Inside The Head Of A First Time Marathon Runner

• THIS IS THE MOST EXCITING THING EVER.

• But what if my legs forget how to run?

• What if my legs drop off?

• 26.2 miles is a really long way.

• Why did I miss that long run that time a couple of months ago?

• shoes … Vaseline … comfy clothes … comfy shoes … comfy everything … safety pins … gels … Garmin … spare Garmin … all the chargers that have ever existed … spare hair ties … sunglasses … porridge … malt loaf … kitchen sink …

• No. Really. Shoes.

• Whose stupid idea was this, anyway?

• I am very very insane. Obviously.

• Where did I put my train tickets?

• What if all the trains break down and I don’t get there in time to get my number?

• Remember that you always feel terrible until about 4 miles in.

• You know you can get to 20 miles, and then it’s only a 10K and you can crawl that if you have to. Probably.

• I AM REALLY EXCITED.

• AND ALSO TERRIFIED.

• How many different kinds of weather is it reasonable for a paranoid Glaswegian to pack for?

• It won’t snow in Brighton in April, right?

• Am I hydrated enough? Am I hydrated too much? What colour is my wee?

• What if I sleep through my alarm?

• I had a dream the other night that I went the wrong way and accidentally ran to London. It’s not impossible.

• *brain explodes*

• *words that my grandmother thinks I don’t know in the general direction of my running shoes and the cats*

• What have I forgotten? It is not possible that I haven’t forgotten anything.