DentaltownUK April 2017 - 87

Lifestyle

How I Became a Runner

by Elaine Omand

My relationship with running started
when I left school and moved away for
university. It came about almost by
chance, as a couple of friends wanted
to get fitter by going running, and I liked
the social aspect, so tagged along.
When they announced they were going to
enter Edinburgh marathon for the following
year, I was filled with awe, but had
no expectations in my mind that I
would ever be able to achieve
something like that. To go from our
little 5km ambles round town to
26.2 miles? No chance!
So the weeks went by, and I
continued running with my friends
as they built up, while I stuck mainly
to the shorter distances. Until one
Sunday a few weeks before the
marathon, it was a lovely sunny day,
so I decided to keep running with
them a bit longer.
I have no idea now how long I
did run that day as it was before the
time of GPS watches, but I kept up
for the whole of their long run, and
absolutely loved it. Being out in the
fresh air, taking in the smells and
sounds, and seeing so much, gave
me an adrenaline rush that I
previously hadn't experienced.
When my friends completed the
marathon a few weeks later, I was
so proud and excited for them, but
it also lit a spark in me, and I decided
straight away that if they could do
it, I wanted to give it a go.
I quickly signed up for the following year,
and set about planning a training schedule,
nutrition, kit. There was so much to learn
about. I decided to enter a couple of local races
beforehand to get a feel for what was involved.
I then joined a running club to get advice
from other runners. Joining the running club
has certainly been a life-changing experience.
The beauty of a running club is that everyone
is equal. We turn up in sports kit, people from
all walks of life, and it doesn't matter what

your profession is, how many kids you have,
where you come from. It's all about getting out
in the fresh air and enjoying life. Whether you
want to be super competitive, or push your
body to the limits, or just have a chat and a
bimble with your friends, there is a place for
everyone in the running community.
I certainly learned a lot from the people

there, and made many friends.
The most exciting part of training for your
first marathon, is that every week when you
do a long run, you are running further than
you have ever ran before. Every week is a little
victory. To go that little bit further, explore
that bit more, push yourself that little bit harder,
allows for personal growth and satisfaction
that can only be achieved through something
big like this.
As race day came around, I developed a

niggle in my knee, which only came on after
20 or so miles, but I couldn't sort it before the
marathon, and decided I would give it a go
anyway. I had done all the training, so I had
to try. It was an unusually hot morning. My
parents dropped me off near the start, and I
walked along to find my starting pen and get
myself sorted. I had never taken part in an
event so big, with people milling
around everywhere. I found a little
corner of pavement to sit on and
save my legs for the race. I can still
remember the nerves in my stomach
at the thought of what I was going
to attempt, and the doubt of whether
I could actually achieve it.
The race started, and we got going,
through Leith and out along the
coast towards Musselburgh. It didn't
take me too long to settle into my
pace, and remember that I had done
the training, and this was what it
was all for. With the sun shining
down, I took in the sights of the
beaches, enjoyed the music of the
bands along the route, and smiled
at the crowds lining the streets to
cheer us on. The atmosphere was
intense and so positive, it was
impossible not to enjoy yourself. I
was a part of this movement.
We were 16,000 people, doing
this for our own reasons, but doing
it together.
About 20 miles in, my knee did
start to hurt again, and the last 6
miles, were a pretty disappointing
jog/walk to the finish. The worst part was
getting passed in those last couple of miles by
a giant Barney the dinosaur. However, when
that finish came into view, and I knew I was
going to make it, I certainly found the energy
to sprint down the last hundred meters, cheered
on by people on either side. I crossed the line,
was congratulated by the volunteers and
collapsed on the grass in the sun. Relieved,
sore, but elated; I was a marathon runner. I
had done it, and I was hooked. ■
dentaltownuk.com \\ APRIL 2017

87
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