After running Perth’s famous Chevron City to Surf, I had about six weeks left to train for the Perth Running Festival on 12th October 2025. My training went smoothly… until it didn’t. I overdid it in a strength training class and ended up injured. The first few days were terribly painful. Walking, let alone running, was a real struggle. A quick consultation with my physio friend confirmed it wasn’t too serious, but it was enough to derail my training. I spent a frustrating fortnight of ice packs, stretches, and cautious optimism. There were a few tears along the way, especially on the days I felt like I wouldn’t make it to the start. With only two weeks to go, I eased back into running, gradually rebuilding enough to feel ready to line up for what would be my 18th Half Marathon. I had initially planned to chase a PB, but with my injury, my goal was simple: run and finish strong.

I ran and finished.
But did I finish strong?
No.

I crossed the finish line in 2:27:52, a respectable 07:00min/km pace, and probably a Top 5 time. But the finish itself? One of my weakest. You know the kind of finish where every step feels like a battle, your legs are lead, and you question your life choices? That was me. I could see the Stadium, but it felt like it was moving further away with each stride. My usual strong kick was nowhere to be found. I was just hanging on, willing myself forward, one exhausted shuffle at a time.

Did my injury resurface, you ask? No.
Had I lost too much fitness while I was off injured? Also no.

After some reflection, I’ve realised that for someone who’s run 18 Half Marathons and countless other races, my struggles came down to very rookie mistakes.

Before we do a deep dive of those, let me set the scene. The day itself was beautiful: sunny, clear, and perfect for running. The efficient public transport system got us to and from the race, there were more porta-loos than I could count (my kids actually did – 164. Yes, 164!), and we got to enjoy the VIP tent, courtesy of the West Australian Marathon Club. This was an absolute blessing when I came through completely knackered at the finish! But one of the most memorable moments came unexpectedly: after my kids finished their 4 km race, they lined up near the finish in birthday t-shirts they had specially designed for me. Seeing them cheering as I crossed the line was one of the sweetest surprises I’ve ever had.

Now For Those Mistakes and Lessons

Rushed Warm-Up Routine: I let the excitement of the day get the better of me and completely lost focus on my usual routine. I think it was a mix of feeling relieved to be healthy enough to run, soaking up the great atmosphere, and enjoying the little perks of the VIP tent. When I finally started warming up, it was rushed and half-hearted. As a result, my legs felt stiff and uncoordinated for the first few kilometres, and ironically, that discomfort probably made me go out too fast, trying to “shake it off” by pushing harder. Lesson: Stick to my tried-and-tested warm-up routine which includes great dynamic stretches as well as a short jog. Warm muscles perform better, and it sets the tone for a smoother start.

Neglected Mental Prep: Because I’d been so focused on “just getting to the start,” I completely neglected my usual mental preparation. I didn’t visualise the course, think through the tough spots, or mentally rehearse how I’d respond when things got hard. My entire focus was on making it to the start, not on what would happen after that. So, when the fatigue hit, I didn’t have my usual mental armour ready, and it really showed. I’ve become quite good at working through tough moments (I mean, I ran my last Half through a storm), but this time, when I tried to dig deep, there was nothing. I felt flat, almost disoriented, like my mind had clocked out before my body had even finished the job. Lesson: Visualise, prepare, and remind myself that mental toughness doesn’t appear magically on race day, it’s built before.

Started Too Fast: Despite telling myself to take it easy, I got completely swept up in the buzz of the start line and went out way too fast. For 14km, I was cruising beautifully, ticking off several kilometres at sub–6:45 pace. I even remember thinking, “This is too fast.” But then that little voice of delusion chimed in: “Maybe your fitness is just better than you thought! Maybe this is the day for a PB!” Then reality hit. Around 15 km mark, it was like someone flipped a switch. My body said, “Girl, I’m done!” and my brain, simply agreed, with no argument! Huh?! The last stretch into Optus Stadium should have been incredible (I love a big stadium finish!), but all I felt was sheer anguish. I came as close to collapsing as you can without actually hitting the ground, then staggered straight to the VIP tent to regroup. It took nearly an hour of refuelling, water, and just sitting before I felt even remotely human again. Lesson: Stick to the plan. Start slower than I think I need to, build gradually, and remember that a strong finish always feels better than a fast start.

Tried Something New: While I resisted the temptation to wear my brand-new shoes, I did make the rookie mistake of using new gels I hadn’t tested in training. Thankfully, they didn’t upset my stomach, but the taste was awful, and I couldn’t tell if they were giving me the same energy kick as my usual brand. Instead of helping, they became a distraction every time I reached for one. Lesson: Race day is not the time to experiment. Stick to the fuel that’s tried, tested, and trusted.

Numerous Stops: I love running with a bottle I can sip from along the way. It keeps me steady and helps me avoid stopping at water stations, which always breaks my rhythm. But this time, I decided to carry a smaller bottle than usual (ahem, here we go again with trying new things). I figured I’d just top up at the water stations. Big mistake. I ended up stopping at nearly every one, wasting precious time. It doesn’t sound like much, but each stop made it harder to restart, and I lost momentum, rhythm and focus, over and over again. Lesson: No more spontaneous “just-in-case” stops. I’ll stick with what works, and thankfully, my sister gifted me a brand new hydration pack that’ll be perfect for longer races.

Final Thoughts

Despite the mistakes, I’m proud of showing up, finishing yet another Half Marathon, and in a good time (for me) too. Not every race needs to be great, sometimes the win is simply crossing the finish line and being ready to run another race. But next time? I’ll remember all the basics: pace wisely, stick to what I know, and always, ALWAYS respect the distance, no matter how many times I’ve run it!

Your Turn

• What’s the biggest “rookie mistake” you’ve made in a race and what did it teach you?
• Have you ever had 164 porta-loos to choose from at the start of a race?
• Did you participate in the Perth Running Festival? What was your experience?

Love from The Gaborone Runner – one street, one story, one run at a time

I am linking up with Jenny from Runners Fly and Jenn from Runs with Pugs for Tuesday Topics! Please join the party every week!