1. The first run is the steepest

You probably figured it’s not my first run ever in life.

… it is my first run to get me on the road to my first marathon.

I’m feeling a lot… firsts can do that.

We won’t last long without water, but it’s extremely unlikely we’ll die of first.

In fact it’s quite the opposite isn’t it.

And so mostly, I’m feeling proud.

And appreciative.

The first thing I note that I feel appreciative about is actually a person, my wife Danielle. As soon as I told her of this crazy wonderful idea, roughly September 2023, she believed in me.  She’s like that with me. Then she has pretty much talked it into existence. Not incessant or hassling but kind and hopeful… nudging… pushing – two very kind and hopeful hands in the back. Ok, ok, I’ll stop.

Her belief got me out the door.

I’ve run a lot before but that was part of football/soccer (depending on which part of the world you’re from), tennis, rugby, basketball, cricket… actually wait, no I don’t ever recall doing any fitness running for cricket training – ummm, this is an Aussie/cricket joke, apologies to the international audience that might miss it. It’s a little like our version of baseball, you could literally ‘play’ over half the match, sitting down watching. Does that help at all?

The other thing I’m feeling is pain. It’s not my first run ever, but it is my first run, a distance run, in a long time.

And I’m feeling pain. It’s there in my legs, my chest, I think there’s some under my left armpit, what’s that about, and my breathing is laboured.

One thing I do notice is a positive spin as well. In my discomfort I feel some satisfaction. I actually manage to access a modicum of “this is worth it, I’ll get stronger.” Amidst all the other thoughts, it does stay with me.

I keep going and finish.

You might think that I’ve done the hard part. You know the drill, might have heard the gem “The job started is half done.” Well not with this young fella.

I’m a serial starter, my problem is finishing. Yeah, you feel me now don’t you. Instantly you see it. In fact maybe you just got a massive kick of concern for me finishing this thing – I’ll take any concern and support you’ve got. I know I’ll need it all.

You’re seeing the problem aren’t you, a big problem. This elephant is not just in the room, it’s wearing skin tight ‘Travolta’ leather pants, covered in fairy lights, knee high suede fuchsia boots, and is busting out the running man better than MC Hammer. And not just that, he insists on running alongside me, you know, just in case I need him. Hmmm, maybe he needs a name.

You see, the hard part will actually be the next run, navigating how my legs are likely to feel tomorrow, the thought as the next ‘commitment to run’ dawns on me and rises before me.

Physically, the first run is the steepest. Mentally, it’s the next 60 that are the mountain.

Yeah, the second one will be tougher. Or maybe the third or the fourth. I know me.

The music gets louder and the fairy lights are literally flashing in time to the techno beats.

The all consuming picture of what it’s going to take, how much running I’m going to have to do to actually run a marathon. Just trying to hold it all in my mind.

That’s a bad idea so I manage to let it go. I’m going to have to do that a lot.

In fact, better yet, alongside that, another thing happens. I see what I did – isn’t technology great!

There it is, 8km (8.08 to be precise, and if anything, I am precise)

In 48 minutes (48:31, but sometimes rounding down is fine).

Two things immediately come to mind:

• I ran 8.08k after a big break
• 48 minutes isn’t awful – I’m not the athlete I once was and let’s ignore the fact that the first 2k I ran downhill I didn’t also do uphill at the end, but a bit over an hour for 10k isn’t awful. See what my brain did there… that kind of thing is automatic for me, automatic and HUGELY motivating! (I hope the CAPS made it clear how huge this is)…
• Because the other thing, clear as a bell, rings true “it’s a starting point, I’ll get stronger and faster.” (I know, I know, I said two things but I just ran my first 8k in I don’t know how long and I’m stuffed ok!)

I need these motivating things for that elephant. Funnily enough, this is in contrast to Danielle. She doesn’t need or care for them. She’s one of those annoying people with the willpower to just go exercise for exercise sake… yeah, I know, how annoying. She might say it’s payback for how annoying I am that after not running forever, on the eve of 50, I can churn out 8.08k at all, let alone in 48 minutes.

What she actually said was …

“Oh wow, that’s amazing, you’re amazing, well done.”

In the suffering, I did also think about Aunty Steph, what she accomplished in her running and her life. I see her smile and encourage me. I’m reminded that I’ve committed to do this #whileistillcan.

Yes, this elephant has a fight on it’s hands… and I really do think I’m going to have to name him. Open to suggestions if you want to pop a comment in.

1 down, ? to go…

Let’s keep going #whileistillcan

PS This all began like this 

PPS So you know what to expect, not all posts will have this much detail, though some might. The idea is to check in after a run and share a bit. I really appreciate any support by following along, commenting, and sharing. There’s even a chance I might try and raise some money for a charity out of this…