Could I Run a Marathon?

Watching friends from Horsham Joggers tackle the Brighton Marathon this weekend left me asking one big question: could I actually do that? Hats off to everyone who took part—it’s an incredible effort to run that distance, and seeing those fantastic times has really got me thinking.

Doubting the Distance

I’m not entirely sure I could get round a full marathon course. Right now, I find half marathons—and honestly, any distance over 10 miles—a real challenge. That said, I’ve been running half marathons at around a 1:55 pace. If I dialled down my time expectations, a full marathon might become more realistic. Even so, I’m not completely convinced.

What I’d Need to Change

I’ve been out on the shorter Sunday runs with the club’s marathon training group, and I can see just how many miles they’ve put in since January. Personally, I’d want to start building a solid base even earlier than that to feel confident on the start line.

If I do enter a marathon, two things would have to change:

• Pacing: I’d definitely follow a pacer rather than trusting my own instincts, as I usually go out way too fast at the start.
• Nutrition: A gel or two might get me round a half marathon, but it wouldn’t be nearly enough for 26.2 miles. Even at the half distance, I need to learn a lot more about fuelling properly during a race.

Sticking to the Plan (For Now)

I don’t really know how hard a full marathon would be, though it’s clearly a massive test. It’s a huge achievement, and I’d love to be able to say I’ve done one.

For now, though, patience wins. I’m sticking to my original plan: focus on half marathons, gradually push a few longer distances, and decide later in the year if next spring’s Brighton race (or another) is the right target for me. If you’ve made the jump from half to full, how did you know you were ready?