From the first spark at a 10K to qualifying for Boston 2027, I write about racing, progress and what training really looks like alongside an already full life.
The days are getting shorter, the rain is settling in and the clock change disrupts the rhythm. At this time of year, motivation sometimes drops. I am learning to accept that. We cannot feel equally eager to train every day. This is precisely when the discipline built over the years takes over. It does not always make starting easier, but it helps me put on my shoes, step outside and do what was planned. Then comes that moment when the session is over: the job is done and the satisfaction is still there. An irreplaceable feeling that reminds me why going out was the right decision. Motivation fluctuates. Discipline keeps me on course.
Tomorrow, I’ll line up for the Vincennes Half Marathon with a rather unfamiliar feeling. For the first time, I’m going into a race knowing I won’t empty the tank. I have to admit, it feels strange, even a little frustrating. But the Athens Marathon is only three weeks away, and I’m convinced that saving my energy for that goal is the right call. When you love competing, choosing not to give 100% does not come naturally. Perhaps progress also means learning which battles to choose. Could this finally be a sign of maturity? 😅
Since starting this project, I’ve trained on my own. This year, I’ve decided to join ES Montgeron, the club where I first held a licence in 2002. Twenty-four years later, I’m returning with new ambitions and the same love of running. I’m sure training with a group will help me reach another level and, above all, enjoy the journey even more. A new step on the road to the Majors.
Today, Monday 14 September, I’m trying to enter the Boston Marathon for the second time. Hopefully, this is the one. Today’s session: fill in the form, cross my fingers and resist refreshing my inbox every thirty seconds. Applying doesn’t mean I have a place on the start line yet, but I’d love Boston and me to move from “maybe” to “see you there”.
My guiding principle: pursue performance without putting the rest of my life on hold. Stay on course through training, responsibilities and recovery. Vincennes, then Athens: two races to give the coming weeks a clear focus.