Belfast Marathon 2025 Report from a 1st Timer
I actually did it, can you believe it? I ran my first marathon!!
I have been part of the Run for Enda for the last 10 years and I’m definitely a social runner, I totally love the social side of running and not so much the sweaty side! I would rather organise the birthday socials, fundraising and nights out than run!
Last year one of my best friends Janet died, she was so fit and it really stopped me in my tracks and made me think seriously about my own health and fitness. I always loved swimming and walking but juggling a full time banking career , a husband, two daughters and two dogs, I spent my time sorting everyone else out and didn’t invest much time in me but that was now going to
change!
I have a mile stone birthday this year and thought how can I push myself out of my comfort zone and give myself a physical challenge and get fit trying! I have always supported my husband Ryan with his events and I love watching marathons and cheering on runners but always thought, that could never be me nor have the time to train! After chatting to a few running friends and Ryan, I decided that was my goal, I would put in the training and finish at a pace comfortable to me and before the finish line was dismantled!! I signed up for Belfast Marathon 2025. I had completed the relay legs a few times in the past and with the support of the RFE relay teams, I knew I would have company on each leg, and this seemed like an achievable goal. My friend Niamh surprised on my birthday last year with a jigsaw puzzle and when pieced together, it was her marathon entry, and she said she would do this with me. We both sat down and wrote out a 16-week training plan, training 5 days per week!
I love to do lists and work well with a plan, ticking off as I go, and so it began. One day and one week at a time, 4 nights a week training and long runs at the weekend with a trip to the jacuzzi & lunch too. We soon got into a great routine of meeting straight after work and going to training either circuits, Aquafit or stretch & core and running 3 times a week! At the end of each week, we planned for the next, the 16 weeks actually flew by!
Someone said how do you eat an elephant, and it was one small bite at a time and that’s what we did, broke everything down into smaller manageable goals! Even with the marathon, we said it was just 5 mile loops, 5 times and then a mile to the finish and that reduced the fear and made the marathon seem more achievable and manageable. The support Niamh and I had from Peter Dolan, the RFE coaches and all our friends was outstanding, different people joined us on our long runs and we always went for coffee/lunch after which was a great reward! Everyone was so excited for us and we listened to everyone’s advice and implemented the things that were comfortable for us with our families supporting us in a practical way at home with household chores, cooking etc. It is really is to do with your mind set, keeping your thoughts positive and a “I can do this attitude”. I think sticking to your training, trusting your plan and listening to your body, being organised and talking your plans through and visualising your end goal. Be empowered to do what works for you within your own abilities and be proud of that! This will look different for everyone, for me it was to finish a marathon, get my body fitter and count the calories I was burning.
The morning of the marathon we were just buzzing with excitement, we had got our race packs the day before and had everything planned out including a table of 20 family & friends booked for dinner and drinks after the marathon! The sun was shining and I just remember thinking we are so blessed to be alive and what a privilege it is to be able to run! Whether you believe in the universe, God or a higher power greater than you, my faith was the fuel that got me through the training and carried me across the finish line.I thought about Janet a lot on the day too and used her positive energy to help me focus, not to give up and to keep going.
It was such a hot day but we took a sip of water at every opportunity, had plenty of sun cream on and felt really comfortable. The RFE coaches, Peter and my Ryan often talk about your running form and stride! I focused on moving my arms and keeping my back straight like there was a balloon on the top of your head pulling you up. Niamh & I had also agreed to stick to a pace which was actually hard to do as every time you heard music or someone shout your name, you naturally ran faster! The atmosphere was electric, and people were shouting our names and so very encouraging – we used this energy to keep going forward and that support carried us! The RFE relay teams were exceptional, and they all ran at our pace and supported us at each leg of the marathon! They are all just brilliant, selfless people and I’m sure it was difficult for them to run at a slower pace with us but they all did! I remember during the marathon feeling total euphoria, I was on such a high especially when I saw my family and our friends in the crowds! It really was a brilliant feeling, and I can’t believe I did it feeling strong and capable. We also did a sprint finish
holding hands and crossing the line together with all our Run for Enda friends!
We had done it! Our first marathon and I would definitely consider doing another one!To anyone thinking with the idea of doing something totally out of their comfort zones, I would definitely so just do it!
Tell others about your idea, shout from the rooftops so there is no backing out, find an achievable plan to helpyou accomplish it, surround yourself with the right people and start telling yourself that you can do it and you will. Your own limitations are what you place on yourself, we can always find a reason not to do something but flip that thought into what’s stopping me and what can I do to enable me to do it!
You are stronger than you know! Just go for it.
Kind regards
Rachel Shaw