Dan Brown

Week 27 of 39 – Crossing the Threshold

Phase 3 of marathon prep feels completely different to the months that came before it. There’s a moment in every long training plan where things stop feeling like “training for a marathon” and start feeling like you’ve stepped inside the marathon itself. That’s where I am now.

Phase 3 has been the point where the distances have tipped into a new territory. Covering more than a half marathon every weekend isn’t a milestone anymore, but the standard. It’s surreal to think that only a few months ago, 13 miles would’ve been a huge mental event. Now it’s the minimum requirement for the long run. That shift alone has changed something in me.

What’s different about this phase isn’t just the distance. It’s the atmosphere. The runs feel heavier, more serious, more purposeful. The fatigue is real, and I’m getting used to heading out knowing that at some point I’ll be tired, and that at some point I’ll want to stop.

There’s a strange kind of quiet that comes with Phase 3. No fireworks. No “firsts” left to tick off. Just the steady accumulation of miles that need to be done. These are the repetitive, unglamorous weeks where motivation isn’t enough and discipline has to take over. The truth is, these long runs are more than just about building fitness. You start to recognise yourself as someone who keeps going, someone who can handle the miles, someone who doesn’t fold when it gets uncomfortable.

I can feel the marathon getting closer now. Every long run feels like a small rehearsal, a chance to test fuelling, pacing, and patience. I’m learning how my body responds when it starts to fade, and I’m learning how to keep moving anyway. There’s something powerful in that. It reminds me why I signed up for this in the first place... not just to run 26.2 miles, but to prove something to myself about commitment, about resilience, about seeing something through to the end.

Phase 3 has been the threshold. The point of no return. And that thought, more than anything, is what’s carrying me forward.

27 weeks down. 12 to go. The marathon is getting closer, and so am I.

Dan

Week 23 of 39 – New Year, Same Goal

January 1st often feels like a fresh start. New goals, new resolutions, new motivation.

But for me, this isn’t the start of something new, but the continuation of something that’s been quietly built over the last 23 weeks.

I’m now in Week 23 of 39 in London Marathon prep. The foundations are firmly in place, and the steady build of mileage has added up. I’m fitter and more resilient than I was when this journey began back in the summer.

As we move into the new year, I’m also approaching Phase 3: Peak Marathon Prep. This is where the training becomes more demanding than ever. The longest runs are ahead, fatigue management becomes crucial, and every session has a clear purpose. It’s the phase where everything done so far starts to matter.

Winter is still very much here too. Cold mornings, dark evenings, and long runs that test you just as much mentally as they do physically.

And as always, I come back to why I’m doing this.

In 2014, my dad suffered a major stroke. Watching him fight through recovery had a huge impact on me and my family, and it’s why running the 2026 London Marathon for the Stroke Association means so much. Their work supports stroke survivors and their loved ones through some of the toughest moments of their lives, and knowing that gives every mile meaning.

I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported me so far, whether through donations or words of encouragement. Your support is a constant reminder that this journey is bigger than just one race.

2026 isn’t about starting from scratch, but about continuing to build on what’s already there. Peak prep is coming, and I’m ready to meet it head-on.

Speak soon.

Dan

Week 19 of 39 – Nearly Halfway

Week 19 is here, which means I’m now just one week away from hitting the halfway point of marathon prep. It’s crazy to think that we are at this stage already, but when I look back at the last few months, I can see how far I’ve come.

The early foundation work is behind me now. The strength work, the shorter runs, the steady build-up, has all put me in a much stronger place than I was in July. My fitness has improved, my routine feels solid, and the training is becoming and more about applying everything consistently.

Phase 2 has really highlighted that. The runs are getting longer and the mileage is rising. It’s a rewarding point in the journey – far enough in that the progress is real, but still early enough that there’s plenty of time to keep building.

With winter fully settling in, training certainly isn’t easy. The cold, wet, and dark days definitely test you. But feeling myself becoming more prepared for April makes every session worth it.

And as always, I come back to why I’m doing this.

In 2014, my dad suffered a major stroke. Watching him fight through his recovery changed everything for our family, and it’s why I’m running the 2026 London Marathon for the Stroke Association. Their support makes a genuine difference in the lives of stroke survivors and their families, and knowing that gives every mile meaning.

As always, thank you so much to everyone who has supported me so far. Here’s to the halfway mark just around the corner – and to the journey still ahead.

Dan

Week 14 of 39 – The Next Phase Begins

I’ve just entered Week 14 of my London Marathon training, marking the start of Phase 2. Strength training is easing back slightly, and the focus is shifting towards building more mileage and endurance as race day edges closer.

It’s crazy to think I’m already over a third of the way to the marathon. The consistency over the last few months has built a solid foundation – now it’s time to build on it with longer runs, tougher conditions, and more time on my feet.

With winter setting in, the next stretch will mean colder mornings, darker evenings, and quieter roads. It’s the part of training where discipline takes over from motivation – when you show up because of the reason you started.

For me, that reason is my dad, who had a major stroke in 2014. Seeing what he went through is what drives me to keep going – especially when the miles get tough. I’m proud to be running for the Stroke Association – a charity that supports stroke survivors and their families every step of the way.

A massive thank you again to everyone who’s supported my fundraising so far. Your encouragement means the world.

Here’s to Phase 2 – the winter miles, the darker runs, and getting one step closer to the start line in London.

Dan

Week 10 of 39 – 100km and Counting

I’ve just hit a big milestone in my training – 100km of running completed so far!

I’m now into week 10 of London Marathon prep, and it feels amazing to look back at the progress since July. Between runs and strength sessions, the consistency is paying off, and I’m building towards that start line in April.

Of course, every kilometre has been worth it, because this isn’t about me. I’m running for the Stroke Association, a charity that does incredibly meaningful work, supporting thousands of stroke survivors and families every year. Knowing that keeps me moving forward.

I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s donated or shown encouragment. You’re part of this journey with me, and your support means more than I can put into words.

Now it’s on to the next 100km, the colder months, and the tougher training ahead. One step closer to 26.2 miles in London next April!

Dan

Week 6 of 39 – Deload and Recovery

I’m officially into week 6 of London Marathon prep, and so far, I’ve completed 36 sessions – a mix of runs and strength training. The foundation has been set, and I’m proud of the consistency I’ve maintained so far.

This week is a deload week, which means I’m easing back on intensity to let my body recover and adapt. Recovery is just as important as the training itself, so we're taking the time to make sure it's done right.

Training with a purpose makes the process even more meaningful. I’m running for the Stroke Association because of my dad’s stroke in 2014. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported my fundraising so far. Your donations and encouragement mean the world.

Here’s to week 7.

Dan

Week 1 of 39 – Marathon Training Has Begun!

I’ve just wrapped up the very first week of my 39-week training plan for the 2026 London Marathon, and I’m feeling inspired and ready for the journey ahead.

This week I completed 2 runs and 5 strength sessions. It’s only the beginning, but I’m excited for what’s to come, and proud to be raising vital funds for the Stroke Association along the way.

This cause means everything to me because of my dad’s stroke back in 2014. Training with this purpose means motivation is never an issue – every session feels like it’s contributing to something bigger.

Thank you to everyone who’s already supported me. Your encouragement and donations genuinely mean more than I can put into words.

Here’s to week 2 and all the progress, challenges, and milestones still to come. Let’s do this!

Why I’m Running the London Marathon for the Stroke Association

In 2014, my dad had a major stroke. I was just 13.

It was a moment that changed everything overnight – for him, for me, and for my family. We were lucky. My dad survived. But life didn’t just go back to normal. Hospitals, rehab, worry, hope. I saw up close how devastating a stroke can be, not just physically, but emotionally. Recovery doesn’t end when you leave the hospital. In many ways, it’s just beginning.

More than a decade on, that experience still shapes me. It’s one of the reasons I’ve chosen to study physiotherapy. I want to help people rebuild their lives, just like my dad had to.

That’s why running the 2026 London Marathon for the Stroke Association means everything to me. It’s not just a race. It’s a tribute to my dad. It’s a way to give back to a charity that does incredible work supporting stroke survivors and their families. It’s also a personal challenge, something I know I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.

There are over 1.4 million stroke survivors in the UK, and every five minutes, someone else is affected. The Stroke Association helps ensure no one has to face that journey alone, but they rely on donations to do it.

If you’re able to support me on this journey, I’d be incredibly grateful. Every pound helps make a real difference.

Thank you for reading. And thank you for being part of this.

Dan