Preparation and the Morning Demon

The lead-up to the race was anything but ideal. Due to a scheduling misunderstanding, I hosted guests until midnight the night before the run. This left me with only four hours of sleep.

I relied on a 20-minute breathwork session to force my body into rest mode. Shortly after, my crusade opera alarm jolted me awake at 5:15 AM.

To sustain my energy during the race, I prepared a “super breakfast” consisting of:

🥣 Porridge mixed with banana, chia seeds, peanut butter, and honey.
🌊 A combination of water with vitamin C, tea, and apricot juice.

Every bite was a conscious effort to fuel the mission ahead. I knew I needed every bit of that energy. It would be essential to keep my body moving once the road started to feel long.

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🍽️ Looking for healthy snacks to fuel your run?
→ 5-ingredient Cottage Cheese Buns
→ Vegan Lemon and Garlic White Bean Dip

The Battle: Angel vs. Demon

What I noticed this morning was that both the Demon and the Angel were awake.

I call these my inner voices. The Demon is the one that relies on comfort or fear, while the Angel encourages rational thought and kindness.

This mental battle began before I even left the house. A friend had promised to meet me at the finish line but stopped responding. Consequently, the Demon tried to ruin my mood with disappointment.

I had to consciously reshape my mindset. I told myself in the mirror that this challenge was for me. It wasn’t for anyone else’s validation.

Finding Momentum: Mind Over Matter on the Road

The race start in Mdina was chaotic, with over 4,000 participants and an icy 14-degree chill. I faced immediate logistical hurdles. For example, a 20-minute queue for the toilet forced me to warm up while standing in line.

Once the race began, the Demon’s voice immediately begged for comfort. It even fabricated a “phantom” need to use the restroom again just two kilometers in.

I had to silence it. I told myself that if I really had to go, it was just better motivation to get home faster.

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🏁 More for later
Missed the beginning of this journey?
→ What to Do When You’re Unprepared for a Half-Marathon

The Power of “Just a Little More”

When you are technically unprepared, the distance feels impossible if you look at it all at once. I stayed focused by breaking the 21.1 KM distance into manageable mental chunks:

Passing the 2 KM mark, I told myself I just had to repeat this effort ten more times.

By the time I hit 5 KM, I realized I only had to cover that same distance four more times.

Reaching 7 KM felt like a milestone, as I celebrated being a full one-third through the race.

At 10 KM, my upper thigh began to burn with a stinging pain. However, I reminded myself that my pride would hurt more than my legs if I gave up. This pain was expected. My body wasn’t used to running such long distances on the hard concrete of Malta.

Additionally, the atmosphere provided a much-needed boost. Roadside bands, local cheers, and banners like “Run stranger, run” helped me push through the exhaustion.

The Final Push and Physical Toll

By the time I reached the Marsa and Msida areas, my legs felt nearly immobile due to the steep terrain. When there were only 4 kilometers left, I was running solely on willpower.

I felt queasy and “almost dead.” However, seeing the finish line in the final kilometer awakened something inside me. It allowed me to speed up slightly for the finish.

I crossed the finish line at approximately 2 hours and 43 minutes. Nevertheless, the physical toll was immediate:

🧟‍♀️ I was in a state of pure exhaustion from the poor sleep and physical strain.

👣 I could barely walk home. Andy had to push me physically up the hill, and the stairs felt like hell.

🩼 The next day, I truly felt I needed a walking aid. I was moving like an old person who cannot walk without support. It was a funny sight after a half-marathon, but I certainly didn’t feel like a champion then!

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🎧 The soundtrack for the road
Curious about the music that kept me going?
→ AI Running Playlist Strategy

Recovery and the Lesson of Mind Over Matter

In the days following the race, I became a bottomless pit, eating and sleeping constantly to recover.

While I wouldn’t recommend this level of under-preparation to anyone because it is truly insane, the experience was life-changing.

When I finally got home, I cried the happiest tears I’ve shed in years. I wasn’t just crying because I was exhausted or because Andy was there. Instead, I was crying because I had finally exceeded my own expectations.

I realized that if I can achieve this after only nine days, I can achieve anything. If I truly put my mind to it, there are no limits.

For too long, I had lowered myself to be an agreeable, liked person. However, this race allowed me to reclaim my power. I am done living in the shadows of expectations that were never my own.

This experience proved that mind over matter is real. If you can visualize a goal and silence the internal excuses, you can achieve the impossible.

I am already looking forward to my next goal: a full marathon. This time, I plan to give myself much more than nine days to prepare though.

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🧠 Beyond the Finish Line
The same mindset that got me through those 21.1 kilometers is now at the heart of a new project: supporting my brother as he navigates his own path with nutrition and ADHD.
→ The Sibling Challenge: Healthy Eating for Picky Eaters

Your Turn: Mind Over Matter

We often postpone challenges because we don’t feel ready. But mind over matter means trusting that your internal strength is greater than the external obstacles.

Now let me know:

☀️ What challenge have you been postponing for too long?
☀️ How would your life change if you started believing in yourself?

Start small, get those internal wins, and prove to yourself that you are capable of more than you believe. Ultimately, you are the only one responsible for your life, and I wish for you to take control of it.

I would love to hear about your next challenge! Tag me on Instagram @longbluofficial and let’s challenge each other.

Elevate your standards. Empower your resilience. Evolve into your strongest self.

Hugs,
Mikki