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

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 90 – Why Discipline Always Beats Motivation

If you’re waiting to feel motivated before you train, you’re already in trouble.

In this episode, I break down why discipline will always beat motivation when it comes to marathon training, and why relying on “feeling like it” is one of the biggest mistakes runners make.

As I record this, I’m just two days out from my 16th marathon, and this felt like the right time to talk about the difference between the runners who get it done… and the runners who keep waiting for the perfect mood, the perfect weather, or the perfect moment.

We cover:

• Why motivation is unreliable
• Why discipline is what actually gets marathon training done
• The difference between hype and reality
• Why winter miles, dark mornings, and wet runs are where the real work happens
• How to use the “reality lens” instead of the comparison lens
• Why following your plan matters more than chasing shiny objects or last-minute advice

If you’re tapering for a marathon right now, this is your reminder to stop second-guessing, stop looking for magic beans, and trust the work you’ve already done.

And if you’ve got a marathon later this year, this episode will help you understand one of the most important principles in endurance training:

Only doing the work makes you capable of doing the thing.

Follow me on Instagram @12monthstomarathon for daily running support, and if you’re over 35, you can join my free running community via the link in my bio.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Here’s a Spotify description for Episode 89 – How to Build True Marathon Confidence:

Episode 89 – How to Build True Marathon Confidence

What if confidence isn’t actually the thing you need before a marathon?

In this episode, I break down the difference between confidence and competence — and why so many runners get this wrong in the final weeks before race day.

If you’ve got a spring marathon coming up and the doubts are creeping in, this one is for you.

We cover:

• Why confidence is a feeling — but competence comes from doing the work
• How to stop second-guessing your marathon training in taper
• Why comparing yourself to other runners ruins the experience
• How to trust your training plan if you’ve followed it properly
• What first-time marathoners need to remember in the final 2–3 weeks
• How to protect your mindset so you actually enjoy race day

This episode is especially useful if you’re doing Brighton, Manchester, London, Boston, or any spring marathon and you’re starting to wonder whether you’ve done enough.

The truth is simple:
If you’ve followed your plan to the best of your ability, you are more ready than you think.

Stop chasing confidence.
Build competence.
Then let confidence follow.

Follow me on Instagram @12monthstomarathon for daily running support, and if you’re over 35, join my free running community via the link in my bio.

Support the show