The busy mummies guide to finishing a marathon

So a few weeks ago I wrote an article called “The busy mummies guide to running a marathon“.

Sunday 14th June was marathon day.

My training plan hadn’t really altered since I wrote the article above. So lots of running up the stairs, lots of squats and heel raises whilst ironing, constant wearing of our 9 month old in the Baby Bjorn, and a few laps of the outside of the house two weeks ago when a friend was over for the weekend and watched the children for me.

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Once again, I wouldn’t advocate this training preparation but what I know now is that after 4 babies and zero official training I can still run a marathon.

For me, running a marathon is 80% mind and 20% body…which is a good job really.

This was one of the times when it was easy to break down the race in my head. A marathon is 26.2 miles or 42 km, so for me that was 10km dedicated to each of the children and then the last 2km just for me.

So I spent the first 10km thinking about this beauty:

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The next 10km thinking about this comic genius:

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The next 10km thinking about this little Houdini:

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The next 10km thinking about this little cherub:

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And the last 2km thinking I did it, I did it, I did it.

Every marathon I have ever done has it’s low and high points. This time it went a bit like this:

Low points

  • The first mile – thinking what was I thinking?
  • The sun – I was willing it to rain
  • The poor marshaling in sections – meaning I had to double back four times during the race
  • My ever expanding boobs that really needed to feed my little man
  • The salt from the sea stinging my face
  • The man who told me “it’s downhill from here” – lies!

High points

  • The end of each 10km section
  • The halfway marker
  • The 20 mile marker
  • The children who lined the streets and high fived the runners
  • Running along Penny Lane listening to a DJ playing the song
  • Seeing my supporters at the finish line
  • Having the two big kids run the last 100 meters with me – that was my race highlight!

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48 comments

  1. What a brilliant achievement – well done to you! I’m only now getting back into exercising and am just starting off walking…small steps though and they’ll soon turn into something great!

  2. Absolutely amazing accomplishment! Well done and what a wonderful method to get through each 10k! I’m sure thinking about your amazing children made it that little bit easier to focus on finishing.
    Thank you for joining this week’s #sharethejoy! Having so much fun co-hosting and getting introduced to your blog x

  3. You are officially amazing! 9 months postnatal?! Loads of tips I can take here for my half in Sept thanks – esp about mind over body. Love that you thought of your kids. I did a 10k for Sport Relief and thought of all the people I met in Africa with Comic Relief. It does work!

  4. Oh my god you are amazing! I started running last year but over the last few months I have completely stopped- I need to get back into it. I have done a few half marathons but can’t bring myself to do a full one- I am worried I won’t have enough time to dedicate to training. Massive congratulations. x

  5. Congratulations! You are AMAZING!!! I have to laugh mentioning running #5km on my blog today, but as you know planning the Paris one next spring and have been asked to run the Venice marathon this October… still have not decided. Training while looking after 2 is bloody hard! I have no idea how you have managed to do so while looking after 4!!! You rock! #FitnessTuesday

    1. Ooh not done the Venice one – I bet that would be good! Go for it 🙂 I basically didn’t train as such as I don’t have any spare time so I improvised and made the day into an exercise plan lol 🙂

  6. I’ve just discovered your blog and read this post… congratulations on the marathon! I’ve set myself the challenge of a marathon in 10 months time – the first since having babies. Am nervous about fitting in the training this time round… you’re an inspiration!

  7. Just shows what a mum can do when she puts her mind to it! Fantastic achievement and I really enjoyed reading about it. How fab your 2 big ones got to run with you. Also how you managed to run with bursting boobs I’ll never know!

    1. Thank you! Yes it was so great they could run with me at the end. We had to walk through the Echo Arena at the end and they loved it. Expanding boobs was the worst part .

  8. Amazing! I love how your children inspired you to finish it too! This made me think of that goal that I want and none can help me do. And after reading this I was like Your son! YOu can use your son as your muse!

    Thanks for sharing this. A really inspiring post.

    #sharewithme

  9. Oh wow!! Big congratulations, you did amazing !!

    Love your training plan, I hope to get in London next year and follow you tips on getting myself around!!

    Thanks for sharing at the weekend blog hop…

  10. Huge well done lady! You did amazing. Good for you I wish my knees could handle a marathon I would love to do one someday. Proud of you. Thanks for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme

    1. Thanks Jenny – that’s so nice! There was a man running without any trainers on. I couldn’t figure out if it was a challenge or if he took them off…now that would have hurt I think!

  11. Well done! I’d love to run a marathon one day, but need to find some motivation to lose some weight first. Congrats! Thanks for linking up to the #BinkyLinky

  12. Wow that was a bit of inspiration! I’m trying to get back into running but am struggling to make time with just one little one. Thanks for reminding me that it is possible if I set my mind to it!

    1. Thank! Yes – I decided I if wait I will be waiting a VERY long time so I just have to turn the day into an exercise routine. Thanks for reading 🙂

  13. This is awesome!! So pleased for you. Well done. Loved the high points. Thanks for linking up with us on the #bigfatlinky hope to see you there this week

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