Lucinda Taylor, 33, who lives in Wimbledon and works at KPMG, will take on the 26.2-mile challenge for the first time this spring in memory of her uncle, Alastair.
Lucinda has steadily built up to the marathon distance over the past year, progressing from parkrun to 10K races and then the Great South Run, a 10-mile race she completed last year.
“This is my first marathon and the longest run I’ve ever done,” she said. “I’ve gone from parkrun to 10K to 10 miles and now suddenly it’s 26.2 miles.”
Training through the winter while working full time has been demanding.
“I’m feeling quite positive as the day gets closer, but it really has been such hard work training with a full-time job, especially through the winter months,” she said. “Mentally and physically it has been tough, this is far from easy for me. However, now it’s just a few weeks away, I’m quite excited – although my body is sore.”
Family first
Lucinda is the first person in her family to attempt a marathon and has chosen to follow a simple, traditional training approach.
“I’m following an old-school plan – just like Alastair would have done it – avoiding the endless amount of apps, tech and programmes available. I’ve been training all by myself and will run on my own – well, as much as you can run on your own with 40,000 other people doing the same race.
“I’m looking forward to having closure on the training because this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done physically and I’m not sure I’m built for it,” she said. “My physio did question why I was putting myself through this but when I explained it’s to honour my uncle’s wishes and for an amazing cause, she understood why I’m pushing myself so hard.”
Lucinda hopes the atmosphere on the day – and the support of family – will help her through.
“I’m looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere, seeing my family and friends on the course and my mother at the finish line,” she said.
“Plod On”
To keep herself going during the race, she will carry messages and mottos on her legs – including some advice from her uncle. “My favourite of his, which he used to say if I was having a bad round of golf, was ‘plod on’. How apt for the marathon – I shall carry his voice with me for 26 miles.”
A retired GP, Alastair was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of cancer for which there is no cure. A bone marrow transplant offered hope, but he suffered a rare and catastrophic reaction to medication given before the procedure, causing severe damage to his sensory nervous system.
Relearning everyday activities
He lost the ability to sense his limbs or feel his feet on the floor and had to relearn everyday activities such as brushing his teeth, feeding himself, standing and stepping.
After eight months at St George’s Hospital, Alastair was discharged home in March 2024. Within weeks he started at Neurokinex which offers a unique activity-based rehabilitation programme for people living with paralysis. Attending twice a week, he began to make steady progress and by July 2024 he was walking again using parallel bars.
Hugely grateful to the Neurokinex team, Alastair planned to organise a golf day to raise funds to help others access the charity’s therapy. Sadly, he died suddenly and unexpectedly from a pulmonary embolism on July 29, 2024 before seeing the fundraising event take place.
Honouring uncle’s wish
Lucinda is now running the London Marathon in honour of his wishes. Her target is £2,000 and so far she has raised just over £1,500 at her 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com.
“My uncle loved being at Neurokinex and was humbled by who he met and what he saw there,” she said. “He really wanted to give back to help others access the rehab they need. I comfort myself knowing he would have wanted me to do my best for this cause. It matters hugely to my mother as well – I’ll be running for her just as much as for him.”
She added: “I do miss him so much and just wish he was here,” said Lucinda. “I will never regret the opportunity to have this experience. Even though it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, it means so much to me and it will all be worth it for the finish line hug with my mother.”
Meant to be
Lucinda believes the opportunity to take part in the marathon may have been meant to be. “Before I found out Neurokinex had a place for me to run, I entered the ballot and got in which I know is really hard to do because it’s so oversubscribed,” she said. “Of course, once I had my charity place, I let my ballot place go to someone else.
“The chances of getting in first time are slim, so I can’t help feeling someone up there is telling me this year is my time to take on the challenge of the London Marathon.”
