2022 is when I decided to get more serious about my running training. I decided to start training more seriously, both for health reasons and to improve my running.
I’ve always run and could run 5km at a time, but I never trained with a running training plan.
After some web research, I signed up for the Belgrade Racing Club, and training started in April. As an introductory test, we had a 5 km run test that I managed to complete.
The first two months of regular running training went great. It was the beginning of a new habit, and excitement was relatively high. I managed to combine training with orienteering competitions, although I sometimes felt tired. Fatigue arose because I didn’t have the strength then. The week was with three training sessions and a weekend of orienteering competitions.
I was looking forward to summer because it was the most challenging time for me. I love it because I don’t have to wear layers of clothes, but it’s also a challenge to run long distances in high temperatures. As I had more strength due to training since spring, the month of July passed with good mountain preparations. That was all useful for the upcoming trail race on Kopaonik. Since this was my first trail race, I chose a shorter length so that I could run the whole time. In the end, everything went by quickly, and I was overjoyed. I was among the first half of women in the women’s category in terms of finish time.
During all these months of training, I was driven by my persistence and determination to increase my endurance, improve my health, and change my life. There were difficult moments when I wanted to give up, but the training in the group and my goal kept me from giving up.
One of the first goals at the beginning of training is my decision to register for the half marathon in Sarajevo. Although it was too early to apply for something in September, I believed in myself very much. If I had listened to the coach at the time, I would have had huge doubts about myself.
After the trail race on Kopaonik, I ran long distances in order to prepare for Sarajevo in September.
In the meantime, I ran in a race in Subotica. There, I ran 10 km for the first time, and I was very happy. But I also had a setback because I started hard for the first 3 km. Anyway, such races are meant to test yourself. The race in Subotica was fantastically organized despite the heat that made fast running difficult.
As a true nerd, I had to run 21km even before the official half-marathon itself. I had to feel mentally that distance. The coach had a different opinion, although now I understand why. The goal of the training process for regular people was to run 21km for the first time in Sarajevo. So far, my training has shown that I am a runner outside the planned training process.
When the day came for the race in Sarajevo, everything went well. I completed the half-marathon in good condition and enjoyed seeing the surrounding hills.
As the months passed, so did the kilometers. After the half marathon in Sarajevo, I decided to continue training to get through the winter. It was not difficult for me to choose because running has become a habit.
In addition to the half-marathon, regular training also helped me in orienteering competitions, where I saw the same improvement.
As a person who used to put off training, I have now become someone who knows how much physical activity means. During this period, I planned to complete 1000 km in one year. It didn’t seem easy, but I believed in myself and how persistent I was.
Training all those months taught me to be more organized, to believe in myself primarily, and not to give up easily.
I decided on the Bokeski Half Marathon in December to run by the sea for the first time in my life. My good condition enabled me to run well that half-marathon despite ovarian pain and mental fatigue. Despite not achieving the planned time, I learned something from this trip.
After returning, I spent the rest of December chasing those 1000 km. In one week, I did three lengths for a total of 56 kilometers, which was my longest run until then. That was the moment when I definitely felt tired from training. You realize how important sleep, nutrition, and supplementation are. Regardless of everything, I was very proud of myself for having managed to complete my 1000 km.
Running has become a habit, pleasure, and necessity for me. It helps me maintain my health, both physically and mentally. By running, I show myself what my body is capable of achieving. Running also pushes my limits in other fields.
