Training the Trainer: The honest miles of a runner, coach, and work-in-progress.

I'm a runner, a coach, and a work in progress. I don’t always stick to the plan. Some

days I feel strong, and other days I wonder why I even started. I coach others, but I’m

still figuring things out myself — in training, in life, and everything in between. This blog

is my place to be honest about the ups, the downs, the wins, and the wipeouts. If you’ve

ever felt like you were “supposed” to have it all together but didn’t — you’re not alone.

I’m right there with you, learning as I go, one mile at a time.

A week ago, I ran my second-ever marathon. I have had a big year on the running front. It is my second year in my running ‘career’ and I took ‘go big or go home’ quite literally. I

ran my first ever marathon in May, ran an ultra (64km) in honour of my late dad on what

would have been his 64th birthday and then this marathon....

With 2 months in between each of these, there was not an optimal amount of recovery

and training for each. So, I felt very underprepared for this one. I was quite tired and felt

very unmotivated. I wanted to put that down to the change in season. Darker, more

miserable days and being quite busy in work and in my personal life. I also definitely

had trainers that were too big for me. BIG MISTAKE. I now have 2 very sore big toes with

slightly infected nail beds....

Either way, I ran a new PB, and to say I surprised myself would be an understatement. I

took 15 minutes off my time in May and felt way better afterwards. That made the

unmotivated, rainy runs and dragged me to the gym training days, worth it.

It is all worth it. Each session is like a piece in a jigsaw puzzle. They might be hard to put

together, and it is easy to lose sight of the bigger picture, but eventually, it all comes

together. Eventually, we reach our goals, both big and small. It can be hard, but try to

enjoy the journey rather than chase the outcome. Little goals along the way can make it

more manageable for us and more rewarding. That is how I handle it because it can be

overwhelming sometimes. Juggling training, work and our personal life can be a lot.

Crossing that line and seeing my goal reached made it all feel better. I felt on top of the

world.

I just hope that I can help people achieve that same feeling. I want people to reach their

goals and help them push through the hard days. Coaches have the same struggles,

and we are here to help because we know how hard it can be.

In terms of my current training plan, I am still resting... I cannot do much

with my bad toes. I can’t wear trainers or socks, so running is off the cards. I will try the

gym tomorrow and hope it doesn’t make things worse.