Runner credits marathon club for support and tips

IN ACTION: Melanie Thompson is a product of marathon clinics. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

I ALWAYS thought a marathon was something I could never do.

I've always enjoyed running and I had even run a couple of half marathons, but I'd tell people "I've done two halves, that's a whole".

After talking to a friend who has run a few marathons I started to come round to the idea it was really just about the training, although I wasn't completely convinced until I went to New York in 2013.

While I was there the marathon was on.

I stood at the 800m-to-the-finish mark clapping and cheering for three hours in awe of the people completing the marathon.

It was then I decided I wanted to be one of those people.

Returning to New Zealand, I started training, looking up training schedules and nutrition information online.

When I saw the marathon clinic information evening advertised in the paper, for the Lake City Athletic Club, I thought it might be a good idea to go down and listen to more tips from runners.

Before I went I did not think I'd join the club.

I was fairly convinced I could do the training myself, after all I'd done the research, or so I thought.

At the information evening loads of people attended and I listened to a range of runners sharing their tips, advice and previous experiences.

Suddenly, I realised training would involve some long runs and running by myself for longer than two hours was not so appealing.

My mind was changed and I was convinced that if I was going to tackle this marathon goal, I'd need help.

As soon as I started with Lake City everything was really well organised. I was put in a pack that suited my ability and began running with a bunch of guys.

Although it was a bit intimidating from time to time I really enjoyed the challenge and stuck it out.

Throughout the training we had a lot of laughs and I picked up some great pearls of advice.

With every Sunday run we did, the distances slowly got longer and longer and each week I was running further than I'd ever run before.

During the run I'd have a mini-celebration as the kilometres ticked over on my watch and I'd call out "this is the longest run ever in my life".

When the marathon day finally arrived I knew I was prepared.

I remember thinking, there is no way I could've got to this point without the training I'd done with the club.

My marathon experience was fun. I even managed to finish in a time of 3.38 hours. I am sure without the Lake City marathon clinic I would never have done as well as I did.