Can I Run a Marathon?

Can I really run 42.2km?

When I completed my first half-marathon in April 2024, I genuinely felt like I couldn't take one step more.

Running a full marathon felt as far away from my capability as it had ever been.

Remember Where You Came From

I do need to remember that there was a point where I could barely run 10 metres.

When I was at my heaviest weight of around 20st or 127 kg (depending on your preference), I would probably have thought it impossible to run a 5km parkrun.

I did manage to achieve that, though, just by showing up consistently at my weekly parkrun, and reminding myself that I just had to put one foot in front of the other.

The speed of the completed run never mattered, and it is still way down the priority list for me.

The compounding effect of just continually turning up and putting one foot in front of the other eventually got me to the position of being able to run a half-marathon.

If I dedicate myself to the marathon training in the same way, I will be able to complete the marathon run.

The Start of My Sober Journey

When I decided that I was going to dedicate myself to regularly running on a Saturday morning.

Be it at parkrun or not.

I realised quickly that I needed to stop drinking alcohol on a Friday night, otherwise the chains of the hangover would just be too strong to break out from at 7:00 am on Saturday Morning.

I found all the motivation I needed by focusing on my new hobby of running, reassured by the fact that this was me putting my health first.

Ultimately, that was what was most important to me at that time, so I could fight back against the -

• lack of energy
• poor sleep
• low self-esteem

My Marathon Date

My date with marathon destiny is 3rd May, at the Adelaide Marathon.

I have plenty of time left to train, and I've been steadily increasing my output and have the blisters to prove it.

You don't train for a marathon by running a marathon; ultimately, it'll be down to gradual improvement, one day at a time.

I'm mentally ready to take on the challenge now, and I'll keep you posted on how the training is going.

The journey is the fun part, and the training runs are going to give me a good excuse to get out and explore more of Adelaide.

Until the next time, go well.