Training for the TCS London Marathon has a way of sneaking into every part of your life.
It’s in the early alarms, the trainers by the door, the long runs that take over weekends and the quiet pride that comes from ticking off another session. It’s exciting, exhausting and deeply rewarding - sometimes all at once.
Right now, the motivation is high and your goals feel fresh. Maybe you’re preparing for your first marathon, or maybe you’re returning with unfinished business. Either way, training isn’t just about the miles you run, it’s about how you prepare for them, and how you recover afterwards. That’s where small rituals come in.
Sponsored by Radox
For many runners, the day starts in the shower.
On dark winter mornings or busy training days, a warm, invigorating shower can be the bridge between sleep and movement.
Radox Feel Awake Shower Gel helps wake up the senses and shift you into 'run mode'. It’s a simple moment, but one that can make the difference between dragging yourself out the door and actually feeling ready to go.
Then there’s the run itself. Some days feel effortless, others feel like hard work from the first step, but every run is a win in marathon training. And once it’s done, what happens next matters just as much.
Post-run recovery is the time to let your body and mind reset. A revitalising shower using Radox Feel Refreshed Shower Gel helps wash away sweat, stiffness and mental fatigue, leaving you feeling lighter and more energised for the rest of the day.
That post-run feeling, clean, calm, quietly proud, is one of the underrated joys of training. As elite athletes know, recovery is where the real progress happens. Olympic champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson (KJT) has spoken openly about its importance, saying: “Training is only half the story. Recovery is where your body adapts, rebuilds and comes back stronger.”
As the weeks go on and the mileage builds, tired legs become part of the journey.
Long runs, back-to-back sessions and peak training weeks ask a lot of your body, and this is where slowing down becomes essential. A warm bath after a tough run isn’t just a treat, it’s a chance to properly switch off. Radox Muscle Soak Bath Soak and Radox Muscle Soak Bath Salts, blended with minerals and herbs, turns bath time into a recovery ritual, helping ease hardworking muscles while giving you space to relax, breathe and unwind.
Some runners like to treat this moment as a kind of post-run meditation, sinking into the bath, letting the aromatic bubbles do their thing, replaying the run or simply enjoying a few minutes of stillness. It’s a pause that helps you feel human again, ready to go again tomorrow.
Evenings during marathon training are just as important as mornings. Good sleep, hydration and calm routines all help your body absorb the work you’ve put in. A warm bath with a soothing Radox Feel Relaxed Bath Soak, infused with calming scents - lavender and waterlily - can help signal the end of the day, preparing you for deeper rest and better recovery overnight.
That balance between effort and rest is something that KJT has often highlighted: “You can’t push hard every day. Knowing when to slow down is what keeps you healthy, consistent and able to perform at your best.”
Training is built on these moments. Not just the headline runs, but the in-between ones, the showers that wake you up, the baths that help you recover, and the quiet moments that keep you grounded when training feels tough.
Radox believes that feeling ready for the marathon isn’t just about strong legs, but a strong mindset too. When your routines support both body and mind, training becomes something you can enjoy, not just endure.
So, as you work towards the Start Line, remember progress doesn’t come all at once. It comes one shower, one run, one bath and one mindful moment at a time. And before you know it, you’ll be ready, in every sense of the word.
