From fairytale to horror show: The London Marathon

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TRAINING BREAKDOWN

“That’s raw, rooted in experience coaching”

By Emma O’Toole

Hey there,

Last Sunday, I ran the London marathon. I finished in 3 hours, 42 minutes and 57 seconds. Over 30 minutes slower than what I was on track to accomplish at mile 19.

I thought that number, that time, would be my marathon story, but it wasn’t. And what happened within that 3:42:57 and since has taught me so much more about myself.

And I think it will help you too.

Let’s go back to last year. I ran the Southampton marathon in April 2024 and came second woman. I used that time to secure myself an entry to the London Marathon.

Running the London Marathon had been on my bucket list for 14 years and when I finally had the chance to do it, I snapped it up. I went into the race with a sub 3:15 goal and I was quietly confident. My training block had been the best it had ever been for a marathon and I carried that confidence in my training and through the race until mile 18.

But London didn’t make it easy

At 5km, I was in a “pinch me” moment, this was it! I was really here, running the London Marathon!!

By 10km, I felt strong, soaking up the atmosphere.

By 21km, the race was really on. The heat had picked up and I started to dig deep. I’d gone out with the intention of running hard at the start and giving London everything I had.

At mile 18, everything changed. My left foot was caught quite heavily by another runner and I fell hard on the floor. I got up and carried on running but instantly knew something wasn’t quite right. My speed was zapping as every minute ticked by and I was hurting every time my right leg hit the ground. Me, being me, thought I could shake it off so I carried on…

Until mile 19/20 when until I caught a glimpse of my left trainer (the one that got trampled on) and I saw the yellow Alphaflys were no longer yellow- annoying because they’re an expensive race shoe!!

That momentary distraction from the race sent all of the feelings crashing to my body and I ground to a halt. I had to slow right down and attempt to walk/jeff my way around. I’d gone from being on a runner’s high and on track to set a new PB to questioning if I can even finish the race.

A harrowing feeling.

Everyone talks about the noise and the support of London and up to mile 18 it was an electrifying atmosphere, a real adrenaline boost. However after the fall, all I felt was loneliness and isolation. All of these kind, wonderful people supporting runners all over the world and I’m deafened from their cheers by the pain. The same with the iconic landmarks, I have the photos of me going past Big Ben and along the famous Mall, but I can’t remember passing any of them.

After the finish line, I was instantly ushered into the St John ambulance tent and my body went into shock. I didn’t even get my medal. My ears were ringing from the roar of the crowd but I was feeling hollow inside, shook as to what was to come.

The fallout

This week has been the fallout. The physical fallout and the mental fallout of what you do when your “A race” goes wrong.

The physical fallout is out of my control. I have a neck of femur fracture and a few broken toes.

I’ve had my independence ripped away from me, left with no choice but to use a bed pan in hospital questioning how 24 hours ago I was running the London Marathon and now I can’t go to the toilet by myself.

I’ve slowly been able to mobilise, walking with a Zimmer frame and quickly (stubbornly) progressing onto crutches.

But perhaps the most sobering part of my 5 day stint at St Thomas’ hospital is that I was not alone with my injury with several other runners coming into the same hospital, one of many used by London Marathon, with similar injuries- only these runners have undergone operations; something I was due to have too following my conversation with the anaesthetist on Tuesday morning.

However, I evaded surgery. The orthopaedic team has attributed this to how strong my hips are from consistent strength training and how protected the hip was from the surrounding muscles. It’s fractured, but it’s not bad enough to lay me up on the operating table, cut me open, and stick some screws and pins in my hip for life.

I know I beat the drum for strength training to support your running and cycling, but this is firsthand experience of what it truly does for you. In this case it isn’t about a faster finishing time, or recovering better. It’s about my future with running and cycling and I’m not sure what that would have looked like had the operation been on the cards.

The physical will heal. And every injury is an opportunity to come back event stronger.

The mental fallout.

The mental fallout, now that’s a really tough one.

I’ve cried. I’ve been angry. I’ve thought “why me?”

And I’m sure I will continue to feel these over and over again. And that’s ok, that’s part of the recovery journey.

I’ve faced setbacks before and I will continue to face them in the future. It’s part of being a runner and cyclist.

And it is what makes me a better coach.

Because I know what it’s like to struggle, to cry in the quiet moments, to feel like you’re starting back at square one, to stare down a goal that at this very moment in time seems impossible.

And I coach people through these exact challenges.

Whether that’s lacing up for your first 5km, not getting the time/result you wanted, or rebuilding your confidence being outside on two wheels again.

Anyone can write a workout, or a training plan. But I have the mindset, strategy and support you need. And that hits different different; that’s raw, rooted in experience coaching from a coach who is rooting for you.

Thank you

One thing that has been a huge source of comfort and helped in unimaginable ways this week is the fantastic support from you in my free community. This is the epitome of running and cycling and what this group is for. Please reach out for support if you need it, as it certainly makes an unprecedented difference.

Hand on heart, I’m so thankful to each and everyone of you.

And yes, London I am coming back for you- we have unfinished business!

Thank you all once again, now let’s build something that truly matters.

Have a great Sunday- get a run/ride in and some strength training for me!

Emma x

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