As a running coach who predominately works with runners who want to run Marathons and Half Marathons, the first thing we speak about is why? Why would you want to put yourself through months of hard training, and then take on a distance that is incredibly challenging?
For most people the reason is quite clear, but can be varied. Raising money for charity in memory of a family member, loved one or close friend. Maybe they have reached a stage in life where it’s time to do something they can be proud of, and for some the need to keep pushing themselves to run further or faster, or both is what drives them on.
Whatever it might be for you, they key is to remind yourself, daily, of your WHY.
There is a phrase I like to use…”Running a marathon is very hard, but training for marathon is even harder”
If you are training for a Spring Marathon, such as London, Paris, or Brighton for example, your training will be throughout the winter. Take yourself to a dark, freezing cold, wet Tuesday in late January. You are maybe 3 weeks into your training and your race is still 3 months away. You are tired, hungry, cold, the pressures of work after the Christmas break has kicked in, the credit card bill from the festive period has landed and everyone around you are yearning for that summer sun after a few months of gloomy days. Do you recognise this time of year?
Well, now we got to go and run. And it doesn’t matter if its 3 miles, 6 miles or 12 miles, because the first couple are always the worst anyway. What is going to get you out that door and get it done, when the easy decision is to sack it off?
Here’s a hack for you. The answer is never what, it’s always WHY. So, what is your WHY?
Be clear on this before you even run a step. In fact be crystal clear on this before you even decide to do it. You are going to have many days where you just don’t want to run. You will have several moments in the race itself where it will become incredibly hard, be it physically or emotionally. Your only defence against this is your WHY.
Whats my WHY?
I decided to start running Marathons to raise money for Brain Tumour Research after the loss of my eldest brother Graham to a brain tumour aged just 45. We used to run Half Marathons together, play golf, swim and were basically the greatest of friends as well as my big brother. I miss him everyday and always will. He has driven me on to achieve things I once never dreamt possible.
I became a coach when Graham said me once, “you would make a great coach”, as it was me that put our training plans together. This started back in 1985. I was 16 and loved a plan, and almost 40 years later, nothing has changed.
I am extremely proud to now be the official running coach for Brain Tumour research.
Know your WHY. Tell people about your WHY. Write it down and think about it everyday. When the going gets tough, and it will, just have think and speak about your WH. For me, it goes…”yeah this is tough but nothing compared to what Graham went through. He never got the privilege of what I am doing now” It keeps me motivated, it keeps me consistent, and it fills me with gratitude and when you have those three traits on your side, nothing can stop you, especially some bad weather!!
About me – Lee Perry
I am a UESCA qualified endurance running coach, as well as English Athletics. UESCA provide date driven and a scientifically tested approach to endurance running that can be followed by any runner of any age and standard. I am also a level 3 personal trainer, fitness coach, strength and conditioning coach and level 4 nutritional advisor. I coach runners from all over the world. I am runner myself, having competed 4 London Marathons, 1 Berlin and countless others, as well half marathons and ultra marathons. Every runner I work with receives a unique plan to them, nothing is ever generic. I have coached over 130 people to London Marathon success plus hundreds of others to many other races and distances. And, I bloody love it!!