Three Weeks to New York: Running Is Better Together
Three weeks. That's all that stands between me and the New York City Marathon!
It feels like I've barely unpacked from Sydney, and suddenly I'm preparing to run another 42.2 kilometres. Apparently, one marathon this year wasn't enough!
But these past few weeks have reminded me that, while I'm busy preparing for another World Marathon Major, running isn't always about training plans, pace or chasing personal bests.
Sometimes it's simply about enjoying the miles with the people you love.
Highclere Castle 10K: No PBs Required
A couple of weeks ago, Sunny and I ran the Highclere Castle 10K, a lovely local race through the beautiful grounds of Highclere Castle.
With New York getting closer, this was never going to be an all-out effort. The plan was simple: enjoy the course, keep the legs moving and, most importantly, not do anything silly that might jeopardise my marathon.
We finished in 59:16, and I even managed 7th in my age category. Not a bad morning out!
But what I really enjoyed was running alongside Sunny without worrying about the clock.
I've learnt that not every race needs to be a PB attempt. Sometimes holding back is just as important as pushing yourself.
And let's face it, some couples go for a romantic Sunday brunch. We pay to run 10 kilometres around a castle. Each to their own!
Royal Parks Half Marathon: Sonia's Fan Club
Fast-forward to this weekend and the Royal Parks Half Marathon, where I had a slightly different mission.
This time I was running with my lovely friend and colleague Sonia, helping her chase a half marathon PB.
And what a result!
A massive 20-minute PB!
Royal Parks is such a brilliantly supported event, with fantastic crowds and an atmosphere that makes the kilometres fly by.
And Sonia, it turns out, has quite the fan club!
Every time someone shouted her name, we'd look at each other and laugh about another one of her "fans" turning up. By the end, we were in absolute giggles. Who knew I was running alongside such a celebrity?
We chatted our way around the course, and I felt comfortable throughout, which was exactly what I wanted at this stage of my New York preparation.
But the best part was seeing Sonia achieve something she'd worked so hard for. There's something incredibly rewarding about helping someone else reach their goal.
We were also running for Great Ormond Street Hospital and dementia-related causes, raising an amazing £1,000 thanks to everyone's generous support.
A brilliant day, a fantastic achievement and possibly the beginning of Sonia's running celebrity career!
More Than Just the Miles
One of the things I've come to love most about running is the people it brings into your life.
Whether it's running alongside Sunny, sharing races with family, enjoying our weekly running club or supporting friends like Sonia, there's a wonderful sense of community.
Of course, I still have my own ambitions and love challenging myself. But not every run needs to be about getting faster.
Sometimes the best memories come from the runs where you're laughing, chatting and simply enjoying being out there.
And that's something I want to hold on to, however many marathons I end up running.
New York, Here I Come!
So, with three weeks to go, the hard work is largely done.
I've been fine-tuning my fuelling, experimenting with Maurten gels and carbohydrate drinks, and trying to keep my body in one piece.
My toes and running shoes are still having the occasional disagreement, but otherwise things are looking good!
Now comes the taper, that slightly strange period when you run less and somehow worry more.
The plan is to trust the training, stay healthy and arrive in New York ready to enjoy every moment.
It will be my third World Marathon Major, and I can't wait to experience those famous New York crowds, run through the five boroughs and hopefully spot Sunny cheering somewhere along the way.
These past few weeks have been a lovely reminder that running might be an individual sport, but the journey is so much better when you share it.
Three weeks to go. New York, I'm coming for you!
Now, if someone could kindly remove a few of those bridges before November 1st, that would be much appreciated.
