Forty-two admirable people with little regard for their knees will take on the London Marathon for #TeamCALM and Heads Together this year – each with their own story to tell.
Get some inspiration and tune recommendations from our athletes in training...
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I got married in Denver last year and trained at high altitude. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I think it really helped.
Jonathan Stanger, 44, Mansfield
Co-Founder and Director at raisethebar.co.uk
Hobbies/interests
Keeping fit, music, concerts, golf, travelling, reading and personal development.
How long have you been running for?
Six months.
Reason to run
I've been diagnosed with depression and at my lowest point I turned to CALM because I didn't know what else to do. My thinking was really confused and a call to CALM helped me to regain perspective and seek out the right medical advice. CALM provided a fantastic anonymous service – the person on the other end of the phone doesn't have any preconceived ideas of your predicament and I found this really helped me. It's hard to explain to people who've not been in this position. Once I saw that Heads Together were offering places to people to fundraise for charities including CALM I applied straight away. I want to do all that I can to support and promote this wonderful charity.
Funniest/most interesting thing to happen on your training journey so far...
I got married in Denver last year and trained at high altitude. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I think it really helped.
In 5 words or less - how do you feel after a training session?
Relieved, stiff, happy and tired.
Training advice for beginners
Pick a marathon training plan off the internet and just do what it says! I use the London Marathon beginners one.
On your headphones to put an extra spring in your step
Renaissance - The Mix Collection.
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Clearing my head on the road is amazing, and the sense of achievement when you finish a long difficult run is an incredible feeling.
Lettings Agent
Hobbies/interests
I like all sports really, but especially rugby union and football. Playing and watching.
Reason to run
I started running about two years ago when I weighed over 20 stone - the reason for me was to lose weight. Six months ago I reached a weight loss goal: I lost seven stone, and realised that I didn’t want to lose any more. Now running is more like an addiction. Running is the few hours every week where I can forget everything that is going on in my life, and the only thing to think about is putting one foot in front of the other. Clearing my head on the road is amazing, and the sense of achievement when you finish a long difficult run is an incredible feeling. I feel running is my way of maintaining my sanity.
Funniest/most interesting moment in training so far
One of the funniest moments for me was when I went running down a country lane, and suddenly I saw a goose on the side of the road. When he spotted me coming towards him he moved into the middle of the road. As I passed him he tried attacking my ankles. I managed to dodge him but then he chased me down the road for the next 50 meters or so. I was completely terrified.
How do you feel after a good run?
Like taking on the world.
Advice for beginners
Don’t go too far or too fast, too soon. Every mile will help and count towards the end goal so don’t worry if you can only do three miles to start with. It will soon build, just never push yourself to do 10 miles if your body can only do three.
On your headphones to get you motivated
Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees.
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Running allows time for myself, for me to clear my head and think about my life - it keeps me sane.
Self-employed business owner at Toddler Fun Learning
Reason to run
I signed up to my first half marathon in 2009 to get fit for my wedding. I’ve had three children since then and picked up running again this January when I found out about my London Marathon place. For me running allows time for myself, for me to clear my head and think about my life - it keeps me sane. It's also a good way of keeping fit and can be done anywhere; as long as you have a pair of decent trainers you can go out running and it allows you to explore new areas. Losing my dad to suicide in 2015, that’s given me a real purpose to run the Marathon for CALM.
On your headphones for motivation
Recently I've been listening to Marathon Talk, but normally I listen to a playlist that my husband put together for me for my first ever half-marathon. Whatever happens I will be turning up the volume as I head towards that finish line. The music really helps!
Advice for beginners
The best advice I have for beginners is to start off little-and-often and build up your distance as you get fitter and start to enjoy it.
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My advice for beginners is to start off really slowly – get a beginners training plan and stick to it.
Business Development Manager, working in Sports Hospitality (and CALM volunteer!)
Reason to run
Before I started training for this Marathon I have always been sporty, playing football and tennis since I was a kid. I’ve even completed a couple of 10km obstacle course races, but I have never run more than 10km in my life.
I lost my brother Toby to suicide when I was 14 so I’m running in memory of him. Toby didn’t feel he could talk about how he was feeling, even if he wanted to. Up until now, it hasn’t been something my family and I have ever talked about - an unspoken subject that we hadn’t dared breach.
I am running to let everyone know that it is okay to speak up and tell someone that you are feeling down. I am running to raise awareness for mental health and to put a stop to the stigma surrounding it. I feel that talking about your feelings is not a sign of weakness but one of incredible strength.
Advice to beginners
My advice for beginners is to start off really slowly – get a beginners training plan and stick to it. Worst thing you can do is to build up the miles too quickly; even if you think you can keep running, don’t overdo it and always listen to your body! Also, don’t be daunted by the miles – you will be amazed what your body can do if you stick with your training plan.
On your headphones for motivation
Music always keeps me going, so I alternate between Spotify’s ‘Indie Essentials’ and my own dance playlist. I definitely get my ‘running groove’ on when Starly’s ‘Call on Me’ the Ryan Ribeck Remix comes on!
How do you feel after a run?
Exhausted, euphoric, hangry and proud.
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I run to inspire others to get in to it as a means of managing and improving both their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
CALM Runners Crew Lead Volunteer
Hobbies/interests:
Anything, as long as it involves running!
Reason to run
I got back in to running after almost half a lifetime to raise money for a cause I care deeply about but somewhere along the way fell in love with the great sense of - for want of a better word - calm it gives me. Now I run for my own enjoyment, and try to inspire others to get in to it as a means of managing and improving both their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Funniest/most interesting thing to happen on your training journey so far
It's been a pleasure to be involved in setting up the CALM Runners Crew, and it's been a privilege to learn a little more about the people running for CALM and why they have committed themselves to this immense challenge.
In 5 words or less - how do you feel after a training session?
Always exhausted and always exhilarated.
What do you put on your headphones to put an extra spring in your step?
If I'm going at an easy/recovery pace I'll listen to a good podcast or audiobook to keep me from getting too excitable but on race day I'll go for the 80s power ballads or some techno depending on my mood.