I trained for a half marathon in the age of Strava. The performa__nce anxiety was almost as exhausting as the race itself. According to Strava’s 2024 trend report, roughly one in six of their 153 million users has completed a half marathon.
Being the attention seeker I am, I decided this would make a sensational personal arc. For years my relationship with running was limited to being late for lessons or the random urge at 2am after a night out. Then, a friend dragged me out for a reluctant jog, and I realised I needed to change that.
Like many in their early twenties, I was seeking direction and discipline. I wanted something convenient and ‘easy’ to keep up my fitness, and set myself a goal. But, modern running is no longer just putting one foot in front of the other.
The constant documentation on TikTok and Strava has created a frenzied, competitive culture. A fancy sports watch and the newest trainers is the adopted uniform. As a newbie, I felt intimidated.
The pressures of social media made it feel like a performance, and I was about to go on stage. When the day came round to the half, my lack of training felt obvious, and I felt like an imposter. But at least I looked the part, kitted out with a fancy new sports watch and the latest running trainers.
The adrenaline of the day had me in good spirits and got me over the start line. I took on the Jeffing method, a run-walk technique. This got me up the hills, especially Roath Park.
At times, it felt impossible, I heavily regretted my decision to sign up, and thought I possibly should have trained more. But as the distance got shorter, I no longer cared about a time, instead helping myself to the free Haribos and high fiving my friends and family who came to cheer me on. In the end, over 24,600 people completed the Cardiff Half Marathon, and I was one of them.
I ran (Jeffed) with the charity, Cancer Research Wales, who were an amazing and supportive community. Would I have done it if I couldn’t tell anyone? Honestly, probably not.
But I’m glad I did. If you’re thinking about it: walk, run, or Jeff your way through. My new watch and trainers didn’t even matter once I was running.
What I found most exciting about the day wasn’t my mediocre time or running credentials, but the atmosphere and energy from everyone lining the streets. After all, I only signed up for the attention.