Don’t Forget Your Gels

How to Improve Your Marathon Time: Tips for Faster Running

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Race day at the London Marathon 2025 wasn’t ideal for personal bests—but George Heslop nearly broke the 3-hour barrier! From a 4:20 debut marathon to this incredible milestone, George shares his journey, the training strategies he used, and his top tips for running a faster marathon. Listen to his marathon progression story, discover how he improved his performance, and get actionable advice to help you run your next marathon faster.

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PODCAST NOTES

Keywords
 
marathon, running, training, nutrition, fundraising, London Marathon, George, running club, marathon goals, race strategy
 
Summary
 
In this episode, George shares his inspiring journey from a casual runner to a dedicated marathoner, detailing his experiences with various marathons, training methods, nutrition strategies, and fundraising efforts for charity. He emphasizes the importance of determination, community support through running clubs, and the joy of running, while also discussing his future aspirations in the marathon world.
 
Takeaways
  • George's first marathon was in 2018, and he has since completed nine marathons.
  • He emphasises the importance of determination and not giving up on goals.
  • Joining a running club significantly improved his training and performance.
  • Nutrition plays a crucial role in his marathon preparation, including the use of gels.
  • He has raised significant funds for charity through his marathon participation.
  • George's experience highlights the importance of community and support in running.
  • He has aspirations to qualify for major marathons like Chicago and Boston.
  • George's training includes a mix of speed sessions, long runs, and marathon pace blocks.
  • He advises new runners to enjoy the process and not rush their goals.
  • George believes that every marathon finisher deserves recognition, regardless of their time.
    • Sound Bites
    • "I got the bug."
    • "I joined a running club."
    • "You have to be clever."
      • Chapters
       
      00:00 George's Journey to Running Marathons
      02:50 Training and Preparation for Marathons
      06:12 Nutrition and Race Day Strategies
      11:59 Fundraising and Community Engagement
      19:54 Future Aspirations and Advice for Runners
      ...more
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      Don’t Forget Your GelsBy The Sapphire Running Zone