12 Months to Marathon - Episode 88 - Coping with the Emotional Load of Marathon Training

Send us Fan MailEpisode 88 – Coping with the Emotional Load of Marathon TrainingMarathon training is never just physical.In this episode, I talk about the emotional side of marathon training,  the doubts, the setbacks, the comparison, the frustration, and the mental spiral that can happen when things don’t go to plan.As I record this, I’ve just finished my final long-ish run before Boston Lincolnshire, and with taper approaching, it felt like the right time to talk honestly about what happens when training gets hard emotionally, not just physically.We cover: Why marathon training can feel emotionally heavy, especially over 35  The difference between a setback and a choice Why you must stop making poor runs or injuries mean something about you as a person How comparison and social media can make everything worse  Why sympathy is a cheap payoff — and solutions are what matter  How to handle disappointment, niggles, missed sessions, and fear without spiralling This episode is for anyone deep in marathon training, tapering soon, or dealing with the emotional pressure that comes with trying to do something hard.Because the truth is: A bad run doesn’t mean you’re bad. A setback doesn’t mean you’re broken. And if things haven’t gone perfectly, that doesn’t mean you can’t go again.Follow me on Instagram @12monthstomarathon for daily running support, and if you’re over 35, join my free running community via the link in my bio.Support the show