I was moving a little slower than usual this morning, and I have yesterday’s 20‑miler to thank for that. It was one of those long training runs that looms on the calendar for weeks — the kind you plan your entire weekend around. Thankfully, there’s only one more 20‑mile effort left before taper begins.
People often ask how anyone finds time to train for a marathon, and the truth is: most runs aren’t this long. But the ones that are require strategy, childcare coordination, weather‑stalking and a little bit of luck.
Yesterday, luck felt questionable. I woke up feeling sick and genuinely wasn’t sure the run would happen. It took me an hour to get out the door because I wanted to make sure I could even power through a portion of the run.
But I laced up anyway, took it one mile at a time, and somehow powered through. And let me tell you: nothing tastes better than a fresh iced coffee and a breakfast sandwich at 2 p.m. when you’ve earned every crumb.
With the big mileage winding down, the packing and prep are ramping up. I’m in that phase where I’m trying to figure out what to wear on race day without having the slightest clue what the London weather will decide to do. I’ve also been experimenting with fun mocktails — current favorite: apple cider + cherry concentrate + ginger beer concentrate. It’s giving “fall marathon energy,” even if the race is in April.
After my surprise performance at the E. Murray Todd Half Marathon, I’m heading into London with reasonable expectations and an open mind. Race day magic is real, and sometimes the best moments are the ones you don’t see coming.
But while the training miles are adding up, the fundraising miles need a little boost.
I’m currently 60% of the way to my £2,000 goal for the Brain & Spine Foundation, the only UK‑wide charity providing professional information and support for the more than 600 neurological conditions that affect 1 in 6 people in the UK. Their work helps reduce anxiety and guide individuals, families, and healthcare professionals from the first symptoms through long‑term management.
I know firsthand how overwhelming that uncertainty can be. I’m grateful for my own recent positive outcome, and I’m deeply committed to helping ensure others have the support they need throughout every stage of their neurological journey.
This marathon — my fourth World Marathon Major — is personal. I’m running in memory of my mom and my Aunt Kathy Ensley, and in honor of our own little stroke survivor, Logan. If you or someone in your family has a personal connection to this cause, I would be honored to dedicate part of my run to them as well.
If you haven’t donated yet and are able to contribute, even a small amount makes a meaningful difference. Your support helps fuel both the miles and the mission.
Thank you, truly, for being part of this journey. If you want to follow along through the final stretch of training, I’m sharing updates on Instagram and, for the more detailed runner POV, on Substack. London is getting close — and I’m ready to carry all of these stories with me to the start line.
Run looks via LTK:
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