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Couch to Coached- Running podcast

Marathon Training Tips: Pacing, Confidence & Long Runs Explained

Season 4, Ep. 73

Marathon Training Tips: Pacing, Confidence & Long Runs Explained


Setbacks, Comebacks & Community Wins


This week on the award-winning Couch to Coached Running Podcast, Rob, Ben, and Emma are back with a real, honest look at the highs and lows of training — from health setbacks to big community milestones.

The trio kick things off with personal updates, including a few challenges that have impacted training, before celebrating a brilliant Couch to 5K graduation and the power of seeing new runners cross that finish line. It’s a reminder of why we all started — and how important community is in keeping us going.

From there, the conversation dives into marathon training realities — long runs, pacing worries, mental battles, and building confidence for race day. Emma shares her progress (and a few tough moments along the way), while Rob opens up about pacing concerns and learning to trust the process. Ben brings the coaching insight, keeping things grounded with structure, accountability, and a focus on what really matters.

There’s also chat around training with others, evolving coaching styles post-COVID, and why accountability and support can make all the difference when motivation dips.


🎧 Highlights include:

  • Honest chat about health, setbacks, and staying on track
  • Celebrating a Couch to 5K graduation and community wins
  • Long runs, pacing strategies & marathon prep
  • Mental challenges in training (and how to push through them)
  • The importance of accountability, coaching, and trust
  • Building confidence ahead of race day
  • Why community is at the heart of running


A relatable, emotional, and motivating episode that shows running isn’t always perfect — but with the right support, you keep moving forward.

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