Karen's First Half Marathon

Lake Garda 21

I have never not raced against myself. Since my first Gael Force West in 2014, the aim has been to go as fast as I can, and where possible improve on my previous attempts/times. Through Ironmans and marathons I have stood on the start line with a simple selfish goal in mind ‘give it my all’. Challenging and changing myself has been the aim, pushing and suffering the path. 12 years on, in a small restaurant looking out over the quaint port of Malcesine, I now realise there is another equally rewarding way. 

The race started just north of lake Garda in the small town of Acro. After leaving the town square the route joined a narrow bike path that followed the Sacra river towards Torbole. With so many competitors on such a small path, the first kilometre was a scramble, working our way through the crowd. Karen had been concerned about running together, worrying I may pressure her to set an unrealistic pace. In those first few kilometres I feared her concerns were justified as I sped up to overtake, however every time I looked around Karen was right behind me.  By Five kilometres in we were nailing our target pace, the race had spread out, and we were just about to hit the lake, running together was turning out to be an excellent decision.

Whenever we visit lake Garda, that first moment standing beside the expansive lake always induces a strange sense of forceful calm. It is like I have been holding my breath all year, and now I get to exhale. When we reached the lake side during the Lake Garda half marathon, there was a similar sense of balanced joy and relief. Relieved that we were now off the bike path, and relieved that the first six kilometres had gone so well. Joy at the amazing vistas, the cheering crowds, the perfect weather, and joy that we got to experience this together.  

Between Torbole and the outskirts of Malcesine the race route followed the main road that circumnavigates the lake. It would be easy to allow the pace to slip at this stage, with a gradual incline, and multiple tunnels to distract from the race, slowing down even slightly would be understandable. Karen remained strong however, forcing me to keep up the pace, keep working and keep running hard. At the 15 kilometre mark we rejoined the familiar setting of the lake path, and had Malcesine in our crosshairs. It was clear that it was no longer just about finishing, it was about giving your all and Karen was in a determined mood. I checked the watch more frequently now to ensure we were not going too fast. When the road pitched up just before reaching the town Karen sped up, there was no holding her back now. On to the cobbled streets, the crowds cheering, then the main square with the finish line in sight, arms raised as she crossed the line, and maybe a slight tear as the medal was placed around her neck. I was a happy spectator privileged to witness Karen complete her first half marathon. 

After finishing we made our way to our favourite restaurant overlooking the lake, and ordered some well deserved wine, and food. Sitting there, taking it all in, It was the satisfaction that struck me most. There were no questions, no ‘could I have run quicker’, ‘did I give it my all’, or defeatist thoughts of ‘next time I will be better’. We had a plan and we executed it perfectly, job done. 

Final thought: A successful race is the outcome of executing a successful training plan. It is the weeks, and often months of adhering to a training schedule, of running slow when you want to run fast, and running fast when you feel like you have no more to give. It is the mental strength of ignoring niggles and managing injuries, of persevering during bad days in the hope that good days will come. It takes a lot. I am super proud of how Karen completed her first half marathon, but I am even prouder still of the work she put in over the last eight months that led to this success. Well done!