Why marathon training is never wasted – Runner’s World (UK)

You trained through the winter and ran through the rain. You ate sensibly, battled through blisters and dreamed of running down The Mall. Then a global pandemic happened and it all feels like it’s for nothing. Well, it isn’t. Marathon training is never wasted. The progress you’ve made and fitness you’ve gained can still be capitalised upon.

As GB ultrarunner and sub 2:30 marathon runner Robbie Britton points out: ‘Marathon training can make you extremely fit, whereas the race itself can be quite destructive and leave a runner needing time off for recovery.

‘So a marathon training block without the race at the end will leave any athlete in a really strong position. It’s a fantastic foundation on which a strong autumn marathon could be built.

‘Maybe have a little bit of easier running and get out on the trails before looking ahead to the summer, where a focus on shorter distances, like 5/10k or just your local parkrun, could be part of a long build towards your postpone event.

‘While it may be disappointing at first, in the long run we might see a whole host of autumn PBs.’

Bu there are more benefits to marathon training, which means the past few months have been anything but a waste:

Your heart is younger now

Running a marathon for the first time can reverse some of the key markers of ageing by four years, according to a study by University College London (UCL). Novice runners who tackled the distance experienced a significant reduction in artery stiffness and blood pressure, which cuts their chances of heart attacks and strokes. ‘Our study shows it is possible to reverse the consequences of aging on our blood vessels with real-world exercise in just six months,’ said senior author Dr Charlotte Manisty, a senior lecturer at UCL.

You’re a better employee

Marathon training doesn’t just make you a better runner. It might also make you a more efficient worker, too. Alongside the many, many studies that show running can help to improve various cognitive functions, such as decision-making, a recent survey by CV-Library found that 78.9 per cent of marathon runners believed it made them better able to focus and commit in their career.

You’re happier

If you trained for a marathon, you probably did a parkrun. And if you do parkrun, you’re probably happier than most of the UK. In a study by scientists at Glasgow Caledonian University, more than 8000 runners registered with parkrun and Strava were quizzed on aspects of health and wellbeing. The study was looking at the effect regular running had on wellbeing, using the Oxford Happiness Scale. The runners survey scored 4.4 on the Oxford Happiness Scale, which is above the average score of 4 for the general population. In addition, 89% of runners said that running regularly made them happier, as well as having a positive impact on their mental health and body image.

You’ve made new friends

One of the enduring myths about marathon training is that it’s necessarily a solitary pursuit. Yet the volume and diversity of modern running clubs mean that many newbie marathon runners end up finding a ready community of like-minded people. Even if you don’t want to join a traditional running club, online clubs such as Lonely Goat, provide people with some of the same benefits: community, togetherness and encouragement.

You’re a trailblazer

Running the London Marathon in April is good. But it’s been done – by more than a million people, in fact. You know what’s a lot cooler? Running the London Marathon in October. Now, that’s a goal worth training for.

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