So, I started running five or six years ago after running a lot in school and stopping for 10 years. 

I got back into it, and I remember doing my first 10k and thinking that was a crazy distance to be running.

I did my first few half marathons just on my own around my local village, and then found out that I really loved the longer distances. So I just carried on running, and then this year I did my first official marathon. I did Edinburgh in May, and I think my next goal is to do a 50k ultra, hopefully next year… But for now, it's just kind of keeping consistent and maintaining a base level of running fitness.

I had no interest in doing a marathon when I first started running.

I think every marathon runner has probably said that at some point, so I was very happy just kind of doing my 10ks when I started, but I think that's the thing with running: your barometer for what's impressive changes all the time.

My first 5k when I was about 12 felt like an Olympic distance, and then you do your first 10k and that's really impressive, and then after a while, it feels like a really small run. I think that the one thing with running is that what feels really far at one point suddenly becomes a short run, and it's quite easy to lose that sense of accomplishment as you continue to progress.

Two years ago, I got a ballot place for London, but I just found it so overwhelming that I actually DNF'd.

I got really bad anxiety, got really sick, and I just couldn't continue, so I ducked out around 28k. 

But I love the marathon distance, so I knew I wanted to do another one.

That definitely felt like unfinished business. I knew I could do it; the whole training block for London went perfectly. I did every single run on my training plan, had no issues, and on the day it just fell apart. So I knew I could do it, and I needed to prove to myself I could complete the race.

I love a routine. I love working towards something. I love the structure of a training plan, and I find progression really addictive.

Watching my pace increase or my endurance increase week on week makes it very easy to keep going, because you can see the benefit of it. So for me, the training's the best bit because you learn so much about yourself. You have to work hard, and there's no one to rely on apart from yourself.

My first marathon training block was hard because week on week you're running further than you've ever run before. You’re constantly trying to quiet the voice in your head, setting out for a 35k run when you know that you're going to be running for three or four hours in the pouring rain.

I think it's just learning to overcome when everything in your head is saying that you won't be able to finish.

Edinburgh looked a lot calmer… Less crazy.

It's obviously a beautiful place and also really flat, so all of those elements meant it just felt like a good idea… and it rained the whole time! I just remember having soaking wet feet that were obviously then rubbing.

I hate race day; I get really bad race anxiety. The actual day I just want to be over because I just find it so overwhelming, and I feel like you train so hard for something and you can't really control how it goes, particularly with a marathon.

The day itself, I think to most of the runners, is probably quite forgettable, but it just meant a lot to me to be able to finish the distance and prove to myself I could do something that I thought I couldn't do. Obviously, you've got people there that love and support you, and it's probably the biggest confidence boost I've had to date, and it's made me really keen to do another one or to do an ultra.

I found it quite scary because I just couldn't have it fall apart again.

I was so worried. I didn't want to get two DNFs basically, so I did feel a little bit apprehensive, but I just knew it was something that I wanted to tick off, and the confidence that it gives you afterwards is immeasurable.

It was one of the best days of my life.