Running the London Marathon was a milestone and not the pinnacle of my running journey

by Joe Whipp

When Andrew suggested I run the London Marathon, I heard myself saying the same words I uttered five years earlier, when someone suggested I attempt ParkRun, “I couldn’t run that far!”.  

In 2013, my son, Jean-Luc, said he wanted to take up running, so my wife Googled running and came across ParkRun. Despite having no prior knowledge, I took him along to Grovelands Park the following Saturday. 

For five years, I stood on the sidelines, my heart swelling with pride as Jean-Luc dashed through the finishing funnel. Each new PB was a testament to his growing passion for running. I became a fixture at these events –  my voice joining the chorus, cheering for Jean-Luc and the familiar faces of regular runners. But I was the supporter, the cheerleader, not the participant. 

Yet, the seeds of change were sown by the kind words of fellow ParkRun enthusiasts.

“Why don’t you give it a try?” they’d ask. I politely refused, for fear of that ‘never-ending incline’, until a warm July morning in 2018 when I ventured to walk a single lap of the three-lap circuit. The incline was as relentless as I had feared, each step a battle against gravity and self-doubt, But I continued to walk that lap for two more weeks, my resolve growing with every panting breath. 

Then came the question from Jean-Luc that shifted everything, “Why not complete the course?” he asked. I explained that I wanted to be at the finish line for him, to be the first to celebrate his victories. His reply was all the motivation I needed, “You have been supporting me for the last five years, now it is my time to do the same for you”.

The following week, I stepped out of the shadows and into my own journey, with a heart full of mixed emotions. I began by walking the full 5 km; each step a conversation with myself and a negotiation between willpower and weariness. As I crossed the finish line, it was Jean-Luc’s face I sought in the crowd, his cheer the sweetest of all. 

Fast forward five years, I agreed to enter The London Marathon – an event I’d always admired from afar. Since its inception in 1981, I watched in awe as thousands of runners conquered the iconic 26 miles, but it wasn’t until April 21st this year that I fully appreciated the accomplishment and the emotional journey it takes you through. Jean-Luc’s unwavering support was the cornerstone of my marathon journey. His reassurance not only led me to apply but also became the fuel for my training. Side by side, we pounded the pavement on many long runs during the 16 weeks of training. 

The serendipitous meeting with Sarah and Mo from The Running Channel added a touch of star-studded luck to the big day. Their well wishes were a bonus to the already mounting excitement. Could the day get any better? Nothing could have prepared me for the electrifying energy of the crowds. Their roars  and personalised cheers created an atmosphere that was both overwhelming and uplifting – each shout of my name propelling me forward. 

As I approached Tower Bridge, the halfway mark, a wave of emotion overcame me. Tears blurred my vision as I caught sight of the bridge, a symbol of my progress and a testament to my determination. Having never run any races longer than 10 km, this point was a victory in itself and a shift in perspective from ‘glass half empty’ to ‘glass half full’. 

In the midst of physical exhaustion, it was the voices in my head that echoed the encouragement I give to my students that became my mantra: “Keep going – you can do this!” These words, usually meant to inspire others, now served as my own source of motivation to face the second half of the marathon. 

I was always going to get a PB as it was my first marathon but my plan to finish in under four hours was curtailed by two rookie mistakes. I started the race alongside a four-hour pacer and listened intently to how he would pace the race. Unfortunately, due to the long wait at the start, I had to make a pit stop at the first mile marker causing me to fall behind. I picked up my pace and caught him before mile three, but this was rookie mistake number one. Rookie mistake number two was continuing to run straight past him after catching him up. I felt good in a rhythm of at least 20 seconds per km quicker than I planned, so stayed in front of him all the way to the 20-mile marker, when I began to struggle and came face to face with ‘The Wall’ that I’d heard so much about. Time for plan B. I was determined to finish the race without walking so started reducing my pace. And what a feeling when I crossed the finish line! None of the setbacks mattered when I received my finishers medal. 

If you ever need the motivation to do something you’ve never tried before, listen to those who encourage you. Have no fear of mistakes but learn from those that you make. If you had asked me after the race if I would do it again, I’m pretty sure the answer would have been no. But a few days later, I entered the ballot for next year in the knowledge that my inspiration from five years earlier, Jean-Luc, had already entered, motivated by what I achieved.