After running her first marathon at the 2019 Calgary Marathon, Hailey Thompson fell in love with the distance. The Battlefords-area runner clocked 3:30 at her first attempt over 42.2 kilometres and has been training hard ever since to get stronger and faster.
Earlier this year the 30-year-old agricultural lender and personal trainer announced a big goal on social media — to run a sub-three-hour marathon at the Queen City Marathon this fall.
Thompson was on track to hit that target for the first 30 kilometres of the race before hitting the wall. Even though things got tough and she knew a sub-three marathon was fading from reach, Thompson pushed through the physical and mental pain to finish second in a personal best time of 3:04.
Thompson spoke with the Brainsport Times about her race, the importance of setting goals and advice for how to rally when things get tough.
Brainsport Times: Why do you think it’s important to set goals and let people know about them?
Hailey Thompson: It’s an accountability thing. Some workouts you are going to want to give up, but it’s about just being there and showing up — not just for yourself, but for your family, the people who follow you or look up to you. It kind of makes you push yourself outside your comfort zone to always strive to do your best even when shit gets hard … Putting my goals out there also helps people around me encourage me and motivate me.
BT: Were there A- and B-goals for this race?
HT: Yes. I did have a few goals going in. Obviously my first goal was sub-three and I did set another goal: If I couldn’t go sub-three, I wanted to finish within 3:05. I definitely think having a couple goals is important because sometimes races don’t always start out like you think. Having a couple goals in mind so you can continue to push yourself when things get tough is important.
BT: When did the race get hard?
HT: The first half felt really comfortable. Up to mile 20 things were still feeling pretty good and then, once mile 20 hit, I was pretty much all alone on the course and I just hit that mental wall where shit got really hard … That’s when the negative thoughts started rolling into my mind like “Why are you doing this?”
I really felt like walking at points. I just said “Run to the next aid station” or “Run to the next curve.” And I was just using a whole bunch of mantras, positive affirmations, to keep going. And that seemed to get me to the next point and then it got me even further.
And then I was thinking of everyone waiting for me at the finish line … I had Adam, my husband. And my mom and sister made the drive from Manitoba to see me. I had Tarrant and Celeste (Cross Child), Dianna (Head), Christian (Braid) and Brooke (MacDonald). Just knowing they were all waiting for me at the end was super helpful and kind of kept my spirits high.
BT: What mantras helped pull you through?
HT: I kept saying “You’re strong,” “You’re capable of this,” “Pain is temporary,” “Dream, believe, commit,” “You set these goals, you know you can do it,” “You’re capable of running.”
BT: How did you feel crossing the finish line knowing you’d missed your A goal?
HT: Honestly, crossing the finish line, I was pretty gassed, I felt a little wobbly. Even though I didn’t make my A goal, I was so happy with my result. I gave it my all when I hit that wall and I know sub-three is there — it just wasn’t there on race day.
BT: What was it like being in an in-person race again?
HT: The atmosphere was incredible. I think that’s honestly what kept the runner’s high going and what kept me happy throughout the race is knowing that it was so nice to finally have an in-person race after 19-months after doing it virtually, which is incredibly hard. I think the race-day atmosphere and all the incredible volunteers just help lift up everyone’s spirits and keep everything so exciting.
BT: What were some of your takeaways from the race?
HT: Races can’t happen without a support system. You have to have people backing you and supporting you. Even the race committee and the race crew — it would not happen if they weren’t there, and if they didn’t feel like supporting you and helping you make your dreams come true.
BT: What are your next running goals?
HT: I’m still hoping for sub-three, so that’s still on the horizon. I’m hoping to get to the Boston Marathon — maybe this April, depending on COVID. If not, I want to crush another spring marathon.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
