THE LAST 6.2 MILES

It’s been an incredible journey for me from 5k to my first marathon. From battling injuries to training in the rain, I don’t think I’ve ever taken on anything so demanding (mentally and physically), but also so rewarding. And I say that, four days after the Brighton Marathon 2019, legs feeling on fire, but with an overwhelming sense of pride.

I am a marathon runner, and that can never be taken away from me. In upcoming posts, I’ll blog about the overall experience and what I’ve learnt, but for this one, I want to talk about the last 6.2 miles.

These miles are the most brutal miles I’ve ever faced. It’s where marathon runners really earn their medal. It’s why the marathon is so special. It’s why a marathon is 26.2 miles, not 20 miles.

From mile 20 onwards, the battle becomes both physical and mental. It’s almost surreal. Why? Because those miles are specifically designed to break you. Your body. Your morale. Your resolve.

If you’ve done the training, you’ll be able to do the first 20 miles. These miles are when you can soak in the atmosphere, get into a rhythm, look around and enjoy yourself.