In retrospect - Göteborgsvarvet - festival level half marathon

I used to think that I couldn't run, that I simply didn't have the build for it.  Running has always been a struggle for me when I was younger. I remember the dreaded track runs at school and having to try measure up to all the others and the burning in my throat from the cold air, and then coughing the rest of the day.
I didn't stop trying, however, but it took years before I realized I was a slow runner. Really slow. I had simply tried too hard before.
When I finally figured out the right tempo was more or less the same as ultra-marathon runners use (super slow) I actually found that running was fun! I started looking for official running events and considered some trail runs. I found out that I could do 10 km and somewhere around 12 km I got the idea, why not 21?

So, with a spot at Göteborgsvarvet, a half marathon, that almost has reached festival status in Gothenburg.

Göteborgsvarvet

It's ridiculously big and constantly growing, I found a more structured training program, increasing the distance gradually. I actually got so invested in running that I sometimes turned down social events in favor of running.
I didn't feel the need to do 21 km before the actual run, but being able to do close to that was the goal.
I found a program online that I revised to fit my needs and I think I settled for the standard increase of max 10 % per week, along with training of stabilizing running muscles - core and lower back in specific. Important!!

I think Runnersworld has some good programs that you can use. Many programs include intervals, tempo training and such. I don't really fancy those types of running (burning throat mentioned earlier), so I just skipped all that.

At this time I found my favourite brand of running shoes - the only ones that have never caused trouble for my knees, Saucony. For a while I had 4 different kinds of Saucony. A soft soled one, Kinvara, which I stopped running in though, because they were too soft. Hattori, a minimalist, zero drop one, that I still sometimes walk with - I don't run minimalist anymore, it was no good for my feet I realized. Kilkenny a thin shoe with spikes which I've mostly used when cross country running on the Faroe Islands (even though they are racing shoes) and then the ones I still use, my regular 12 mm drop, neutral shoes, Ride.

The run is really fun. As mentioned above it is more like a festival. There are people EVERYWHERE. Some runners go through it with different outfits. There is music along the way and some people use the opportunity to engage in a Gbg-Varvet-party. I remember passing a residential area where some people were sitting at the windows a couple of floors up, lowering a bucket filled with ice and gin shots for the runners to grab as they passed. I politely declined, laughing.

The route is a little bit hilly and I know that some people find it a bit arduous. If you're prepared you wont really feel it, is my experience. There are a few ups and downs ranging from sea level to 60 meters, so nothing dramatic. You run along the quay, cross a couple of large bridges and cross through the center of Gothenburg and the start and end is in the greenest area of town, Slottsskogen (Castle forest) close to the botanical garden.

There are shorter runs for kids too and many people use this opportunity to set up a pick-nick site near the finish-line and hang out in sun. After my run several members of my family have done it and hanging out during the run and after has become a thing. I actually gave my brother a spot as a gift without asking him and he ended up doing the race the year after.

I haven't had the opportunity to do the run again, but one day maybe. :-)