"London Marathon 2025: Getting in Shape Again for the Ultimate Running Challenge!"

The Easter holiday rolls on, and with it comes the glorious gift of sleep — the kind that doesn’t feel like you’re just borrowing time from tomorrow. I woke at a sensible hour, which is a rarity during term time, and the whole family headed out for a grand occasion: breakfast at Wetherspoons. There’s something oddly reassuring about it. The food arrives exactly at the temperature you’d describe as “edible if you hurry,” and the prices mean you can feed a family without needing to remortgage the house. We left well-fed and with the vague sense of having narrowly avoided third-degree tongue burns. Pre-Run Rituals and Gypsy Tart Promises On the way back, we visited the town’s new bakery, which is a danger to both waistlines and wallets. There I secured the all-important post-run Gypsy Tart — the Kentish nectar of victory — before heading home to begin the pre-run rituals. These currently involve lacing up trainers and aggressively applying Deep Heat to my still-complaining back, which ...

The Reluctant Start Some days, stepping out the door for a run is an act of sheer enthusiasm. Today was not one of those days. The lingering effects of yesterday’s double threshold session clung to me like an overenthusiastic relative at a family reunion. My legs, in particular, were staging a quiet protest, demonstrating all the flexibility and responsiveness of a pair of ancient oak trees. It took until the afternoon before the rest of me joined in on the idea that running was, in fact, happening. The Stockers Hill Question The plan for today was a 55-minute base run, and I set off towards Highsted Valley with the vague notion of letting the route decide itself. Of course, this meant that the route, being a fickle and slightly malevolent entity, led me to the bottom of Stockers Hill. At this point, the sensible thing to do would have been to turn around and choose a gentler incline. Naturally, I did not do the sensible thing. Stockers Hill is one of those climbs that seems to stretch...

The Challenge of a Sore Back Day 12 of my London Marathon 2025 training, and a new challenge has appeared: lower back pain. Being on the taller side, I’ve had my fair share of back twinges, but today the discomfort made itself known during my 30-minute base run. What started as a minor annoyance quickly escalated, turning the run into a balancing act between determination and common sense. Climbing Maidstone Road Hill My route today included Maidstone Road hill—a stretch that can make even the fittest runner question their life choices. With every step up the incline, my back pain seemed to double down, forcing me to dig deep just to keep moving. It was a reminder that even the simplest runs can demand more than expected. A Rest Day Comes at the Right Time Thankfully, the universe seems to have a sense of timing, as tomorrow’s training plan includes a rest day. The forecast of icy conditions feels like an extra nudge to take it easy. As much as I enjoy pushing through challenges, the c...