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Marathon Journey

Berlin Marathon: From Training Miles to the Finish Line

I signed up for Berlin knowing it would be my first step towards completing all seven World Marathon Majors. After running my first marathon ten months ago, this felt like the natural next challenge.

Training: Structure and Surprises

On 1st July I began training with the Runna app. It gave me the most structured program I’ve ever followed, and for the first time I was doing proper speed work. It took some getting used to. I struggled with the paces initially, but the app adjusted and helped me build steadily. The target was still faster than my last marathon, which had me thinking a sub-3:45 might be possible.

My longest run was 22 miles (35 km) — a 3.5 hour effort that felt surprisingly good. It was the third longest run I’ve ever done, behind my two marathons, and gave me confidence heading into Berlin.

The only concern was my right knee, which started niggling as the training miles stacked up. No sharp pain, just discomfort. A specialist reassured me that I could carry on running but advised more long, steady miles and fewer fast sessions. He also made me laugh with a warning: “Don’t run more than four marathons a year.” Three sounds fine to me! Luckily, my next one is London in April, giving me a proper recovery window.

Fuel, Rituals, and Build-Up

After my first marathon in Porto, where cramp almost ended me, I knew I had to get nutrition right. By Ventura I’d worked out a simple but effective system, and I stuck with it in Berlin: energy bars before the race, Nuun electrolytes in my  water, and GU gels taken steadily along the way.

Race morning always starts early for me. I’d rather have time than rush. Supplements, fibre, plenty of water, and three energy bars made up my breakfast. I’d laid out my kit the night before, showered, and kept things calm. Warm-up was minimal — a few stretches and strides just before the start.

I had a friend in Berlin with me for support, which made the whole trip more relaxed and fun. I was hoping to spot her on the course — if she could get through the crowds — for a boost along the way.  

Race Day: The Berlin Experience

The atmosphere was electric. Berlin is by far the largest marathon I’ve ever run — actually, the largest race of any kind I’ve done. The course was packed the entire way, and the crowds were out in force, lining the streets and shouting encouragement.

I spotted my friend a couple of times on the course and stopped for quick hugs — a lovely bonus that broke up the miles and brought a smile!

Officially, I crossed the line in 3:48:11, but because I didn’t follow the exact blue line and ran 26.59 miles rather than 26.2, Strava logged me at 3:44:42 — my fastest marathon yet. It was a little slower than I’d have liked, but still a personal best and a strong step forward.

Cardio-wise, I felt brilliant. At no point was I out of breath, and I genuinely felt I could have gone further. My legs were the limiter: my quads grew heavy in the second half as the heat built towards midday, and when I tried to push harder in the last couple of miles, my calves began to twinge. With the risk of calf cramp in the final stretch, I had to hold back and keep steady. Crossing the line felt like relief — I’d made it — but also left me wondering how much more I could have given.

The Day After and What’s Next

The next day after the race, I felt surprisingly good. Recovery has become quicker each time, which is reassuring — though part of me thinks it means I could have pushed harder on the day! Either way, it gives me a clear target: I’d love to knock at least five minutes off my time at the next one.

Berlin has left me feeling ready to push harder, to strengthen my legs, and to see what I’m really capable of. More importantly, it’s left me excited for what’s next — London in April, and then the rest of the Majors. I’m improving, and I can’t wait to see how far this journey takes me.

In the meantime, I may sneak in the Porto 10k in a few weeks, just to test my speed and see how fast I can go over a shorter distance.

Six more cities, six more adventures. Let’s see what happens when I really start pushing the boundaries.

The Next Challenge: Running All 7 World Marathon Majors

I’ve learned to like achievable challenges. The kind that push me just far enough out of my comfort zone that I grow — in health, mindset, and experience. That’s what drew me to my next goal: completing all 7 World Marathon Majors.

It started with a simple thought: What’s the next challenge?


What Are the World Marathon Majors?

The Abbott World Marathon Majors include seven of the most iconic races on the planet:

  • Berlin

  • Boston

  • Chicago

  • London

  • New York City

  • Tokyo

  • Sydney (added in 2024)

Together, they represent the highest level of global marathon competition. But they’re also about more than running — they bring people from every corner of the world together in iconic cities for unforgettable experiences.

As of now, fewer than 20,000 people globally have completed all 7. Even by the time I finish, that number will likely be under 25,000 — out of 8 billion people. That rarity is part of what makes this goal fun.


Why I’m Doing It

I ran my first marathon 6 months ago at the age of 51, and the impact on my health, energy, and focus has been profound. By the time I (hopefully) complete all 7 races, I’ll be 54. This goal brings it all together for me:

  • Personal achievement

  • Health and fitness

  • Travel and discovery

  • Being part of something global

It’s not about proving anything to anyone else. It’s about showing myself what’s possible when I stay consistent, make smart choices, and lean into fun and growth.


My 7 Majors Plan

Here’s the rough path I’m aiming for:

  • Berlin – Sep 2025 (the first!)

  • Tokyo – Mar 2026 or 2027 (still debating)

  • Boston – Apr 2026

  • Chicago – Oct 2026

  • London – Apr 2027

  • Sydney – Aug 2027

  • New York City – Nov 2027

I’d love to complete all 7 in about 2.5 years. I know the lotteries are tough, so I’ll apply for them all, but realistically, I may end up doing charity entries for most.


My Goal

The main objective is simple: complete all 7. But deep down, I’d love to run most of them in under 4 hours — just to see what I’m capable of.

Marathon Journey: PRs, Setbacks, and a Big Goal Ahead

My marathon journey continues to evolve – filled with highs, lows, and lessons along the way. Since my last update, I’ve hit a new half marathon PR, battled a frustrating back injury, and completed the Ventura Marathon with a PR—10 minutes faster than my last full marathon! Now, my sights are set on an even bigger challenge: tackling my first Marathon Major in Berlin this September, with the ultimate goal of joining the 7 Majors Club – which less than 20,000 people worldwide have done. Here’s the latest:

Santa to the Sea Half Marathon – A New PR!

Back in December, I ran the Santa to the Sea Half Marathon in Oxnard, CA. This race was special because I ran it with my brother – his first half marathon! While we didn’t run together (I wanted to push my pace), he had a great race, finishing in 1:49. As for me, I ran my fastest half marathon ever – 1:38, shaving a minute off my previous best!

That said, I still made a pacing mistake. I started too fast, which meant I had to work harder to hold on in the later miles. A key lesson I need to learn is starting slower to finish stronger.

A Setback: Back Issues That Almost Stopped Me

A month ago, I started adding leg day to my strength training routine, something I’d skipped before since I always considered running to be enough for my legs. Big mistake. While I didn’t notice it at the time, I now believe deadlifts aggravated an underlying lower back issue that had been there for a while. It flared up badly, and for a few days, I could barely walk.

The MRI confirmed the issue isn’t going away, but I can manage it with smart training. The biggest takeaway? I need to build stronger lower back muscles and stretch more. Rest helped, but I learned that staying too still actually made it worse – gentle movement like walking was key to recovery.

This setback completely wrecked my training for three weeks. Until a few days before the Ventura Marathon, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to run at all.

Ventura Marathon – A 10-Minute PR!

Despite my interrupted training, I made it to the Ventura Marathon start line ready to go. Standing around in the cold for two hours before a race is never ideal, but I was just relieved to be there.

I ran a bit cautiously, knowing my back had been an issue, but I still started too fast. The first 15 miles were strong, but in the final five miles, I really struggled. I also had to hold back because I could feel myself getting close to cramping – something that had cost me in my previous marathon.

Still, even with all those challenges, I crossed the finish line in 3:49 – 10 minutes faster than my last marathon! A great result, but also a reminder that pacing is everything. If I can hold back early on, I know I have an even faster marathon in me.

Looking Ahead: Berlin & The 7 Majors

With Ventura behind me, my focus is now on the Berlin Marathon in September. It’s my first Marathon Major, and since it’s known as one of the easier Majors, it felt like the perfect choice to start this next phase of my running journey.

But I’m not stopping there.

After running my first marathon in November, I decided on a big challenge: completing all 7 Marathon Majors. Fewer than 20,000 people worldwide have done it, and I want to join that list. It’s exciting, it’s fun, and it’s the kind of achievable challenge that keeps me motivated.

Berlin is the first. Then, there’s six more.

Lessons Learned & Next Steps

  • Pacing Matters – I need to start slower to finish stronger.
  • Strength Training Smarter – Leg day is important, but I need to be careful and build up gradually to avoid back issues.
  • Movement is Key – I recover better when I stay active, rather than resting too much.

 

The journey continues, and I can’t wait to see what’s next. Berlin, here I come!

Porto Marathon – I did it!

If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon.

Emil Zatopek (Olympic Champion)

I Made It! 3:59:50—just under 4 hours!

Crossing that finish line was one of the most painful yet fantastic moments I’ve had. My internal goal was to finish under 3:45, but I always said I’d be happy with anything under 4 hours. Knowing I pushed through to meet that mark was an absolute win.


The First 19 Miles
The race started strong. I was averaging an 8:19 mile pace and feeling great, maybe even a bit too fast, but it seemed like I had plenty left in the tank. By mile 19, I was optimistic and thought, with a bit of luck, I might even finish under 3:35!


Then Came the Wall
At mile 19, everything changed. Massive leg cramps set in, and I shifted from chasing a fantastic finish to survival mode. My focus became one thing: make it to the finish line, no matter what. To keep moving, I slowed down and alternated between walking and a gentle jog—anything to avoid a complete seize-up. I almost crawled over the finish line.  I think this picture near the finish shows it all 🤣:


Memorable Moments on the Course
Along the way, I saw plenty of runners being treated by ambulances, most dealing with leg issues. It was a reminder of how tough this was for everyone. A highlight was a sign that gave me a much-needed laugh: 

 


Crossing the Finish Line
One word sums it up: Fantastic! I made it – and I still finished top 40%:


Post-Finish Realizations
Even in the finish area, I found that my arms had started cramping, likely due to fuel and hydration issues. My recovery has been manageable—though my legs are still sore. This experience is a reminder that I need to look at my nutrition and hydration plan, maybe starting a day or two before the race, to see if I can avoid cramping next time.


Looking Ahead
This race has fired me up for the next one. My goal? Beat my own time and continue improving for me.

Marathon Journey: Almost there!

It’s very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit.

George Sheehan Tweet

It’s been a fun 2 weeks leading up to the marathon with runs in LA, Boston, NY and Porto!  and some fun time with my kids in Boston!

I ended up walking around for 6 miles today…  😱

The marathon is tomorrow – No idea how I will do, but I’m as ready as I can be!🤞

Marathon Journey: 7 weeks in

The benefits and opportunities of running are available to anyone. You don’t have to be born a natural athlete, and you don’t have to be uniquely gifted. A life-shaping experience is there for the taking, waiting right outside your door.

Donald Buraglio and Michael Dove

I’m enjoying the journey! I love that there aren’t too many long runs needed, so hopefully, my knees will be okay.

I am a big believer in cross-training. In addition to my 3.5 runs a week, I walk most days—anything from 1 to 5 miles, depending on time. A lot of my walking is on a treadmill at my standing desk! I also weight lift ~ three times a week and abs ~ three times a week.

I got my longest-ever run in (time) – and then a fun stair climb with my daughter – the tallest build west of the Mississippi!

Nice to get some fast runs in – I was surprised how marathon training is so many SLOW runs!

10k race in the morning with my brother and friends yesterday – followed by a nice evening walk!

Marathon Journey: 4 weeks in

 

As I reflect on my first four weeks of training, I’m feeling pretty good—although the long runs are mainly coming up over the next few weeks!

I got lucky this last week as I had an IV on Monday for Osteoporosis, and I wasn’t warned how bad I would feel for the next 2-3 days. I tried running on Tuesday as normal and couldn’t make it more than half a mile – I literally couldn’t run… Couldn’t move! The rest of the next two days was like a nasty flu! I feel lucky because it wasn’t a long-run week! I still got in a small run on Thursday and my planned run on Saturday….

I believe in the runner's high, and I believe that those who are passionate about running are the ones who experience it to the fullest degree possible. To me, the runner's high is a sensational reaction to a great run! It's an exhilarating feeling of satisfaction and achievement. It's like being on top of the world, and truthfully... there's nothing else quite like it!

Sasha Azevedo

My longest run in the last 4 weeks was 14 miles and my favourite was probably running in Boston – Just 13.2 miles, but fun to run somewhere different!

 

Sometimes the only way to fit in a training run is on my indoor treadmill – I prefer outside if I can!


I did a speed test today.  My 5 fastest 5k, which if you follow the charts, it puts me at a 3:35 Marathon – Anything under 4 sounds good to me!

   

I Said I’d Never Run a Marathon, But I Decided I’m Doing One

Running a marathon wasn’t something I had planned for. I’ve spent the last few years running half marathons and Olympic triathlons. But shoulder issues have put triathlons on hold.

I recently ran one of my fastest half marathons during a regular Saturday run, which sparked an idea—why not take on a marathon? Just three weeks ago, I made the decision to go for it and signed up for a race in November in Portugal 🇵🇹!

Here’s the run:

My motivation for running really took off in the last ten years, and this marathon feels like the next challenge. 

I reached out to a friend and coach who runs Ultramarathons for advice, and he’s helped me create a training plan for the next two months. One thing that’s surprised me is the idea of running slower to ultimately run faster—it’s counterintuitive, but I’m trusting the process.

I’m a bit concerned about my knees as I have had issued with them over the last ten years (the reason I said I’d never do a marathon). They’ve bothered me on long runs, so I’m taking steps to manage that. I plan to keep my shoes and orthotics in good condition to avoid wearing them out, and I’ll be trying compression gear to see if it helps on longer distances.

My goal is straightforward: I want to finish in under four hours.

I love challenges, especially ones that feel achievable. It’s pushing me physically and mentally, but at the same time, it’s a way to keep myself focused on an exciting goal.

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