Congratulations to Ms Forrest for successfully completing a half marathon.

My first half marathon: a journey of ambition, failure and resilience

Two years ago, I ran 2 kilometres for the first time and felt exhausted. I never imagined I could run a longer distance, but as I moved to a new neighbourhood, I surrounded myself by people who inspired me to become better and stronger. I watched some of my friends run the Ealing half marathon in September 2022 and set myself the goal of running it myself the following year. However, as Summer 2023 came and went, I was forced to admit to myself that I wasn't ready, I hadn't prepared and trained hard enough to complete it in a satisfying time. The disappointment was immense as I saw people around me celebrating and wearing their medals, but I could only blame myself.

I did not, however, let this disappointment become a crutch. Instead, I used it as motivation and in December 2023, my sister and I signed up to run our first half-marathon in Geneva, where she lives. From there, the hard work began. I set myself the goal of running 21.1km in under two hours and, with the help of some of my more experienced friends, I created a training plan which included interval, tempo and long runs as well as high intensity cardio and strength sessions. It was important that I stuck to it no matter the weather conditions, so I ran in the cold and the rain on several occasions. It wasn't always easy, it certainly wasn't always comfortable and sometimes it would have been easier to skip a training day - but I was determined to meet my target and couldn't let the weather get in my way. 

Fast forward to May 2024, my sister and I walked up to the start line under heavy rain alongside 20,000 others, confident that our training would pay off and allow us to complete the race in good time. The route took us through the Swiss countryside and circled back along Lake Geneva, where we were met by crowds of friends and family cheering along their loved one. Finally, after 1 hour and 56 minutes, I passed the finish line on the iconic Pont du Mont Blanc, my sister not far behind me. We placed in the first tier of women to cross the finish line. I was filled with pride and an incredible sense of achievement to see through this challenge I had set myself several months back and to have surpassed my target time. I was reminded of the importance of determination as well as discipline to stick to a rigorous program, but also of the positive influence the people I chose to surround myself with had and continue to have on me. 

In September 2024 I intend to [finally] run the Ealing Half Marathon, the challenge which originally set me on this path, emboldened by my previous success. The next step will be to fundraise for Shelter in the 2025 London Landmarks Half, to help people struggling with poor housing conditions and homelessness.