It's not every day we get a new member build from couch to running the London Marathon but if you're motivated and following the right guidance then James Dent just proved it's possible.
Read about James' experience with the club as a member with a huge goal and personalised coach guidance.
I started working with Conor in October 2022 as part of the couch to 5K group. A sensible first step for someone so lacking in experience. Conor helped me to work through the various groups and fit with the bespoke Marathon plan he had devised for me.
He was incredibly supportive and willing to be flexible along the journey. For instance, my knees were very vulnerable from my rugby playing days (no cartilage in my left knee at all) and the plan was amended to help balance developing my fitness and helping to ensure that I gave my best chance to arrive at the start of the London Marathon in April 2023 suitably fit.
Cheltenham Running Club Members
The groups in the Cheltenham Running Club are very supportive, kind and relaxed. I've been surprised how much I have enjoyed the various runs with them and that has helped progress towards the Marathon.
You start to realise that many of them are not super fit athletic types but people with a simple purpose of gradually developing their personal fitness. It felt very relaxed and not overly serious, something which I find important.
I built up to 5k and, over time, to 10k and then gradually built up from there.
The London Marathon Experience
My Marathon run couldn't have gone better. I never hit the feared 'wall' and actually built up my pace through the whole race with the fastest ones being the last 4-5 miles!
I did just over 5 hours and feel such a sense of achievement, I am 56 and now realise how much more capable many of us are. It's a case of setting the understandable scepticism and self doubt behind, slowly building up over time, under Conor's tutelage and the members of the running club.
You will slowly build your self confidence and your fitness. The important thing is to make a positive decision and simply concern yourself with week 1, then week 2 etc etc.
Best of luck to anyone reading this and thanks to Conor and those wide and varied people of Cheltenham Running Club.
James Dent