Hi Sonia, I haven't checked this forum for absolutely months, but I read your post and wanted to share my experiences with you. I have CF and got involved with running about 2 years ago. I have played sports all my life, basketball, tennis, football (soccer), etc... but running was something quite different (mainly aerobic and endurance), so it was a challenge for me to start up. I struggled on my first 30 min run and wondered how I would ever get better. Seriously after about 30 seconds my legs felt like jelly... but I continued. I kept running and promised to myself that I would never stop during a run. Even if I felt rubbish I would run the whole thing til the end (unless of course I got a serious injury!).
That was 2 years ago. In April 2006 I completed my third 26.2 mile marathon. It was in London and I finished in 4 hours 7 mins. My quickest was in Dublin (3.57). Running and raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust (The UK based CF charity) was the most significant thing Ive done in my life. The personal journey and development Ive made has been immense and I do feel proud of myself when I take a second to think back at what Ive done.
I think some of the advice thats been given to you on this thread has been great, the encouragement and running tips. I won't say anymore, aside from an anecdote from my last race (Flora London Marathon April 23rd 2006):
I hit the wall at about mile 23, when I could no longer keep up with everyone and run at my normal, or anything close to my normal, running pace. I could not help but slow down to a crawl. But I plodded. I was running on empty, and feeling jaded to say the least. I was 3 miles from the finish but I knew it would be the toughest 3 miles of the whole race. I needed some sort of boost to keep me going. I could feel the back of my legs, my hamstrings tritching. And my calfs were killing me. At about mile 24, a lady shouted my name from the crowd (it was printed on my vest!). She screamed so loudly that I turned to her straight away. It was like a plee rather than a scream. All she said was 'Rob!! You're running for her'... and pointed to her little girl stood beside her (who must've had CF I guess). That's all she said... but it was so heartfelt. I nodded and kept running. And I guess it must have made a difference, because the last 2 miles were the most enjoyable of the whole race. I lived for every step and I loved every agonising second. I relished the moment and enjoyed the warm feeling that this particular woman had given me. I'll never see her again, or her daughter, but her words will forever be in my memory.
It is amazing just how great you feel when you try and make a difference. I hope for it to continue forever!!
All the best,
Rob