There’s a little over a week to go until I’ll be running the London Marathon! Thanks to New Balance and Sports Direct Running, I’ve got the opportunity to run one of the world’s most coveted races. How do I feel about it? Pretty awesome actually!
My London Marathon Goal
So as most of you may know, I have run a marathon before. Last year I ran the Brighton Marathon (shout out to all this who just finished it…you are amazing!) and I was actually pretty calm about the whole experience. I guess with it being my first marathon my goal was based on numbers everyone else was talking about. Sub 4, sub 4, sub 4! I made the conscious decision to set a few smart goals. Sub 4, 4:15 and 4:30. After hitting 4:12 I was glad to finish let alone hit a time!
That brings me to now! I’m running one of the biggest marathons in the world (it’s a damn major!!) so I gotta have a goal right? First and foremost, beating my time from last year is the main thing! Second to that is a Sub 4. After that it’s just enjoying an amazing run with the support of an amazing crowd.
The Pressure of the London Marathon
Honestly, this is probably one of the most pressured events I have had to do. I will be in my home city for one and most definitely surrounded by a whole lot of people I know. It’s my second marathon so automatically you have something to compare it to. People are no longer thinking ‘great you have done a marathon’, it almost turns to ‘hey, did you do better then last time?’ The key, I guess, is to keep a clear mind and stay focused on the task at hand. Not using the pressure as a negative but a positive as ultimately, everyone wants you to do well and (cue the corny line) pressure makes diamonds!
My Saving Grace
The one thing I do know is that I have done the distance before. Even though anything can happen in those 26.2 miles, knowing that I’ve ran that distance and more on 3 separate occasions (The Brighton Marathon, Europe’s Toughest Mudder and Spartan Ultra), I know I can do it again.
Overall, at this point I am very excited to be. taking part in the London Marathon! To this day I have only heard great things and no one has ever regretted taking part. Am I nervous? Yes, of course. Will I get over it? Damn straight I will. In not too long I will be one of those lucky people to finally say ‘I have run the London Marathon!’. April 28th can’t come around any quicker!
Are you doing the London Marathon this year? How are you feeling about it? Do you have a goal time? Have you run the London Marathon before? Do you have any tips for me? Let me know in the comments below and thanks for reading!
Leave a Reply