Running with Joy: Unveiling Marathon Success with Runcoach

Major Milestone? The Marathon

What is the secret to your success?

Having fun, actually enjoying the runs.

What is the biggest obstacle to reaching your goals and how do you get over it?

Planning adequately to get the time in and considering travel, so needing to be flexible.

What is the most rewarding part of training?

Being outside in nature, watching the trees change, learning to identify a few, listening to my body and thoughts.

What feedback would you offer on the Runcoach experience?

I did not download the app until the end of September because I thought if I only put in weekly miles I would be okay. But a friend who has run several marathons advised me to buy it. It was a game changer! I now had a plan, it even included rest, timed runs were great and it gave me confidence to know I was doing the right thing. Being able to email the coaches (Cally for me) was great. I asked her several questions, she always answered on time and I felt someone had my back. It made me feel accompanied. The daily tips were also great. Specially the reminders to “not do anything new on race day!” because it is so easy when one is nervous to want to change things up, but I stuck to the plan and it worked. I did go out too fast, I couldn’t help it, but fortunately because I was well trained I was able to keep going. Great experience.

Striking the Right Balance: A Runner's Secret to Marathon Success

Major Milestone? 

Completing Dublin Marathon in 3:54. This was my first marathon in 22 years, and my best time in 37 years, nearly 4 decades later.

What is the secret to your success?

Discipline and focus, and setting realistic goals. I have learned that if there are failures along the way, there are always lessons that can be learned which can help make you a better runner going forward.

What is the biggest obstacle to reaching your goals and how do you get over it?

It is very hard to fit the training in around family and work commitments. Sacrifices have to be made and sometimes you have to be selfish to get the me-time in. But at the end of the day, it is about finding the right balance in a realistic way. You cannot please all of the people all of the time.

What is the most rewarding part of training?

To see the improvement. To come back from a hard run at the end of the day following a really tough day at work, but knowing you have given it your best, the positive energy gained can turn any negative thoughts into a runner’s high. And you know that you are going places as you strive forward and closer to reaching your goal.

What advice would you give to other members of the Runcoach community?

Just go for it. You will not regret it. And don’t be afraid to seek help from those around you. I am in my mid fifties and am running better and feeling better with myself than I have done in decades. I have not been able to do this on my own though, and have learned to seek help from nutritionists, physios, experienced runners and a chiropractor. The whole system needs good maintenance to work properly.

Anything else you would like to share?

Mix up your training runs - include some road running and trail running. Milestone races also add some spice and excitement and allow you to benchmark your improvement over time and to engage with the local running community too. And also try to keep it interesting by mixing up the routes and throwing in some big adventures to give excitement and memories too. The mental well-being benefits are huge.

What feedback would you offer on the Runcoach experience?

The coaching advice from Cally has been first class, She was always good to respond in good time, answering all of my questions and sharing her huge experience and knowledge. Thank you Cally!

Overcoming Doubts, Achieving Milestones: An Inspiring Interview with a Dublin City Marathon Finisher

Major Milestone? Dublin City Marathon (Ireland)

What is the secret to your success?

Listen to good advice like following the training plan, good nutrition, rest and sleep, strength exercises to reduce the risk of injury and warm up before every run. It's not one of these, it's all of them. Make this a routine. Above all, you have to want it.

What is the biggest obstacle to reaching your goals and how do you get over it?

Worrying that I was not good enough or fit enough to run a marathon. Earlier in the training plan, this knocked my confidence. But as I achieved my sub goals I began to see the value in the plan and my confidence slowly grew. Worry has no value..stick to the plan and have patience.

What is the most rewarding part of training?

By far the most rewarding part of training was seeing my fitness level increase. A year ago, doing a 25k run was tough; now I find it relatively easy and enjoyable. My preference is longer distance running and the training plan Runcoach gave me helped me to become a confident endurance runner.

What advice would you give to other members of the Runcoach community?

Whatever your big goal is, set mini goals along the way and train for each goal. Enter competitive runs and stick to your plan as best you can. This will give you a big confidence boost as you achieve each mini goal.

Anything else you would like to share?

I started running at the age of 51 and two years later I've just completed my first marathon. It's never too late. In the marathon, I ran with with people of all ages, abilities and challenges. If you want to do it, you can.

What feedback would you offer on the Runcoach experience?

Runcoach is a terrific resource to have supporting you. There are plans to suit all stages of your progress including weekly schedules and audio guide when running. But the best part is that you get a dedicated professional coach...a real person to help you and answer questions. My coach Cally is brilliant and definitely helped my achieve my goals.

Unveiling the Secrets of a Massive Personal Best Achievement at the 2023 Chicago Marathon

Major Milestone:

1hour and 35 minute improvement from 2021 Chicago Marathon (7:11) to 2023 Chicago Marathon (5:36).

What is the secret to your success?

Sticking to the plan as much as possible and granting myself forgiveness when circumstances won't allow me to follow the plan. Be that weeble that wobbles but doesn't fall down or give up. I fell a lot but I kept getting up, dusting myself off and making an effort to change my mindset.

What is the biggest obstacle to reaching your goals and how do you get over it?

Replaying the negative chatter in my mind when I don't think I did something good enough or missing the plan workout. This only compounds the issue and can break my spirit. I find a positive scripture, mantra, or inspirational song that I play over and over in my mind to over talk, drive out and over take every negative thought until my spirit being becomes focused and unstoppable on reaching that goal.

What is the most rewarding part of training?

Building self confidence and allowing it to spill into other parts of your life. When you push yourself to achieve in what appears to be at times the impossible (lack of time, getting past an injury or illness) during the training there is nothing that anyone can throw your way that you will not feel can be handled or conquered.

What advice would you give to other members of the Runcoach community?

Getting in the miles is important but don't skimp on the cross training. I found it important to get in my strength training, cross training, yoga which helped build up the muscles needed in my entire body to support the change that was needed to improve my time. Believe your Coach when they tell you to trust your training and don't ignore the taper without consulting with your coach. We think getting in all the miles is important but proper rest each night to give the muscles time to repair and for the mind to rest and relax is just as important. It is finding that balance in mind, body and spirit that will keep you focused on not allowing anything to take you off course from achieving your goals.

Anything else you would like to share?

The Coaches are top notch in the field. They have been there, done that and know how to make the minor adjustments in your plan to bring out the very best in you. I absolutely love the way they approach it from a partnership perspective. Easy to talk to, bounce off ideas and always willing to make adjustments that make the best sense to achieve your goals. I took advantage of every tip of the day each coach shared and incorporated it in my run for that day. I found myself pulling from those tips of knowledge miles 19 -26 when I had to dig deep to keep up the momentum in the race.

What feedback would you offer on the Runcoach experience?

The experience with Runcoach has exceeded my expectations. When I physically could not train my coach challenged me to strengthen my mind. See the race from start to finish. I smiled on race day when I got to those places my mind saw before the race and pulled from the daily tips when the course changed from the last time I did that race. So glad I signed up for the year plan. Worth every penny.