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2024 Dunedin Emerson’s Half Marathon

Published on by MolayMediaLeave a comment

Running the half marathon in New Zealand • 15 September 2024

Before arriving in Dunedin I knew that it was going to be a unique period of trying new things and pushing myself to new limits. The day I arrived I searched for “half marathons near me” and was immediately met with a link to one of Dunedin’s biggest events of the year, the Dunedin Emerson’s Marathon! I signed up on July 6 for the half marathon, something that didn’t seem too daunting considering it was over two months away…

the weeks PRECEDING the race

I will be candid when I say that I did not train nearly as much as I had hoped for this race. The combination of adapting to a new lifestyle, education, social life, weekend trips, being in the gym, and time for self meant my training was rather sporadic and did not stick to a proper regiment. I have never run a race in my life so as race day approached I started to accept the fact that it was going to be an extreme challenge and learning curve for the entirety of the race. I have never taken on a physical challenge like this before which also created a certain degree of nervousness given I haven’t met my physical limit in this manner before. I signed up for this race under the presumption that I’d be doing it alone, however the week of the race I was happy to find out other friends and acquaintances would also be racing. My friends and I put together a massive carb load dinner the night before and I ended the evening with a solid stretch.

Race day

The nerves weren’t as high as I thought they’d be, however it was quite a unique feeling waking up knowing I’d go to sleep having run a half marathon. I had a decently sized breakfast and my friends whom were also racing with me came to my flat before the race, (the starting point happened to be right in front of my flat).

Some last second stressing and before I knew it the race had begun! My thoughts were as follows:
Mile 1: THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE. I AM RUNNING TOO FAST. MY LEGS ARE ALREADY HURTING.
Mile 2: I am still running too fast and my legs hurt more than they should.
Mile 3: I am almost to the first water station, after that I will magically be healed. I am sneakily following these two girls, I like their pace.
Mile 4: Maybe I should eat my first snack.
Mile 5: I am still running too fast but I seem to be doing fine. I think I’m ready to pass these girls.
Mile 6: I passed the girls, time to find somebody else to follow. Wow, I’m almost halfway done. I’m definitely drinking gatorade at the next station instead of water.
Mile 7: I’m over the halfway point! I found somebody new to follow.
Mile 8: This feels too good! I don’t know how I’d be able to do this without music. Time to eat my gel.
Mile 9: Almost to the water station again, should I even stop?
Mile 10: I stopped for water.
Mile 11: I am getting so close. I feel great, I think I’m really going to pick up the pace now.
Mile 12: Some of my favorite songs are playing and I’m starting to get the chills.
Mile 13.1: I’m gonna do it! I cross the finish line as Paradise by Coldplay is blasting in my ears.

The last three miles I was filled with energy, profound thoughts of proudness and accomplishment, and most importantly I was having the time of my life. Gliding through the streets of Dunedin as people cheered me on, some fans holding signs that said “Hit me for turbo” and hitting them maybe a little too hard. Listening to some of my most influential songs whilst accomplishing a new physical feat. Life was at such a high! I truly had a phenomenal time and completing a race is one of those things you have to do in order to feel the energy in that way.

I ended with a 1:43:45 time at 7:55 per mile. I was super proud of this time! The runner’s high is so real! I felt like I was on another planet for the last portion of the race and at different parts for the remainder of the day.

to be human!

Humans can do such amazing things! The amount of energy, ambition, desire, and appreciation for accomplishing an adventure like this is something I will truly cherish to have been a part of. One aspect that running the half marathon has taught me is that pushing myself to new limits isn’t something that I hope to do a couple more times throughout my life, but so many more. Here’s to a life full of redefining the limit!

Find photos below, they aren’t too flattering!

Take My Word For It – Do’s + Don’t’s While Abroad

Published on by rhiannalewisLeave a comment

DO…

  • Participate in all the events and trips offered through your program and university—especially if they’re included in tuition! 🏛️
    • Most of the time, these events will be led by individuals who live in your study-abroad city or are full-time students at your university, both of whom can offer valuable perspectives on your new home! This past week I participated in a guided tour of the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, a downtown Athens tour, and a Greek Delicacies taste-testing event. I sometimes felt like a stereotypical tourist, but I saw so many beautiful ancient sites, made new friends, and got three free meals. Go to everything!
  • Prioritize your mental + physical health. 🚶‍♀️
    • I am someone who LOVES their alone time. Being with my friends and meeting new people is something I really enjoy, but I know that I have to spend time alone during the day to keep my social battery charged. The first week made me feel like I needed to be doing something new at every moment. I was getting tired and anxious quick. If you have things you do that make you feel balanced, don’t stop doing them while you’re abroad just because you have FOMO (the fear of missing out.) Be alone for a bit, sleep, read, go for a walk. You’ll be better off in the long run!
  • Ask for help when you need it. 🙋🏻‍♀️
    • Being somewhere new, where you may not speak the language or have a great understanding of the alphabet is difficult. At dinner last week a group of friends and I needed to use the bathroom but couldn’t find it due to all the signage being in Greek. The other girls I was with wanted to give up, but I asked a waitress for help. She smiled when she explained it was hidden upstairs. I doubt we would’ve found it on our own. Just because the locals might seem intimidating doesn’t mean they won’t help you when you’re confused.
  • Explore locally before jetsetting. 🚲
    • For the first few weeks of being abroad, try to get acquainted with the city and country you’re studying in before venturing to other places. As tempting as it is to spend every free minute exploring a new city, especially between European countries where travel is quick & cheap, take time to learn about your home base. I personally am spending this weekend looking for independent bookstores in Athens that I can revisit again and again. I’m excited to be familiar with this city!
  • Remember to stay grateful. 🩷
    • So many people do not have the time, money, or capacity to travel away from their homes or university for a variety of reasons. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most students, myself included. I keep pinching myself when I realize that I am in the home of Western culture, furthering my education, meeting new people, and learning about myself. I’m sure I’m not the only one. I’m learning that having stamps in my passport by choice is an unbelievable privilege and honoring that makes this whole experience brighter.

DON’T…

  1. Be scared if you get lost. 🗺️
    • As long as your phone is charged and you’re in (what feels like) a safe neighborhood, don’t panic if you get turned around! I took the wrong bus by myself yesterday and ended up 2.5 miles away from campus in a completely unfamiliar area. While I initially freaked out, I quickly realized that I could use the opportunity to explore the neighborhood I was in. It ended up being a lovely late afternoon walk, and although I was sweaty by the time I got to class, I was glad I had adventured out.
  2. Eat out every single night. 🍽️
    • Going out to try local restaurants is fun, but going to the grocery store and making meals with new ingredients is just as exciting – try local foods! Greece has wonderful fresh fruit, olive oil, cheese, and honey, and that’s all I’ve been eating for dinner. It acclimates your stomach to the cuisine and helps your budget, too!
  3. Treat school like a joke. 📝
    • If you’re like me and love being in the front row of every class and involved in every club, don’t let being abroad change that. Professors everywhere love it when students are engaged, regardless of whether you’re there for four months or four years. Being engaged in your university can be just as much of a cultural experience as traveling, so don’t let it fall by the wayside. (I promise DU didn’t push me to say this. I’m just really into school. 🤓)
  4. Let the time difference impact your relationships at home. 🕰️
    • Make an effort to call your parents, partners, and friends at home! Texting and social media are convenient, but the people who love you miss your physical presence… and when the adrenaline wears off, you’ll start to miss theirs, too. Make new friends, but don’t forget to make time for home, too.
  5. Smile at strangers. 🙊
    • This really is an American habit, and you will get weird looks if you smile at strangers on the sidewalk or in public. I never realized how much I did it until I got here and the greeting was not returned…