Pam has been training with us since January 2015 and has smashed so many goals including losing over 15kilos. Her husband Craig who is also coming to NYC with us to run, has run a few marathons and in the family was always regarded as the runner and Pam had never let herself believe that she too was a runner. As she says below, she still does not consider herself a runner, but having logged many km's and completed 2 half marathons in 2017, she is definitely starting NYC as a runner-we can't wait to see you smash this goal too!
What are you most looking forward to in relation to the New York Marathon?
The experience. Soaking it all in, to the minute detail, so that I can remember it and relive it in my mind's eye forever.
How has your training been going?
Training has had highs and lows. The lows really mess with my mind and I doubt myself terribly. The highs are amazing, the sense of achievement and this elation that you feel is like nothing I've experienced before.
What has been the hardest part of training for this race?
It's definitely been hard and it's hard to say what part has been the hardest. It really varies for me from week to week. The long runs can be the hardest one week but the next it could be the interval training or even the weight session. The training is so constant that one-week rolls into the next and you almost forget what it's like not to have some sort of pain or ache somewhere in your body.
What has been the best part?
I've had 2 memorable moments my first half marathon in August and the first time I hit 30kms a few weeks ago.
Have you got anything special/rituals you will be doing on race day?
My race day routine will be the same as for my long runs...long and tedious!! But I don't want to deviate from my "fool proof" plan. So, it'll be up early to get everything done before the 5.20am departure!
Did you ever think you would be running a marathon?
No never. If there was a 21kms option in NYC I would have picked that one instead and probably never done a full marathon.
Any tips to anyone looking at taking on their first marathon or fun run?
Follow the plan....it will all come together in the end. My other tip would be, if you had to lose a few kilos, don't plan that the marathon training will necessarily help you do that!! Lose them before you start training! If you are anything like me you spend almost as much time eating as you do running!!!!!
Any other thoughts or feelings you want to share?
I am not a runner and I still don't consider myself to be a runner but here I am about to fly to the other side of the world to run 42kms. If you put your mind to it and surround yourself with like-minded people you can achieve a lot more than what you think you can.
*Disclaimer: Individual results vary based on agreed goals. Click here for details.
