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!!