I Can Run A Marathon

We're just two weeks away from the London Marathon 2026 and things are suddenly getting very real!

In this episode, Emma B is joined by Tracy Parker, a Dietician from the British Heart Foundation and first-time marathon runner Lucie Bond for a reassuring chat about one of the biggest race day stress points... nutrition.

Tracy shares her advice on glycogen, hydration, electrolytes, cramp, breakfast timing, fuelling early, recovery, why sticking to what your body already knows is one of the smartest things you can do, and what happens when your long run has been powered by mini eggs and jelly babies!

Alongside Tracy's expert tips, Lucie tells us how she is running for the British Heart Foundation after her son Archie was born with congenital heart disease. It’s a moving reminder of the reasons so many people take on this huge challenge in the first place.

Every week, we want to hear how your marathon journey is going… the wins or the wobbles, or good luck messages. Just WhatsApp us on +44 333 00 333 00.

This episode is sponsored by the British Heart Foundation. Learn more at bhf.org.uk/events
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As April arrives and the London Marathon approaches, Emma B welcomes comedian Zoe Lyons, who went from being “laughably bad” at sport… to completing ultra marathons of up to 100KM.

Zoe tells us the reality of running 100KM (including what really happens to your body…), why you don’t need to “look like a runner” to become one, and the simple mental trick that keeps her going when everything says stop! Plus, take Zoe’s advice on what NOT to do after you’ve finished a race (she ended up in A&E), to discovering the power of “just getting to the next cow”!

If you’ve ever thought “I could never do that”, Zoe and Emma B might just change your mind to say “I CAN!”.

Every week, we want to hear how your marathon journey is going… the wins or the wobbles, or good luck messages. Just WhatsApp us on +44 333 00 333 00.

This episode is sponsored by the British Heart Foundation. Learn more at bhf.org.uk/events
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re a month away from the London Marathon 2026, so who better to join Emma B this week than Race Director, Hugh Brasher!

As a first-timer, Emma B gets to ask all the questions you’re probably thinking, or searching online for. Hugh reveals the biggest mistakes first-timers make on the course, his single most important piece of race-day advice, and exactly what happens in those first moments after you cross the finish line. Plus, find out why the weather matters more than you think, what the organisers learned from the brutal 2018 heat, and the fascinating story of how Hugh's father co-founded the event with one extraordinary mission in mind. Think of this as your London Marathon cheat sheet! We 'Run It By Hugh' so you don't have to!

Every week, we want to hear how your marathon journey is going… the wins or the wobbles. Just WhatsApp us on +44 333 00 333 00.

This episode is sponsored by the British Heart Foundation. Learn more at bhf.org.uk/events

Watch the full episode on the Virgin Radio YouTube Channel from 6pm on Thursday 26th March 2026.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What was the London Marathon like before gels, super shoes, and sports science?

In this episode of I Can Run a Marathon, Emma B meets Vernon Thomas, a runner from the very first London Marathon in 1981, right at the finish line on The Mall. From running in retro shoes to advice that completely flips modern marathon thinking, Vernon shares what it was really like… and why you might be overcomplicating your own race.

As we head towards the London Marathon 2026, we think you’ll find this episode reassuring about how to run your own race!

Every week, we want to hear how your marathon journey is going… the wins or the wobbles. Just WhatsApp us on +44 333 00 333 00.

This episode is sponsored by the British Heart Foundation. Learn more at bhf.org.uk/events

Watch the full episode on the Virgin Radio YouTube Channel from 6pm on Thursday 19th March 2026.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Emma B had to pause her running from a setback, this week’s episode is all about resilience.

She’s joined by Royal Ballet principal dancer Steven McRae, whose career was nearly ended when he snapped his Achilles during a performance at the Royal Opera House in front of 2,500 people!

Emma B and Steven talk about how he rebuilt his body after having to learn to walk again, why setbacks can become your a strength, and the mindset that helps you keep going when everything feels stacked against you.

Steven may never have run a marathon, but his story of recovery and mental strength will be useful whether you’re running, or just going through a tough patch.

Every week, we want to hear how your marathon journey is going… the wins or the wobbles. Just WhatsApp us on +44 333 00 333 00.

This episode is sponsored by the British Heart Foundation. Learn more at bhf.org.uk/events
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.