We recently caught up with Sarah, Head of Talent Development at England Athletics, as she prepared for the Paris Marathon. A former international steeplechase runner over 3,000 metres, as well as a coach and International Team Manager, Sarah has spent a lot of her life within the sport. So when the chance came to run in support of the Personal Best Foundation, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to tick a marathon off her bucket list - while raising awareness for a cause close to her heart. In this piece, Sarah reflects on her journey so far and shares how the training has been going.
When an email from PB Foundation popped into my inbox last autumn offering spots for the 2025 Paris Marathon, I had a moment of wild optimism, or possibly a mid-life crisis! "What an amazing experience!” I thought. “Six months of training? That’s loads of time!" Although, I conveniently ignored the fact that I hadn't done any serious running in a decade since my eldest son entered the world and ‘free time’ became a distant memory. But the marathon has been on my bucket list for years, and since I’m not exactly getting younger (despite my best efforts to keep up with Gen Z and Gen Alpha trends much to my kids’ embarrassment), it felt like the perfect opportunity to drag myself back into the world of running.
Fast forward to today, and the Paris Marathon is now just four weeks away. That’s right... FOUR WEEKS. And do I feel ready? Absolutely not. But here's what I've learned so far:
1. The six-month plan was a myth
It quickly became a four-month plan with the festive period and a spell of illness. And let me tell you, four months is NOT enough time to train for a marathon! In fact, I suspect even six might have been optimistic.
2. I hated long runs ten years ago, and I still do
They are slow. They are boring. They hurt. However, I’ve discovered a mental loophole. If I run after work on a Friday or late on a Saturday, it tricks my brain into thinking it's not a long Sunday run. Plus, I can collapse into bed immediately afterward. Genius.
3. Route planning is critical
I’ve accidentally ended up on dead-end country lanes, waded through what I can only describe as a jungle swamp on a so-called 'Public Footpath', and even had a very large Alsatian inform me, pretty aggressively, that I was not welcome on its road. Lesson learned... know your route.
4. Running makes you ravenous
On my first run beyond 10 miles, I was so hungry I briefly considered calling my husband to leave his work, drive 30 minutes and bring me snacks... at the time it definitely felt like a family emergency! Now I strategically plan my routes to include a garage stop for drinks, snacks, and, let’s be honest, a toilet break!
5. Keep up the strength and recovery work
Years of steeplechasing have left my legs, well pretty fragile! Beyond six miles, my Achilles, feet, hips and knees start complaining loudly. My solution? Strength work and lots of yoga. Oh and half a roll of KT tape, extra-thick foot pads, full-body compression gear, and enough Deep Heat to smell me coming a mile off. Somehow, I can now make it to 12 miles before things start falling apart. Definitely progress!
6. A training plan does not have to fit into a week
Once my runs got longer, I stretched my plan into a 10-day cycle instead of a week. Turns out, this improves recovery. It also means I can pretend I’m following a super-scientific approach instead of just struggling to keep up.
7. A good playlist is everything
I've pulled together a mix of nostalgic bangers and motivational anthems, strategically placing songs that remind me of my kids towards the end. That way, just as I’m struggling, ready to quit and call hubby to rescue me, I get a reminder of the little humans who keep me going… and who, ironically, are probably at home completely unbothered by my enormous task, living their best Roblox lives.
At this point, I’ve just completed a 19-mile run and am currently questioning all my life choices while attempting to lift myself off the sofa. My priority now is to stay healthy, recover, and somehow convince my body to hold itself together for another four weeks.
I am looking forward to race day now, although I’m also pretty convinced this will be my first and last marathon. But it’s all for a good cause, and knowing I’m raising money for something close to my heart makes every painful step worth it. Athletics opened up my world as a child, and I'd love for so many more children to have that same opportunity.
So if you’d like to support me, and keep me motivated as I hobble through the streets of Paris, any donation would be hugely appreciated!
https://www.justgiving.com/page/sarah-benson
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