Megan Geall
When I first started thinking about this running piece I knew I needed to start from the beginning: the first Covid-19 lockdown. The funny thing is I had to look up when the first lockdown was – how many dreadful years have passed since the virus, that we first considered another country’s problem, interrupted and put a halt to our everyday lives? The answer is two. Yes, you’re not alone, it feels much longer.
Chapter One: I’m unfit
Banana bread, clap for carers and PE with Joe Wicks are habits that are all now becoming distant memories. Another one of those was the Run for Heroes trend that got us running 5km and donating £5 for the NHS heroes keeping the country alive. This was when I started running. It truly shocked me how terrible my fitness was and I was determined to change it. Although I have never been unfit, I struggled through the run and had to stop multiple times to walk sections and catch my breath.
“I felt myself falling in love with the process and the activity as a whole.”
Over the next year, I spent my time slowly increasing the length of my runs and I gradually saw changes in my fitness and overall health. This small improvement really gave me encouragement and I felt myself falling in love with the process and the activity as a whole. “You’re crazy”, I hear you say. And yes, I probably am. Running gives me time to think; I get fresh air; I feel my heart beating and my blood pumping; the rhythmic pounding of my feet on the pavement is therapeutic and satisfying.
Chapter Two: Pretty average at running
About a year ago, I attended my first ParkRun at my local park on a Saturday morning. Dragging myself out of bed at 8am on the weekend was certainly difficult but the elation and sense of achievement after completing a 5km run was addictive and a feeling that I have chased pretty much every Saturday morning over the last year. I have become quicker and stronger; I’ve made new friends and I’ve spent time with family, who have also got involved. If you want some tips on how to become a ‘runner’, check out Eve Davies’ great running tips from a runner.
All this running fuelled my competitive side – I wasn’t going to stop at 5km because a marathon has always been on my bucket list and it’s about time I worked to tick it off and add it to the completed pile. 5km runs turned into 10km ones. Then I added another 2km; and then I pushed to 15km – because if you can do 12km, an extra 3km is nothing really, right?
Chapter Three: the running-life balance
At 15km I hit a brick wall. Life got in the way and taking an hour and a half out of my day to run was proving difficult. Most people would probably give up at this point, or at least take a step back and think: “I’ll give this another go when I have more free time.” I did the opposite. I decided to enter the Southampton Running Festival half marathon with three weeks to go. Now my training had to take priority and I pushed on with a rough plan of mixing short, fast runs with longer, slower ones.
Chapter Four: determination and fundraising
But my determination and love of running isn’t the only thing pushing me to run this half marathon. I’m fundraising on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support – an incredible charity providing care and support for patients and families affected by all forms of cancer.
“We all know cancer sucks and we all know that the work these charities do is crucial.”
This charity is close to my heart after losing my lovely Grandad to prostate cancer in 2012. As a charity, they provide support, care, money for treatments and drugs, and inform people about the disease. I don’t think I really need to say any more about its importance. We all know cancer sucks and we all know that the work these charities do is crucial.
I started out with a goal of £100. My mum and I joined forces and she entered the 10km run at the same event as me. With two days to go until the race (and at the time of writing), our total sits out £390. I am absolutely blown away by the generosity of my friends and family; the ever-growing total and kind words of support, including from the fantastic Empoword Journalism community. It has made me all the more determined to run a great race on Sunday.
If you would like to donate to Macmillan, the fundraising link is here.
Wish me luck and I’ll see you on the other side!
Featured image courtesy of Megan Geall.
Megan Geall
Megan is a 23-year-old recent English and American Literature graduate and aspiring journalist. Her interests include food, fitness, lifestyle writing and dance!