Fabien

My preparation went smoothly, just a slight issue with the Achilles tendon after the longest workout in the plan. Starting slowly to absorb the first 10 km which had most of the uphill, I then gradually accelerated to reach the planned pace.

We reached the halfway mark with no issues, even though it’s not really a walk in the park. The 24th km arrived, I began running the longest race of my life! I also started to feel the onset of cramp under my right thigh, but I knew that suffering is part of the game. The pace slows a bit, but that’s not my main concern. Finishing is all that matters.

I run as best as I can, sometimes with tense legs, and when approaching the final stretch I finally see that arch I've been anticipating for so long. My daughter joins me for the last few meters, I attempt a mini sprint with her for fun, it gets blocked but that's okay.

I've made it! I am a marathoner! What a thrill! It’s tough but I did it! And I already can't wait to do it again! It's so good!

8 half-marathons starting from 2h30 down to 1h54 for the last, and about 5 years of running.

My preparation went smoothly, just missed 2 or 3 workouts, with just one “Not to be missed” (I was sick). Just a slight issue with the Achilles tendon after the longest workout in the plan. Certainly due to an insufficiently gradual increase in uphill...

Since it was my first marathon, with a bit of elevation (300m+ to 400m+ according to the source), and some heat predicted, I reduced the importance of the time. The primary goal was to finish, ideally in 4h30, but above all to be a marathoner!

Starting slowly to absorb the first 10 km which had most of the uphill, I then gradually accelerated to reach the planned pace. Everything's fine, the right Achilles tendon that was a bit sore these last 3 weeks isn't very painful, I'm enjoying it.

We reached the halfway mark with no issues, even though it’s not really a walk in the park. The km markers on the ground surprise me a bit, as they are much lower than on my watch, but for now, I don't pay much attention to them.

The 24th km arrived, I began running the longest race of my life! I also started to feel the onset of cramp under my right thigh, but I knew that suffering is part of the game. The pace slows a bit, but that’s not my main concern. Finishing is all that matters.

A small uphill at the 29th km hurts a bit, but it's manageable, no wall in sight, managing at this level, but the thigh is getting more and more tense. At the 32nd, I stop for a few seconds to massage a bit, then set off again. The pace slows again a bit, but I'm holding on... I begin to believe the markings on the ground and tell myself I'm almost there, and the time isn't so bad.

At the 36th km, new cramp stop, it starts to get difficult, but then I think I'm at km 37.5 because of the ground markings, so I tell myself it's almost done, and softly start running again. Just before the last refreshment point, the volunteers tell me “only 3 km to go”, though I thought it was more like 1.

Another break at the refreshment point, it’s hard, but I will finish, so I go back, the last 3 kms are very difficult, with a last bridge that finally wears out my thighs, the calf is also tense, I walk a bit, but I'll make it, I'm going to complete this marathon!

I run as best as I can, sometimes with tense legs, and when approaching the final stretch I finally see that arch I've been anticipating for so long. My daughter joins me for the last few meters, I attempt a mini sprint with her for fun, it gets blocked but that's okay.

I've made it! I am a marathoner! What a thrill! It’s tough but I did it! And I already can't wait to do it again! It's so good!

Not having to question, being confident in doing what is needed when it’s needed. Apparently, I still need to build muscle, and that’s what I’ll do with the S&C.

Now that the distance is “known”, I’ll look for a time more in line with what I should be capable of, and one day succeed in going under 4h, even if it’s still far off, I know I can do it, the coach told me so! 💪