FROM THE BEGINNING

One boring May afternoon, I was scrolling through FB and saw this post from a sports trainer asking for volunteers for a ‘Couch to Marathon’ challenge! I fit all the criteria, this coach was looking for - non runner, never ran a marathon before or any other race (10K, half marathon etc) in good healthy condition to actually run if signed up. So without knowing anything about the coach - Frankie or about what goes into a marathon training - I signed up. I wanted a goal with health benefits. This seemed perfect. Just a little bit about me first - I am a non-athlete pretty laid back, wine and chips loving girl who loves to procrastinate and has never done any physical challenger ever in my 32 years.

So why did I sign up?!

The only thing I had heard about training for marathon is that - ‘Research says that it improves your mood’. This was a good enough incentive to try. I was in a relatively new country with a not so exciting job, limited friends and not an active lifestyle. Most weekends were spend dining out, movies and pretty much lazying around. I had noticed a pattern - in my life I started a lot of projects with a great gusto (art classes, yoga session, pole dancing etc) but typically after the first few weeks my interest would dwindle and I would find some excuse or the other to not complete the project. I would give up!! This had started affecting me - was I never capable of completing anything? Would I always take the easy way out? Is this all to life? Yep it’s the 30s, when you start asking those soul searching questions. So it was time to take up a challenge and stick to it till the end and prove to myself that I can successfully complete a long term commitment. I signed up for Mind Over Marathon group and for the full marathon in December.

7 months ahead of time.

MY JOURNEY

It started easy and slow. Just the way I liked it and needed it. Our coach Francesca Forzoni took her time with us. She knew we were new to running so it was simple goals in the first 4 weeks of running. She got me running non stop from 2 mins to 30 mins! Before this I could not run for more than 2 mins without being out of breath. By end of our pre training I was sailing through 30 mins. Feeling pretty chuffed!

MARATHON TRAINING:

4 runs per week. The distance would be set by Frankie. A long run during the weekend. I started joining Frankie and the group for the long runs. This when I started learning a lot about my coach. This gorgeous young women was so strong, dedicated, kind and funny. She was the secret advantage I had in this challenge. She pushed when it was needed. She motivated us with her own experience. She was very clear in sharing the training plan. Extremely supportive, we were around 30 non runners asking her questions daily.. she never got tired of these, patiently answering them all and constantly encouraging us. She was real. She shared her runs that didn’t go so well or a week she missed training because of holidays etc. This made it real and doable. If I missed a few runs I would panic. Am I too far behind? Can I still do this? She would always be there explaining to me how I can catch up! This meant I was never out of the game. From never running more than 1km to completing 30km during a long run. I was doing this. Really doing this. Yes there were weeks that I didn’t feel strong and when I traveled couldn’t keep up. It didn’t matter. I was not giving up! I couldn’t let Frankie down! It was no longer just about me. I had developed a bond with Frankie and I wanted to make her proud.

WHAT DID I GET OUT OF THIS TRAINING:

I can honestly say this is the most self discovering journey one can undertake. I learned I am strong mentally and physically. Learned about nutrition and hydration. Even without realising my body was changing, I was getting leaner and much more toned. I was never overweight to begin with. But I was not a healthy eater. In order to do the long runs well - I was eating healthy and sleeping right. I did lose around 3 kgs in my journey. I also have a much clearer skin now. In June, I had severe acne and multiple marks from acne. In December after all the running, my face is clear and marks are barely visible. I didn’t apply any face cream or steroids. It was the regular sweating and drinking water.

As the marathon date was approaching, I noticed how supportive my running group was - led by Frankie. It was a sisterhood and brotherhood of like minded people. I made friends with a few of them. And Frankie has moved from being my coach to my mentor to my really good Friend. That is Frankie for you! She is pretty awesome!

RACE DAY

As race day approached, Frankie kept encouraging us almost every day with voice notes, messages, book recommendations, meet ups etc. We had our Pretty Strong group running tees ready. The nerves were so heightened. I couldn’t believe it. I the super lazy girl had trained for 7 months and I was in the PEN ready to go. This is the first time in several years I had a new sensation - I was proud of myself!!! What a feeling, to love yourself and be amazed by yourself! I was feeling good and the race began. I ran with Frankie for almost 25kms. The highlight of my run. To be able to run with your guiding coach, your friend and celebrate every few miles was the most fantastic feeling ever!!!! After 30k, it got tough, the body was tired, the mind was in shock, the sun was blazing and the humidity was slowly killing me. This is when I realised how strong I really am.. to not give up and keep going ahead. I could hear Frankie’s voice in my head, ‘one step ahead of the next - keep going’. I kept going and completed the marathon in time to get my medal...

After a few minutes, I saw the women who inspired all of us walking towards me - misty eyed! Francesca Forzoni! The superwoman!! We embraced and it felt all worth it.

I started this journey wanting to challenge myself. I ended the journey falling in love with myself. The new me is happier, has healthy eating habits, running is my new found passion and also let’s not forget the new me is pimple free!

Get yourself a Frankie in your life and see it change!