I often draw parallels between finances and fitness—both can yield exponential returns if you keep feeding them with consistent effort. That’s precisely what happened in this marathon journey, as I pushed past my known performance limits and discovered a new sense of possibility. Much like compounding interest, every stride in training matters, and missing just a small deposit of effort can show up when you least expect it—usually beyond the 34k mark!

Embracing Lessons from Triathlon Training

Coming from triathlon training, I assumed this long-distance run would only be a slight pivot. But endurance racing isn’t just an extension of being fit in three disciplines—there’s a unique rhythm, a distinct “music,” if you will. It felt as if each step beyond 34k offered a fresh beat, pressing me to measure what truly remained in the tank. I experienced a real-time test of nutrition, hydration strategies, and gear management. Thankfully, the careful “bottle-handling” skills and stomach training I picked up in triathlon directly translated to this marathon saga, highlighting the power of knowledge transfer across different sports.

Coaching, Adaptability, and Learning

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from figures like Lionel Sanders—famously known as “Mr. No Limits”—it’s that coaching is more than handing out training drills. A good coach, like Adam, becomes an unwavering partner in experimentation, adaptability, and relentless learning. It reminds me of a successful business strategy: you seek specialist insights from different angles—British swimming, British cycling, and beyond—then integrate all these viewpoints into a practical collaborative approach. That synergy fosters personal insights and strategic insights you’d never discover in isolation.

Discovering Untapped Potential

The biggest revelation was my own untapped potential. Hitting that final stretch, I realized my body still had more to give—both physically and mentally. Similar to saving for retirement, you never know how much your “investment” in running volume can grow until you see your gains compounding mile after mile. This intense final push exposed new physical strengths and mental strengths I hadn’t previously tapped into, steadily expanding my physiological adaptability and endurance thresholds. Sometimes, stepping into an unfamiliar environment like a marathon unearths hidden reserves of grit and determination.

Consistency, Self-Belief, and the Human Side of Elite Athletes

Whether you’re an endurance athlete or just someone striving to improve—even if you think you’re “too old” to start—a key lesson stands out here: consistency and self-belief can carry you through the toughest miles. In fact, sharing my journey on