First marathon report - success on low mileage
Thought I'd share a report of my fairly successful first full marathon.
For context, I'm a 33 year old male. Since 18 have cycled primarily, some years more serious than others but pretty much always competing. Never the best amateur athlete but consistently been strong (78-82kg, best FTP around 360-370w for those interested).
On/off relationship with running the last few years but with the arrival of my son in 2024 this accelerated things more towards running as I found it more time efficient and family friendly.
Over the couple of years my PBs are;
5k 16.38
10k - 36.02
HM - 1.18.32
I decided in 2025 to enter my first marathon as a different challenge. I'd generally run the above times off inconsistent 30-40km weeks but crucially cycling 7-8hrs a week on a average too.
My training was completely curtailed at the back end of last year with pneumonia in October, followed by several nursery viruses. Training wise, I managed 20-35km a week December. I'd never ran more than 24km. Out of pure frustration I ran 30km on NYE and it was awful. My legs just gave up after 25km from the impact (despite zone 2 HR throughout).
Jan/Feb/March was better. I built to consistent 50km weeks with one week at 60km. I ran a 1.17.16 HM in March. This caused some blister issues which saw me take a week off running afterwards.
Alongside this I have been cycling 3-4 hours a week. A mix of easy commuting, some LT1 intervals on zwift and overall 3 2-3 hour rides outside over the 3 month block. I ran a 32 and 34km easy z2 run in March. I managed a tiny bit of S+C.
*Race day*
I approached the marathon with very little on terms of benchmarking what I could achieve. My first goal was to simply finish. I. The back of my head I had dreams of a sub 2.50.
I ran Brighton, UK. The crowds were great. The course although slightly undulating in the first half also felt good. It was however - windy.
I'd told myself not to go through 10km in under 40 minutes. First 5km was 19.33. Calm... Second 5km was 19.15. Ah. I kept convincing myself I was feeling great. I'd practiced fuelling at 90g/hour and was managing well. I got myself in a good group to tackle the first big headwind section.
Halfway - 1.22.32.
I knew that I was above target and was still feeling good. At about 27km the crowds thickened and the noise was electric. The headwind was relentless and I felt the pace slow on the group. I thought this was my moment to push on and keep going. I edged away with 2 others and we worked together for the next few km.
Then at 32km I started to feel fatigued. I knew I was going I to unknown territory at this point and suddenly I started to panic. My left hamstring started to tighten a little. 34km and I felt the dreaded wall. I just knew I had to keep going. I took another gel but by this point I was on my own. I turned at 37km into an exposed 3km headwind section and had a rough time. My pace was dropping significantly. My 35-40km split was 22.30. Eventually we turned back to the finish and I summoned what I had left (which was very little) to just squeeze under 2.50 with a 2.49.36.
Man I was pleased. What a first marathon. But I still left thinking there's more to give. The pacing wasn't great. If I had more long runs in the legs, and more long runs with late MP maybe I could have held on better. I probably need to do some strength work. (No - I know I need to do strength work).
But by all accounts it was an amazingly successful first marathon and I'll be back for more. But I'll continue to cross train on my bike. Hopefully this shows that you don't need crazy mileage to go relatively quick. The injury risk cycling is significantly less. And it fits better for me into a commute. Maybe I'm just lucky but it worked for me.
Now the anxious wait to see if I did enough for a London GFA spot next year! Either way - I've got the marathon bug.