12 Months to Marathon

John
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Hi, I'm John Hill. I host 12 Months to Marathon—the running podcast for people over 35 with marathon dreams. Whether you are looking for a personal best or want to run a marathon, my story and regular tips should help you get there. I didn't run my first marathon until I was 36. I ran my first sub-3 marathon at the age of 45. If I can do it, so can you! For even more daily tips, make sure to follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/12monthstomarathon/Thanks for listening. 

  1. 2 days ago

    Episode 98 – Dawn’s London Marathon Journey at 51: Injury, Resilience & Refusing to Quit

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the 12 Months to Marathon podcast, I’m joined by Dawn Caddell to talk about her journey to completing the 2026 London Marathon at 51 years old. Dawn shares how she returned to running after a long break from raising a family, how running became a huge part of her mental wellbeing, and why she kept pushing herself further — from 10Ks to half marathons and eventually the marathon distance. But this wasn’t a smooth build-up. We talk openly about:  Returning to running after years away  Balancing family life, work, and marathon training  Injury setbacks during marathon prep  The emotional impact of nearly pulling out  Why resilience matters more than perfection  The reality of marathon training after 50  The incredible atmosphere of the London Marathon  Why challenging yourself changes how you see yourself This is an honest conversation about perseverance, identity, purpose, and refusing to quit when things don’t go to plan. Dawn’s story will resonate with a lot of runners — especially anyone who feels they’ve left it “too late”, struggled with setbacks, or wondered whether they’re still capable of doing something big. You can follow Dawn on Instagram:  @dawnyc1234_ And if you enjoy the podcast, please follow, rate, and share it. It genuinely helps more runners over 35 discover the show. Support the show

    46 min

  2. 28 May

    Episode 97 – Andy Reid MBE: The First Triple Amputee to Complete the London Marathon

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the 12 Months to Marathon podcast, I’m joined by an extraordinary guest — Andy Reid. Andy lost both legs and his right arm in Afghanistan in 2009 after stepping on an IED while serving in the British Army. Since then, he’s rebuilt his life in a way that genuinely redefines resilience. We talk about:  Andy’s journey into the military  The day his life changed forever  Recovery, resilience, and rebuilding identity  Mental health, purpose, and asking for help  Why he became the first triple amputee to complete the London Marathon  The mindset required to keep moving forward through adversity  The work of the Standing Tall Foundation supports people struggling with mental health, addiction, and life challenges This isn’t just a conversation about endurance events or marathons. It’s a conversation about perspective, purpose, gratitude, and what human beings are truly capable of when they refuse to give up. Andy also shares some powerful lessons about discomfort, discipline, community, and why “anything is possible” often starts with simply taking the next step. You can follow Andy here:  Instagram: @andyreid2506 Find out more about the Standing Tall Foundation and Andy’s book Standing Tall here: https://www.standingtallfoundation.org.uk/ If you enjoy the podcast, please follow, rate, and share it. It genuinely helps more runners over 35 find the show. Support the show

    41 min

  3. 21 May

    Episode 96 – Beth McArdle: London Marathon, Setbacks & Finding Strength at 52

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m joined by Beth McArdle, who recently completed the London Marathon 2026 after months of structured training. Beth shares her journey from losing three and a half stone, rebuilding her fitness through Women on the Move, taking on HYROX, and then stepping up to the challenge of the London Marathon. We talk about:  Starting again in her late forties and early fifties  Weight loss, confidence and fitness  Training for a marathon around work and family life  Running for charity  Dealing with injury on marathon day  The emotional pull of London Marathon  Why your “why” matters  The power of community, support and stubbornness  Why it’s never too late to do something remarkable This is a brilliant episode for any over 35 runner, especially anyone who thinks they may have left it too late to take on a big challenge. Beth’s story is honest, emotional and inspiring. It’s a reminder that the race itself is only one part of the journey. Support the show

    39 min

  4. 14 May

    Episode 95 – The Record-Breaking 2026 London Marathon Review

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 95 – The Record-Breaking 2026 London Marathon Review In this episode, I break down one of the greatest marathon days in history — the incredible 2026 London Marathon. We dive into:  Sabastian Sawe’s historic 1:59:30 marathon Two men going sub-2 in the same race  Jacob Kiplimo breaking the world record and still finishing third  Tigst Assefa’s women-only world record  The astonishing pacing statistics behind the performances  Why Sawe’s second half marathon was faster than the current American half marathon record  The role of super shoes, skepticism and elite performance  What everyday runners can learn from the greatest marathon ever run I also reflect on my own recent half marathon, booking Newport Marathon for next spring, and why performances like this should challenge all of us to rethink what’s possible — not just in running, but in life. This is a deep dive into marathon running, mindset, human potential and the culture around elite sport. If you’re an over-35 runner chasing your own marathon dreams, this one’s for you. Support the show

    15 min

  5. 7 May

    Episode 94 - Dawn Deaville - Post Natal Struggles to First Marathon

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m joined by Dawn Deaville, who recently completed her first marathon at Manchester Marathon after working with me inside the coaching programme. Dawn shares how running helped her rebuild herself after having three children in five years, struggling mentally after her third child, and feeling like parts of herself had disappeared. We talk about:  Starting with a run around the block  Using running for mental health  Finding time as a mum of three  Building from 10K to half marathons  Overcoming race anxiety  Training for a first marathon  Managing fatigue, family life and recovery  Why Manchester Marathon changed her confidence  What she learned from the whole journey This is a brilliant listen for any over 35 runner, especially mums who feel like they’ve lost a bit of themselves and want to start doing something for them again. Dawn’s story is a reminder that you don’t need to have it all figured out. Start small, keep showing up, and see where it takes you. Follow me on Instagram: @12monthstomarathon Join my free running community for over 35s via the link in my bio. Support the show

    41 min

  6. 30 Apr

    Episode 93 - Scott Couldrey - Mini Stroke to First Marathon at Age 42

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 93 – Scott Couldrey: From Weight Loss to First Marathon In this episode of the 12 Months to Marathon Podcast, I’m joined by Scott Couldrey, who recently completed his first marathon at the Brighton Marathon after working with me inside the coaching programme. Scott shares his journey from feeling overweight, unfit, and self-conscious, to losing three stone, rebuilding his confidence, overcoming a mini stroke/TIA, and eventually standing on the start line of his first marathon at age 42. We talk about:  Starting to run again after years away  Losing weight through running  Using running to support mental health  Training after a mini stroke  Preparing for a first marathon over 40  The reality of marathon training with work and family  Why sleep, recovery, and structure matter  What Brighton Marathon felt like on the day  The mental battle in the final miles This is a great listen if you’re an over-35 runner, a first-time marathoner, or someone who feels like they’ve left it too late to start. Scott’s story is a reminder that you don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start, keep going, and build from where you are. Follow me on Instagram: @12monthstomarathon Join my free running community for over 35s via the link in my bio. Support the show

    41 min

  7. 24 Apr

    Episode 92 - Marathon Setbacks & Running Controversies

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 92 – Marathon Setbacks & Running Controversies In this episode of the 12 Months to Marathon Podcast, I break down my recent marathon at Boston (Lincolnshire, UK) and share a real, honest look at what happens when race day doesn’t quite go to plan. After battling a brutal headwind that ended any chance of a PB, I talk through how to handle marathon setbacks, manage expectations on race day, and move forward without getting stuck in frustration. If you’ve recently run a marathon like Brighton, Manchester, or Boston, or you’ve got London Marathon coming up, this is essential listening. I cover:  How to deal with race day disappointment Why uncontrollable factors (like weather) can dictate performance  The PRP mindset: Permission, Reconstruct, Perspective  How to stop beating yourself up after a tough race  Turning setbacks into your next breakthrough I also dive into two recent running controversies:  The Nike Boston Marathon campaign and the “runners vs walkers” debate  The Joe Wicks / London Marathon situation and the problem with bad running advice This isn’t about picking sides — it’s about staying grounded, thinking clearly, and focusing on what actually helps you become a better runner. Key message: Control what you can. Ignore the noise. Learn, adjust, and go again. If you’re an over-35 runner chasing your first or fastest marathon, this episode will help you stay focused on what really matters. If you enjoy the podcast, please follow, rate, and review on Spotify, and share it with another runner who needs to hear this. For more support, coaching, and structured marathon training, follow me on Instagram:  @12monthstomarathon And join the free running community for over 35s via the link in my bio. Support the show

    16 min

  8. 16 Apr

    Episode 91 - Neil Johnson - How He Ran His Fastest Marathon in 10 Years at 41

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 91 of the 12 Months to Marathon Podcast is a powerful conversation with Neil Johnson, a runner who came into my coaching community in late 2025 with one clear goal: run a sub-3 marathon after 40. Neil had already broken the 3-hour marathon barrier in the past, but life had changed. Family responsibilities, less time, less recovery, more pressure, and the reality of being an over-35 runner meant the road back wasn’t straightforward. Like many runners in their late 30s and 40s, he started to question whether his best running was behind him. In this episode, Neil shares his full running journey, from early marathons and chasing a sub-3 marathon, through years of trying to get back there, to finally committing to a proper marathon training plan with structure, accountability, and a clear focus. We talk about:  How Neil went from early marathon success to years of frustration  The reality of marathon training over 40 with kids, work, and family life  Why just “being fit” is not the same as being marathon ready The difference that weekly mileage, long runs, and consistency made  What changed in his mindset this time around  How he handled setbacks, injuries, and training disruptions  The importance of having a solution-focused approach What it took to run a 2:57 marathon at Brighton and set his fastest marathon in 10 years This episode is for any runner who is wondering: Can I still get faster after 40?  Can I still run a PB with family life and responsibilities?  Can I still chase a big running goal even if life looks very different now? Neil’s story is proof that with the right structure, the right mindset, and the right training, your best running might not be behind you. If you enjoy the podcast, please follow, rate and review on Spotify, and share it with another runner who needs to hear this. You can follow me on Instagram at @12monthstomarathon for more marathon training advice, running motivation, and coaching for runners over 35. Support the show

    41 min
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About

Hi, I'm John Hill. I host 12 Months to Marathon—the running podcast for people over 35 with marathon dreams. Whether you are looking for a personal best or want to run a marathon, my story and regular tips should help you get there. I didn't run my first marathon until I was 36. I ran my first sub-3 marathon at the age of 45. If I can do it, so can you! For even more daily tips, make sure to follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/12monthstomarathon/Thanks for listening. 

Information

  • Creator
    John
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 12 Months to Marathon
  • Show Website
    12 Months to Marathon

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