2020 Running Review

Congratulations. If you're reading this, then that means you've made it through the year that was... well, it wasn't really was it...? (Also, if you're reading this I feel obligated to tell you that there is a vast amount of more deserving literature that's worthy of your time.)

I doubt anyone had the 2020 that their 2019 alter egos had imagined twelve (long) months ago, but I hope that amidst the countless cancellations, struggles and setbacks that you've all found something positive to take from our experience along this most recent lap of the sun - and it is in the spirit of such positivity that I want to talk about, you've guessed it, running...

This year, I had set myself some rather lofty goals (for me.) I wanted to run a total of 1000 miles, I was going to run a marathon in mainland Europe and attempt the longest ultra of my life to date.

And then, as we all know, the entire world (and it's race calendar) stopped...

Belfast Marathon... Paris Marathon... a 6 hour distance challenge around Victoria Park - these are but three events that fell victim to the race schedule scuppering of a global pandemic. Having trained through the winter months for my first marathon of the year, I was no more than two or three weeks away from toeing the start line of the Champs-Élysées when the UK went into lockdown. Now don't get me wrong, I'll be the first to say that the cancellation of a marathon is far from the worst sacrifice I could have had to suffer, but I'll admit to feeling disheartened and a little frustrated.

Big Plans…

Jocko Willink (you know, the retired Navy Seal Commander turned author and podcast host) has a video on his YouTube channel that's simply titled, "Good." The premise of this anecdotal extract from his podcast (that's been dubbed with electric guitar drops for added bad-assery) is that there is a "good" to be found in every unfortunate circumstance. I'm not one for motivational content but this video, for some reason, sticks with me and has done for a while, actually. And so, with every race cancelled and my still having to run 1000 miles in a year, I decided to view this as an opportunity to set my own running challenges - which I've reflected on as follows...

Challenge 01 - I Ran a Marathon Around My House

So as already discussed, I was in prime marathon-running condition when I suddenly didn't have a marathon to run. So on Sunday 11th April, the week after what should have been Paris Marathon, (I couldn't do it on the Sunday before as I had a fresh batch of beer to bottle... what can you do..) I got my gear on, set up a make shift aid station on a garden deck chair and, at exactly just after 10am, I started the watch and set off.

Equipped for success from the get go…

I'd spent the Saturday recceing my residential race course and to make sure that, on such a small circuit, I could trust my trusty Garmin watch to accurately track the distance. One lap of the Whiteside residence measured on the watch and with a tape measure at a touch over 41 metres. That meant that my marathon would see me run somewhere in the region of a 1000 laps and I would turn left around 4000 times. (how many times do you reckon you've turned left in one day? Answers in the comment section)

8 hours and 21 minutes later though and I had myself a marathon time. My main misconception had definitely been the lack of speed I would have, with only having at most 10 metres running before having to stop and make a sharp left (4000 f****** times.) I had also unknowingly opted for the hottest day of the year to that point, but this was thankfully negotiated with the help of our friendly neighbours who were out every hour to supply me with ice pops from what they told me was an extensive stash.

The Run in numbers:

1029.5 Laps

74,385 Steps

4,425 Calories

482 Minutes of Questionable Music

9 Ice Pops

Challenge 02 - I Ran 100Km in a Week

Some weeks later, having recovered from the 'Not Paris' Marathon and returned to regular running, I decided I wanted to test myself mentally as well as physically. To this point, my highest weekly distance had been around 70km and, with running more consistently than ever before, if felt like the right time to aim for the big 100.

100km total would work out at 14.2Km needed on each day from Monday to Sunday. The plan though, was to log more distance in the first half of the week which would save me having to ask as much of the weekend's tired legs. Monday morning, I started strong with a half marathon seeing off a little under a quarter of the quota. From Tuesday through to Thursday then I chugged along at a relatively easy pace and clocked 17km each day, bringing us to 72Km. The plan had worked well as Friday proved the biggest mental hurdle, the tiredness attacked my weary mind and convinced it the 11km would do. Saturday morning saw only 17km left to hit 100 on the nose - I had made side bet with myself that if I had managed to see 100km after 6 days, I'd treat myself to a cheeky takeout. Needless to say, that evening's order was excessive...

The journey up this hill feels like it brings me level with the mountains

In many ways I was prouder of this than April's marathon. That wasn't my first so knew I had the distance in me, but I wasn't sure if I'd be able to force myself out the door on the Thursday or Friday of this week when I was starting the run with sore legs. Which brings me to my final challenge...

Challenge 03 - 7 Half Marathons in 7 Days

At this point, I should point out that it's not that I like pain.. nobody likes pain. But I have found quite a lot of enjoyment in overcoming physical challenges that, at first thought, I'm not sure I can answer. The 100km week really heightened my awareness for what can be achieved with a calm, present and patient mind. If you can prevent the task at hand from overwhelming you, especially when you're tired and sore, then there really isn't any reason to doubt your own capabilities. Armed with this new revelation, I set about running a half marathon every day from Monday to Sunday in the middle of July.

I had been strategic enough to allow myself every chance of success - I ran the same course everyday (which I had reckoned was the flattest to save my legs) and had positioned our house roughly at the halfway point which would allow me to restock any necessary supplies or use the loo etc.

Getting to the start line each day was half the battle

Mercifully, it wasn't just as hot as the middle of July would usually have you believe. Physically, the second outing proved the most difficult and after that I was fine once we got past the first 5k and settled into that day's rhythm. Thursday's run over the halfway point in the week was the most mentally challenging but going to bed that night I was under no doubt then that I would see off the remaining three. I hadn't gone that far to only go that far. It's amazing what can be achieved with the right mindset and 4 bags of wine gums.

I should point out that my race calendar wasn't completely tanked, the one race I had planned that did go ahead was the 40 mile Causeway Coast Ultra Marathon. I did write a separate report on the experience though which you can read at your leisure. I will say that it was a fantastically brutal experience and I will never look at a beach the same way again...

As I write (and hopefully publish) this, it's the 29th December. To date, I've logged a total distance of 892 miles this year which, I think we can all agree, is not 1000 and won't be in the time we have left. I was right on track until the end of October, when after a trip to the doctors office, I've been required to rest a little more than I'd like for the foreseeable. As you might imagine having read this far, (and fair play to you by the way) I don't like losing, but I feel I've learnt enough this year to be at peace with taking this particular 'L'.

This year has been difficult for lots of folks in lots of ways, myself included. Reflecting now, I'm very thankful to enjoy an exercise that doesn't require a gym or any equipment beyond a pair of trainers. Running has certainly kept me sane this year and it continues to teach me lessons that I think are valuable even in circumstances like the ones we find ourselves in.

I hope these final words find you all well and optimistic for the future.

I'll catch you next year.