I started training for the Brighton Marathon on April 12th 2026 on World Mental Health Day October 10th 2025. You can read all about why I'm running a marathon and how my training started here.
Prior to this the last time I'd run was when I was in school in the late 80's.
I'm 54, I'm smoke 15 cigarettes a day. I like to walk and did so regularly with our dog, Bob until he died in 2023 and I swim occasionally.
I've been running/walking 3 times a week following the couch to 5k. The furthest I've run to date is 5k. I have however been walking and trekking routes up to 17k twice a week trying to run at least 5k.
I took part in a Winter Walk in London in January where I walked 26.2 miles in 7 hours and 44 mins. My reason for doing this, is because the Brighton marathon has a cut off for a medal of 8 hours and I really want something to keep from the day as well as my other reasons for entering the marathon in the first place.
After running my first parkrun in November 2025, I really struggled with running 3 times a week as by the time I was getting home from work at 4.15pm it was dark outside. It's hard in Malvern to find a flat route to run without going round in circles unless I run through the industrial park or off road and as you may appreciate these are isolated areas after working hours and in the dark.
I'm not one for joining groups, I tried a walking group in January to trek the end to end Malvern Hills, the pace was too slow for me, despite promises that you had to be of a certain fitness level and I was getting cold and after a few miles I just had to leave the group at British Camp and continue the walk on my own.
But I plucked up the courage and I joined the gym with the hope of using the treadmill to run on. It didn't go to plan, it hurt my feet running on the spot, but the cross trainer, bike and rowing machine are great with helping me to build up strength and stamina.
I was ill over the New Year and had got behind with the running but had been doing a lot of walking, especially over the hills. I started running again and did a parkrun the end of January, and I've been out running after work, now the evenings have been getting lighter, even when it's been raining.
I'm struggling to regulate my temperature in this cold and rain. I'm too cold when I leave the house, so I've started with a brisk walk into town, where Peter has met me and has then taken my coat back home while I've run back and I've been spending more time in the gym, working on strengthening my inner and outer thighs and my shoulders and chest and using the cross trainer more often for longer periods of time.
But I need to get back running and on the road more. I'm running where and when I can. Instead of catching the bus after the football. I run/walk back to the train after the match.
And now I'm giving up smoking. I've stopped many times before and restarted again. I'm in Northern Ireland for the February half term. It had been my plan to run while I was here and to stop smoking. I''ve not run at all. I've walked the dogs every morning, but it's been so cold and wet and windy, I've put it the bare minimum. But I have gone 2 days so far without a cigarette.
I am receiving support from my GP and Boots online pharmacy with taking Varenicline. This medication is not nicotine replacement. I've tried that and vaping alternatives before. it's the habit I need to break. I successfully stopped smoking in the past using Champix which this medication was previously called and no excuses other than extreme stress, relocating to the UK during the height of covid, hotel quarantine, having been separated from Peter, restrictions on us both from travelling (not just going on holiday).
Varenicline reduces nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. You pick a date between day 8 and 14 to stop smoking but by day 5 I'd just gone off the idea of wanting or needing one and the smell of stale tobacco on a hat made me feel a little sick. It costs £89 a month for 3 months. I'm currently spending around that per week on cigarettes.
Sometimes I set myself goals that are just too high. I've taken on too much at the moment. Too much is out of my control.
The weather is my biggest enemy. It's too cold and wet and windy to be out running. I've got to focus my time and energy on stopping smoking and not worry and stress myself out about not running this week or next week even.
The Brighton marathon is 7 weeks on Sunday. As long as I'm not smoking I know I'll find it much easier to be running and walking. I already know I can walk a marathon in under 8 hours I already know I can do it physically and mentally.
I can still go to the gym next week.
