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

The Elusive Concept of a Lie-In With the pressure of last week’s early start behind me, today’s long run came with a rare and glorious luxury: a slightly more relaxed morning. Now, any parent knows that “waking naturally” is a mythical event, usually accompanied by small feet in the ribs or a panicked shout about missing socks. Nevertheless, I managed what passes for a gentle start, complete with a toasted bagel and a cup of coffee brewed with the reverence it deserves—i.e., strong enough to wake the dead or at least mildly prod them. Off into the Green The weather was kind, the sun giving everything that warm glow which makes you momentarily forget that your legs are about to spend over an hour questioning your life choices. Setting out through the gentle countryside around Sittingbourne, I felt immediately at ease—legs ticking over nicely, heart rate nestled contentedly in the right range, and pace hovering around what I imagine (or hope, perhaps delusionally) will be marathon da...

A Dawn Departure Sunday is usually the one day I can ease into the morning with a leisurely start, a small breakfast and perhaps even the Sunday morning news. But not today. With a packed family schedule ahead, I was out of the door by 6:30am for a long run into the countryside surrounding Sittingbourne. The world at that hour was still waking up and the mist rising from the roads had the look of something out of a poem—probably one where everyone dies tragically at the end, but beautiful nonetheless. The roads were quiet, save for the occasional early riser walking a dog that looked as though it, too, wished it was still in bed. A Miniature Railway and a Detour Partway through the run, I decided to hunt down the elusive Torry Hill railway. I had only found it once before and it remains one of those places where if you blink at the wrong moment, you’ll find yourself lost in the woods composing your own missing person poster. The turning for it is little more than an unassuming muddy pa...

I'm writing today's post under the shadow of the great arch of Wembley Stadium, where history has been made, dreams have been shattered, and—more importantly—where I am currently nursing a coffee in a rather cramped Pret a Manger. The girls are off enjoying Disney on Ice at Wembley Arena and I am making the most of my waiting time, valiantly trying to make this coffee last long enough to justify my table occupancy. There’s a Five Guys just around the corner, which is whispering sweet promises of burgers and fries for dinner and I am beginning to think resistance is futile. The Case of the Unravelling Trainer This morning’s long run was always going to be a squeeze thanks to today’s trip to Wembley, but I managed to get out early, following a route that could soon become my usual—down into the Highsted Valley and up towards Milstead. The air was crisp, the roads were quiet, and everything was going smoothly until I noticed a strange sensation underfoot. It felt as though my tra...

Day 16 of my London Marathon 2025 training, and Sunday brought the usual long run, with a slight increase in duration to 1 hour and 12 minutes. Given it was still extremely cold (-4 degrees), it felt even longer! However, the sun was shining in the sky and there was little wind, so it made for a pleasant run. Into the Countryside My route today took me out from home, on the outskirts of Sittingbourne, into the neighbouring countryside. I crossed some frozen paths, a reminder that winter running requires extra caution. These paths, with their subtle shimmer of ice, seemed to say, "Tread carefully, or you might end up testing the ground’s sense of humour." Still, the crisp air and the golden light of the morning made the journey worthwhile. Heading towards the village of Rodmersham, I encountered a series of gently sloping roads and frosty hedgerows. Sadly, it wasn’t time to stop at the pub (perhaps that's a future reward for post-run recovery), so I turned around and made ...