When it comes to training for marathons, there is a standard tried and tested formula that serves as the basis for all other formulas: run at least three times a week, including one long run. Each week, the long run gets longer and eventually you will reach your goal.
But don’t tell that to Julie Haines.
The 30-year-old Canmorite signed up for one of the toughest runs in the world: the Great Wall of China half marathon, even though shin splints severely limited her running this winter. Instead, she focused on boot camp classes, spin classes and mixed martial arts to whip her into shape.
When she finally arrived at the wall, not only did Haines believe she could conquer the course, she upped the stakes and registered to run the entire 42-kilometre route. Her body was about to power through 5,164 steps in smoggy 34 C heat on difficult and uneven surfaces. Carpe Diem.
“It was definitely the longest distance I had ever done,” Haines said. “My longest run to date was 19 kilometres, and that was a while ago. But I thought I will kick myself if I don’t go for the full marathon.”
Her mind willing, she broke down her new challenge into manageable chunks. Only 10 km of the 42 km were on the actual Great Wall, and she approached the race in five-kilometre segments and prayed her body would hold up.
“I thought, I’ve got it in me. It was a reminder I can do anything I want if I put my mind to it. A lot of people thought I was a bit nuts going for it. Now they think I’m even more nuts,” Haines said.
Alongside 2,519 runners ready to attack the wall, Haines did her best to control her nerves. After a 3:30 a.m. wakeup call and 45-minute bus ride to the start line, Christmas music filled her ears.
“There was a massive band playing jingle bells. Everywhere you went, stores tried to play western music, but it always seemed to be Christmas music,” Haines said.
She lined up in the second wave of runners, heard the shotgun blast start, then began the long journey.
“I was nervous from the moment I woke up, but I was excited. I just hoped my body would be good to me,” she said.
The first four kilometres took runners up to the wall and Haines soaked up the experience. A veteran traveller who has visited 34 countries, she was thrilled to experience so many “wow” moments during her race.
“It was really crazy with all those stairs and so many people, but it was such a great vibe and experience,” Haines said. “My body held up until the 26-kilometre mark, then I felt things in my body that I had never felt before. But I pushed through and met a number of great people along the way.”
Locals lined the course, cheering competitors and offering high-fives, while DJs were set up along the way. On the wall, the pace slowed as crowds clamoured to climb up and down the seemingly never-ending ribbon of stairs.
By kilometre 33, she was back on the wall for a second time and the temperature was peaking at 34 C. She would power up as many stairs as she could, take a 10 second break, then do it again.
“I kept looking at the race in legs. That kept me going. My mind felt great the entire time. Only a few times, when I would get pains in my knees, did I think I was crazy for doing this,” Haines said. “There was a fair amount of up and down and I’m glad I didn’t realize how intense the stairs would be.”
She remained positive through the race and finished with a time of six hours, 53 minutes, and took away many lessons from the day.
“I learned a lot about myself. If you put your mind to anything, you can accomplish anything if you believe in yourself. I hadn’t run enough for this race and if I do it again, I would train a little more, but if anyone is wanting to do it, I absolutely encourage them to do it.”
