London Marathon Training by the Numbers: Long Runs, Viral Workouts, and a Mission That Matters
With the London Marathon just weeks away, the numbers are finally stacking up in a way that tells the truth about this training cycle — the miles, the mishaps, the experiments, and the purpose behind every step.
📊 Training snapshot
20 miles logged yesterday — the longest run of this cycle
1 more 20‑miler left before taper
3+ hours spent doing the Taylor Swift Eras Tour Treadmill Challenge (but not on a treadmill) earlier this week
44 songs in the playlist I used
0 tracks from The Tortured Poets Department included… because I accidentally used the pre‑TTPD playlist
2 p.m.: the time I finally got my iced coffee + breakfast sandwich
4th World Marathon Major star on the line
Yes, I did the viral Eras Tour treadmill challenge — the one inspired by Taylor Swift’s training regimen for her 3‑hour shows. It’s basically a progressive‑endurance fever dream: run fast for the upbeat songs, jog or walk for the slower ones, and try not to burn out before “Karma.” It’s a surprisingly legit workout… and also a surprisingly humbling one. Especially when you realize halfway through that you’re using the wrong playlist and missing an entire album’s worth of tracks. When Taylor famously asks if you have 10 minutes, for this particular run the answer was heck yes… but times 29.
Yesterday’s 20‑miler almost didn’t happen — I woke up feeling sick and genuinely questioned whether I should push it. But I took it mile by mile and got it done. These are the runs that remind you why marathon training is equal parts physical and mental.
🧪 Gear testing gone wrong (and right)
Because no training cycle is complete without a questionable decision, I also made the mistake of testing a new race‑day crop top without pre‑washing it. Mid‑run, I looked down and saw color bleeding onto my skin and immediately panicked that I was chafing through the fabric.
Good news: it wasn’t chafing.
Bad news: I now know exactly what shade of red this shirt bleeds when mixed with sweat, and that it can go through an outer layer as well. Yikes.
Consider this your friendly reminder: wash your running gear first.
📈 Race outlook
After a surprisingly strong performance at the E. Murray Todd Half Marathon, I’m heading into London with some reasonable goals, a flexible mindset and a belief in the occasional unexpected race-day magic.
If there’s one thing running keeps teaching me, it’s that your body will surprise you — sometimes in the best ways.
💙 Fundraising progress
Here’s where I could use your help.
£2,000 fundraising goal
60% funded
40% left to go
I’m running for the Brain & Spine Foundation, the only UK‑wide charity supporting people across more than 600 neurological conditions — conditions that affect 1 in 6 people in the UK. Their work provides professional guidance, reduces anxiety, and helps families navigate everything from first symptoms to long‑term management.
I know that anxiety well. I’m grateful for my own recent positive outcome, and I’m committed to helping ensure others have access to the same kind of support.
🏃♀️ Who I’m running for
This marathon is personal. I’m running in memory of my mom, in memory of my Aunt, Kathy Ensley. And as always, In honor of our own little stroke survivor, Logan. If someone in your family has a connection to neurological conditions, I would be honored to dedicate part of my race to them as well.
🔗 How you can help
If you haven’t donated yet and are able to contribute, even a small amount moves this mission forward. Every pound helps me get closer to the finish line — both literally and figuratively.
Thank you for being part of this journey. I’ll be sharing more updates as London gets closer, both here and on Instagram. The miles are winding down, the packing is ramping up, and I’m ready to carry all of these stories with me to the start line.