Insight
Never Again or the journey of 42.195 km
At the end of every year, I often find myself reflecting on past achievements and setting new, ambitious goals. This year, the 42.195 km marathon in Dubai, a city that I now call home, was my chosen challenge to kick off 2024.
The end of 2023 wasn't easy, filled with personal ups and downs. Life keeps humbling us and reminding us to never take anything for granted. Harder times are when we should put deeper efforts into understanding our inner selves, reaffirming our core values, and most importantly be true and right to ourselves and others. Decisions I make to get better are promises to myself before anyone else.
Deciding to run a full marathon for the first time was more than a physical challenge; it was a way to prove to myself that I'm stronger than any struggle. I set my mind to it last December and for a runner with a decent athletic condition, I believed 42Km was achievable, especially after completing a 10k and a half marathon in 2023.
Training for a marathon typically requires at least four months, but my decision came in late. This meant I had less time to prepare. As a regular runner, I was used to shorter distances. The lack of long-distance training, coupled with an unbalanced diet and sleep pattern, and the stress of life's challenges, made me feel underprepared for the journey ahead. Despite all of it, the determination in training and sacrifices made me feel I could be ready for the Day. Discipline doesn't require any gifted talent. It is only about showing up.
D-day was exhilarating. The energy of the crowd, combined with perfect weather conditions, set the stage for a joyful experience. But I knew the race was going to be a battle of will. I started strong, perhaps too strong, aiming to finish in under 3 hours and 30 minutes. By the 28th km, I encountered the infamous 'wall' - a moment in marathon running where your body and mind are in a tug-of-war. Slowing down as others passed me, I learned a valuable lesson about pacing and endurance. I kept going despite every inch of the body hurting and kept telling myself one thing : you promised yourself to finish this run no matter what.
The final stretch of the race was a testament to tenacity. Approaching the 40th km was like seeing light at the end of a tunnel. I felt a mix of exhaustion and determination. Pushing through the last stretch, I crossed the finish line at 3 hours and 37 minutes. In that moment, my thoughts oscillated between "Never Again" and a sense of immense achievement. My legs kept moving even after the finish line, as if refusing to believe the race was over. Under 3h40 was my second untold goal and I at least made that happen. I could hear a whisper from my soul saying "I had made it".
Reflections: Echoes of Triumph
This marathon was more than a physical challenge; it was a journey of self-discovery. It taught me that our biggest adversary is often ourselves. As soon as I crossed the line, my "Never Again" sentiment transformed into "What's Next". This marathon journey was a learning experience. It taught me about the power of commitment and vocalizing your goals. It showed me that often, the biggest obstacle we face is our own self-doubt and the mental barriers we build. It reinforced a powerful lesson - declare your dreams to the world, and you will find the strength to achieve them. My next full marathon will definitely see me crossing the line under 3h30mn : having this new target in sight after my journey is the perfect representation of the power of starting one thing and keep showing up. You'll fail and the failures will make you better, better than the one who never started.
Advice from the Heart
For anyone considering a similar challenge, remember that thorough preparation is essential. Invest in good gear, and stick to tried-and-tested strategies on race day. train diligently, and never experiment on race day (I learned this the hard way with a new electrolyte gel!). Your race is yours alone; focus on your goal, not the pace of others. Find your 'why' and let it be your guiding star throughout the toughest times of your journey. Completing a marathon, winning a medal for finishing the race, hitting your targeted time are all stories you can tell your friends, family and kids about. This is definitely a pride to have.
Looking Forward
Completing this marathon is just the start of my 2024 adventures. An Olympic triathlon is next on my list. Despite the daunting moments of the marathon that screamed "Never Again", I now see a world filled with endless possibilities and new challenges to conquer. Never say never again
Thank you for starting this journey with me. As a first newsletter, I hope many of you can relate and feel the will to go on to take new challenges. Let's step into this year ready to chase our dreams and turn them into reality. Keep dreaming, pragmatically !