Hi I’m Ellie, 27 years old, and I’ve completed 7 marathons, 3 of which have been the world majors.

I started out as a complete beginner back in 2019 and in true beginner fashion once I had completed my first marathon, Edinburgh in May of 2019 I didn’t run again for a very, very long time. 3 years later after 7 unsuccessful attempts, I achieved a lifetime goal of getting a ballot space in the London marathon. A true reflection of what is for you won’t go past you and everything happens for a reason at the time that is right, as not many points in my life can I say I was working with an Olympian marathon runner, but in the October of 2022 when I got that email, I just happened to be!

Freya Ross, who I worked with at the time, happened to sit opposite me at my desk and having ran in the 2012 Olympic marathon she knew a thing or two about running. Freya kindly wrote me out a plan and in the next few weeks I began my training!

I had my first ever gait analysis and started the journey to London. Even though I had ran a marathon before the whole experience of training for one was a new concept to me. In fact the more I think about it, 2019 was like the dark age of running. I had no GPS watch, hadn’t even heard of a gait analysis, didn’t know what a training plan was so I had just rocked up on the day and hoped for the best!

Somehow I did survive the ‘winging approach- which I wouldn’t recommend. In a very respectable time of 5 hours 14 minutes I crossed the line however this time around I knew I could do better.

The London Marathon 2023 was honestly a whirlwind and hand on heart I can say completely changed my life. After 24 weeks of training and £2000 raised for My Names Doddie Foundation, I stepped on the start line (having used the loo in the train station toilets before- this is a great tip as the ques at Blackheath are crazy).

One thing I will always say about the marathon is that time gets warped, one minute you think it’s never ending and then before you know it you’re somehow at mile 23 fighting for your life. I hit the wall at the London marathon and there is some shocking photographic evidence to prove it but I got through it thanks to the amazing support from my friends and family alongside the people of London who well and truly SHOW UP on marathon weekend.

I know I’ll probably never experience anything like that day again but I will treasure the memories forever.

Following completion of the race I discovered there was a whole series of marathons to complete and then my next mission came alight- project majors. Even though I’m only half way through this mission I’m still determined to finish all 6 by the time I turn 30 in 2028.

If I stick to following my tips, I might just complete that…Keep dreaming and enjoy!

7 lessons From 7 Marathons

1. TALC IN THE SOCKS- This is probably the most underrated tip of all time! I have never, I repeat NEVER got a blister while running when using this. Yes it can be a bit messy but honestly it’s my number one tip for a reason, just pour some baby powder into your socks before you pop them on and your feet will thank you for it later.
2. FUEL!!! Don’t let it get to the point where your hungry when running, if it’s got to this point it’s too late. I am still learning the best way to fuel but for me, taking my VOOM Pocket Rockets from 5K into the race helps me stay focussed. Break it up with some liquids on the way but don’t go without.
3. TISSUES- always carry a tissue to the start line, you can use this to dry your eyes or wipe your nose but generally I will be using this in the porta potty before the race starts!
4. When the training gets tough – give yourself something to reward yourself when you get back, whether it be some good food, a sweet treat, a hot bath, a session in the sauna, or even just binging your favourite tv show on the couch, you need some motivation for getting through the long hard miles and for me having something I can visualise myself doing once I finish always helps! Even having a cold juice ready in the fridge for when I’m home is a winner.
5. Control the controllable’s- race day kit, food, sleep, hydration, are all things you can control in the lead up the race, but things you can’t control try and not think about, definitely check the weather but don’t let it control your race. Be confident in your training and your ability. There are many things that can go wrong on race day but as long as you keep your controllable’s as concise as you can you know you are giving yourself the best opportunity to succeed.
6. If you think it’s going to be hot on race day- get in the sauna!!! I have played victim to the unfortunate circumstance of a hot race day and although we cannot control the weather we can make ourselves best prepared for the climate. One way I have done this is by using a sauna frequently. 15 mins just once a week can improve your adaptability in the warmer conditions and this really helped me when running Valencia in December. Although it was 22 degrees, which for a Scottish person is positively scorching , I managed to stay calm and execute a successful race, not letting the heat affect me as it did in Berlin 11 weeks prior.
7. Okay, here’s the final point for my Marathon tips and it’s don’t focus on the 1% until you’ve nailed the fundamentals. You can have all the beetroot shorts in the world all the ginger shots in the world and although these things help you need to be nailing your training, getting enough sleep and making sure you’re doing strength and conditioning then you can add on the extras like the ginger shots like the beetroot shots like the saunas. Lastly focus on you and stay in your own lane. It’s so easy to get distracted with what other people are doing and how they’re training but deep down you know you’re why, and you need a why, a why are you doing this and what it mean to you, and that is the main reason that should be carrying you through your training so remember your why and be true to yourself. Don’t do anything just because you see someone else doing it. If you think it’ll benefit you then great try itbut at the end of the day your training plan and race plan are unique to you and it’s your performance that at the end of the day you can look back and be proud of.

Thank you for reading my top tips.