Running has always been the way I deal with difficult situations that I find myself in. I wanted to find a way of challenging myself and keeping myself safe (I have asthma so was very aware of being susceptible to coronavirus). So one day I thought I wonder if I could run up and down my garden. That way I can run, still take Kobi out for a walk for our exercise, maximise the time I could spend outside. So out I went. The first run was quite tough, getting used to stopping and turning and just plodding up and down the garden. It was clear that I was not going to get any speed up, but at least I would be maintaining strength and stamina. And most importantly my sanity. Three miles into my first attempt and the plan started brewing. People who know me well know that I love a running challenge and on that first garden run my #gardenmarathon was born.
As a member and leader for Jog Scotland we work with SAMH to support them because both organisations believe and promote the benefits of exercise to mental health. So I thought I would fundraise for them as there has been a big drop in fundraising due to cancelled races etc.
A few days into my garden marathon, I realised that I was going to get to 26 miles fairly quickly and lockdown was going to last a long time, so it turned in a garden ultra marathon of 50 miles. Suddenly the challenge was a lot harder and that gave me the determination I needed.
Kobi ran the whole way with me, trotting up and down and getting under my feet but after 32 days of running up and down the garden we got there!
As I was running the last few miles to 50 I decided that I wanted to push the challenge a bit further. Up to that point the furthest I ran in my garden was 6 miles, which was tough but I knew I could go further. And there the #gardenhalfmarathon was created! I had been due to run the Windermere Marathon on the 17th May so it was fitting that I ran the half marathon on that weekend. So Saturday the 16th was the date I chose. I invited everyone who had followed my journey to join in with the fun by running, walking, doing whatever in their garden at the time I was running. The purpose was just to get everyone to join together, apart, and do something that celebrated running and life at a time where everyone is beginning to really feel lockdown fatigue.
On Friday night it dawned on me that I was running a half marathon. Somehow running in my garden didn't really make me feel like it was going to be as hard as running a half marathon on the road. How wrong was I???
So Saturday morning dawned. I set out my water station, complete with gels for pick up at appropriate times (4 miles and 8 miles). The race start was set up, waiting for me and Kobes.
I steadily got through the first three miles. My next door neighbour Stuart, cheered me on over the fence. Then the postie came to the door and had read my notices out in the front garden to come and cheer me over the gate, he popped round, gave me my parcel and shouted "good luck with your run".
Shortly after that my friend Cathy appeared at the gate and shouted good luck and gave me a cheer!
After Cathy left, I started running mile 4. Suddenly, I felt myself tire, I definitely slowed down on that mile. I think I let myself think about how much further I had to run and it took it's toll.
I had been posting my times each mile onto our Jogscotland Penicuik chat and just said "that one was tough". I took a gel at 4 miles, as planned and that definitely perked me up. I decided at that point that maybe I hadn't been drinking enough, again running in your garden lulls you into thinking you haven't gone very far, but I had run 4 miles by that point so I should have been drinking.
Just as I was getting close to 5 miles, I heard my name being shouted over the fence, and up popped Jo, Aila and Christopher (although he was still snoozy in his pram). Jo brought her speaker and was pumping out loud tunes for me to run to. They were both running back and forward out in the street, which was great fun to watch.
Shortly after they arrived there was an almighty toot and John appeared at the other gate with his air horn shouting "go the runners". We were all in fits of giggles because Kobi was leaping about all over the place with excitement.
Then I heard "go yourself Janey" and Stuart and Jan were hanging out their dormer window up on the roof, it was turning into quite a support crew.
After a while my support crew left and I was back to my ipod and my own thoughts. I was between 7 - 8 miles and again the dreaded wall loomed. I was really struggling and my time slowed right down. Then I started to think about other half marathons and the 8 mile points in them. At that point it really kicked in that I was actually running a half marathon and not just plodding up and down my garden. I always find things a bit tough around the 8 mile mark, which is why I usually take an energy gel at 8 miles. So on my way past my water stop (garden table) I lifted another gel. That did the trick. After ten minutes or so I started to get my energy back. Usually in a half marathon just after 9 miles I really start to pick up as I know I am nearly into double figures and this was no different. Although the aches and pains were different, I had to keep alternating the way I was turning at the gates as my hips really started to feel the strain. Doing this really helped. As did my next cheer squad.
The highlight of my day was when Clare turned up with a set of step ladders so she could see over the gate. And she brought skittles with her!!!!! They were like a wonder drug, I could feel the sugar rush right through me and I sailed into mile 10. Clare put on her music and cheered very loudly as I ran.
After a while I heard someone else shouting from the other end of the garden and it was Lyn and Jessica. They arrived on their bikes. So again I had a socially distant cheer squad at each end of the garden.
I took a photo of Lyn and Jessica and then headed back down the garden to Clare.
I was getting very close to the finish and the fatigue was beginning to set in. I normally run a half marathon in around 2.20 hours but today, because of all the turning and the lack of opportunity to run quicker down hills and stride out I was nearer 3.30 hours. So it was tough, and mentally it had been a real challenge particularly in between cheer squads.
Next to arrive were Kirsty, Millie and Issac. They all took turns standing on the step ladders to cheer on me! Millie and Issac had made me the most amazing poster saying "Good luck Jane".
Then Yvonne, Norrie and Olly (the dog) arrived, I was growing quite a crowd. I just kept shouting at them all to make sure they were socially distancing, all I could think was "I am running in my garden to raise awareness of the message - Stay at Home". They all laughed and said yes they were and I could see that they were taking turns to shout over the gate but were standing 2 m away from each other out in the street.
The last mile was really tough. I think because I was getting really tired and I had everyone supporting me (and waiting on me to finish).
 |
| Last mile |
It was quite emotional. My Jog Scotland family mean so much to me and we have all worked very hard to support each other through this lockdown and to keep encouraging each other's running endeavours. Lots of our members are parents and have done so well keeping their children happy and learning. I am in awe of how well they have all coped.
So finally I got to the end and once I had run the extra point one to make it a true half marathon I finished right back where I had started - under the flags.
Everyone disappeared to the front of the house and I came out to a round of cheering.
To support and say thanks to all the key workers I had also joined the Race the Distance virtual event where you run any distance for the NHS and to support the message Stay Home, Save Lives, Protect the NHS so I had a lovely medal to wear at the end of my half marathon.
And my lovely running buddy Yvonne had wine, and lots of goodies for me at the end (all handed over in a socially distant manner).
It was probably one of the hardest half marathons I have ever run purely down to the mental challenge of running on your own up and down in a small space, but I am so glad i did it. It was amazing to give myself a focus during lockdown, maintain my own sense of wellbeing and also to have so many lovely people join in with my half marathon in their own gardens.
Here are just a few of my friends and family who joined in with their own Lockdown challenges:
I can't thank you all enough for joining in my crazy adventure, you all looked like you enjoyed yourselves to be fair!
So there we have it, 13.1 miles in my garden. Probably the daftest thing I have ever done but certainly won't be the last (I know I have that reputation!).
And I am so proud of my wee running buddy Kobi. He has run every one of the 63 miles I have run in the last two months in my garden. He was absolutely puggled after 13.1 miles though, he slept like this for 3 hours afterwards. He is so adorable.
My Garmin map looks like I managed to colour in my whole garden. But if you look closely you can see that my start and finish were almost in the same place and where the miles clocked over. I still can't believe I ran 13.1 miles all at once in my very small garden.
It was an amazing day, I had so much fun. But I mustn't forget to remind you, the reader, why I was doing this.
Coronavirus has come out of nowhere and changed all of our lives. I have always run and running has gotten me through tough times. As a Jog Scotland leader I know all too well the difference running can make to a person’s mental health.
So during this time where we are in lockdown, I set out to run 50 miles in my teeny tiny garden to raise money to help those who are finding self isolation and social distancing very hard. Somewhere along the way I decided it would be a good idea to complete my challenge by running a half marathon all at once in my garden.
During lockdown it has become even more important to raise awareness of how good exercise is for your mental health. Jog Scotland support the work of SAMH whose services will become even more needed as people find the lockdown mentally tough.
Life is tough just now but staying in is about staying safe and saving lives. We can do this, help me help those who might find this really tough.
Thank you
Don't worry, be happy. Xx
