Prague - one of the SuperHalfs series
By Vanessa Hughes
Sometimes the hardest decision is not to run.
Prague half marathon is one of the five Superhalfs. The others are held in Cardiff, Copenhagen, Lisbon and Valencia. I was on a running plan and hoping to achieve a good time on the flat course.
Unfortunately, everything did not go to plan. In February I had run the 10-mile Stourbridge Stagger in pain with an injury. It is a tough race at the best of times and I could barely walk after. I stopped running for a while and made the decision not to run Prague.
However, as it got closer I realised I didn’t want to miss out on this race! Despite the pain and doing very little training in the lead up, I was determined to try. The week prior I had a conversation with my lovely friend Jackie, and she said we could run together for support. This gave me the massive confidence boost I needed. We were going to run in Prague!
We arrived in Prague the day before the race and decided to walk to the expo. It was quite a long walk and after a day travelling my leg started to become very painful. I tried to ignore this and collected my race number and took the obligatory photos. Back at our apartment I laid out my race clothes and went to bed.
I literally saw every hour in pain. Still with the thought I would run I got up and had a prerace breakfast then sat down and started getting upset knowing – one – I would be daft to run, and – two - unsure I would even get round!
At this point I decided not to run. I was distraught. My running buddies were so lovely and supportive but I couldn’t join them. I waited until they left for the race. I pulled myself together, showered and went off to support my friends!
I wanted to share this as it shows that this can happen to each and everyone of us and sometimes we have to make this hard decision. Ultimately, it’s a run, a race but there will be more!! I went on to have the most amazing weekend with the best people which to me is what running is all about - friendship and good times!!