A sports massage therapist, mom, and self-proclaimed hater of running, completed the London Marathon after her ex-partner told her she wouldn’t be able to do it, according to Hull Live.
Jemima Beal, 25, enjoyed just two runs out of 39 over 16 weeks, according to the report, and despite finishing the race in 4:54:24, still hates running.
Beal, a mother of one, raised 915 GBP for Mind, a mental health organization in England and Wales, in honor of her father who died by suicide when she was a teenager, according to her fundraising page.
She signed up for the London race three years ago but postponed due to COVID and being pregnant, Hull Live reported.
“When I told people I was going to run a marathon they all laughed at me because they know I hate long distance running,” she told the outlet. Perhaps no one doubted her more than her ex-partner.
“Last year, I left my ex-partner and he had said I wouldn’t be able to do it,” she says. “I wanted to prove him wrong but above all do it for myself.”
Prior to her four months of training, Beal wrote on her fundraising page that she had never run a mile, as of December 2022, “other than on the hockey pitch.”
“The London Marathon was so painful but also the most phenomenal experience,” she told Hull Live. “Although I must say I don't see myself doing it again."
Heather is the former food and nutrition editor for Runner’s World, the author of The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook, and a nine-time marathoner with a best of 3:23. She’s also proud of her 19:40 5K and 5:33 mile. Heather is an RRCA certified run coach.
