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

    12 Months to Marathon - Episode 82 - How Important is Weekly Mileage

    Send a text Episode 82 – How Important Is Weekly Mileage? When it comes to marathon training, how much do your weekly miles actually matter? In this episode, I dive into one of the most common questions I get from runners: “How important is hitting my weekly mileage target?” Whether you're training for your first 26.2 or chasing a PB, this solo episode is full of honest talk on how to approach your mileage when life gets in the way, your legs feel heavy, or the plan needs tweaking. We cover:  🗓 Why weekly mileage matters—but isn’t everything  ⚖️ How to balance quality sessions vs. volume  🧠 Why you need to understand your training plan, not just follow it 🔁 How to adapt when things go off script 🧩 Why skipping one speed session won’t derail your race If you're in the thick of marathon prep—weeks 8 to 14, where things get tough—this one’s for you. Get ready to stop panicking over missed runs and start thinking long-term. Support the show

    15 min

  2. 5 FEB

    12 Months to Marathon - Episode 81 - Steve Till, Author of The Run of Life: How any runner can reach their mountain top

    Send us a text What does it mean to be a runner for life? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Steve Till, a man who’s not only completed over 100 marathons and 500+ parkruns, but also represented Great Britain in both 100km and 24-hour ultra races. Steve is a student of the sport, an embodiment of endurance, and the author of The Run of Life – a book that threads together running, philosophy, and personal growth. We talk about:  🏃‍♂️ His running origins watching Dave Bedford on a black-and-white TV  🎯 Why long-term goals matter more than short-term perfection  🧠 The danger of overthinking running  💪 Staying active through cancer treatment  📚 Why he wrote his book – and what he hopes runners take from it Whether you’re training for your first marathon, coming back from injury, or wondering how to make running part of a lifelong practice – this is a conversation that reminds you why you started, and why you’re not done yet. Tune in and be inspired by someone who’s walked (and run) the talk. Get The Run of Life here: https://amzn.eu/d/0idpmT25  Check out Steve's Website here: https://www.therunoflife.com/ Support the show

    48 min

  3. 30 JAN

    12 Months to Marathon - Episode 80 - The Dark Side of Marathons

    Send us a text The Dark Side of Marathons Marathon day is iconic.  The crowds, the build-up, the emotion — it’s unforgettable. But marathon training? That’s a very different story. In this episode, I talk honestly about the dark side of marathons — not the distance, not the pace, but the mental and emotional challenges that show up during the training process, especially for first-time marathon runners. I’m currently in week six of my own marathon training, and after working closely with runners preparing for spring marathons like London, I wanted to bring everything together into one clear message. This episode is about reassurance, simplicity, and mindset. In this episode, we cover: Why marathon training often feels overwhelming — and why that’s normalThe “resentful runner” phase and why it actually means you’re training properlyWhy guilt (especially charity guilt) makes training harder, not easierHow comparison and over-analysis cloud judgment and stall progressWhy first-time marathon runners cannot shortcut volume and loadPractical ways to deal with mental lows without suppressing or ventingWhy mindset — not the plan — is often the real work in marathon trainingIf you’re: Feeling tired, overwhelmed, or doubtfulStruggling to fit runs into real lifeWondering if you’re doing “enough.”Resenting the next run on your planThis episode is for you. Marathon training is hard. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It usually means you’re doing it right. One run at a time.  One solution at a time.  Forgive yourself — then move forward. 🎧 Listen now to 12 Months to Marathon on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. If this episode helped you, please: Share it with a friendLeave a quick reviewJoin the free running community via InstagramAnd if you’re marathon training right now — keep going. It all comes together if you do the work. Support the show

    14 min

  4. 23 JAN

    12 Months to Marathon - Episode 79 - Simplifying Running Speak

    Send us a text 🎙️ 12 Months to Marathon – Episode 79: Simplifying Running Speak Are you overthinking the terminology in your training plan? In this episode, I dive deep into the real reason runners get overwhelmed by terms like “tempo,” “threshold,” and “floating reps”  and why none of it actually matters if you’re not applying it in real life. He shares: A brutally honest take on over-intellectualising runningWhy running by feel can take you further than fancy terms ever willThe story of how I broke sub-3 without even knowing what cadence meantHow to avoid the “gatekeeping” trap and focus on what really matters for runners over 35Why understanding your plan beats trying to impress Strava with big wordsIf you’ve ever felt confused, “not smart enough,” or like you didn’t belong in the running world because of the jargon, this episode is for you. 👉 Follow John on Instagram: @12monthstomarathon  💬 DM “26.2” for coaching or join the free community in his bio  🎧 Hit play and simplify your training today Support the show

    15 min

  5. 15 JAN

    12 Months to Marathon - Episode 78 - How to Understand your Marathon Training Plan

    Send us a text What do you do when the weather messes up your runs, or you fall behind in week 3 or 4 of training? In this episode, John shares how a snowstorm, a cold, and some brutal treadmill miles forced him to adapt his own marathon training plan, and why that flexibility is exactly what most runners over 35 need to succeed. You’ll learn: Why missing a few early runs doesn’t mean you’re off trackHow to adapt your plan without losing progress or confidenceThe psychology of “training guilt” — and how to let it goWhy there’s no such thing as a perfect plan — but there is such a thing as the right one for youHow to think long-term and protect your body from injury and burnoutIf you’ve had a bit of a wobble in your marathon prep, this episode will give you the permission and the plan to keep going — with clarity and confidence. 👉 Follow me on Instagram: @12monthstomarathon  📩 DM “26.2” for coaching on Instagram.   🎧 Listen now and remember: the next run is always the most important one. Support the show

    15 min

  6. 9 JAN

    12 Months to Marathon - Episode 77 - How to Deal with Marathon Training Jitters

    Send us a text Marathon training doesn’t always go to plan – and that’s normal. In this honest and timely episode, John shares his own week 3 marathon training struggles, including tough weather, treadmill miles, tired legs, and the all-too-familiar mindset wobbles that can creep in early in the cycle. Whether you're facing snow, missing runs, swapping sessions, or feeling the pressure of social media comparison, this episode will help you breathe, reset, and remember the long game. You’ll hear: Why it’s okay to miss or adjust runs when life or weather hitsThe problem with comparing yourself to elite-level runners onlineHow fatigue, frustration and self-doubt show up — even for experienced runnersThe importance of training smart, not just hard, when you’re over 35And how to bounce back after a rough training week without derailing your momentum👟 This one’s for anyone who’s had a “rage quit” moment or questioned if they’re falling behind. 👉 DM “26.2” to @12monthstomarathon if you want to join the 35+ running community 📲 Hit subscribe and share this with a runner who needs to hear it this week! Support the show

    14 min

  7. 2 JAN

    12 Months to Marathon - Episode 76 - Running Things to Leave in 2025

    Send us a text Happy New Year and welcome to 2026! In this first episode of the year, I kick things off with a powerful reflection on the mindset traps runners should leave behind in 2025. If you're setting big goals for your next marathon or just trying to build momentum again, this episode is a must-listen. I share four key habits and thought patterns that hold runners back, and how to replace them with smarter, more sustainable strategies in the year ahead. You’ll hear: Why comparing yourself to others on Strava can quietly destroy your confidenceThe danger of pushing too hard and losing the joy of runningThe truth about “running to eat” and fuelling for performance vs comfortHow ignoring mobility could be silently sabotaging your trainingI also share my own honest reflections as I begin training for my 16th marathon, Boston, UK, and how my approach is evolving with experience, age, and life. 👟 Ready to run smarter in 2026?  👉 DM "26.2" to @12monthstomarathon to chat about coaching 📲 Join the free 35+ runners community via the link in bio Support the show

    15 min

  8. 18/12/2025

    12 Months to Marathon - Episode 75 - Time on Feet vs Mileage - What Matters More?

    Send us a text In this milestone 75th episode, I break down one of the most common debates in the running world: should you train by time or by distance? Whether you’re a first-time marathoner trying to build endurance or a seasoned runner chasing a sub-3 PB, this episode unpacks the pros and cons of both approaches — and when each one actually matters. You’ll hear: Why “time on feet” can reduce pressure and build fatigue resistanceWhen distance matters more (especially if you're new to marathons)How pace, experience, and race goals influence your training structureJohn’s personal approach and how he uses both tools at different stagesWhy doing something always beats getting stuck in decision paralysisIf you’re training for a spring marathon or just getting back into structure, this episode will help you cut through the noise and focus on what actually works for you. 📲 DM “26.2” to @12monthstomarathon on Instagram to chat about coaching. 👟 Join the free 35+ runners community: link in bio. Support the show

    14 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
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 12 Months to Marathon
  • Show Website
    12 Months to Marathon