Beauty and the Beast

‘Twas the night before the half marathon and all through the rented abode, not a creature was stirring except SJ who was starting to carb -load.

The running gels had been selected according to which ones I could force down without retching (they are truly vile), my running shoes were lined up ready to slip on and my race number had been safety-pinned onto my running vest. I was ready to go and tackle my first half marathon. Boy was I NERVOUS! As with every night in the week running up to the run, I didn’t sleep, but tossed and turned, my mind whirring, every little twinge in my legs being transformed into a debilitating injury forcing me to pull out of the race midway.

Finally the morning came, and what a morning it was – not a cloud in the sky – the sea sparkling in the distance.  Even at 6 in the morning you could see the heat rising from the concrete. Whilst it highlighted what a stunningly beautiful place I live in, it was not ideal for running 13.1 miles. It was hot, sauna-hot.

After a nervous wee (nipping into the gents when the coast was clear to avoid the inevitable long queue at the ladies), we were off, cheered from the sidelines by those waiting to do the 10km run.  I was smiling from ear to ear, but inside my insides were like jelly. What I hadn’t appreciated was just how emotional it would be. This was what I had been getting up in the early hours for 20 weeks for, what I had been pushing my body to do. I was a runner, running in an actual race, with other people! I started hyperventilating and had to calm myself down, pronto. After that little hiccup, I followed the advice of Mr Motivator and started to enjoy myself. The first half of the race was nicknamed ‘The Beast’, as the route to Nail Bay is a twisting trail of hill upon hill. It was brutal, but by walking up the hills and running down, I made it to the turn-around point, being cheered along the last bit by the local kids football team, who were manning the water stop. What I found amazing was that I wasn’t last! I mean, I was pretty far at the back, but there were people behind me!

I kept pounding on, keeping to my training scheme of running 8 mins, walking 1 and taking the time to really take in the surroundings. Virgin Gorda is just so beautiful. As I kept going, pouring water over my head to cool me down (it was HOT), I realised that I was actually enjoying myself. Nothing hurt, my brain was clear. I finally understood why running gets under people’s skins. It’s an opportunity to think, to be by yourself and just go. At various points I ran with people who I’d never met before and we’d have a little chat, a smile and then move on at our own pace. The course was also lovely in that it double-backed on itself at various points, so I saw people I did know, who cheered me on and made me smile. I was part of a new, supportive community and it felt wonderful.

The race continued, the heat was relentless, but finally I came to the end. After 2 hours and 47 minutes I finished my first half marathon and I loved every single second of it. I was definitely at the back of the pack, but it didn’t matter. Not only had I completed the biggest physical challenge of my life (other than 2 drug-free childbirths – but that’s a different story altogether!) but together with my awesome running buddy had managed to raise over US$5,000 for Ellie’s Wish. It made my first celebratory glass of pink champagne taste all the sweeter.