London Marathon - THE DOUBLE

You’ve secured your place in your first Major — London, here we come! — and between one scream of excitement and the next, you’re already feeling a little breathless? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.

Running 42 kilometres requires plenty of training and a good pair of shoes, of course. But the muscle that will work the hardest is your mind. Here’s how to train it without losing your sanity:

1. Invite anxiety out for coffee:
   Anxiety will show up — it’s inevitable. Instead of fighting it, accept it. It’s simply excitement disguised as panic. Let it run beside you, but remind it that you’re the one in control.

2. Your watch is not your boss:
   Why do we run? To feel good and feel alive. A Major is a 42-kilometre celebration. If you spend the whole race staring at your smartwatch, you’ll miss the cheering crowds, the music and the incredible energy. Your real personal best will be crossing the finish line with a huge smile on your face.

3. Visualise the magic — and the struggle:
   Picture the beauty of the course, but prepare yourself for the famous “wall” too. Find your mantra now — something as simple as “one step at a time” or “I’m doing this for myself” can work wonders — and keep it in your pocket for the difficult moments.

4. Protect your bubble:
   In the weeks leading up to the race, unsolicited advice will come at you from every direction. Put your brain on aeroplane mode: listen only to your body, your training plan and the people who genuinely support you.

The real race begins in your mind.

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