Zero To Half Marathon
I started running to aid with my rehabilitation due to freak back injury during football training where I damaged two vertebrates and whilst on the road to recovery, four weeks later I damaged two more. This was due to a car accident. I have had heat lamp & mat treatment; acupuncture; deep tissue massage & a daily exercise routine (which I continue with to this day). I missed nearly two whole football seasons and didn’t think would be able to play the sport I love again. Thankfully, I am able to continue to play the sport I have played since the age of 5 years.
It’s taken me over one and half years to recover from my injuries, well to about 95%. I still have issues with my back. Enough about the PAST! Let move into the present and what I have achieved to DATE.
Once I got the all-clear to start my rehab, I started very slowly with 2k runs just to get my muscles working again. I then started moving up towards 5km and once I was able to put my times for 5k below 30 minutes, I joined Hey Running here in Beijing. This allowed me to get my competitive juices flowing again and feel that my fitness was moving forward. I had many setbacks along the way and would need to rest my back for months at a time. This was very demoralizing, as I have always been a fit person and enjoy playing many sports, including tennis, squash, badminton, cycling, and as forementioned football.
For full disclosure: I was a good long-distance runner in my youth and would regularly finish within the top twenty in cross-country races – when I was in my primary school days. I would continue to perform well during my time in secondary school.
I continued to build my strength and then was able to join Monday’s 10km run. Gradually, I would improve my pace and run with the quicker group. This gave me meaning and my strength and pace built up over time. I was able to complete in my first 10km trail run, which to my surprised, I placed in the top ten. Finishing five in my category (men) and sixth overall.
I have now completed the 30km (33.64) Jinshanling Great Wall Trail Run, completed on 15.10.23. This is known as one of the toughest on the circuit. I trebled the distance I ran in my last Trail Run in August. This has been my biggest challenge to date. I finished in the top 30% of my field. Finishing a respectable 46 out of 162 men and 70 overall, out of 290 participants in total. I finished with a time of 6 hours 47 minutes & 20 seconds. I have learned a lot from this experience both mentally and physically and will be stronger for the experience moving on to my next Trail Run.
Planning is everything when it comes to giving your best performance. I wore running shoes – this was my first mistake. My second was not taking salt tablets, as this can prevent cramping during the race. I certainly had plenty from 20km onwards. My third and final mistake was that I skipped the third filling station, thinking I had taken enough water onboard during the race and that my supplies would see me through to the end. My competitive and combative nature saw me through to the end of the race.
I have signed up for my first half marathon early next month (November), as I continue to develop both my speed and stamina and move on to greater distances and more challenging races.
I am writing this story for our newsletter, in the hope that it will aspire others to come through injuries and difficult moments in their lives. Plus, Brian Yang has written an article about how to train for races and his hints and tips are invaluable when it comes to key preparation MUSTS.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following people:
Hey Running & Fitfam Coaches (past and present)
Brian Yang for his support along my recovery journey
The whole Running community of Beijing
Jaco from Raffles, Beijing for giving me the tools to repair my back
My family for supporting me through the whole process