It started with one misstep.  

One rogue step, one ill-timed twist of the ankle, and suddenly the confidence I’ve been developing in my body to achieve my goals feels vulnerable.

It’s not a serious injury and I’ve been able to get some decent sessions in but the parkrun at the end of the year has certainly served as a wake-up call, a reminder of just how quickly everything I’ve been working for could unravel.

The Barcelona Marathon is coming up on March 16, which suddenly feels like tomorrow. This is the point in training where “long runs” start to feel really long.

Add in the winter weather, and it’s like the universe is challenging me to see just how much I want this.

You would think I’d be used to these mind games by now – Barcelona would be my eighth official marathon - but it’s as if every icy gust of wind and frosty path seems to whisper, ‘are you sure you should be doing this?’ And honestly, my brain often agrees. It’s trying to protect me, which I appreciate — kind of. But it also has a knack for blowing things out of proportion.

A little soreness? Clearly, it’s the end of the world. A skipped run? Might as well hang up my shoes now. It’s like having a catastrophizing roommate living in my head... and I need them to pipe down.

But I know that I really do want this. I want to toe the start line in Barcelona. I’ve already poured time, energy, and a significant chunk of my travel budget into making this marathon happen.

The thought of not being able to run is pretty crushing, but I’m also realizing I can’t bubble-wrap myself and hope for the best. Trusting my body, as nerve-wracking as that can be, is the only way forward. 
Of course, trusting your body isn’t something that just happens overnight. It’s more like a relationship — you have to nurture it, listen to it, and sometimes bribe it with pizza.

I have to try and make smart decisions between – if I can get more right than wrong then I stand a pretty good shot.

How do I find that balance? Here are some of the things I’m bearing in mind in pursuit of Barcelona.

1. Listening without overreacting 

It’s a fine line between acknowledging your body’s signals and catastrophizing every ache and pain. I’m still learning to tune in without panicking. Is this soreness just a sign of hard work, or is it something more? Am I just tired and worrying more as a result?

2. Adjusting my goals 

I’d love to go to Barcelona and set a new personal best. But in truth it’s more about getting there, running strong, and enjoying the journey. If that means swapping out a tempo run for an easier effort or cutting a long run short, that’s okay. My training plan isn’t set in stone; it’s a guide, not a mandate. The block will be the block and I’ll have to adjust my goals depending on what training I can get in.

3. Cross-training for confidence 

When running feels daunting, cross-training has been a saving grace. I’ve really grown to love strength training almost as much as running. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the same community around it that running does. But it’s a great way to stay fit while giving my ankle—and my mind—a bit of a break.

4. Leaning on my support system 

Talking to fellow runners has been invaluable. Hearing how others have navigated similar fears and setbacks reminds me I’m not alone in this. It’s been one of many positives about joining Wymondham AC and I’ve no doubt it’s similar across other clubs. The more I talk to runners the more I realise that most are keeping an eye on something.

5. Reframing my mindset 

Instead of dwelling on what could go wrong, I’m working on celebrating small wins. Every run I complete, no matter how slow or short, is a step closer to Barcelona. And every swapped out run—when it’s done to prioritize recovery—is an act of self-care, not failure. 

As winter’s grip tightens, I remind myself that the cold is temporary. March 16 will arrive, regardless of whether I let my fears take over or choose to embrace the process. It’s a privilege to train for something like this, and I owe it to myself to trust that my body is capable.

Yes, the marathon is coming up quickly, and yes, the long runs are daunting. But I’m learning that preparation is about more than just mileage. It’s about building resilience—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

And when I finally line up at the start in Barcelona, I’ll carry those lessons with me.

Just don’t let me do too many parkruns in the meantime.