What running a half marathon taught me about children struggling at school

In 2022 I finally trained for and completed a half marathon. Along the journey to the finish line, I experienced the same challenges kids face with learning. And I finally realised the valuable lesson I try so hard to instil in the Seeds of Knowledge philosophy applies to me as an adult as well.

Planned and unplanned challenges

Throughout life, there are always planned and unplanned challenges. At the end of 2019, I was ready for the next challenge of my life! This challenge was planned, and I was now the mother of two gorgeous young boys.

I was the mother of two, I could not lose weight, I was not on top of my game, and my body was responding through illness.

The year 2020 saw an unplanned challenge, which we all now call COVID-19. The constant lockdowns and caring for a newborn while juggling the entertainment of a 3-year-old put me into a space of feeling ‘stuck’.

This was to be my life between then to the beginning of 2022.

During this time, I was extremely unfit, not able to lose weight, I was not on top of my game, and my body was responding through illness.

Something needed to change.

I heard that echoing voice in my head, reminding me of how much I used to love going to the gym. I remember those days well of being at my peak performance, being happy, having loads of energy, and being able to physically do anything I wanted to achieve, including starting Seeds of Knowledge (my primary school tutoring business).

Being a busy business owner and a mum, it was paramount that my well-being and health be prioritised, rather than at the absolute bottom of the list.

At the beginning of 2022, when my uncle visited from Melbourne, something unexpected happened. My uncle asked me to run a half marathon with him… and I agreed! My big challenge and change was here!

Six years earlier, my uncle had asked me to run the same half marathon, but I had a thousand and one excuses at the time. When he asked this time, I could no longer hear any excuses. I accepted the challenge and committed to running the Melbourne half marathon in October!

No more excuses

With 6 months to train I knew I needed to have a solid plan, but I had no idea how to train for a half marathon. I had no running experience; in fact, I hated running. I was the child that avoided cross country and ‘coincidentally’ got sick around PE time. I definitely did not identify as a natural athlete. I had a lot to learn.

So why did I do it? I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. My uncle asked me at the right time, and I instinctively said ‘yes’. I was ready to experience the feeling of a true challenge. A challenge that felt impossible.

I knew that this challenge was going to take every inch of my strength, particularly at a time when my business was also expanding. I instinctively knew that I needed to find a new solution, and part of that solution was finding the perfect fit gym for me.

I needed a family-friendly gym. My checklist was to have babysitting facilities, convenient start times around school drop-offs, and a community of like-minded women who would inspire and challenge me.

When we are faced with a challenge, community is paramount. As part of my community, my best friend, Kim (who is one of my biggest supporters), attended MissFit and invited me to join. I knew that this was the right decision for me.

As part of the growth mindset process, I teach children we must use positive thoughts to inspire our success. One that I always embrace is –

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.”

I could hear my own voice clearly and the words that I tell the children about being a confident learner. I needed to heed my own words of wisdom and encouragement. I needed to prove that the growth mindset worked, and I wanted to have evidence for the children that it did.

It starts with a plan

It was time to implement the plan I knew would see me successfully complete the half marathon. I began going to MissFit, and every week I committed to increasing my fitness. This time my mind was not finding the excuses, only the solutions.

I built my initial level of fitness with the support of a good friend and the team at MissFit.

My youngest son, now 2, would attend on Baby Boot Camp days and be cared for by the attentive staff. He would watch me train and watch me become stronger.

As my fitness increased, so did my confidence, and I began to ‘shuffle’ faster until, finally, it felt like I was jogging.

Challenges within challenges

There are always multiple peaks and emotions within any great challenge. That is what makes them exciting and frustrating all at the same time.

My first challenge to overcome was an injury to my foot, that occurred when doing my very first official run with MissFit’s running group.

It was my first 5km run, I remember being proud, but then moments later I could barely walk. My muscles had seized, and my right calf was injured. I am sure if they could talk to me at the time they would have asked, “what are you doing?” A question, at that point, that I was thinking too.

“You can’t do it.” “You are not good enough.” “You are not a runner.” “You have never ever run a day in your life.”

This could have easily been the ‘give-up time’, as my brain was creating an enormous amount of negative talk. The voices were loud and made sense to my logical mind and my hurting body.

I called Kate (the gym owner) wanting a way out. However, the way out did not appear, instead the only words I heard were words of encouragement and support.

Back on the horse

With a month’s rest and physiotherapy, I was ready to try again.

My oldest son started joining me on my runs, cheering me on from the top of his bike.

Over the next few months, my extended support team, consisting of family and friends who wanted to see me succeed, supported my every attempt to train.

Training with two kids, while running a business made it trickier, but I had found my determination and grit.

I trained whenever I could. Early morning starts and late afternoon jogs.

I would often be found jogging along the river with my eldest son next to me riding his bike or scooter.

When feelings of overwhelm and sheer tiredness would overcome me, he was my cheer squad and my voice of reason.

“Tell your brain you can do it!”

In a loud, clear voice, he would encourage me with these words. They were all I needed to hear as my training progressed.

Crunch time

Time was running out. The date of the half marathon was creeping closer and closer. With this pressure, self-doubt began sneaking into my mind again. I felt as though I was on a roller-coaster of emotions. And again, I wanted to give up.

However, at Seeds of Knowledge we have a strong philosophy and framework around developing the ultimate confident learner, therefore, I knew giving up was not an option, but only gave me more strength to continue.

In my final run leading up to the Marathon, I achieved 15km with my eldest son. The half marathon was 21.1km which felt like a marathon in itself. I had no choice now but to put my best foot forward and run that half marathon with my uncle.

The day finally arrived. I was excited and nervous. But, the start line was now in front of me, and soon failure or success would be realised.

Packed like a tin of sardines at the start line, the feeling of elation was well and truly inside me. This was when I felt a moment of success because I realised that the journey to this point, not the finish line, would determine my success or failure. By coming this far, I had already overcome my challenge and what came next was just the icing on top.

I must say that I did achieve my wildest dreams and successfully completed the half marathon!

Lesson learned

Crossing the finish line was just one aspect of the success I felt from having attacked and completed this challenge.

The half marathon taught me it is essential to ‘run my own race’ (excuse the pun). This is precisely what I want the children I teach to see.

When I said ‘yes’ to my uncle and ‘yes’ to this challenge of running a half marathon, I knew that it would be a journey for me as a life-long learner. I knew I wanted to experience the uncertainty and the unknown in the same way that our little learners often feel it.

What I didn’t quite expect at the time was just how perfectly the Seeds of Knowledge philosophy fit within this challenge – being confident, putting in the effort, persevering and knowing that we all need support at different times.

We must nurture our children’s challenges and normalise their struggles. I feel proud that I was able to model the process of facing a challenging situation and conquering the seemingly impossible.

I did it for my children and for the Seeds of Knowledge children because they, too, are braver than they know.

“It is always impossible until it is done.” – Nelson Mandela