I’m Paul. I’m 40 years old, a warehouse worker, a husband, and a dad to two amazing kids aged 4 and 7. I’m also unfit, overweight, and haven’t done any serious running or even fitness for over 20 years.
So why on earth am I training to run a marathon?
A Long-Held Dream
The idea’s been in the back of my mind for years. I grew up watching my dad complete the London Marathon five times in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Seeing him run down The Mall with the crowd cheering, that image stuck with me. It planted a seed: maybe one day, I’ll do that too.
Some of my best memories are from those marathon weekends. I remember going with him to the expo to collect his race number, then heading off to the pasta party the night before. We all crammed into one room at a London hotel, me, my mum, dad, brother, and sister. My dad couldn’t sleep. He was cracking jokes and keeping us all awake. At the time, I thought he was just being funny. Now I realise it was nerves.
I remember standing on the line as a kid, watching runners fly by, waiting for my dad. When I finally spotted him, he didn’t look fast. He didn’t look fresh. But he looked determined. I didn’t get it then. But I think I do now.
There was also the time he won a competition with Aura Pure after sharing his story. They gave him a branded vest to wear. The hours after the marathon, we were killing time at Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park before getting the coach home. My dad still had the vest on, and one of the guys preaching from a box took issue with it, he got pretty fired up about it. We left shortly after, just as police sirens and blue lights came tearing into the park. Not quite the peaceful cooldown my dad had in mind.
Fast forward a few decades, and “one day” has finally become now. Not because the timing is perfect. Not because I’m already fit or ready. But because I want this for my health, for my family, and for someone very special I never got the chance to know.
Running for Rachel
In April 2026, I’ll be running the London Marathon for the Meningitis Research Foundation, in memory of my sister Rachel, who died from meningitis when she was just 18 months old.
The race will take place less than three weeks before what would have been her 40th birthday. Running this marathon is my way of honouring her and trying to help prevent other families from experiencing the same kind of loss.
If you’d like to support my fundraising efforts, you can do so here:👉 JustGiving – Paul Dinham
From Sprinter to Shuffler
Back in my teenage years, I was a sprinter—100m, 200m, 400m. I even did cross-country and road races, including a half marathon at 17, six weeks after breaking my collarbone in a relay race at Bath University. But since then, life took over. Long work hours. Family commitments. I haven’t done a serious training in two decades. Running took a back seat… a very distant back seat.
Right now, I’m 13st 4lbs, and my fitness is at rock bottom. So this challenge isn’t just physical it’s emotional and mental too.
Fears, Doubts, and That Nagging Voice
Honestly? I’m scared.
- Scared I won’t have time to train around 12-hour shifts.
- Scared I’ll get injured before I even make it to the start line.
- Scared I’ll lose motivation halfway through.
- Scared I’ll crash out on race day and not finish.
And yeah, I’ve never actually failed at something like this before… but that’s mostly because I’ve never properly started. Until now!
Training around 12-hour shifts is going to be brutal. I don’t know how my body will hold up. I don’t know what to eat, when to rest, or how to juggle it all. There’s a loud voice in my head saying, “What if I can’t do this?”
But here’s the thing, I’m doing it anyway.
What I Hope to Gain
Yes, I want to lose weight and get healthier. But more than that, I want to prove to myself that I can still take on something huge. That I can commit to a goal and see it through.
I want my kids to see me finish and understand that even when things are hard, especially when things are hard, you keep going. Just like I learned from watching my own dad all those years ago.
This journey isn’t just about 26.2 miles. It’s about:
- Better health: I want to improve my fitness and manage my weight.
- Routine & habits: Training might just help fix my sleep, my diet, and my sense of discipline.
- Mental strength: To push through setbacks and build resilience.
- Emotional healing: This isn’t just about the body. It’s for Rachel. It’s for my family. It’s for me.
- Charity: Raising money that could save lives and helping family deal with grief.
The Finish Line
I don’t picture myself triumphantly sprinting across the finish line like a hero. I see myself crying. Shuffling. Possibly limping. Powered by sheer will (and maybe a bit of swearing).
But I’ll get there.
And when I do, and my kids are there to see it, maybe they’ll remember that moment.
Not because I looked strong…
But because I kept going.
Follow the Journey
This is just the beginning. Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing my training progress, the ups, the downs, the blisters, the breakthroughs, and everything in between.
If you’ve ever thought about taking on a challenge like running your first marathon or just want to see what happens when an unfit dad decides to run 26.2 miles, stick around. Let’s see where this road takes us.
👉 Follow me on X: @RunPaulDinham
📬 Or join the email list to keep up with my progress.
🙌 Thank You
Thanks for reading and for being part of my journey. Whether you’re cheering me on, donating, or just laughing at my sore legs every bit of support means the world.
Next Up: Couch to 5K Begins
Next up: my first jog in 20 years as I start week one of Couch to 5K.