From 'piece of cake' to shin splints: why I'm running a half and full marathon this year
Going into 2026, I wanted to set myself a new challenge. Something outside of work, outside of football, outside of the usual routine. Something that would genuinely push me. So naturally, as a naïve 22 year old who plays football most Saturdays, I thought: why not a marathon? How hard can it be?
Very. The answer is very hard.
The reality check
I'll be honest, when I first had the idea I genuinely thought my football fitness would carry me through. I've played my whole life, I can run around for 90 minutes no problem, surely that's comparable to running 13 or 26 miles in a straight line?
A colleague at work quickly brought me back down to earth. After doing some proper research together, I realised this was going to take a serious training plan, structure and real commitment. Not just "go for a jog a few times a week" commitment, but proper, planned, progressive training.
We set two goals:
- Rob Burrow Foundation Leeds Half Marathon on 10th May 2026. That's this Sunday.
- York Full Marathon on 18th October 2026.
Two races, two distances I've never attempted before, and about ten months to get myself from "plays 11 a side on a Saturday" to "can run 26.2 miles without collapsing."
The training
Training started in January. And if you've ever tried to build a running habit in a West Yorkshire January, you'll know exactly what I'm about to say.
Cold. Dark. Wet. Miserable.
And not just normal British winter wet. The UK saw some sites record over 40 consecutive days of rain from late December into February, breaking records that had stood for over a century. Absolutely typical timing for me to decide to take up outdoor running.
There were mornings where I'd be out before work in the pitch black, rain sideways, genuinely questioning every life decision that led me to that point. February wasn't much better. But you keep going because the alternative is standing on that start line in May having done nothing, and that scared me more than the rain.
The biggest enemy hasn't been the weather though. It's been shin splints. Bloody shin splints. If you know, you know. That dull, nagging pain down the front of your shins that makes every step feel like a punishment. I've had to manage them throughout the entire training block, adjusting my schedule, icing, stretching, swearing at my own legs.
On top of that, I'm still playing football, which means I've been picking up knocks and niggles that keep interfering with my running schedule. There have been weeks where I've had to write off training days because my body just wasn't having it. That's been frustrating, especially when you can see the race getting closer and closer on the calendar.
But here's the thing. Despite all of that, the improvement has been massive. I'm quicker, I'm fitter, and I can run distances now that would have seemed impossible back in January. The body adapts if you're consistent, even when consistency means dragging yourself out the door on days when every part of you wants to stay in bed.
Why I'm running
Completing a half and full marathon would be a huge personal achievement. I've never done anything like this before and the challenge alone is enough motivation to keep training. But there's something bigger than personal ambition behind this.
A few months ago, I was scrolling through TikTok and came across a video that completely stopped me. It showed a middle aged couple at what looked like a family gathering. The man, who has Alzheimer's, is laughing and smiling while his wife sits beside him with her arm around him. They look happy and comfortable. Then the video cuts to their wedding day, young, full of life, ready to build a future together.
That moment hit me hard.
I thought about my girlfriend, my mum, my nana, my family. I tried to imagine the reality of someone I love slowly forgetting our memories, our relationship, who they are. I couldn't comprehend that level of loss, not just for the person with Alzheimer's, but for everyone around them.
I'm lucky enough to have never experienced this in my family. I never want even the small, everyday moments stolen from the people I love. Alzheimer's steals exactly that.
There are currently around 55 million people worldwide living with dementia. Someone develops it every 3 seconds. In 2024, it was the leading cause of death in the UK. Those numbers need to come down.
That's why I'm running for Alzheimer's Research UK. Not just for the personal challenge, but because this cause matters.
Sunday
In two days I'll be standing at the start line of the Leeds Half Marathon. Nervous, probably underprepared, definitely questioning my life choices again.
The goal is simple: under 2 hours and don't stop.
Whatever happens on Sunday, the York Marathon in October is the next target. That one terrifies me more than I'd like to admit, but we'll deal with that after this weekend.
If you'd like to support the cause, you can donate through my GoFundMe page. Every penny goes to Alzheimer's Research UK. And if you see me struggling around the streets of Leeds on Sunday, a cheer would go a long way.
Thanks for reading. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go and worry about Sunday.