The London Marathon is not just a race its an experience to remember forever.
This is my second time running it in aid of the Stroke Association a cause that means more to me than any finish line ever could. Training again has reminded me that marathon preparation is less about glory and more about grit. It’s freezing 6am starts. It’s negotiating wind tunnels along the beach. It’s learning once again that you need to prepare.
But this year, I’m doing it smarter.
One of the biggest changes I’ve made this year is exploring NAD+ as part of my wider recovery routine. I’ve been using a NAD+ kit from my-peptides.co.uk, incorporating it carefully alongside structured rest, nutrition and mobility work.
NAD+ is a molecule naturally present in the body and often discussed in endurance and longevity circles. For me personally, I’ve felt more consistent between sessions this training block. Whether that’s the combination of smarter programming, better sleep, or the addition of NAD+, I can’t say for certain but I’ve approached this year with more focus on recovery than ever before.
Anything like this should always be approached responsibly and ideally with professional guidance.
Marathon training is, at its core, a recovery game. The stronger you repair, the stronger you return.
Head to Toe in Goodmove
I’m training head to toe in Goodmove by Marks & Spencer and honestly, it’s been a revelation.
Goodmove has quietly become one of the most reliable performance ranges on the high street. The Ultraheat™ Half Zip Running Top has been a winter essential lightweight but properly thermal, keeping muscles warm without overheating once the pace picks up. The muscle vests are breathable and cut properly for movement, not vanity sizing. And the layered sport shorts are built for mileage no chafing, no riding up, no distractions.
What I love most is that it feels technical without feeling try-hard. It wicks, stretches, regulates temperature and washes brilliantly which matters when you’re clocking 20+ miles a week. I
There’s something empowering about knowing you’re properly equipped before you’ve even left the house.
The Soundtrack to Survival
Music is non-negotiable for me on long runs.
For road runs in London, I’ve been relying on the MIXX AirFlow Open Ear Sports Headphones available for £40 from MIXX and Amazon .
The open-ear design is the game changer. I can hear buses, cyclists, traffic everything you need to hear when running through a city. Safety first, always. Yet the stereo sound is surprisingly powerful, with deeper bass and impressive clarity .
They give eight hours of continuous playtime, 24 with the charging case, and even a 15-minute quick charge delivers two more hours which has rescued more than one last-minute long run.
But when I want something more immersive when im back home in Rye I reach for the Beats Solo Buds by Beats by Dre.
At £79.99, they’re tiny but mighty. The sound is monumental for something so compact punchy, powerful, and completely immersive. They’re the headphones I use when I want to listen to Lady Gaga and chase a pace without distraction.
Fueling Differently This Time
Marathon training is a science experiment on your own body.
This year I’ve been trialling Hilltop Honey’s natural energy gels made with acacia honey, salt and coconut water powder. What persuaded me was research conducted with Liverpool John Moores University showing comparable metabolic responses between honey-based gels and traditional carbohydrate gels during endurance trials.
In simple terms? Similar energy delivery. Similar blood glucose stability. Similar performance outcomes.
Each pouch contains 22g of carbohydrates, delivering around 20–30 minutes of energy. For me, they feel cleaner and easier on the stomach during those brutal 18–20 mile Sunday runs.
Protecting the Body That’s Doing the Work
I’ve added Enertor PX1 Running Insoles (£40) into my shoes developed with backing from sprint legend Usain Bolt. They’re designed to absorb significant impact with every foot strike. Over weeks of training, that reduction in shock makes a real difference less soreness, quicker recovery, and more resilience.
Post-run, recovery becomes ritual. Warm layers. Stretching. Refuelling. Resetting.
Small Details, Big Difference
Marathon training is about marginal gains.
Chapped lips might sound trivial until you’re 15 miles in and battling a biting headwind along the Thames. dussl’s Lip Protection Oil SPF 25 has become a pocket staple lightweight, protective, and unisex by design. I
For recovery, I’ve been slipping into the OOcoozie Thermo Mule from OOFOS post-run. With their impact-absorbing foam and insulated lining, they’re bliss after a freezing Sunday long run.
And when London’s skies are still dark at 6pm, reflective kit matters. BUFF’s Reflective DryFlx neckwear and Ronhill’s reflective gloves and beanie have kept me visible and warm as I clock up the miles.
Why It Matters
The Stroke Association supports survivors and families navigating life after stroke funding research, rehabilitation and awareness. Stroke can happen to anyone, at any age. And every step I take in training is a reminder that movement is a privilege.
When I turn onto The Mall again and see Buckingham Palace in the distance, I won’t just be running for a finish line. I’ll be running in my mothers memory and i cannot wait. You can sponsor me here if you want to.
