So how long is the London Marathon?
In the strict sense of the word, a marathon measures 26.2 miles. But for Kerrie, reflecting here on her training for the 2020 London Marathon after a very emotional race in 2019, it measures so much more.
The Miscarriage Association isn’t just another charity to me but a charity that supports parents who never get to hold their cherished babies - unfortunately miscarriage continues to affect so many and my heart goes out to anyone who is one of the 1 in 4. I stand with you and I run for all our angels.
So how long is the 40th London Marathon?
In the strict sense of the word, a marathon measures 26.2 miles. But for me it measures so much more.
This marathon is different …. this marathon is special ….. not just because it’s the 40th London Marathon …….. but because it is my “redo”.
A marathon is life changing and is measured in part by the months of my training and the sum of all those miles. There are doubts and fears but in the end I face these and trust that this will get me to the end.
A marathon involves my family – my husband , my darling son, my running family, friends and people who love me. Getting up early on a weekend and the orange army running with me and supporting and cheering me in to the finish. Although they don’t always understand why I want to do it again – they support me unconditionally.
A marathon is measured in friendship. My friends and my gym buddies who are so supportive, those of you who read and comment on my blog and the many people that will pass through my mind on race day and I’m sure I will pass through some of theirs.
A marathon is measured in commitment – many situations can and do arise. Training through different conditions: wind, cold, rain, heat. Decisions to be made on social events because my commitment is made.
A marathon is measured in smiles and tears- the smiles because I’ve had a good run or someone’s made a nice comment and the tears when I often doubt myself but I continue pushing on.
A marathon is all the additional hours of thinking, preparing and promoting my fundraising ideas. The Miscarriage Association isn’t just another charity to me but a charity that supports Mummy’s & Daddy’s who never get to hold their cherished babies – unfortunately whilst still taboo miscarriage continues to affect so many and my heart goes out to my family members, friends and anyone who is 1 in 4. I stand with you and I run for all our angels.
BUT ……
This Marathon is also measured in part by the number of views the video of me on Tower Bridge last year has had. The thousands of messages of support and love I received after the marathon last year.
This Marathon is in part measured by the Lady who messaged me after London last year who due to extreme anxiety could not take her little girl to the park but was tormented by seeing it from her living room window, who after seeing my video laced up her trainers and opened the door and fought those demons taking her little girl to that park.
This Marathon is in part measured by the kindness of the Londoner; the lady who walked part of the way with me, the family at mile 17 who made me promise to finish for their angels.
This marathon in part is measured by my friend Fiona who knows me better than myself who when I said I didn’t want to listen to any music played it anyway. Fiona who gave me one of my defining moments of VLM 2019…. This is me blaring out loud and proud as I ran down Horseguards Parade.
This Marathon is in part measured by the guard of honour of Chinese Tourists who clapped me over the finish line.
This Marathon is the hugs and love shown last year from my Husband and Son. My Son who seeing me after I finished said “Mummy I love you just the way you are”.
This Marathon is in part measured by the support shown to me from the online running community and all who got behind my #EveryRunnerCounts message.
This marathon is in part measured by all those messages from people like me who want to lace up their trainers and run, those who feel anxious and question their ability but do it anyway. Those who have messaged me to say that I, with my short plus size legs have inspired them to run. That they believe in themselves
This Marathon is in part the long hours, sweat and tears put in at the gym. Team Rees have become like a family to me, pushing me hard and accepting me. Feeling like I belong I will #getitdone.
So that is why a marathon does NOT measure 26.2 miles. A marathon is not measured by what I will run in 11 weeks’ time on 26 April 2020.
It is measured from way earlier. A marathon is the sum of many things!! A marathon is not just running 26.2 miles – although that is hard enough. It is everything above that will see me through on the day.