The Dublin Marathon

Kaitlyn is a guest blogger who is writing for 42.2 for the 2016 marathon training season. She will be writing monthly blogs, updating us on the ups and downs of her journey from 0 to 42.2.

At the end of October, 18 University of Calgary Marathon Training program members traveled to Dublin, Ireland to run the Dublin Marathon. Every single one of them finished the race with stories to tell, here’s Kaitlyn’s. 

By Kaitlyn Fulton

October 29: The Day before the Marathon

After more than 13 hours of travelling from Calgary to Amsterdam to Dublin, I spent the first full day of our trip trying to recover from jet lag. That recovery included letting myself sleep in for as long as I needed, which turned out to be 16 hours! That’s the longest amount of time I have ever consecutively slept! Clearly, traveling farther than I have ever been away from home, had left me physically and mentally drained.

In the afternoon I attended the team’s pre-marathon meeting. It was held by the coaches to go over any last minute logistics and to walk us step-by-step through the events that would be taking place the next morning. Even with the coaches continually telling us that we were ready, I couldn’t help but feel my blood pressure spike whenever I was reminded of the huge race I was running the next day.

October 30: Race Day

I had been sleeping for about six hours before my alarm went off telling me to get up and get ready. There’s always that thought, first thing in the morning, of wishing I had gotten more sleep the night before, but getting everything lined up and prepared the for the race took much longer than I had anticipated. I knew there would be nothing worse than waking up and not being able to find the things I needed or running out of time to get everything ready. So even though it cost me a little bit of sleep, I considered being organized a success.

I traveled with the team from the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire to the race start on a bus we had chartered. Being with the team while I was feeling anxious and overwhelmed helped tremendously.

Heading to the starting line! We all still look so fresh.
Heading to the starting line! We all still look so fresh.

After saying goodbye to our loved ones, we headed into the participants area where we checked our bags, and were directed into different chutes based on our wave that all lead to the start line. Here is account of my race after the the gun went off:

First 10km: Slow and Steady

For the first quarter of the race, I felt great. After the start, my nerves had died down, and I had settled into a pace I was comfortable with. I was really enjoying all of the locals that got up early to cheer us on and the beautiful houses and pubs that lined the streets we were running on. In this stage of the race, we also ran through the largest walled city park in Europe. It was incredible!

75_3rd-313688-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1393_021894-506384910km – 21.1km: “Wow this marathon thing isn’t too bad! Maybe I should pick it up?”

After feeling like I had a good warm-up and was running strong, I picked up my speed. I ended up passing two pace bunnies and was feeling great. My plan was to stay ahead of or run with the pace bunnies, and I thought if I could do that I would make it to the finish with minimal problems. After all, how hard could it be to stay with them? Reflecting back, this stage of the race is where my plan went wrong. I was overconfident, and it contributed tremendously to the challenges I faced later on.

21.1km – 33km: Starting to Go Downhill

At this distance in the race, my legs were starting to get sore. I began to notice my energy declining a bit and realized that I was going too fast. I decided to dial back my speed at the 25 km mark in in hopes I could save my legs to help me get to the end of the race.

85_3rd-313688-DIGITAL_HIGHRES-1393_072742-506385933km- 42.2: The Crawl to the Finish

At this stage in the race, my legs were on fire; my mental state was at its weakest, and I was trying to cope with a very unhappy stomach. My mind was racing with negative thoughts such as: “There is no way I am going to make it through this,” and “What will I tell the people that believed I could accomplish this?” I felt discouraged that I found myself in such a low place. I had thought that race day was going to be just like a training day and that I would be sore and tired, but that I was going to be able to keep myself going strong.

Luckily, when I was at my lowest point, I found a teammate that helped me get to the finish line. I had just come out of a pub where I used the washroom, and there she was running towards me. I felt a sense of relief come over me when she gave me a hug and assured me that we were both going to make it. I cried when she hugged me and had I not found her, I am not sure how I would have picked myself up and out of the slump I was in. But together we continued on, putting one foot in front of the other to get to the finish.

When I arrived at the finish line, I felt a tremendous sense of relief come over me.

Even though I didn’t think I would make it, I did! And the feeling that knowledge gave me was so satisfying. My time was quite a bit longer than I was aiming for, but I am so proud of crossing that finish line – I did it!! I’m not sure there is anything more satisfying than hugging my coaches and teammates after the race while I was bawling my eyes out. It was an emotional day, to say the least.

It's hard to describe how it feels to finish your first marathon. Crossing the finish line triggers a whole range of emotions, which mixed with exhaustion and a perhaps a healthy amount of pain, can be a little overwhelming. I love this photo because it perfectly captures all of that impossible to describe emotion. Thanks for sharing this moment with us Kaitlyn. – Justina (Photo credit goes to Kaitlyn's boyfriend Mike)
It’s hard to describe how it feels to finish your first marathon. Crossing the finish line triggers a whole range of emotions, which mixed with exhaustion and a perhaps a healthy amount of pain, can be a little overwhelming. I love this photo because it perfectly captures all of that impossible to describe emotion. Thanks for sharing this moment with us Kaitlyn. – Justina (Photo credit goes to Kaitlyn’s boyfriend Mike)
You can't see her, but Kaitlyn is buried deep in this group hug.
You can’t see her, but Kaitlyn is buried deep in this group hug.

After the race…

The evening after the race, the team met at the Forty Foot restaurant in Dun Laoghaire for victory brews and dinner. Unfortunately, the restaurant had two huge sets of stairs to get into it… OUCH! I had a delicious meal of chicken fingers and fries and enjoyed sharing race stories and struggles with my teammates. WE ALL MADE IT!! I didn’t last too long and headed to bed at about 10 p.m. and fell asleep right away. What a day!

What’s next?

This isn’t the end of running for me. In fact, it’s only the beginning. I am so grateful for the coaches and teammates that took the time to teach me the ropes this season. My life has become so enriched by the friendships, the training and the challenges I have faced and overcome. Even though the marathon was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, I think I am ready to redeem myself and to train for another one.

From left to right: Kaitlyn, Kirsten and I celebrating our races after getting enough recovery soup into us to be able to stand up again.
From left to right: Kaitlyn, Kirsten and I celebrating our races after getting enough recovery soup into us to be able to stand up again.

Life lessons learned in running shoes

Kaitlyn is a guest blogger who is writing for 42.2 for the 2016 marathon training season. She will be writing monthly blogs, updating us on the ups and downs of her journey from 0 to 42.2.

By Kaitlyn Fulton

Marathon training has enhanced my life in so many different ways.

It’s kind of funny that I even made the decision to join the marathon training program in the first place. I sort of decided on a whim with not much thought about how time consuming and challenging it would be. I had a feeling deep down that pushed me to sign up, which was telling me that now was the time to chase this lingering dream of mine. Looking back, I find it interesting that not knowing anyone in the group didn’t stop me from joining. I guess at that point, I was focusing on who I wanted to be and how I would get there and signing up for the marathon team meant I was taking a step in the right direction.

Marathon training has added so much richness to my life. Here are a few things it has given me:

  1. Purpose: Training for a marathon has given me a reason to get out of bed – specifically on Saturday mornings when I would typically sleep a good portion of the morning away. It has also given me a huge sense of accomplishment and makes me feel very proud. It has made me more conscious about the foods I eat and the impact that they have on my body. I can say from experience that Dad’s chocolate chip cookies don’t help me crush my running goals.
  2. Friendship: In the marathon program, I have met and become friends with so many talented, kind individuals. Conquering incredible goals with this group is something I won’t ever forget.
  3. Focus: Throughout the marathon training season, I have found myself being able to focus much better at work and school than previously. Before training, I would be lost an hour into a 3-hour class. Now I can pay attention to the full 3-hour lectures and remember most of what I learned!
  4. Time Management Skills: Over the course of the program I have learned how to fit work, school and training together. It’s funny how you can make something fit in your schedule if you really want to.
  5. The Opportunity to Travel: Throughout training, I have been able to be a tourist in my own city and outside of it. Calgary has an extensive network of good running trails that I didn’t even know existed until this program. In regards to travelling outside the city limits, I attended a race in Kamloops (Half Marathon) and was able to tour all around the area and towns on the drive! Soon, I will be heading to Dublin, Ireland!
  6. The Desire to Chase my Dreams: This experience as a whole has taught me how important it is to chase my desires and dreams and how fulfilling it can be to finally be to be working towards living them.

Sitting at approximately a month out from the race, and having completed the longest training run of the season, I cannot be more grateful about how my life has changed over the past 7 months. I am nervous and excited for the real day at the end of October – where I get to put all of my hard work to the test.

A few weeks ago the team completed a four-hour run, which is the longest of the season. It can be a struggle both physically and mentally, when is when having great coaches and running partners comes in very handy. In this photo Kaitlyn, Erin and Abhi (L-R) put their feet up after the run. In the cover image for the post Kaitlyn, myself and Linda (L-R) have a little fun after about three hours on the trail. – Justina
A few weeks ago the team completed a four-hour run, which is the longest of the season. It can be a struggle both physically and mentally, which is when having great coaches and running partners comes in very handy. In this photo Kaitlyn, Erin and Abhi (L-R) put their feet up after the run. In the cover image for the post Kaitlyn, myself and Linda (L-R) have a little fun after about three hours on the trail. – Justina

Overcoming sickness, surgery and setbacks

Kaitlyn is a guest blogger who is writing for 42.2 for the 2016 marathon training season. She will be writing monthly blogs, updating us on the ups and downs of her journey from 0 to 42.2.

By Kaitlyn Fulton 

Kaitlyn's dog Oakley enjoying some lake views while she was on a forced break from running. Kaitlyn might not be happy about it but Oakley looks like he's enjoying the R&R. – Justina
Kaitlyn’s dog Oakley enjoying some lake views while they were on a forced break from running. Kaitlyn might not be happy about it but Oakley looks like he’s enjoying the R&R. – Justina

At the beginning of the season, Coach Colleen chatted with our group about training for a marathon and emphasized it wouldn’t be an easy endeavour. At that time, I was of the mindset that anyone who worked hard and followed the schedule would be rewarded with being able to physically complete the marathon at the end of the season. I am now learning that it is definitely not that simple. Training for a marathon takes dedication, consistency and sacrifice. It also takes determination and patience – especially when life gets in the way and takes away your ability to run.

This has been me for the last week and a half, unable to run. I am feeling frustrated, upset and defeated. This all started with getting a really bad cold. I had a sore throat, stuffy nose and a headache, which prevented me from doing anything besides rest. Almost a week after coming down with this horrible cold, I was in the chair of my endodontist’s office getting surgery to remove an infection found at the very tip of one of the roots of one of my teeth. OUCH! After being hopeful I would soon be returning to running, it was determined on the third day after the surgery that it was infected. I was told I couldn’t run until it settled down and was put on antibiotics.

It’s been hard, really hard. Receiving news that my mouth had an infection was gut wrenching. I feel like I haven’t been able to run in forever and the infection delays the heal time and lengthens my time off from running. How will my fitness be when I finally get to return? Will I be able to survive my next long run (3.5 hours)? Will I still be able to run the marathon? So many thoughts – so many worries.

I can’t wait to put my shoes back on and give it my all. I am ready for the next few weeks of training leading up to the race. I miss running so much but I am being constantly reminded of the importance of taking care of my body and the long-term implications if I don’t. I am grateful to those who are looking out for my best interests – even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.

Here’s to feeling better and getting back on track soon.

Running is a team sport

Kaitlyn is a guest blogger who will be writing for 42.2 for the 2016 marathon training season. She will be writing monthly blogs, updating us on the ups and downs of her journey from 0 to 42.2.

By Kaitlyn Fulton 

Kaitlyn and her boyfriend Michael after she crossed the finish line of her first half-marathon.
Kaitlyn and her boyfriend Mike after she crossed the finish line of her first half-marathon.

Running can be lonely, it really can be. As training has increased, I am finding myself running on paths throughout the city more than I am doing anything else. Running pulls me away from family, friends and the things I would typically get up to on a summer evening. However, I am finding with a good support system, it doesn’t have to feel like that. There are some evenings I have struggled to get out for a run – not that I don’t enjoy it, rather that I want to spend time with other people instead of being alone.

I am so grateful for the support I have found when I feel my weakest. Without my boyfriend, I am not sure where I would be in my training journey. More times than not, he can tell when I am struggling to get my run in for the day and will offer to follow me on his bike – to use up his evening to help me. We both have long days at work and even if he wants to curl up and head to bed, I know in an instant he would be there if I needed it. I now truly understand what my coach meant at the beginning of the season when she said to make sure we had a strong support network in place to help us throughout training to run the marathon.

From left to right, myself, Kirsten, Kaitlyn, Nand and Abhishek. The five of us ran the Kamloops Half-Marathon together on July 24. It was a beautiful day for a race!
From left to right, myself, Kirsten, Kaitlyn, Nand and Abhishek. The five of us ran the Kamloops Half-Marathon together on July 24. It was a beautiful day for a race!

Having a supportive team is just as important as having a strong support network at home. I can’t begin to describe how thankful I am for my team. For letting me ask the ‘stupid questions’, inviting me to come along to run different races and helping me get through the phases where I doubt my abilities. I am so grateful for the knowledge shared with me, the friendships and the memories.

Since my last blog post, I ran my first half marathon in Kamloops BC! Wow, what an experience – I am finding out that I really can do anything I put my mind to. I struggled with pacing, but overall I was prepared for it – like everyone had told me I would be – WHEW! Here’s to the next couple months of training to get to DUBLIN for the marathon.

Two races, two weeks

Kaitlyn is one of two new guest bloggers who will be writing for 42.2 for the 2016 marathon training season. She will be writing monthly blogs, updating us on the ups and downs of her journey from 0 to 42.2.

By Kaitlyn Fulton 

The past month has been filled with both nerves and excitement. I had the opportunity to participate in my first two races of the season. The first race was the Calgary Scotiabank Marathon 10 km on May 28 (my first race since 2011!) and the second was the Banff Jasper Relay (BJR) on June 4.

Here is how they went:

She might have been feeling the burn, but Kaitlyn powered through this race like a champ! (And learned an important lesson about pacing on the way, we've ALL been there) – Justina
She might have been feeling the burn, but Kaitlyn powered through this race like a champ! (And learned an important lesson about pacing on the way, we’ve ALL been there) – Justina

Calgary Scotiabank Marathon 10 km

To be honest, this was a really tough race for me. I think it was the combination of a lack of sleep and improper nutrition in the weeks before the race and starting out the race too fast that made it feel so long. I made the mistake of joining Justina at her pace, which I found was hard to sustain given the conditions I was under. Once we got to the 3 km mark, the race could have been done – that’s how tired I was! But somehow I held that pace till 8.5 km where I had to dial back while Justina powered through and continued ahead. I managed to keep running (despite feeling wiped) until I reached the finish line, completing my 10 km in 56:10!

Banff Jasper Relay, 14.0 km Leg

This race had so many amazing views! There were periods of my leg that I briefly forgot about the 28 degree sun that I was baking in because of the beautiful scenery that surrounded me. I started out the race with a slower pace (a lesson I learned during the Calgary Marathon 10k) and eventually began passing people… one by one. It felt so good to be passing people rather than being passed this time around (funny how proper pacing works!). I finished my 14km leg in 1:30:05 and I have never been so excited to drink as much water, as fast as I could in my life! Without the help of my boyfriend who was driving as a support vehicle for me, keeping me cool and hydrated, I am sure my experience would have been much different! I definitely recommend this race – the experience was unforgettable.

Next up is the Kamloops Half Marathon on July 24th – I can’t wait, stay tuned!