Focus on Marathons

Sometimes, life doesn’t go the way you planned. It throws curveballs that can either break us or shape us and it’s in those moments that you find out who you really are.

Last year, Holly stood at the start line of the Brighton Marathon filled with hope, excitement and months of hard-earned preparation. She had trained diligently, poured heart and soul into every mile leading up to that moment. But at mile 19, something unexpected happened, her body overheated. She collapsed unconscious and was taken by St John Ambulance to the medical centre. Thankfully, she was OK, but her race was over.

The days that followed were filled with disappointment, frustration and anger. It’s hard to process a dream interrupted. Holly had trained not just for a finish line but for the personal victory that comes with achieving something she'd worked so hard for. Yet, amidst the heartbreak, a new perspective began to form. I reminded her that disappointment is a useful emotion; one that signals you care deeply but that it’s also a crossroads. You can stay there and grieve for what is lost or you can ask: What is life teaching me here?

What Holly discovered was that her worth wasn’t tied to a finish line and a medal. That even in the face of failure, she was surrounded by love, compassion and kindness from strangers and those closest to her. It was this realisation that led her to sign up for the London Marathon 2025, this time with a purpose bigger than herself: to run for St John Ambulance, in gratitude for the care they’d given her when she needed it most.

However, the road wasn’t easy. Just weeks before the race, Holly was struck by labyrinthitis, a condition that threw off her balance, confined her to her bed and disrupted her training once again. Still, she didn’t give up. She adapted, adjusted her goals and committed to finishing not for the perfect time but for the meaning behind every step.

Under a hot London sun, Holly crossed the finish line; not chasing time but honouring a purpose far bigger than herself. Her medal was more than a piece of metal. It symbolised strength, humility and a journey of the heart. What made the day even more special? She was part of a Guinness World Record as the London Marathon 2025 had the highest number of finishers ever recorded!

So, what’s next? Holly wants to do it all again and her brother, Eddie, inspired by her courage, is hoping to join her next time to run for Blaze, a charity close to his heart, so they’ve both entered the ballot.

This experience has reminded me of something simple but profound; you don’t always get the moment you hoped for but you always have the power to choose what it means. That’s the thing about setbacks: they can shatter you or they can awaken something greater. A deep purpose. Holly’s marathon story isn’t just about running. It’s about choosing meaning over defeat, purpose over perfection and love over fear.

It’s a reminder to all of us that you don’t need to cross the finish line the first time to be a winner. Sometimes, the most powerful victories live in the heart. So, if life throws you off course, don’t give up. Pause. Feel. Reflect. Then take action. Your next chapter might just be more meaningful than you ever imagined.

Focus on Marathons! Focus on Why!

ACTION POINT: Reflect on a moment in your life that didn’t go to plan. What did it teach you? Could there be a new purpose waiting to be uncovered there?