Post. Half. Mara.

Phew. What a wild ride that was. I’m only able to get my head around it 4 days post-race, as well as getting my body back to a relatively-normal state. Because I knew the distance was tough, I know hills are rough, but the combination really took everything to get through 13.1 miles, 21.somethingK in Windsor Great Park.

I’d gone in with a plan to run 5km, walk a little then repeat until the finish line, I ended up with a LOT more walking (wow, those hills) and started to dread incline AND decline! No one warns you how downhills fatigue your core, your hips working overtime to stabilise you through each step. I felt towards the end of this race the way I would usually feel 2-3 days after a really tough event, where the body seizes up before the finish line is even in sight. So physically, this drained me, BUT, it did way for me beyond the challenge of getting through it.

I showed up for myself when I could have bailed for XYZ reason.

I proved to myself that even an non-‘ideal’ training block, the distance was possible.

I learned that I have a resilience that sees me to the end, but that I had to dig the deepest for.

I put value on completion over chasing a PB, this changed my outlook to one of way more compassion for myself.

On crossing the line to see my boyfriend, my mum and the boy (our beloved dog), I had a wave of appreciation for the ability to run. Because despite the rain at 17k, the relentless undulation, the less-than-ideal training before the race, I could still cross the line and be reunited with my people, a little frazzled, tomato-faced and a lot exhausted, but I did it!

This race was beautifully mapped out, so many opportunities to look around and feel blown away by the landscape, the sights, sounds and smells of autumn all around made the distance that bit more manageable. Aid stations never far away and so many incredible volunteers and race staff, so that in the depths of the challenge, support could be found. You can find out more about 2026 here.

So afterwards? I was straight to my mat, nourishing the body with a lot of rest and care, easing my way back to movement and already mapping out the next adventure. It’s gonna involve a lot of strength training, let me tell you.