Over the past 4 years, I’ve run 7,878.3 miles. This took me 1,140 hours and included 276,116 feet of elevation. That’s the equivalent of 300.69 marathons. But prior to Sunday I had actually only twice crossed the finish line in a 26.2 mile race.

Sticking with the stats my completion rate in marathons I’d entered stood at 33%. 6 entries, 2 completions. On 3 of those occasions I was unable to toe the start line due to injury.

Exeter was another failure, with my troublesome left hip halting proceedings at 20 miles. Bournemouth (4:44 in 2019) and Milton Keynes (3:40 in 2022), my two successful attempts.

Sunday marked the end of my 14th training plan. A 20 week one at that. I didn’t know what to expect in truth given my mileage was significantly lower than in the build up to Milton Keynes. But without sounding arrogant, my knowledge, as a result of my coaching journey has vastly improved since that last attempt and training smarter, rather than more, had me optimistic of a new PB.

My chosen race was Goodwood Motor Circuit. 11 laps in total. Many of the team thought I was mad, but it was everything I expected. The logistics of a big city marathon intimidate me a little, where to stay, the cost of accommodation and how to get to the start line. We experienced none of those difficulties, staying in a Travel Lodge just 9 minutes drive from the venue and I could have toe walked my way from our parking space to the start line it was so close.

The organisation was great. The marathon and 50k runners set off at 9am, followed shortly after by those tackling a more manageable 20 miles. An hour later a wave of half marathon runners came tearing towards us (each distance has an out and back section first) and suddenly the circuit was much busier.

The front runners powered past gracefully in their over priced super shoes, bouncing off the tarmac and sprinting into the distance. I caught up with Jacqueline and was delighted to see her tucked in with the 2:10 pacer and looking strong.

The 10k and 5k waves soon followed and suddenly the circuit was jammed full of runners. There was so much for the senses to take in with all the colour, variety of speed and ages. It felt like a real celebration of running.

As the laps ticked by and the marshals remained as enthusiastic as ever, the numbers dwindled as one by one, those tackling the shorter distances peeled off towards the finish line, whilst I started yet another lap.

Almost from nowhere the energy disappeared and those left were struggling. It was like a scene from a zombie movie as those ill prepared succumbed to the realisation their bodies were giving up on them.

I was suddenly the quickest runner on the circuit, having been out there for over 3 hours. I felt strong but it made it difficult to maintain my pace. It wasn’t until the final lap that I really suffered with some cramping in my left calf. Luckily easing off the pace did the trick and I was able to save some energy for a strong finish.

I was a little disappointed my Garmin came up 150 metres short of the full marathon distance but that was the benefit of hugging the racing line as much as possible. Rather short than too long costing me a personal best.

It was a real delight to share the experience with Jax who succeeded in completing her first half marathon in an excellent time of 2:09. Returning to base and hearing about how well the Team did in the Pier to Pier lifted my spirits further.

A fabulous weekend for myself as both a runner and a coach. The next step is to keep seeking ways to improve in both these roles. The most important thing I’ve learned since my previous marathon nearly two years ago, that training smart is much better than simply training more.