This Sunday I’ll be lining up for my ninth Cardiff Half Marathon. Every year feels special, but this one has even more meaning for me. I’m running in memory of Elizabeth Madge, my primary school and Sunday school teacher, and one of the most inspirational women I’ve ever known.
Elizabeth was the kind of teacher who lifted everyone around her. She made you feel like you could do anything, that you mattered, and that you were capable of more than you realised. She was kind, thoughtful, supportive, and someone who quietly shaped the person I am today. I feel honoured to be running in her memory for the Elizabeth Madge Educational Charitable Trust, which continues her legacy by supporting children’s education.
If you’d like to support this cause, please visit my just giving page. Every donation, big or small, is deeply appreciated and will help continue Elizabeth’s legacy.
Race Week: It’s All About Energy
Race week is not about pushing harder or trying to squeeze in “just one more session.” You are as fit as you’re going to be. Nothing you do now will suddenly change your fitness before Sunday. In fact, overdoing it or letting nerves take over will only drain your most valuable resource: your energy.
I always think of it like this: we are just like our mobile phones. Our internal battery – our energy – gets drained when too many tabs are open. Stress, worry, panic, sleepless nights, overtraining… all of these are background apps quietly zapping your power. The more you allow them to run, the more depleted you’ll be on race day.
So instead, this week is about charging your battery:
- Prioritise sleep
- Eat nutritious, energy-giving food
- Hydrate well
- Rest your body and resist the urge to cram in last-minute runs
- Take time to breathe, meditate, and relax
- Fill your own cup so you can pour it all into Sunday
When you stand on that start line, what you’ll bring with you isn’t extra miles from a rushed session – it’s the energy you’ve protected and the positive mindset you’ve cultivated. That’s what will carry you through the crowds, the course, and across the finish line.
So conserve your power this week. Protect your energy. And trust that you’ve done the work.
Extra Support for Race Week
If you’re running the Cardiff Half this weekend, I’ve also created two free YouTube videos to help you feel your best:
- 17-minute Mobility & Stretch Routine – perfect for easing stiffness and tension before race day and can be used to aid recovery post race
- 8-minute Warm-up for the Start Pen – a quick routine you can do in a small space while waiting to start, to keep your body warm and ready to run.
I can’t wait to see so many familiar faces on Sunday and to soak up the incredible atmosphere together.
Here’s to running strong, running grateful, and running for something bigger than ourselves.