The London Marathon map

The course map for the 2019 London Marathon has been unveiled and, oh boy, it looks long. Something about seeing the course laid out like this makes it feel so, so much worse. This is what the route looks like in its entirety:

That is a long, long, looooong red line...

Let's take a look through the course route in a bit more detail, shall we?

All I can see are the pubs I'll be missing...

The opening of the marathon, the first 10K. This doesn't worry me too much. I've had plenty of practice crossing this distance. Looks like nice, flat streets. A few bends. The big challenge with this section - as I've been warned before - is not to get too excited by the cheering crowds or the incredible surroundings or the thousands of other people bolting from the start line like greyhounds after a rabbit. I have to remember not to overdo it too soon. In fact, it would be better to try and run slower than usual during these opening stages, to save my energy for the latter parts of the course, when I'll surely need it most.

Good thing the course will be marked on the day - I'd get lost trying to mavigate this!

This is where I'll start to really feel it. At the time of writing, my personal long-distance record is a shade over fourteen miles. You can see it right there, near the top of the map. It's a good number, isn't it? But here, in the context of the entire London Marathon, it's not good enough. Not even close. It's only a little over halfway. I can't be satisfied with running half the course and blowing out for the rest. I'm an all-or-nothing kind of guy, I will never be happy with walking the second half of this course. I need to go as far as I can - and then further still.

Those twists and turns look a little unpleasant, too. Lots of sharp corners. What are the roads like? London has a lot of cobbled streets. Can you imagine how embarrassing it would be to take a tumble during the run? What if I hurt myself? Or, worse, what if I fall over on camera? Millions of people could see me go arse-up in the middle of the capital.

The culmination of all my training. Six months boil down to the final three miles.

The final stretch, the sprint - or pained amble, slow jog, exhausted walk - to the finish line. I can't imagine how good it will feel to run along the Thames past these world-famous landmarks. Will I be able to enjoy the view, or will I be too drained, too shattered, too exhausted to even notice?

The finale. Wonder if Liz will put the kettle on for me?

And here it is in close-up - the finish line. Remember, the distance between Marathon and Athens is twenty-six point three miles, so when I hit the magical mark, there will still be a tiny bit left to run. I turn away from the Thames, head back toward the city. Then a run past Lizzie's House and there, in the distance - the finsh line. I'm getting goosebumps trying to imagine that sight. Trying to imagine turning the final corner and bursting onto The Mall. Streets lined with people. Blood pumping in my veins. Feet pounding the road. Legs aching. And then the giant red posts come into view...

I have never been so excited and simultaneously terrified like this before. What an incredible day it's going to be. What a fantastic experience to treasure. I can't wait.