The importance of the journey

The last time I wrote about running on here, I was writing about the Boston Marathon in 2016!! There a series of posts that are a blend of the physical and the mental. It all seems such a long time ago....well a good five years.

People who know me also have heard about this incredible sporting event and it's rich history (check out this book for more) - 2021 marked the 125th anniversary of Boston Mara and to date the only event that didn't happen was 2020.

So fast-forward to the present and I've just completed another running goal and another Boston Marathon with a difference - we were virtual! Me and my 20,500+ fellow runners from all around the globe chasing another famous unicorn medal.

Being virtual, it was completely different. Being 2021, it was completely different too.

Firstly, I approached this with a healthy dose of realism given I had been very light on the running this year compared to other years (maybe once a week?). So, as I had 12 weeks to get up to fitness, I made sure that I was measured with my training and my pacing. No hero runs! I stuck to a regular weekly diet of running, with my build and easy weeks all planned and followed: 38 out of 40 runs completed.

Trust the programme.

The other thing we had to content with was a NZ 'lockdown', and a bit of monotony in terms of training locations. There were a few groundhog day moments! I feel like I found a new sense of individual focus though, and the need to be clear about the purpose of each session and staying concentrated in it. Little did I know that I would draw upon that a fair bit later...I would end up doing all but a couple of my runs solo.

Have a focus, before you head out the door.

The other thing I added more deliberately to my programme was cycling! This added some hard training (that I could recover from) and a different focus to break up the running. Cross-training is a great way to building fitness, and this time using Zwift (virtual cycling) was just the tool I needed.

Do something different and try something new.

So how did it all pan out?

My Boston started pre-dawn at Otematata where we were staying on a little family holiday. It wasn't hanging with thousands of other runners and all the nervous energy. It was just me saying go, and starting running. The first 16km flew by as I ran down the main road next to Lake Aviemore, keeping a watchful eye on the few vehicles that were around. As I hit the Aviemore Dam, my support crew (wife Steph and daughter Mackenzie) were waiting for me with a cheery smile and cheer and proceeded to jump ahead 5km for the next check in.

Onwards I ran on the beautiful morning along the empty road...21km, 26km, 31km and then the fun began. Now, anyone who has run a marathon knows that 30-35km is always the part when reality bites and it was definitely that moment for me. This is when my support crew became very important, and the benefits of my solo training helped dig deep. And the road presented a few hills that I had obviously forgotten from when I last ran the route!

I stuck at things though, up onto Benmore Dam (the big hill I knew was coming) and with about 3km to go it was time to get to my virtual finish line. A little magpie swooping in the last mile was quite amusing (they know an easy target obviously), and then finally my watch told me I was done. Arms went up!

My support crew were awaiting and I had a little medal presentation from Mackenzie, which will stick with me for a while. Smiles!

This whole experience reminded me that the journey is often more valuable than the destination and about the importance of having something to work towards, especially in bumpy and uncertain times like we are in. Whatever that thing is for you, whether it is a sport or a hobby or a habit. And if it is a 26.2 mile adventure - best of luck!

Thank you Boston Marathon for giving people all around the world something to be part of and reminding us of something bigger. And to all my fellow runners - I hope you enjoyed the journey as much as I did.