Metallic Magpie : WHY I RAN A SECOND MARATHON WHEN I HATE RUNNING !!!

Think of a time when you had to do something you really didn't want to .... Got it?

Now think of how you felt afterwards...

- Relieved

- Content

-Elated

The list goes on, but the chances are is the results are never quite as bad as we first perceive - but you are now as sure as hell prepared for the next time, thus eliminating fears and doubts of future tasks.

The more I have been adopting this F*** it attitude in my life the happier i have been.

This leads me to the task in hand of explaining the title of this post.

In 2011 I painstakingly crossed the finish line of the London Marathon in a lengthy time of 6 hours and 9 minutes ( mumbled quietly under my breath). The shuffling that took place over the days that followed and the 10 minutes that it took me to walk from the lounge to the bathroom were firm reminders as to why I hated running!

For anyone who has trained for the London and other marathons around this time will also sympathise with me when I talk about those 'Wonderful' wintery training sessions you have to do when you have icicles hanging from your nostrils and your little frost bitten toes feel like they will fall off when you loosen your laces.

So when in October 2014 I found my mouth involuntarily blurting out the words "Yes I would love to take part in the Manchester Marathon", I quite honestly shocked myself.

A brisk walk is right up my street (excuse the pun) but the second I have to quicken my pace my body feels the need to go into meltdown... my chest suddenly tighten and my calves decide to tighten so tight as if they are doing anything they can to root me to the ground----- Its official I do NOT like running!

BUT .... for me completing my second marathon was not about the running at all! Yes it means I am slowly working towards a Victoria Secret's model physique ( one day )but it is about overcoming the I can't do something mindset ... It's about challenging my impossible and about standing so far out my comfort zone its a mere dot in the comfort zone distance ( similar to that of the marathon finish line at every mile from about 13 !!!!!)

It's about creating a transferable experience that when faced with a task in my life that I am fearful of tackling I can remind myself of crossing that line .. something I never thought of being able to do once let along twice...

Understand that anything we put our minds to we can achieve x

It is the reminder that as soon as you cross the line ( or overcome something, complete a hard task) all your sense of struggle diminish due to the overwhelming sense of pride and self accomplishment.

So on that note I will now let you into a little secret .........

I have just entered the London 2016 ballot as having knocked 12 minutes off my London time at Manchester I may have slightly caught the PB bug and ready to chase another challenge.

I would love to hear about your marathon experiences or something you have overcome x

Love Liv xXx