12 Months to Marathon - Episode 80 - The Dark Side of Marathons

The Dark Side of Marathons

Marathon day is iconic.
 The crowds, the build-up, the emotion — it’s unforgettable.

But marathon training?
That’s a very different story.

In this episode, I talk honestly about the dark side of marathons — not the distance, not the pace, but the mental and emotional challenges that show up during the training process, especially for first-time marathon runners.

I’m currently in week six of my own marathon training, and after working closely with runners preparing for spring marathons like London, I wanted to bring everything together into one clear message.

This episode is about reassurance, simplicity, and mindset.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why marathon training often feels overwhelming — and why that’s normal
• The “resentful runner” phase and why it actually means you’re training properly
• Why guilt (especially charity guilt) makes training harder, not easier
• How comparison and over-analysis cloud judgment and stall progress
• Why first-time marathon runners cannot shortcut volume and load
• Practical ways to deal with mental lows without suppressing or venting
• Why mindset — not the plan — is often the real work in marathon training

If you’re:

• Feeling tired, overwhelmed, or doubtful
• Struggling to fit runs into real life
• Wondering if you’re doing “enough.”
• Resenting the next run on your plan

This episode is for you.

Marathon training is hard.
That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
It usually means you’re doing it right.

One run at a time.
 One solution at a time.
 Forgive yourself — then move forward.

🎧 Listen now to 12 Months to Marathon on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

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And if you’re marathon training right now — keep going.
It all comes together if you do the work.