What it's like to run without stopping for 4 hours and 20 minutes

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What it's like to run without stopping for 4 hours and 20 minutes
Thinking of running a marathon? Here's some useful advice from a non-running Wise Owl who nevertheless completed the course (yesterday at the time of writing).

Posted by Andy Brown on 28 April 2025

In this blog

How long is 26.2 miles / 4 hours 20 minutes?
What sacrifices do you need to do a marathon?
Some unexpected downsides
So would I recommend it?

Thinking of doing a marathon? Unless you're a super-athlete the chances are that it will take you 4 or more hours.

My time yesterday was 4 hours and 20 minutes - not under 4 hours as I'd been initially hoping, but not bad for my age and the fact that it was a hot day. The main thing was that I ran the whole way!

How long is 26.2 miles / 4 hours 20 minutes?

Here are some ways to think about this.

How far is it?	Heading B
If you do Park Runs	You'll run one Park Run. Then do it again. And again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and then run a bit more.
If you like films	If you'd sat down when I set off to watch Die Hard (2 hours 11 minutes) then for a little light relief The Incredibles (2 hours and 3 minutes) you'd still have had time to make a cup of tea at the end before I finished.
If you drive	If you set off from Heathrow Airport at the same time as I set off running, you'd get to Blackpool a quarter of an hour before I finished.

What sacrifices do you need to do a marathon?

The day itself is an amazing and unforgettable experience - this goes without saying, but what you really want to know is how hard is it? Far, far harder than a half-marathon: when you've been running continuously for 2 hours and realise that you're not yet halfway, it can do strange things to your mind! Here's the training I did for this (most of the shorter runs were strength-building exercises):

Date	Miles
5th January	3.02
7th January	3.97
10th January	4.65
15th January	5.66
17th January	7.16
22nd January	9.06
25th January	10.61
28th January	13.57
4th February	9.06
7th February	14.47
12th February	9.26
19th February	5.18
23rd February	13.45
28th February	5.80
4th March	15.12
10th March	4.32
12th March	6.00
15th March	15.81
19th March	6.17
23rd March	13.42
26th March	5.63
29th March	19.52
2nd April	5.54
5th April	21.61
11th April	4.60
15th April	11.51
18th April	4.40
24th April	5.39
27th April	26.2!

280 miles in total. I suspect I couldn't have got away with much less than this. Probably my lowest point was running alongside a road for the run on the 28th January in the freezing cold in Southport. If I enjoyed running as a sport I think I might have found it easier!

Some unexpected downsides

I think in order of importance these were the things I hadn't expected:

Downside	Notes
Other people's expectations	Not only had a fair few people kindly sponsored me to complete the marathon, but I also had family and friends who had gone to London on the day to cheer me on. I would have felt terrible letting everyone down.
The fear of injury	My greatest relief is no longer having to worry about getting injured, which would have at best stopped me training properly and at worst stopped me running or completing the course.
The lost other activities	As I mentioned above, I don't enjoy running, but I often had to choose this over other activities I prefer like squash and football. I also more or less gave up cycling for the first 4 months of this year.
The equipment	I'm not the sort of person who buys any unnecessary kit, and get bored of any talk of gels or running belts or cushioned shoes. However even I had to stoop to buying proper running shoes (and socks - thanks Jenny), as well as a running belt and gels to keep me going.
Medical problems	I got dangerous trailing cellulitis from one of my early long runs, for which I needed antibiotics, and constantly had a sore left knee and right ankle, but on the day itself it was just exhaustion and muscles aching beyond any previous experience which were the problem. Oh, and chafed nipples, which I only discovered once the race had finished: look carefully at the photo at the top of this page!

So would I recommend it?

Without a shadow of a doubt: I will always be so proud that I finished a marathon. But be aware that if you do commit to doing one it will dominate 3 or 4 months of your life!

I think this was me at about 12 miles. It wasn't so hurting much then!

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How long is 26.2 miles / 4 hours 20 minutes?

What sacrifices do you need to do a marathon?

Some unexpected downsides

So would I recommend it?

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