Why Not Getting a London Marathon Place Is a Good Thing

Fifteen Aprils of watching the start line

I have spent 15 Aprils watching runners cross the London Marathon start line. Some I coached there. Some I built training plans for. I even made a documentary about it.

And here is what nobody is saying out loud this week.

Deep down, we both know you not getting a London Marathon place is a good thing.

Can you hear it?

Can you hear it?

The collective moaning of runners that once again did not secure a 2027 London Marathon ballot place last week.

This annual event is a staple of the running enthusiast's calendar, and with every one and their pony now starting to run, the level of disappointment sweeping timelines on Instagram, LinkedIn and your group chat is almost an argument for some kind of national holiday, akin to "Blue Monday" in January.

Let me drop a little context here.

A record 1.13 million people entered the ballot. Making this the most popular marathon of all time. 7 percent of those people got a spot. That is a lot of broken hearts.

Or, is it?

What happens next, if you watch closely

Yes, people who have been entering for decades will be saying how unfair it is.

And yes, people who have entered for the first time will moan like they have dropped their ice cream at the fairground.

But, here is a made up stat based on my 15-plus years experience riding this merry-go-round.

90 percent of old and new timers will quickly follow up their initial grumblings with the following.

Now, it is important to note that you need to be fully present in their moaning to see or hear it.

First. If you are in person, watch how quickly anger turns to relief. Frown evaporates and shoulders drop quicker than it takes the "we are sorry" email to load.

What you are seeing is a visual representation of "phew."

And what you will often hear with that is something along the lines of "probably best, I didn't really want to run it anyway."

"No shit."

Not many people actually want to run a marathon

Not many people actually want to run a marathon. And even fewer want to train for one.

Because a. It is really far. b. It is really hard.

And your subconscious and body already knew this. You are catching up with yourself.

I have a theory

I have a theory. People do not generally sign up for marathons to "raise money for a good cause" or "just because."

They sign up in hope that it will pull them out of a rut.

Let me explain.

The Knowing

There is something magical that sits inside us. I call it "The Knowing."

I believe our bodies are the most trusted ally we have when it comes to navigating the ups and downs of life.

Locked inside us are lessons learned through millions of years of evolution, that are wrapped in a lifetime of lessons.

The problem is we do not listen to them, or if we do, we do not action what they are asking of us.

Sceptical? Okay, quiz time. Have you said any of the following lately?

• "I really need an early night."
• "I need a chilled one this weekend."
• "I need to get to the coast soon."
• "I need to start doing a regular food shop and prep."
• "I need to see my besty, it's been too long."
• Or my personal fav. "Ugh, I really need a holiday."

What do you think is really being said in the unsaid of these statements?

Often it is related to a physiological pull to regulate stress and energy, and our bodies are trying to communicate that need.

The wrong solution overlaid on the right signal

The problem occurs when we take that feeling and overlay the wrong solution.

We are tired and we need an early night. Instead of actioning that, we drink more caffeine to keep us awake and scrolling to distract us before bed.

Seeing a besty for a wholesome catch up to put the world to rights turns into a late one with colleagues down the pub.

And food prep is replaced by another takeaway.

So what does this have to do with the marathon?

Well, one of the signals the body can send regularly is related to movement.

• "I need to take more lunches and go for a walk."
• "Ugh, I need to get away from the desk and take a break."
• "I need to go back to the gym."
• "I'm gonna start the couch to 5 kilometre soon."
• "I must go to Parkrun this week, it's been ages."

I know it might seem obvious, but when these thoughts keep arising in you, it is because you know you need to start moving more because doing so makes you a better team member, parent, partner, friend, member of society.

The problem is we struggle to put our own oxygen masks on first because we are either too overwhelmed, tired or feel guilty for doing so, when there is so much to do.

And then, we leave it too long. And then, we grasp on to the big idea that is going to solve all our problems. Signing up for a marathon.

And I really believe this moment of seeing the marathon as the solution to bigger problems is becoming even more of a problem, because culture is normalising this distance because everyone seems to be doing it, from Harry Styles to your CEO.

Why I am happy so many of you did not get in

So why am I happy that so many people I know did not get a ballot spot?

Well, because I know most people do not really want or need it in their life right now, especially if energy and stress levels are all over the place.

But what I hope is that they use this moment to reflect on what purpose they hoped the marathon would serve in the first place, and use this inflection point to create a goal or two to solve those needs in ways that are not so stressful on their bodies and lives.

Friendlier ways up the mountain

• Instead of 26.2 miles, maybe aim for a 5 kilometre personal best at your local Parkrun.
• Instead of a 5 kilometre personal best aim for learning to dial in Zone 1 and Zone 2 running for a couple of months.
• Start a run club at work for your level.
• Go hiking with friends once a month.
• Support a friend on a couch to 5 kilometre journey.
• Start open water swimming, rock climbing or learn to juggle.

These are just ideas. The point I am making is that there are friendlier ways up the mountain than running 26.2 miles, if you feel like something is missing in your life and movement is the lever you are pulling on.

And when you learn to pull that lever you will find the person who is better equipped to live the full life you live.

I might be wrong

I might be wrong. I mean this wholeheartedly.

And I have seen the runners I have coached use the confidence they found on those journeys to change their lives.

So actually, instead of just waiting until next year's ballot, why do you not find the courage to take that initial inspiration and find another one?

I know, I am confusing, but I am not here to give you the answers, just more questions.

"The Way of the Coach."

Over and out.