To be honest I didn’t get the best sleep last night and it wasn’t because I was in a far away land (like Japan) or because my pillow had as much cushioning as the pile of magazines next to my bed resembling more a pancake than a pillow. Rather it was because my husband (aka the #HappyRunner) is running his fifth world major marathon today. I know… so inconsiderate! It’s not enough that he drags me around the world to the most amazing cities, as he follows his simple yet physically challenging passion for endurance running, he also disrupts my sleep thanks to the nerves and anxiety I carry in hope for his success.

Don’t get me wrong I’m not worried he won’t succeed, I know he’s put the work in and I know he has the mind to push through the 34km mark, where you’re so close yet still so very far. I know he has the VO2 Max to get to the the finish line before the time clock clicks past the three hour mark and I know he’s consumed the carbs needed for such physical exertion.

On a side note let me just say you’ve never seen anyone consume carbs the way he can during the 2-3 days before a marathon. Honestly it’s like he breathes them in. Fellow sports dietitians often tell me their clients struggle to eat enough… not this little black duck (as my mum would say), he has it down pat.

Despite all the reasons that my ‘pre-race’ nerves are a waste of time they’re inbuilt. The marathon can be a beast, you need to respect those 42.2km as once the starters gun has fired what lies between you and the finish line doesn’t always go to plan.

Good luck #HappyRunner.

Update post Tokyo Marathon…

All the nerves, while I agree were seemingly useless, have subsided… the #happyrunner has clocked yet another sub three hour marathon. Couldn’t be prouder. That’s five of the six world majors down and one to go. Bring on London 2015.