marathon, and the big event itself is in April. But right now, whilst the major goal is some way off in the distance, I am concentrating on the next big event – getting my general fitness up until Christmas, then training for the 13 miles, and then once that milestone is reached, working towards the next stage.

Recall previous acheivements

As I go through life I gain more confidence in being able to identify, recognise, work towards and achieve goals. There has to be a first small step, and it may not be a physically related challenge. It could be simply the achievement of cooking a meal, surviving a social situation which caused anxiety, gaining a certificate or finishing a course. Having this catalogue of achievements from the minor to the major is a great asset in your confidence portfolio.

Sign up for a charity – keep motivated

I ran my last marathon for a Motor Neurone Disease charity. Publically declaring this to my family and friends put the incentive there to fulfil this obligation. The sponsorships I received spurred me on to think of the bigger picture. If I felt like stopping during a training run or pulling out completely due to feelings of being overwhelmed, I thought about the people living with MND and their families and realised how lucky I was to have my health; this sense of gratitude kept me plodding along the miles. Furthermore, the thought of letting people down who had invested their money and confidence in me, soon put the wind back in my sails!