Sophie Ashdown

On Sunday last weekend I went to cheer on my partner’s cousin Claire who was running her first ever marathon.

I was so excited for her and she had done so much training. Prior to this she had hardly done any running at all, so to go from the couch to a marathon was a huge achievement.

I wanted to make a sign for her, for her big day but was struggling to think of something she would find funny or inspirational. I saw her at Easter and she admitted that she did not enjoy the running and did not plan to run any more after the big race. So that gave me the idea of what to make!

The sign seems simple enough, but I spent SO much time measuring out how the letters would be spaced out. I used a cheap canvas that I then took off of the frame and was able to roll up for carrying. The lettering was done with fat markers and Posca pens. It was actually really nice to make something different to usual, and also to make something with a purpose. I really hoped that Claire would like it.

The first time we saw Claire running the race, around mile 10, she had seen the sign from far away and knew it was for her! She looked great and had a big smile on her face.

We then went to Canary Wharf to see her in two places there, then again at the finish line. At one point we hired Lime bikes and cycled through East London to keep up with her! It was so much fun and so inspiring to watch the race. There was a huge group of us to cheer her on, and congratulate her at the end. She finished in her expected time and was so happy.

After the race we all went for post-race pints which Claire really loved. She asked if she could keep my sign which of course I gave to her. I think she is going to put it up in their gym room at home to remind her of her big day. I love that she wanted to keep something I made for her. She did so amazingly well.

It was interesting for me to be a spectator instead of running the marathon. I used to run a lot and did the London marathon seven times before randomly I blew out my knee playing netball, so I couldn’t run the same way after that. However since watching all those runners and the incredible support along the route, I got inspired to take up running again. I’m not sure if I’ll get to marathon level again but I’ve applied for next year’s race and I’ve done a couple of sessions on the treadmill, so we’ll see if my knee holds out!