Welcome to the ‘Big Dreams Come True’ interview series where I interview fabulous people (just like you!) about having their Big Dream come true. This month my guest is the lovely Em Young – mother, coach, sewing genius and marathon runner! Here’s Em’s story:
Tell us about your Big Dream that came true
I ran the London Marathon.
What was the catalyst for this dream – what made you want this?
I’ve always like physical challenges despite never being sporty or good at sport at school. I think it was the mind over matter aspect that appealed. I watched the London Marathon on TV when I was about 11 or 12 and said one day I’ll do it!
What obstacles/challenges did you face along the way and how did you overcome them?
Injury, from using my muscles more than normal. I uncovered through this that I had an IT band issue and have since used that information to understand more about my physiology and realised over-pronation really has thrown out everything else. This discovery was worth it though a I now have special insoles in all my shoes/trainers and the difference is FABULOUS! Thank you injury.
Mental “ Can I do this ?” Moments. I think I coped with these by noticing they were there, high fiving them and letting them go. If I had tried to fight them I think I’d have crashed and burned I just accepted it’s the mind’s job to think and thus it will start to panic, but it too shall pass and guess what? It did!
Time to train properly – I’m a Mum to 2 little ones and a wife and have a small business – and fitting in the time to train at times was challenging. At that time I had already enrolled for 3 craft classes (BAD IDEA!) I got stressed by the time I needed for everything and training suffered sometimes. I have learnt that it’s ok to ‘stop at enough’ and I now try to give my total focus to a couple of priorities rather than 83!
Leg giving out at mile 15 on race day – Well my physio did say don’t expect an amazing time as this injury will slow you down. So I had a choice defer to next year or do it now. After the amazing money raised I was totally NOT going to defer. So I had a word with my Ego ( “Err deal with it you’re not going to be sub 4.45 hours ok? And do I care what others think NO!”) And I just followed the moment and stayed focused on what I could manage each moment and did it in 5 hours 15. I’d have loved a better time, but I’m just happy that I got to the end and did it despite my dodgy leg!
Did it turn out as you expected?
Yes and No. Yes, it was tough, the atmosphere was as amazing as people said. The training was not so hard to do but to fit in, I think I thought I’d find it the other way round which highlighted an opportunity for me to manage my time and priorities better, another good learn. No, because I went over 5 hours, I had an injury which at the outset I didn’t think I would…you sort of feel infallible when you’ve never had an injury before and suddenly wham!
Also No, because I didn’t think I had as much mental power to manage pain like I did to continue, I’ll never forget the mental focus and positive talking in my head it took to get to the end. I remember finishing and thinking to myself ‘man you could do so much more if you applied that mindset to other aspects of your life’. It’s funny but I’m feeling a bit of this coming back to me now as I contemplate planning my next marathon for British Heart foundation. My mental attitude, mindset that makes or breaks me….ponder, ponder!!
What is the best thing about your dream coming true?
I realise the power of my mind. I remember the point at which I felt I couldn’t go on and then see how much further I went (note to self for future.)
I managed to raise money for charity which in a way should be the best thing, but then so many other wonderful shifts came from it also.
What is the worst thing about your dream coming true?
Not sure there is a ‘worst thing’; I suppose one loses direction a bit immediately after achieving the goal as it’s been such a staple focus you sort of miss it. Also, I think it highlighted to me that difference between ‘ I can’t go on’ thought/feeling and what’s actually possible and made me reflect on all of the things I could have given more. However, now I’m simply aware of it and using it in the moment – so always a positive.
What advice would you have for other people who want to make this Big Dream come true?
Don’t get too hung up on needing to get your training ‘perfect’; do what you can against some kind of plan but be flexible. Listen to your body, be prepared to use trial and error to work out what you might need… it’s taken me post the marathon to realise orthotic insoles stop me getting illitobial syndrome in my leg muscles.
In terms of mind – I’d say have a good mantra ready… at 20 miles I kept saying, “you can do this, it’s fine just keep taking the strides and you’ll get there. One stride at a time, we’ve got this”! It worked as the pain simply went numb after I moved my focus away from it. I also refocused the pain as just a muscle simply rubbing against the wrong part of the bone, somehow this way the pain was explainable and my panic subsided as I’d found a factual way to put it in it’s place!
What’s next on your Big Dream list?
To do the marathon in under 5 hours, which I know is achievable without a poorly IT band on my leg!!
ABOUT :
Emily Young is a life coach, owner of Vintage Country Rose, Mummy and keen runner!! Find more about her at mylifecoaching.co.uk
Thank you Em for sharing your Big Dream Coming True story. Have you had a Big Dream Come True? I’d LOVE to interview you about it – get in touch and share your Big Dream Story.
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