My husband Spencer has just completed 30 marathons in 30 days in the Jordanian desert, so I’m now convinced he’s not fully human – along with Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Nicholas Cage. Total alien vibes there.
He raised a huge amount of money for charity – but mostly I’m in awe of the fact he is now a Guinness World Record Holder and gets to be in one of my favourite-ever childhood books alongside those people with the crazy long hair and nails.
When Spencer decided to do his marathons, I said I would join in by doing 5k a day for 30 days along with him. I wanted to do this because I really admired him for what he was doing, and this was my ultimate show of support for him and for the charity he was running for. I also wanted to challenge myself a bit to be honest. I know 5k doesn’t sound like a lot in comparison, but it was for me.
When I first started running I found it difficult – but I’ve continued on. While I haven’t picked up any more speed along the way, I definitely feel more fit. However, by day two of the challenge, I was really kicking myself that I hadn’t said 3k a day.
People take their running stats very seriously. You know when you see runners tap their watches any time they stop running? I always thought they were checking the time, but no, they’re pausing their Strava, a running app that tracks all their data. So CRINGE. Now I do it too, even though I promised myself I wouldn’t become a running app girl. But then again, I promised quite a few things over this month that didn’t pan out…
Another commitment I made was to stay off the booze while Spencer was away, not for him but for myself – handling three children with a hangover is no fun for anyone. Of course, I fell on a couple of hurdles – when faced with a frozen margarita machine it’s pretty difficult to say no. As we all know, the only thing acceptable for a hangover is to rot away in bed picking at a meal deal for the day, not running a 5k.
Between the kids and work, fitting a run in every day (even though they usually only take half an hour) was challenging, and there were times I did struggle. A few times I even had to run at night, which I hate; I like to exercise in the mornings because I go into full shut-down mode by 7pm.
Wanting to keep up my strength work meant doing weight work too, when I could, and that combined with no rest days meant my body did start to feel pretty tired. To combat it, I got a few very uncomfortable but effective sports massages that worked wonders.
When I get a massage I like to be in physical pain to know they’re working. No petting please. Much like a facial – the more intense the better.
The day before I flew to Jordan to see Spencer, I did a 10k in case I missed one with all the travel. It was around 8km into that run that I knew I am definitely not a 10k girl. Once in Jordan I was lucky enough to go for a run through Petra, the most spectacular run I’ve ever been on; I repeatedly put Strava on pause to look around and enjoy being a tourist.
My final run of the month was alongside my husband in the desert in Jordan, his home from home for the last 29 days. The terrain was what I imagine Mars to be like. Running over rocks and boulders in very hot temperatures was tough but Spencer bounded over them like a gazelle on his 30th marathon.
Over the 30 days I found a new love for running. I spent more time with my friends, I got fitter and I saw a wonder of the world on a jog.
Running has become something I’ll always want to do – and I can do it anywhere. I’m writing this on my way to Cork for work and while I was planning to take tomorrow off running, the view out the window is so beautiful I’m already tempted to go for a run; it’s never better than when you’re surrounded by natural beauty.
My husband completed all 30 marathons and raised more than £600k and still counting for a brilliant charity. My heart is bursting with pride for him. Maybe I will run a marathon with him some day.
Just joking – I wouldn’t ever do that to myself in a million years.
Vogue Williams is a TV presenter and podcaster
