My 4 Key Learns

Happy Friday!

I wanted to share my 4 key reflections and learns from the London Marathon today.

⭐️Surround yourself with people who lift you higher 

I know how important this is both professionally and personally, I now know how important this is for you physically and mentally too – the top left picture is me with my physio Suzie Flohr.  6 weeks ago it was doubtful if I could actually get to the start after my knee gave out in the middle of a long training run and I developed ITB  (I didn’t tell many people this at the time as I didn’t want to let Samaritans or Clare down).  Suzie used her expertise, skill and encouragement to get me safely to the start line on Sunday.  She is someone who lifts me higher along with my brilliant family, friends and clients.

⭐️The importance of purpose and WHY when the going gets really tough 

I focus on this heavily in the work I do day in, day out and this came to the fore for me at mile 13.5 on Sunday when my knee had given out. Miles 14-19 were really painful and I had to dig deep.  I thought about Clare, Marie and her family so much.  I also thought about my dear friends' cousin that I'd found out the day before had taken his own life at such a young age – I ran one of my miles for him. I thought about all those who had sponsored me - we had raised £4500 just before I set off, by the finish we’d raised another £700 – the total this morning is now over £5500 which is staggering. This amount enables so many people to get the help they need. 

⭐️The kindness of strangers

The lady pictured bottom right helped me at mile 16 to find my pain killers and gave me water to take them, she hugged me, reassured me and reset me.  I'm desperate to find her to say thank you properly. At Marylebone on our way home she came up and hugged me - out of all the thousands of people she was there at the station.  Sunday was full of people like this both running and spectating – people all there for a common goal – to support and help.  I helped a man at mile 25 who was in tears with hip pain - he just needed a hug and encouragement to get him to the end.

⭐️The importance of being proud and marking your achievements 

Today I feel proud of what I have done and achieved.  A marathon is a mental challenge and a physical challenge. I'm proud that I committed to my training plan with dedication and discipline. I'm proud of how much we have raised and also the awareness we have raised for Samaritans. I am proud that I dug deep and finished my race and I am proud that over 3 London Marathons I've raised very close to £14,000 + gift aid to support Age UK, British Heart Foundation and Samaritans. It's so important to be proud of yourself, mark your achievements and believe in yourself. 

Thank you to every single person who donated or shared our story. Marie Wicker 🌈 and I are so grateful. I don't know everyone personally to thank but THANK YOU!

Samaritans thank you for letting me run for your incredible charity. 💚💚💚