Running the London Landmarks Half Marathon

I ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon this weekend, and it felt very different to Inverness. The scale of the event was immediately noticeable, with large crowds, constant noise, and a busy start that made it harder to settle into a comfortable pace. It took a few kilometres to find a rhythm, but once things spread out, the run became more manageable.

The route through central London was a clear highlight. Passing well-known landmarks gave the race a different feel to smaller events, and the atmosphere created by spectators was consistent throughout. The support from the crowd made a noticeable difference, particularly during more difficult sections of the race.

A key part of the experience was seeing my mum and my partner along the course several times. This helped break the race into smaller sections and provided a useful mental boost at different points. It also made the event feel more personal despite its size.

I was running for Endometriosis UK, which added an additional layer of meaning to the day. It has been ten years since my first surgery for endometriosis, so it is a cause that is important to me. While it was not something I focused on throughout the entire race, it was a constant presence in the background and contributed to the overall experience.

The weather was variable, with some changes in temperature and conditions during the race, but nothing that significantly affected performance. As the race progressed, the focus shifted from the surroundings to maintaining effort and consistency, particularly in the second half where the usual fatigue began to build.

Physically, the race felt similar to Inverness. The effort increased steadily, but it remained manageable throughout. Importantly, the ankle did not present any significant issues, which suggests that things have improved compared to earlier in the year. There is still some awareness of it, but it no longer dominates the experience in the same way.

Crossing the finish line felt different to my previous race. Inverness marked a return to racing after a disrupted period, whereas this felt more like a continuation. It was less about reaching a milestone and more about confirming that things are moving in the right direction.

Overall, this was not a race defined by performance or outcome, but by the experience itself. The combination of the route, the atmosphere, the support from spectators, and the personal significance of the cause made it a memorable event.