Here is a very brief introduction of me: I am Deb Harrison and I have run a total of 3 marathons.
I have been a keen runner for most of my life. I embraced long distance running during 2012 just before the London Olympics. My first race was a 10k road run held at a local school. I think it was the combination of the buzzing atmosphere surrounding any race and the general sense of achievement of covering just over 6 miles on foot that got me hooked.
From there I started running 10 miles, half marathons and a very rare 15 mile race. It wasn’t until 2018 did I build up to an actual marathon. Running a marathon wasn’t just a physical challenge: Spending 5+ hours running 26(ish) miles was mentally and emotionally draining as well. it also takes a lot of training and time.
The day after my first marathon wasn’t too bad. I opted not to work the following day and instead went to a health spa (which I recommend!). For the second marathon I opted to work the following day. I also had a meeting which I a) couldn’t get out of and b) had to drive to. At the time I just thought, I would hole up in the office and take the weight off my feet. A sensible option, right?
No. No it wasn’t.
Getting up and sitting down for the first time that day wasn’t too bad. So I I needed to stand up. That in itself was a task and a half. My hips and legs felt like they were 10 tons apiece. A trolley jack might have made the job easier, but only until I started walking. Everything at both pelvis level and below was stiff as a board and it took a while to get moving.
My memory of driving is vague. I think I got through it ok, but the transition from sitting in a low level small car to standing took a few attempts. Even my customer made the comment that I was hobbling “Like an 80 year old”. In fact, that whole day of sitting and standing was an experience was very fatiguing and an experience I won’t forget for a very long time.
It’s only after this experience did I learn about the benefits of standing desks and how they can improve your working posture, reduce fatigue and even negate the effects of sitting too much. And yes, I wish I had known about that benefit way back then. But hindsight is a wonderful thing.
I have retired from marathon running now. But with my next half marathon in March, I will definitely be standing at my desk the day after and hopefully reporting on the vast difference between sitting and standing after the behemoth experience of a long distance run.
