12 Months to Marathon

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Is the Running Boom Actually Bad for Running?
Running is booming.
More people are joining running clubs, entering races, chasing marathon places and turning up to parkrun than ever before.
Surely that's a good thing?
Mostly, yes. But a recent situation at Weymouth parkrun, where events were temporarily suspended following concerns around overcrowding, overtaking and participants being barged or tripped, raises an interesting question:
Is running becoming a victim of its own success?
In this episode of the 12 Months to Marathon Podcast, I look at the other side of the running boom.
We discuss:
What happened at Weymouth parkrun
Whether some events are simply becoming too busy
Faster runners versus slower runners — and why both have responsibilities
Why your PB doesn't give you priority over somebody else's safety
The importance of running and parkrun etiquette
Whether Strava, Garmin and social media have made recreational running too competitive
The forgotten role of volunteers
The increasing pressure on major races and marathon ballots
Why inclusivity doesn't mean abandoning common sense
How running can continue growing without losing the community that made it successful
The problem isn't that more people are running.
That's something we should celebrate.
The challenge is making sure the infrastructure, etiquette and culture of running grow with it.
There's room for the 15-minute 5K runner and the 50-minute 5K walker.
Neither has more right to be there than the other.
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Should Runners Over 35 Take Supplements?
Do runners actually need supplements, and do our needs change as we get older?
In this episode of the 12 Months to Marathon Podcast, I look at some of the most commonly discussed supplements for runners over 35, including the four I currently use myself: magnesium, zinc, omega-3 and turmeric.
We cover their potential benefits for recovery, muscle function, general health and training, while also looking at where the evidence is strong — and where some of the claims might be getting ahead of the science.
I also discuss vitamin D and creatine, why they may be worth considering as we get older, and why blindly copying somebody else's supplement routine probably isn't the answer.
Most importantly, supplements are exactly that: supplements.
They can't replace good nutrition, adequate protein and carbohydrate, sensible training, strength work, recovery, and sleep.
Before asking “What supplements should I take?”, there might be a better question:
“What am I actually trying to improve?”
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You’ve spent weeks or months training for a race. You cross the finish line, get the medal, celebrate the achievement… and then suddenly think: now what?
That post-race lull is real, and I’ve experienced it myself — even after finally breaking three hours for the marathon after years of chasing it. 
In this episode, I talk about what happens mentally after a big race and why the build-up can sometimes feel more powerful than the achievement itself.
I cover:
 Why feeling flat after a marathon or major goal is completely normal 
 Why you shouldn’t immediately rush to book your next race 
 The importance of actually processing and celebrating what you’ve achieved 
 How to decide what comes next without acting from disappointment or guilt 
 Why having another goal can help maintain momentum 
 How to avoid the cycle of racing, stopping completely and having to start again 
 Why your next challenge doesn’t necessarily need to be bigger — it could simply be different 
Whether you’ve just completed your first 5K, a marathon, an ultra or finally achieved a long-term PB, give yourself time to appreciate it.
Then, when the dust has settled, ask yourself a simple question:
What do I genuinely want to do next?
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Do you spend more time comparing training plans than actually running?
In this episode, I explore the Paradox of Choice and why having unlimited information, AI, YouTube videos and endless marathon plans may actually be holding you back.
I discuss why runners often fall into analysis paralysis, why chasing certainty can stop progress, and why the runners who improve the most are usually the ones who stop searching for the perfect plan and simply start putting one into practice.
I also share lessons from my own journey to running a sub-3 marathon, why experience will always teach you more than endless research, and how to avoid letting information become another form of procrastination.
If you've ever found yourself comparing coaches, plans or training methods instead of getting out for your next run, this episode is for you.
If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and share it with another runner who might need to hear this.
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The London Marathon ballot is tougher than ever, with 1.3 million applicants chasing a place and only a small percentage getting in. But does missing out mean you should put your marathon dream on hold?
In this episode, I share my thoughts on the future of the marathon majors, London's move to a two-day event, and why so many runners are becoming frustrated with the ballot system. More importantly, I explain why there has never been a better time to look beyond the majors.
I also recommend some of my favourite marathons from over 16 marathon finishes, including Manchester, Edinburgh, Chester, Paris, Loch Ness, Florence, Boston (UK) and the Great Welsh Marathon, discussing which are best for atmosphere, scenery or chasing a personal best.
If you've been disappointed by the London ballot, this episode is your reminder that your marathon journey doesn't have to depend on one race.
Subscribe, leave a review if you're enjoying the podcast, and join the free 12 Months to Marathon community for runners aged 35+.
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