Shows / 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon
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.
Episodes
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 119 — Marathons Are Easy? Spencer Matthews, Running Snobbery & the Comparison Trap
Send us Fan Mail Are marathons really easy? And why does one comment about running cause so much outrage online? In this episode of the 12 Months to Marathon…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 118 — Does Running Really Make Us Happy? With Pete Goldring
Send us Fan Mail We all know running is good for us. But does running always make us happy? What happens when something we love starts becoming another source…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 117 — She Started Running at 44. Now She's Inspiring Women Over 40 | Nicola Williams
Send us Fan Mail Is it ever too late to start running? And what happens when you finally decide to put yourself first? In this episode, I'm joined by Nicola…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 116 — Madness or the Mindset of a Champion? Where Do We Draw the Line?
Send us Fan Mail What separates the mindset of a champion from a decision that goes too far? And can we admire an athlete's determination without agreeing with…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 115- Why Madhu Ran a Marathon in Her Mum’s Saree - And Broke a World Record
Send us Fan Mail What can happen when you start running simply because you need something for yourself, and then keep going for nearly two decades? In this…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 114- Are You Fuelling Your Running Properly? Interview with Dietitian Bec Bennett
Send us Fan Mail You can have the perfect training plan, hit every long run and do all the right sessions — but are you actually fuelling your body to cope…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 113 - Why Running Isn’t a Second Job — With James “Fudgie” Thomas
Send us Fan Mail What happens when running stops being about getting faster and starts becoming about something much bigger? In this episode, I’m joined by…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 112 — Running Your First Marathon at 48: Ryan’s Sydney Story
Send us Fan Mail At 48, Ryan Fenix thought his opportunity to run a marathon might have passed him by. He'd been a casual runner for years, juggling work…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 111 - What My Blood Tests Taught Me About Running After 35
Send us Fan Mail As runners, we track everything: pace, heart rate, HRV, VO2 max, sleep, mileage, and recovery. But how often do we actually look at what's…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 110 — Running Performance vs Running Identity
Send us Fan Mail Are you actually a slow runner — or are you simply a runner who could improve your pace? There’s a big difference. In this episode of the 12…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 109 - Is the Running Boom Bad for Running?
Send us Fan Mail Is the Running Boom Actually Bad for Running? Running is booming. More people are joining running clubs, entering races, chasing marathon…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 108 - Should Runners Take Supplements
Send us Fan Mail Should Runners Over 35 Take Supplements? Do runners actually need supplements, and do our needs change as we get older? In this episode of the…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 107 – How to Deal With the Post-Race Lull
Send us Fan Mail You’ve spent weeks or months training for a race. You cross the finish line, get the medal, celebrate the achievement… and then suddenly…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 106 – The Paradox of Choice for Runners
Send us Fan Mail Do you spend more time comparing training plans than actually running? In this episode, I explore the Paradox of Choice and why having…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 105 – Two-Day London Marathon, Marathon Majors & Why You Shouldn't Wait
Send us Fan Mail The London Marathon ballot is tougher than ever, with 1.3 million applicants chasing a place and only a small percentage getting in. But does…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 104: Tom Campbell – Running, Mental Health & Starting Again in Your 40s
Send us Fan Mail What happens when you discover running later in life? In this episode, I sit down with presenter, ring announcer and event host Tom Campbell…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 103: Is Running Actually Good for Weight Loss?
Send us Fan Mail Can running help you lose weight? The answer is yes... but probably not in the way most people think. In this episode, I draw on over 20 years…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 102: How Running Can Help You See a City Differently | Run of a Kind Founder Lucy Canham
Send us Fan Mail What if running could be about more than pace, PBs and race medals? In this episode, I sit down with Lucy Canham, founder of Run of a Kind…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 101: Lost 168lbs and Became a Runner - Mark Simpson's Incredible Transformation
Send us Fan Mail What happens when you reach a point where enough is enough? In this episode, I’m joined by Mark Simpson, whose journey from 25 stone (350lbs /…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 100: Mental Health, Running & The Biggest Lesson From 100 Podcast Episodes
Send us Fan Mail In this special 100th episode of the podcast, I reflect on the biggest lessons I've learned from interviewing runners, marathoners…
- 12 Months to Marathon
Episode 99 - Should you Get a Gait Analysis Done?
Send us Fan Mail Should You Get a Gait Analysis Done? If you've ever bought running shoes, you've probably been told you need a gait analysis. But how useful…
- 12 Months to Marathon
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…
- 12 Months to Marathon
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…
- 12 Months to Marathon
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…
- 12 Months to Marathon
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…
- 12 Months to Marathon
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…
- 12 Months to Marathon
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…
- 12 Months to Marathon
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…
- 12 Months to Marathon
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…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 90 - Why Discipline Always Beats Motivation
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…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 89 - How to Build True Marathon Confidence
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…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 88 - Coping with the Emotional Load of Marathon Training
Send us Fan Mail Episode 88 – Coping with the Emotional Load of Marathon Training Marathon training is never just physical. In this episode, I talk about the…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 87: Anthony Bryan – Brain Tumour Survivor to Marathon Runner
Send us Fan Mail 12 Months to Marathon – Episode 87: Anthony Bryan – From Brain Tumour Survivor to Marathon Runner In this powerful episode, I’m joined by…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 86 - 18 Mile Marathons & Charity Places
Send us Fan Mail Episode 86 – 18 Mile Marathons & Charity Places Marathons have been dominating the running conversation this week, and not always for the…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 85 - Rich & Andy - Clean Break Coaching
Send us Fan Mail 12 Months to Marathon – Episode 85: Alcohol-Free Running, Identity & Control (with Clean Break Coaching) In this episode, I’m joined by Rich…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 84 - Why Everyone Should be Talking About Splits
Send us Fan Mail Episode 84 – Why Everyone Should Be Talking About Splits If you want to get better at running, we need to talk about splits. In this episode…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 83 - Naked Running
Send us Fan Mail Episode 83 — Naked Running (Minimalist Running & Why It Might Make You Better) Ever heard of “naked running”? Don’t worry, you’re not getting…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 82 - How Important is Weekly Mileage
Send us Fan Mail Episode 82 – How Important Is Weekly Mileage? When it comes to marathon training, how much do your weekly miles actually matter? In this…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 81 - Steve Till, Author of The Run of Life: How any runner can reach their mountain top
Send us Fan Mail 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…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 80 - The Dark Side of Marathons
Send us Fan Mail 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…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 79 - Simplifying Running Speak
Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ 12 Months to Marathon – Episode 79: Simplifying Running Speak Are you overthinking the terminology in your training plan? In this episode…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 78 - How to Understand your Marathon Training Plan
Send us Fan Mail 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…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 77 - How to Deal with Marathon Training Jitters
Send us Fan Mail 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…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 76 - Running Things to Leave in 2025
Send us Fan Mail 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…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 75 - Time on Feet vs Mileage - What Matters More?
Send us Fan Mail 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?…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 74 - Rob Foster, From Hyrox Athlete to First Time Marathon Runner Age 42
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I chat with Rob Foster, a former Royal Marine turned hybrid athlete and coach, who’s proving that peak performance doesn’t…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 73 - Richard Loftus, Founder of Well Run Brum
Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode, I sit down with Richard Loftus, founder of Well Run Brum, a Birmingham-based men's mental health movement using…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 72 - Is Caffiene Good for Runners?
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 72, I dive deep into the pros and cons of caffeine for runners, sharing both personal experiences and evidence-based insights. From…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 71 - How Much Running Do You Actually Have to Do?
Send us Fan Mail How many days a week do you really need to run to train for a marathon? In Episode 71, I break down the most common questions runners ask: “Is…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 70 - A Tribute to Eliud Kipchoge
Send us Fan Mail This special tribute episode dives into what makes Eliud Kipchoge more than the greatest marathoner of all time: it’s the mindset, discipline…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 69 - Graeme & Daphne Smith, First Time Marathoners at 55 and 42.
Send us Fan Mail Two South Africans. first two marathons. One brutal plot twist. When the Cape Town Marathon was cancelled on the start line due to high winds…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 68 - Reality vs Social Media
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I get real about the difference between what we see online and what actually happens in training and racing. From sleepless…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 67 - Kat Sethi, First Time Marathoner at age 50 (while being a mother of 3, working and studying)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with a truly inspiring guest — Kat Sethi, who ran her first marathon in Budapest at the age of 50. Kat’s story is…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 66 - Should you Run with Music?
Send us Fan Mail Should you run with music, or leave the headphones at home? In this episode, I explore the pros and cons of running with music, from the…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 65 - Why Super Shoes Might Not be Your Super Power
Send us Fan Mail Everyone’s raving about carbon plates and £250 “super shoes” — but do they really make you faster, or just lighter in the wallet? In this…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 64 - 20 Years Later
Send us Fan Mail It's been 20 years since I started my own personal health and wellness journey that has led me here. I wanted to share some insights…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 63 - Running Goals vs Running Intentions
Send us Fan Mail Welcome to episode 63 of the 12 Months to Marathon podcast. In this episode, we talk about running goals vs running Intentions I believe there…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 62 - Why Heart Rate Variability Matters
Send us Fan Mail Welcome to episode 62 of the 12 Months to Marathon podcast. In this episode, we talk about Heart Rate Variability or HRV If you’re juggling…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 61 - Great North Run Review & The Kindness of Running
Send us Fan Mail I ran the Great North Run at the weekend. I was very fortunate to do this. In this episode, I discuss the experience and how running, running…
- 12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 60 - Your End of Year Running Plan
Send us Fan Mail Autumn and winter can be a challenging time for runners, especially those who train outdoors. If you have a spring marathon coming up…