Mom who hates running completes marathon

By Athena Stavrou via SWNS

A mom who "hates running" trained for a marathon in just 16 weeks - after her ex claimed, "she'd never do it."

Jemima Beal, 25, ran the London Marathon on Sunday, April 23, in four hours and 54 minutes after training for just four months.

The sports massage therapist says she "hates running" - even after completing the marathon.

But Jemima was determined to run the 26.2 miles because she had "already told people" she was doing it.

The mom-of-one began training in January this year and despite "only enjoying maybe two runs" out of 39, she powered through her dislike of the sport.

Jemima, from Hastings, East Sussex, said: "When I told people I was going to run a marathon they all laughed at me because they know I hate long-distance running.

"Once I started actually doing the training, they were shocked.

"I signed up for the ballot three years ago but postponed due to Covid and pregnancy.

"I never thought about it again really until this year which is when I deferred my place to.

"Last year, I left my ex-partner and he said I wouldn't be able to do it.

"I wanted to prove him wrong but above all do it for myself."

Jemima decided to take up her "one in a million" ballot place and began training in January this year.

She started training by doing short distances of 2 miles - gradually building up to longer runs of 20 miles

She said: "I felt like I was ready to do it this year.

"I got an email from the London Marathon with training plans, so I clicked on the beginner one and began training on the first week of January.

"I really don't like running.

"I find long-distance running especially boring, but I knew I had to do it because I'd already told everyone I was going to.

"I've learned to deal with the negative thoughts, but I've maybe enjoyed two runs in total.

"Having said that, running a marathon is one of the best things I've ever done. I put myself through hell but all I can say to people thinking of doing it is to just do it.

"The London Marathon was so painful but also the most phenomenal experience.

"Although I must say I don't see myself doing it again."

Jemima began training with short distance runs for eight weeks before moving onto longer runs once her "body had adjusted to the pain".

She then ran one long run - around 10 miles and over - and one short run - up to 6 miles - a week in addition to a hockey match every weekend.

Although she followed her training plan, Jemima suffered from a compressed spine two weeks before the race and was forced to rest until two days before the marathon.

Whilst she felt "confident" at the end of her 16-week training block, she described the morning of the run as "overwhelming" and compared the race to "the pain of childbirth."

She raised a total of £915 for the mental health charity Mind, after losing her dad, Daniel Beal, 39, to mental health issues when she was a teenager.

Jemima said: "Training didn't all go to plan.

"I tried to stick to the plan but there was one time I went for a long run, and I literally couldn't do it.

"I had to get the train home, I called it the train of shame.

"Two weeks before the marathon, I did a 20-mile run and did something to my back.

"I got a compressed spine from all the running.

"I had to go to an osteopath, and I wasn't OK to run until two days before the marathon.

"I suffer from quite bad anxiety, so on the day of the race I got in my head and quite stressed.

"I stayed at my friend's house in London the night before.

"When my boyfriend got me to the start line, I went into a complete meltdown and burst into tears.

"I got in my head that I couldn't do it, it was very overwhelming.

"The pain of doing a marathon is actually indescribable. It's almost like the pain of childbirth.

"When people ask you how it feels you can't put it into words because it's so overwhelming and there's so much adrenaline.

"I know I hated it at the time - I had blisters all over my feet because it was raining, and my knees hurt - but all I can say is how good it felt after.

"Everyone talks about runners wall, but I don't remember hitting one because even when there was a slump before you knew it a random stranger was calling your name.

"My boyfriend and best friend managed to get to every three miles, so I knew I was going to see them and then I saw my daughter at mile 25 which really pushed me through.

"In the end I finished the marathon at four hours and 54 minutes. I wanted to get under five hours so I'm really proud of that.

"After the race I just had a McDonald's and had a long Epsom salt bath. I couldn't walk for days though."

Although Jemima doesn't think she'll race another marathon, she shared her advice for other people who "hate running" but want to run a marathon.

Her top tips included eating lots of carbs, splashing out on trainers and listening to your body if you don't feel like running.

Jemima said: "Most importantly I'd say try to stick to a plan but listen to your body.

"One missed run isn't going to ruin your whole training plan and one bad run doesn't determine how the marathon goes - just get back out there as soon as you can.

"In terms of equipment, if anything I'd go and get a gait analysis.

"This is where they see how you run and find the best shoe for you - it's the best thing I did as I was wearing trainers that weren't supporting my feet before.

"Fuelling right is also super important.

"I always ate an hour before I went on a run. A jam bagel was my favorite before a run and a heavy carby meal the before a race.

"I would always recommend running with sweets to give you energy or some chewing gum to give your mouth a bit of a fresh kick."

Jemima's full list of advice for marathon training is:

1. Get a gait analysis and good trainers
2. Bring sweets and chewing gum on your run
3. Follow a strict training plan
4. Listen to your body if you need a break
5. Eat a carby meal before you run