Journal · Omar Guitoune ·
From 10K to marathon: finding ambition later
The second-best time is now
A Paris 10K with my nephew in 2024 changed how I saw running. This is the story of that turning point, the decision to enter the 2025 Paris Marathon and the ambition that followed.
Sport has always been part of my life. I knew I was a reasonably good runner, but I had never really explored how far I could go.
One day, a friend who had taken up triathlon said something along the lines of: “If I were you, with your ability, I would take it seriously.” It did not spark an immediate change. But his words stayed with me.
From the Paris 10K to the marathon
Then, in 2024, I signed up for the Adidas 10K in Paris with my nephew. I prepared on my own, with the resources and knowledge I had. A modest training programme, but a real desire to do well.
What stands out most is the motivation we shared. We had a common goal. We encouraged each other, pushed each other, and managed to go beyond what we thought we could do.
That preparation helped me take several minutes off my previous 10K times. That was when something changed. If that preparation could make such a difference, how far could I go by taking it more seriously?
I then signed up for the 2025 Paris Marathon.
Starting later and taking pride in the journey
Finding sporting ambition later in life can come with a few regrets. I catch myself thinking: “I should have started earlier.” Then I remember this saying: “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second-best time is now.”
Everyone has their own story and their own pace. I am happy to be starting this chapter of mine.
Today, when I think about my next start line, the feeling that stands out is pride. Pride in having given my best throughout the preparation, alongside my responsibilities and within the time I had.
The time matters. It was what first sparked my desire to improve. But even before I cross the start line, I want to be able to look back at the journey and say: I gave it my best, I pushed myself, and I can be proud of that.
This is my personal experience, not an individual training recommendation or a programme to copy.
Omar Guitoune