April 4, 2026

After decades spent watching one of the world's greatest sporting spectacles from the comfort of my sofa, on April 26th I will finally be taking my place, along with around 57,000 other runners, in the TCS London Marathon.

To be honest, I expect it to be a battle like no other. Though I ran a fair bit in my 30s, coming back to it two decades later has been both humbling and sobering.

Having just completed an endurance bike challenge in November last year, I foolishly thought I'd have a solid enough base to begin marathon training in January.

The realisation that bike fit bears no relation to running ability hit me hard like the icy blast of that first frozen morning back in January, as I peered down the barrel of a gruelling Scottish winter training block.

Though the weather soon improved greatly with the chance to train in the sunshine, that move brought its own, not inconsiderable, challenges.

As any woman of a certain vintage will testify, peri menopause does little to help matters. Just when I needed my joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments most, Mother Nature seemed intent on ravaging them, making training and recovery that bit harder.

Just four weeks in, I picked up a groin strain which still plagues me. Add to that now tendonitis in my left hamstring and, last week, an odd, undiagnosed ache in my right foot....you get the picture. If you've seen me running of late, I look less like an athlete and more like a lolloping Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Today (April 4th), almost three weeks out from D-Day, I face my longest run of 18 miles on that ultimate instrument of torture - the treadmill. As I manage multiple injuries, controlling my environment and ensuring I can get home safely (and not catch hypothermia) is the sensible choice. As a woman who loves the beauty and the stimulus of the Great Outdoors, it's a brutal prospect but a necessary evil as I give my legs the last big blast at the long miles before the sweet taper.

In truth, I have no idea if I'll manage 26.2 miles on the day. What I do I know is it will be monumentally tough for me, and probably very painful.

During the tough bits I will, of course, be thinking of my mum, who inspired what has become a 16 year quest to raise awareness of and funds for Marie Curie, the charity that helped care for her at the end of life, at home, surrounded by the things and people she loved most.

With family and friends we've helped raise over £1 million pounds 'paying it forward' so that other families can know the gift of free professional nursing care for a loved one with a terminal illness.

This isn't the first time I've been offered a place in London. Back in 2010 I was forced to pull out just one week before after developing hairline fractures in both my tibias. I was absolutely gutted. Until now, that memory has tempered my acceptance that I might actually make it to the start line, and with good reason. I'm still running but, in truth, it's against my body's best advice.

The London Marathon is the world's biggest annual one-day fundraising event. Last year 1,133,813 people applied to take part and only 57,000 were awarded a place - including me. What an incredible opportunity. Again. This time, I'm determined not to let it pass me by. One last shot at the cup.

This year is all the more special since Marie Curie has been selected as the TCS London Marathon's Charity of the Year. As a proud Patron for Marie Curie, I'll be one of 1300 runners sporting the distinctive yellow and blue top. Together we hope to raise £2 million for the charity.

Each year I am blown away and inspired by the humanity of the London Marathon and all those that bravely sign up to push, endure, suffer and soar for causes close to their heart. This year, instead of blubbing on the sofa, screaming words of encouragement at total strangers on the telly, I'll be there, willing my body to get through it, just this once, with promises of beer, Bonnie cuddles and a plump bed, shimmering like an apparition on the Finish Line.

I know that times are tough for so many but if you would like to cheer me on during my mid life crisis, please donate what you can afford, our nurses and our families appreciate every penny.

Love Petra xx

Marie Curie is here for anyone with an illness they’re likely to die from, and those close to them. Whatever the illness, wherever you are, we’re with you to the end. We bring 75 years of experience and leading research to the care we give you at home, in our hospices and over the phone. And we push for a better end of life for all by campaigning and sharing research to change the system.

Marie Curie is a charity working across the UK and we need your support to do our vital work.