This week at Her Campus Exeter we got a chance to talk to Lydia Trow, a second year student who celebrated her 21st birthday in marathon style. With a record time and all for a great cause, we really do have a celebrity in our midst!
Course: Economics and Geography
Year: 2nd
So we’ve heard you’ve had a busy few weeks… Could you tell us more about it?
Yes I certainly have! Within the space of just five days I celebrated my 21st birthday, flew out to Budapest and then ran a marathon! Definitely not the way most people would choose to celebrate their 21st…but it’s a milestone birthday and you just have to do something really special to remember it.
Sounds like a different way to celebrate your birthday! What inspired you to take on this challenge?
The event was advertised through RAG back in January and I had heard that a couple of girls in my halls had already signed up…and weirdly this made me feel very jealous and so I just had to sign up too. It was a very spontaneous decision and I did wake up the next morning regretting it, but after that, I never looked back!
Have you done anything like this before and would you do it again?
Well I have been running now for a good 7/8 years, both competitively and for enjoyment but always said to myself I would never run a marathon (just why would you want to put yourself through that much pain?!). Hmm, well my mind is telling me yes but my body a firm no!! However, because I broke the ‘Choose a Challenge’ record, I think I receive a free trip to do another European marathon next year so I guess I don’t really have a choice!! Unless anyone else is keen to do it for me….?!
Definitely can’t turn down a free marathon! What was the most rewarding/memorable moment?
Crossing the finish line…without a doubt! It was honestly one of the most fulfilling and rewarding moments of my life and 100m from the line, we ran through a banner saying ‘You are all heroes’ and this did set the tears rolling down my cheeks! After the finish I later learned that I came 5th overall female and 1st from GBR so that was pretty special too.
And what was the hardest aspect of this experience?
Looking back on it, I’d probably say the training was tougher than the race itself. I had to keep running whilst interrailing in summer. That was difficult just because I was constantly busy and it was always about 40 degrees! But saying that, I remember ‘hitting the wall’ at 20 miles…suddenly the smile was wiped off my face and all the pain sunk in…that is when you really have to grit your teeth and remember the amazing cause that you are running for.
Finally, could you give our readers 3 top tips for anyone wanting to do something similar?
1. If you’re going to run a marathon, definitely make the commitment and train properly – it makes it so much more enjoyable. One girl had only run max of 10km before the race, she couldn’t walk for days after!
2. Do it as part of a group and in a cool place (Budapest is a fantastic city and the race route passed all the top tourist attractions so we were really lucky). I trained by myself for the most part and believe me, when running 19 miles in training you get pretty lonely.
3. If you want a challenge and something that is going to change your outlook on life – JUST DO IT! (Sorry Nike…but it has to be said!!) It will honestly be one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences of your life!