The contest for the most interesting memories from the 16th edition of the Silesia Marathon has come to an end! We received many submissions from you, for which we are sincerely grateful. We are especially delighted that both experienced runners, participants of numerous marathons, and first-time marathoners shared their memories with us.

 

Among the submitted entries, we have awarded two, whose authors are:

 

• Karolina Wosik – ultramarathon runner from Katowice
• Tomasz Daniłowski – marathon runner from Katowice.

 

Additionally, the jury decided to recognize:

 

• Małgorzatę Król-Dopierałę – half-marathon runner from Katowice,
• Jacka Hanarza – marathon runner from Zielonka,
• Monikę Walukiewicz – marathon runner from Siemianowice Śląskie,
• Dariusza Walukiewicza – ultramarathon runner from Siemianowice Śląskie,
• Monikę Mazur – half-marathon runner Ruda Śląska.

 

Today, we are publishing a story submited by Karoliny Wosik.

 

“Never give up on your dreams”… Silesia is a race for happiness. After all, it’s “your race—your victory.”

Karolina Wosik

 

“Never give up on your dreams”—that’s the first memory that comes to mind after this year’s race. Many signs on earth and in the sky pointed this year that I should give up on participating.Nigdy nie rezygnuj z marzeń, to pierwsze wspomnienie, które przychodzi mi na myśl po tegorocznym starcie. Wiele znaków na ziemi i niebie wskazywało w tym roku, że jednak powinnam zrezygnować z udziału.

 

First, there was the sinus infection that I battled for 9 weeks. When it first appeared in mid-August, I never imagined it would disrupt my training plans so much, or that, because of it, I would be considering my participation in this year’s race until the very last moment.

 

For 9 weeks, I tried every possible way to miraculously recover and stick to my training plan. However, instead of improving, the obstacles started piling up like mushrooms after the rain. Not only did I have to train with a dreadful cold, sometimes a head aching from the pressure in my sinuses, and even a fever, but there were also issues with breathing and coughing, which forced me to stop more often than I’d like. The weather in September became rainier as well. At one point, I found myself asking, “Does this make sense?” “What am I doing?”—I can’t even run 10 km without stopping, and I’m planning to run 50 km, with a worse pace than ever ☹. As if that wasn’t enough, two weeks before the start, I suddenly got a toothache. The prolonged sinus infection led to a dental inflammation. Another big question appeared: “What now?” I began to seriously reconsider my plans and wonder if, despite my ambitions, I should just let go this year. My pride wouldn’t let me, but maybe, considering the other challenges I wanted to take on in the near future, I should? Two weeks after the Silesia start, I had plans to embark on my first dream Himalayan trek around Manaslu. Faced with these challenges, I knew I absolutely had to go to the Himalayas healthy. But what if I got injured during Silesia? In the previous 8 editions I had participated in, this had never happened, but it was clear that this year, luck wasn’t on my side. The route was long and demanding, and my condition was poor ☹.

 

On top of everything, this year’s race route was changed due to numerous construction projects in our metropolitan area, and it completely bypassed my neighborhood. How could I run without my own personal cheering zone and without the support of my family at that crucial moment, at the 37 km mark? Could I manage without my loved ones? Or maybe this is another sign to let go?

 

And that’s when I remembered that in May of this year, I had won a new pair of running shoes in a Mizuno contest. How could it be that I don’t have luck? Oh no, not with me—such tricks won’t work, and I won’t give up so easily! Not this time! A true warrior fights to the end.

 

Fot. The trophy Mizuno shoes.

 

That was the turning point. I decided that for the remaining two weeks before the start, I would prepare for Silesia as usual—running as much as I had planned. It didn’t matter that it was a bit slower and with more frequent breaks. At that moment, I only knew one thing: I didn’t have to make the final decision about my participation in the race today.

 

The planned training sessions were completed with both minor and major aches (and with a moral hangover, knowing I should have worked more throughout the whole year, not just in the last two months when my health was throwing unexpected curveballs).

 

The day to pick up the race packet arrived. So, I ran to get the packet as part of my last training, of course, in my “new” Mizuno shoes. Unfortunately, the evening turned out to be quite rainy, and my shoes got so soaked that there was no way I could race in them on Sunday. Another obstacle in my path.

 

Fot. Picking up the race packet in the rain.

 

I adapted the Shakespearean question “To be or not to be” to my own needs: “Run or not run? That is the question.”

 

The atmosphere at the race office, however, gave me positive energy, and already at the stadium, I felt that I wanted to give it a try.

 

And so, without new shoes, with my sinuses still not fully healed, and two packs of tissues in both hands, with a broken tooth and a big question mark about where I was heading and where this year’s race would take me, I decided that I would run. I wouldn’t give up so easily, not today. Despite everything, I would try, and if it got really bad, I could always leave the course— the world wouldn’t end, and the earth would keep spinning. The goal was simply to start. This year, I wasn’t fighting for a better result, time, etc. I was fighting to overcome my weaknesses and cross the finish line. If I succeed, it will be my victory. With this mindset, on October 6, 2024, at 7:30 AM, I started the ultramarathon with my sinuses tightly wrapped and a stockpile of tissues.

 

On the Silesia Ultramarathon route, with my sinuses tightly wrapped up and a smile on my face. (fot. Jakub Borówka)

 

Some friends had trouble recognizing me, but the smile never left my face the entire time. The race route, which I’ve known for many years (aside from the mentioned modifications), still amazed me. I was running in my hometown, surrounded by familiar corners of Chorzów, Katowice, Mysłowice, and Siemianowice Śląskie. And despite the changed route, my family and friends didn’t let me down and showed up at different stages of the course. Thanks to them, I once again have some lovely photo memories from the race. The weather also supported the runners that day—it was fresh and pleasant for running.

 

A meeting with my family on the route. (fot. Dominika Szatka)

 

In the end, I managed to reach the finish line at the Silesian Stadium (overall place 73, 7th among women, and 4th in my age category). Silesia, as always, captivated me, and I already know that next year I want to participate for the 10th time. It will be my 7th start on the ultra route. I also plan to participate in upcoming seasons, but perhaps then I’ll be able to help others fulfill their running dreams, for example, by assisting people in wheelchairs. These are my plans, and life will show how they unfold.

 

The final stretch to the finish line! (fot. Jakub Borówka)

 

Fot. At the finish line! 6.Silesia Ultramarathon

.

Fot. Two weeks later, on a Himalayan trek around Manaslu—wearing my commemorative Silesia Marathon shirt, of course! 😊

 

This whole situation showed me that we gain experience throughout our entire lives. And most importantly, we shouldn’t be afraid to make decisions.

 

Perhaps for some, this will be a story about strength of character, perseverance, and determination that didn’t allow me to give up or quit easily.

 

Maybe for others, this will be a story about the power of dreams.

 

There will surely be those who criticize my training while being sick and say I was tempting fate.

 

Or perhaps, for most, this will be—just as it was for me—a lesson about the lack of discipline and a reminder for the future to train consistently and persistently throughout the year, rather than trying to build endurance just moments before the start.

 

Regardless of how my story is perceived, I believe that our strength and determination to take on challenges are within us. We just need to ignite them and never give up on our dreams.

 

Perhaps someone reading this is wondering whether it’s worth trying their hand at Silesia—my answer is: YES, absolutely YES! If there’s even a spark of interest in trying something, it’s worth following that path. The key is to prepare for it wisely.

 

My conclusions:

– Don’t dramatize.

– Don’t panic—take three deep breaths and calmly make the best decision for yourself (even if it means stepping off the racecourse or withdrawing the day before the start—it might still be the best choice for you).

– Stay consistent and work throughout the year to achieve results on race day.

– Most importantly, don’t give up and don’t let go of your dreams so easily (you can always quit, but it’s always worth trying).

 

Fot. My race – my victory.

 

Karolina Wosik