Running the Paris Marathon: When the Mind Leads the Body

When the opportunity arose to run the Paris Marathon on April 13th in support of Macmillan Cancer Support, I didn't hesitate to signup. Running has always fascinated me, not just the physical aspect, but also its impact on the mind. As someone with ADHD, my thoughts are constantly in motion; there is always something to solve, improve, or rethink.Whether it’s addressing challenges in the care sector, figuring out how to better support providers at Careberry, or making Careberry more intuitive, my mind is always active. Long-distance running offers me something rare: alignment, a unique space where both my body and mind move at the same pace.

Training in the Quiet Hours

I’ve always been an early riser, waking up around 5:00 to 5:30 a.m. This became my dedicated training window. There’s something powerful about running while the world is still asleep. The roads are empty, and the air feels different. It’s just you, the darkness, and the rhythm of your footsteps. Those early mornings became more than just training; they turned into time for thinking, problem-solving, and sometimes even gaining clarity.

By the time the day began, I had already completed my workout. I was back home, making breakfast, preparing my son’s lunchbox, and getting ready for work. This routine felt sustainable, balanced, and structured.

The Build-Up: Not Everything Goes to Plan

I arrived in Paris from England late on Friday after a long day at work, which resulted in a poor night's sleep and a minor cold. I spent Saturday at the Running Expo, where I picked up my bib and enjoyed the atmosphere. I spent four hours on my feet, which wasn’t ideal before the marathon. I was hoping the fatigue would help me sleep well, but I felt I had a fever, which prevented me from getting a good night's rest.

On my way to the race, I bought paracetamol because I had a headache and planned to take two tablets 30 minutes before the start. However, I realised that I had packed the medication in the bag I had handed in. At that moment, my only option was to rely on my mindset.

The Start Line: Mind Over Matter

As I stood at the starting line, I made a simple decision: the headache would fade once I began running. And it did. Often, the body follows what the mind believes.

Finding Rhythm Through the Race

Once I settled into my run, everything began to flow. I completed the first half of the marathon at a pace of 6:40, reaching the 21K mark in about 2 hours and 15 minutes. It felt controlled and comfortable, the kind of rhythm one hopes for on race day. By the time I reached 30K, I was still maintaining a steady pace of around 7 minutes per kilometer, crossing that point in approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes.

However, like most marathons, the real challenge begins after 30K. Fatigue started to set in. My body felt heavier, and every step required more effort. The mental battle became more intense. I had to slowdown, but I didn’t stop, and that mattered more than the pace.

In the end, I completed the full 42.195 kilometers with an average pace of 7:40. It wasn’t what I had trained for, but it was honest and hard-earned.

Lessons That Go Beyond Running

Running a marathon teaches you more than just endurance. It teaches you:

- How to manage uncertainty

- How to adapt when things don't go as planned

- How to stay focused under pressure

- And most importantly, how to ignore little niggling things and keep going

These principles are evident in the world of business. Business owners and their teams must constantly adapt to new challenges and face them with resilience. They show up every day for the people who depend on them.

Just like running a marathon, running a business is not about a single moment. It’s about consistency, support, and the ability to keep moving forward, even when it's challenging.

Running for a Reason

Participating in the Paris Marathon for Macmillan Cancer Support added significant meaning to the experience. Macmillan helps individuals navigate some of the toughest journeys in life. This connection is important because, whether in healthcare, social care, or personal challenges, we are all, in our own way, running our own race.

Final Thought

For me, running is not just exercise. It is clarity. It is discipline. It is resilience. And sometimes, it serves as a reminder that even when things do not go as planned, you can still find a way forward.

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