Day 9 of my London Marathon Training: Hills, history, and a little bit of humour

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Day 9 of my London Marathon 2023 training blog and I have to say, that 5:15am start is getting harder and harder each time. Especially when you finish work at 9pm the night before, like I did. It's like my body is telling me, "Erm, remember that thing called sleep? You should probably try that more often." But, when you have a goal as big as running the London Marathon, sacrifices have to be made, right?

Today's training run took me back to Rochester, and it was a pretty straightforward 45-minute run in heart rate zone 2. Although, I have to admit, there were a couple of difficult moments. My school is located at the top of a hill, and let me tell you, running down it into Rochester is easy. The problem comes when you want to run back up it. It's like the hill is taunting you, saying "You thought you were done with me? Oh no, we're just getting started." But, I pushed through, and I'm proud to say that I made it back to the top without stopping to catch my breath.

Black and white photo of The Vines, Rochester

One thing I love about running in Rochester is that it's a beautiful, historic city. You get to run past the ancient castle, the stunning cathedral, and charming little shops that make you feel like you've stepped back in time. It's a great way to clear your head and forget about the daily grind, even if just for a little while.

But, as much as I love the sights and sounds of Rochester, I have to admit that the hills are a bit of a love-hate relationship. On one hand, they're great for building up leg strength and endurance, but on the other hand, they're the bane of my existence. I find myself muttering curses under my breath as I trudge up yet another incline. But, I know that the pain and suffering will all be worth it when I cross that finish line in London and achieve my dream of completing the marathon.

Route map of run

In all seriousness, I know that training for a marathon is no joke, and it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. But, I also believe that a little bit of humour and perspective goes a long way. So, if you're also training for a marathon, or any other big goal, don't take yourself too seriously. Remember to have fun, enjoy the journey, and don't be afraid to swear at a hill or two along the way.

Till next time, Happy Running! 

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