12 Months to Marathon
Hi, I'm John Hill. I host 12 Months to Marathon—the running podcast for people over 35 with marathon dreams. Whether you are looking for a personal best or want to run a marathon, my story and regular tips should help you get there.
I didn't run my first marathon until I was 36. I ran my first sub-3 marathon at the age of 45. If I can do it, so can you!
For even more daily tips, make sure to follow me on Instagram
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Thanks for listening.
12 Months to Marathon
Mindset Mastery - Loving What Is
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Exclusive access to premium content!PART 1: Setting the Stage – Stillness and Awareness (5-10 min) Begin with Breathwork & Grounding:
“Reality is always kinder than the stories we tell about it.” – Byron Katie Sit comfortably.
Close your eyes. Inhale deeply for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 6. Repeat 5 times. Let your breath fall into its natural rhythm and silently observe your thoughts.
Now, Ask Yourself: What is troubling me right now? What recurring thought is causing me stress or emotional pain? Write it down as a simple, unfiltered statement (e.g., “My partner doesn’t listen to me.”)
🔍 PART 2: The Work – Inquiry Process (20-30 min)
Take your stressful thought and go through the Four Questions and Turnaround process.
📌 STEP 1: The Four Questions 1. Is it true? Pause. Be still. Wait for the honest, inner answer. 2. Can you absolutely know that it’s true? Look deeper. Is there any possibility that your belief may not hold? 3. How do you react—what happens—when you believe that thought? Describe your feelings. Notice physical sensations. How do you treat others? Yourself? 4. Who would you be without that thought? Imagine facing the same situation without the stressful belief. What shifts? How do you feel? Who are you now?
🔄 STEP 2: The Turnaround Flip the original thought in three ways: To the self (“I don’t listen to myself”) To the other (“I don’t listen to my partner”) To the opposite (“My partner does listen to me”) For each turnaround, find three genuine examples of how it could be true. This isn't about forcing positivity; it's about discovering new perspectives that could also be just as true or even truer.
✨ PART 3: Integration – Letting Go and Loving What Is (5-10 min) Reflect: What did you discover about your mind’s patterns? How does your body feel now? What has shifted in your perception? Affirm: “When I argue with reality, I lose—but only 100% of the time.” – Byron Katie Repeat this mantra: “I trust reality. I welcome what is. I meet life with open arms.” Optional Journaling Prompts: How can I meet today’s challenges with more openness?
What beliefs am I ready to question tomorrow? 🛠️ Daily Practice Tips Use the Work on even small irritations. Catch stressful thoughts as they arise and gently ask, “Is it true?” Treat every difficult moment as an opportunity to wake up, not to suffer.
