Transcript
UKRunChat: Welcome to the UK Run Chat podcast. I'm Michelle and today I'm catching up with someone who's been part of the UK Run Chat community for a while now, Tim Gould, who you might remember from an episode we recorded about two years ago now.
UKRunChat: One of the things I love about interviewing our community is that We're capturing just a snapshot of someone's running life at that particular moment. And life, of course, moves on. So I'm really looking forward to catching up with Tim today to see what's happened over the last two years. When Tim joined us last time, he'd been running for a few years. He'd started during lockdown.
UKRunChat: Using running as a way of looking after his mental health like lots of us do and fitting it around work and family life with two young children. He'd done a half marathon, was enjoying his canal runs, but had a big ambition sitting in the background running the London Marathon.
UKRunChat: Well, a lot can happen in two years because Tim got back in touch with us a few months ago to have a catch up. so Join in and listen along for a chat to see where Tim's up to with his running now. Hi, Tim. It's brilliant to have you back. Welcome.
Tim : Oh yeah, it's great to be back. Thank you for having me back. It's been, like you said, it's been a crazy two years. very busy like like we all are but when you when you think and you look back.
Tim : G's 2024 it's now 2026 and a lot can happen in in a short space of time so I listened back to my podcast myself and and tried to think how I was thinking and feeling and and the kind of runs I was doing.
Tim : Fuck. two years ago and then looking where i am now and and how that's evolved and and what i'm up to now so it's nice to see that progress
UKRunChat: Yeah, we had we had a good chat actually, didn't we? I remember because we were talking about kind of what makes a runner. And, you know,
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: how do you cut How do you know when to call yourself a runner? And you were very adamant that you you were indeed a runner, weren't you, even back then?
Tim : Yeah, and I think I definitely felt that way. and I feel like I've been able to definitely cement myself in that category because This year I was able to tick something.
Tim : Major. off my bucket list and we spoke two years ago about me wanting to do a marathon and it being the right time and the right venue. And...
Tim : uh in july 2025 i had that email that everyone waits for to say congratulations you You're in the London Marathon. um
UKRunChat: that's just the dream isn't it tim that's that's the one everybody wants to receive yeah
Tim : Yeah.
Tim : so
UKRunChat: buts That's so lucky it was meant to be, I think, wasn't it?
Tim : Yeah, it must it must have been fate because it was literally, I don't know, 12 months after our conversation and I received that email. And I was in two minds. I was... it's that congratulations as if you've won a major prize and in the running community it is because it's so hard to get yourself. on that start line um And I booked it straight away. and worked really hard last year.
Tim : And obviously leading up to April this year. And I was able to complete my first. well my first london marathon but my first marathon full stop in April this year which was fantastic.
UKRunChat: That's brilliant. Well, but we'll chat a bit about how it all went in a bit, but I just i want to go back a little to start with, it if that's okay. So just thinking back to where you were with your running two years ago, and you're obviously... try in.
UKRunChat: to get a marathon at that time you said to me it'll be London or Manchester didn't you if you couldn't get into London um so what feels different about running now kind of what changed before you've kind of got that that email from London to say yes you're in
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: Were you just kind of carrying on as normal or were you...
Tim : I think it was...
UKRunChat: opinions.
Tim : It was quite consistent with how I'd been running, how I'd been feeling what I was using. Running 4. And... I love having a name. I love having a goal.
Tim : a race in mind or a challenge. But... like the middle part and and last year especially. It became, okay. feeling a bit down feeling a bit low let's go for a run let's let's test out a new route Um,
Tim : i was even I even took my little lad out for a run just to try and get... A little bit of different. feelings and a little bit of different kind of scenery in my runs just to try and spice it up a little bit.
Tim : So I do think when I received the email, it came at a really good time for me. in my journey and how I was feeling about running. Because I think it was more...
Tim : medicine. Back then, last year, it was more... and ah And having that goal, especially something as big as the marathon, it became more of a right. the training. and the program. and the the early mornings and and not drinking in the pub and...
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : and And it really helped me. Go back to how I felt about running. training for the half marathon and
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : kind of falling back in love with it i think um and what it can do obviously for your mental health but so the benefits of of seeing that progress. over eight weeks, 10 weeks, 12 weeks.
Tim : um so it came at a perfect time.
UKRunChat: Yeah, that's brilliant. you meant And you mentioned going out with your little lad there. So your children were very small last time we spoke. And I know you were talking about kind of arranging running around when they were at clubs and things, weren't you?
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: um So are they a bit older now? You mentioned one of them comes with you for a little little run.
Tim : Yeah. So, yeah, my lads who's. what just started year seven.
UKRunChat: Yen ah.
Tim : last week and my girl little girl who's six. and ah like Like I said last time, I like to talk about running. I like to show the benefits of running. They know that if I'm putting my shoes on or it's a Sunday morning and we're meant to be sitting. eating bacon sandwiches. um ogger for a run and and they're okay and they they're aware of that part of my life.
Tim : and he wanted to come along. I think it was after school. one day. um and he wanted to go along one of the canal routes that i do And it was just good fun just to...
Tim : Just to go running with him um walking and chatting and Can you go at your pace now, Dad, so I can see if I can keep up? and then can you come at my pace and and it was just a really fun and different type of run.
Tim : um He's been out of my heart now. as well. um because my partner doubles in reading. Um...
UKRunChat: Now, she was doing couch to 5K last time we talked, wasn't she?
Tim : Yes.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : So yeah, she's she's been I she did a ah a 10k race um It was in Worcester. It was for kind of the... race for life but it was the 10k and that was the furthest she'd done So she managed to get herself up to 10K.
Tim : um And he he went with her a couple of times as well on a couple of her kind of training runs. So it's nice to... to have that part or to think maybe one day we could all go out or we could cheer them on.
Tim : um all member And I know you said we'll get into it, but... I remember watching my dad and going for a run with my dad. when I was little and It made me feel that.
Tim : taking him for a run it made me feel that kind of full circle and oh i remember this um many many many many years ago because my dad used to run. um And I wanted to tell him. So I found him and told him. ah I was like, you never guess what. Dougie wanted to come for a run. and um And I wanted to let you know because I remember that day where you took me for a run the first time. um So it was quite nice to...
Tim : to see that. through his eyes I suppose.
UKRunChat: Oh, that's lovely. So that's a core memory for you that's really stuck with you from childhood too.
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: That's lovely. it I think it's such... it's It's great, isn't it, when kids can see us enjoy running. Then we can see the mum and dad going out, lacing up the running shoes. to do something that they enjoy and they come back happier.
UKRunChat: I think it's an important message.
Tim : Yeah. Absolutely. I mean, even watching some of the athletics on the telly recently and last year. Um... I know a lot of ah a lot of... the athletics this year was was local to where i live so it was quite nice to see on telly And.
Tim : I remember the first... It was the mix relay race and it was the first time they'd done it. And we was watching it on telly, all four of us s watching it on telly. And we was proper cheering and and they was getting into it as much as I was. So it's...
Tim : it's even things like that where They see running on the TV. They see me running. They see the benefits. um and all i can do is help promote that and show the best side of that
UKRunChat: yeah Yeah, and that's lovely that he's been able to go along with you and that it was his idea. I love that.
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: yeah that's brilliant and hopefully it'll it'll go on a few more with you
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: Amen. Yeah, so so you get that email from London that says you're in. What are your what are your first thoughts?
Tim : I think I had a niggle in one of my legs at the time and I was i was kind of going, ah, like. This is it. This is the big one. What am I going to do? I managed to phone everyone and tell everyone. even though I'd not even pressed kind of... submit I was just really excited.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : um I didn't know. anything about it really I knew a couple of people that did the previous year and know like I know last year was really hot, this year was really hot, and I just had all these questions and all these thoughts.
Tim : But I was adamant. I was i was getting over that line one way or another. And I was just. ready to commit to whatever needed whatever I needed to do. through the winter months and
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : and enjoy the day.
UKRunChat: Yeah. So at what point did you kind of start? a proper training plan for London then because it's it's July when the ballots
Tim : Yes.
UKRunChat: Isn't it?
Tim : I kind of carried on. with how I was running. in for a few months. and got to... the winter attack kind of December.
Tim : and and really kind of nailed down. consistent days. but i think like most people it was the January 1st. This is the run -up.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : four months or 12 weeks. I use a little bit of AI. and a little bit of the the training plan at London. provide and combine the two, said these are the days I run.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : Um, Can I do my lung one on a weekend? Can I do this? Can I do that? And it gave me a really cool plan. for me to to stick to. and it converted it into kilometers in my head because I don't know why I think it's park run, but...
Tim : half the running kilometers. So. A lot of the training.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : is in Moyles and I converted it and I had this plan on my computer. And that was it. Um... So was I was able to to hit it. January.
Tim : And I think the first week of January, we was Go in. to Disneyland Paris.
UKRunChat: oh one
Tim : And... I said I'm not going to. I'm not going to not do it. So I was able to get up. before we had a day in disneyland and i was able to get up and do one of my training runs around the kind of the hotels of Disneyland at like five o 'clock in the morning.
Tim : and I kind of said to myself look if I can do this in Disneyland at five o 'clock in the morning. I can do it. You know what I mean? i'm going to I'm not giving up just because I'm on holiday or just because I'm away.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : I'm not going to throw the towel in. I'm not going to say, oh. I'll do it tomorrow. or I'll do it next week. i was in my head I'm going to stick to what it says when it says. and I'm going to do it.
Tim : And I think... 90 % of it. i kind of did that whatever days whatever rain whatever the winter months kind of threw at us I was able to to stick to my...
Tim : modified plan.
UKRunChat: Yeah. So when when you said you you had a plan, so how how do you work around a plan? did Do you kind of write it down and pin it on the fridge or what do you do? Do you put it in your diary?
Tim : Yeah. um I had one on my work computer. that I would kind of go into every couple of the days and just see. what I'd done last week, what's what I've got coming up this week. And I had one in the kitchen.
Tim : which was like a little bit of a written one. So. ah could Look. when I was cooking or when I was in the kitchen. And I kind of made...
Tim : the the point to my wife and my kids that look On a weekend, um I'm going to be doing long runs and they're going to be getting longer. and longer and the time is going to go from half an hour to an hour to an hour and a half to two hours and But once Hypo comes, you know what I mean?
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : I'll be back. And it was that kind of...
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : I'll see you when I'm ready and I'll see you when I'm back. and it became the norm on a on a weekend and i'd ah'd vary the day saturday or sunday day depending what we had on which in my head was the flexible side of And I would do my lung runs and they would get longer.
Tim : and i agree to kind of enjoy them and explore different parts of the local kind of black country
Tim : And... and yeah And come back when I came back, which... like I said, was getting longer and longer. um We've got a little track.
Tim : tracking app for my lad who's going to school and so he can tell where I am. um he can tell on his phone
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : Um, And he would randomly phone me up and be like, oh, I can see that you're here. You're not going very fast, are you, Dad? And it would be like that. Um, kind of banter because he could see me on the tracking app of where i was and he'd quite enjoy seeing where i was going off to on a saturday or sunday so that was quite funny um
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : I'm just... used to blame the signal or used to say, well, that's not a true reflection. Okay. I'm going a bit quicker than it says. But... it used to kind of keep them connection as well.
UKRunChat: yeah that's nice that they can be involved like that actually that's a really good idea is is you need to get the family on board don't you when you're marathon training like they need to be fully behind you so that's great
Tim : Yes, yes
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : There were some really good Instagram people. um i love looking at other people's plans i don't try and ah then I don't know, judge myself on what they're up to or how they're doing it.
Tim : but it's nice to see. that kind of period january to april where everyone's going through the same thing and whether it's the the Brighton or the Manchester or the London or or something.
Tim : There was a lot of people kind of getting up early and it was pitch black and and having to carb load and And it kind of felt That was my little... community said that was my little pack that i would I would kind of go, oh.
Tim : They're feeling like I'm feeling today.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : And it was nice to see that. and build up those little bits of connection in in the running community.
UKRunChat: Yeah, you're all in it together, aren't you? It does make it easy when it's dark and cold. and
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: Throwing it down with rain. so So how often were you running a week then?
Tim : Absolutely.
UKRunChat: Because I think when we last chatted, you were out maybe two, three times a week, weren't you?
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: you
Tim : So I didn't increase it by loads. It was about four times a week.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : um And i up until maybe... Halfway through March I was still playing football. So. As I got into March, I kind of said to the lads, look I'm gonna knock it on the head. Don't get injured.
Tim : I'll see you in May. And it kind of. helped for like January and February because of the social side and and just keeping myself fit in a different way. but i was a little bit nervous about getting injured.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : So it was four times a week. And then I knocked the football on the head about halfway through March and I started doing a little bit more. with the foam roller a little bit more stretching.
Tim : a little bit more um like walking around and and use my bike a little bit. just for light stuff. just to
UKRunChat: yeah
Tim : try and get my knees and try and get my legs. because I know football helps. And I didn't want to just kind of not do anything else. so It did increase, but not by loads.
UKRunChat: Yeah, football's a different kind of fitness, isn't it as well? Because my husband started playing football recently and he'll come home and he'll go, I've covered 4 .6 kilometres today at really fast pace. It's very like quick moving, isn't it?
Tim : Yeah. Yeah.
UKRunChat: Yeah, so I think you're right to be a bit nervous of it.
Tim : It's the turning, yeah. the the turning and the twisting and like the short bursts of energy
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : and I could ah could get up. and run. At my pace. Easy peasy. But if I'm running up and down the pitch, I'll be knackered. And I think it is that.
Tim : different type of of movement. I think it's helped me over the years, but as I'm getting a little bit older. I am starting to... Recover. a little bit more slowly then maybe I would.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : um and I'm trying not to think about I don't know the big 4 -0, which is next year. but i'm trying to still think in my head yeah i can recover in a couple of days i'll be fine But football.
Tim : is a little bit slower than it used to be
UKRunChat: yeah I think the more you do it though I think You can carry it through, can't you? And it's it's it doesn't... feel difficult unless you stop and then start again I think as long as you're consistent with it you're okay yeah which is just a number Tim don't worry about it
Tim : Yeah.
Tim : ah Thanks.
UKRunChat: Yeah, don't worry. and So you... What what was your longest run then? Because you'd done a half marathon, hadn't you? Because we talked about that last time, about the buzz you got from the race.
Tim : Yes.
UKRunChat: So a half marathon had been your longest run. so What was it like mentally then knowing you had to... to double that distance for the marathon. It can feel a bit daunting can't it?
Tim : It was scary.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : And there was days where... I would talk to the wife and say, Can I do this? is I'm gonna do this. um But those days...
Tim : would often be followed by a day of a great run. where i'd come back and i'd be like i'm nailing this i'm doing really well and it's those ups and downs that you get as a runner and especially in a big block.
Tim : i think The scary bit for me was...
Tim : that one's always doing. was half marathons every week
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : And in my head, I was thinking, ah I didn't think I'd be that kind of person that would just be going out on a Saturday morning and doing a half marathon. as a triune in rune. and more. Whereas the year before, the half marathon was the goal.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : few years before the half marathon was the goal so now instead of doing 5k 10k 20k. I was doing 22 plus. each weekend thinking, oh yeah, I've i've just done a half marathon today, no big deal. And it just didn't seem to kind of register in my head that that was the norm. um And I think the first couple of times I was getting a little bit braggy with my mates and I've just done a half marathon and I feel fine. And and it's that.
Tim : getting used to being on your legs for that long and the distance. And i was just I was amazed that my body was doing that. every week.
UKRunChat: yeah so your body coped okay with it because you mentioned you had a niggle when you got the the initial email
Tim : Yeah. I think it's, yeah, just dodging these.
UKRunChat: So what happened there? Yeah.
Tim : And ah I've just tried to take it steady and any niggle that I felt. I'd slow up or I'd get the... the tiger balm and I'd absolutely plaster my knees before I went out and and and did a little bit more stretching. than I normally would but...
Tim : Through the training, I was okay.
UKRunChat: Yeah, that's good.
Tim : There was no There was no issues.
UKRunChat: That's really good news. yeah
Tim : and and going back to the comment i made earlier about people on instagram There's those people going, oh, you're definitely going to get this issue. Something's definitely going to throw you off. and and you're kind of waiting for it in your head. or What's it going to be? and and nothing happened drastically that would knock that training plan off.
UKRunChat: Yeah, that's good news. Yeah, Instagram is a place of extremes, isn't it? it's either that
Tim : Yes.
UKRunChat: They're really good or they're really bad. Yeah, we don't we don't see the stuff where things are just boring and happen as they should do.
Tim : Absolutely, yeah.
UKRunChat: but that's yeah that's really good news too So what was your longest run out of interest then?
Tim : So it was, I got to 21 miles. Um... which i can't think what it is in k in my head now um but that was
UKRunChat: It's about 32.
Tim : Yeah. And I think it was that.
UKRunChat: Bye.
Tim : time period of three or four weeks before race day.
UKRunChat: yeah
Tim : And that was the worst one. Absolutely. Horrible. and i don't know you
UKRunChat: What, mentally or physically?
Tim : I think it was more mental I think it was I just... I just couldn't get my engine going and in my head and leading up a couple of weeks before I knew that is long that is the longest run.
Tim : And then we're tapering down. And I don't know if it was the route I went, I don't know if it was the weather, I don't know if it was the time of day. And I'm trying to do things in the morning to get used to race day.
Tim : But it was horrible. I came back and I was like, I hated it. absolutely hated that. And I was thinking, oh my God, in in three weeks, I've got to do another five miles on top. um But race day wasn't even half as bad.
Tim : as that run, and and I think I knew that.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : I think. The training is the worst part. the race itself and and the london marathon was the celebration was the enjoyment Buh. That day. of the longest run was yeah hated it i don't know why No, boy.
UKRunChat: yeah I don't know why that happened. Happens. Yeah. I don't know why our our bodies and our heads do that to us sometimes. on long I had one of those recently as well. and It's awful, isn't it? You just start to like question everything that you're doing.
Tim : ah
UKRunChat: um But yeah, I think... race day is. you kind of I know you said you're in this bubble of of Instagram where other people are in the same boat, but essentially it's you on on a road.
UKRunChat: in either very early morning or after work were.
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: You've got to do this long run, haven't you? and So you you do have to kind of go to some dark places, I think. and just get it done and just endure.
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: we Were you doing lots of road running tonight?
Tim : um
UKRunChat: Because you like being on the canals, don't you? And a bit of trails.
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: So how did you mix that up?
Tim : The canal and the trails. is my go -to and i knew that i'd have to up roads and pavements and up and down pavements and And a lot of my training was on the roads. to try and get ready for that and to try and get my knees ready for that, I suppose.
Tim : I do think... I would maybe start or I'd do part of it on the canals because it was my my safe place and where I liked to go. and But I...
Tim : be finding random streets and random towns and and running. just thinking I'll aim that way. and then i'll I don't know, in about 20 minutes I'll turn left.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : Um,
UKRunChat: Oh, so you weren't planning routes and such.
Tim : No.
UKRunChat: You were just kind of making it up.
Tim : Not all the time. I'd kind of in my head had an idea of where I wanted to get to.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : And one of the days... Well, we leave in the centre. between Wolverhampton and Birmingham. and I ran from my house to Birmingham. and back. the way that the buzz goes and when i was telling people Now we go in.
Tim : what like that's really far i was like i know i know it's far
UKRunChat: but
Tim : um it takes an hour on the bus you know what i mean so But I ran the buzz route and and I thought it was something I've always fancied doing.
UKRunChat: That was real. Yeah.
Tim : but it is loads of boring roads. And it's loads of like houses and shops and factories.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : and But ah I... I got this aim. I'll get there. I'll turn around and I'll come back. um And that was one of my. good days because I've I could see Yeah, Birmingham is quite far And I was able to run there and back.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : So there was a lot of those moments as well.
UKRunChat: Yeah, that's good. That's good. So any places you've kind of discovered then during your long runs where you've not been before? and you thought it
Tim : There is a lot of Yeah, I'd be thinking I'd aim for there. Don't know what's there. need to try and turn around and come back and... And I don't know what it is to Aruna. But that idea of running somewhere and coming back. the coming back. you you hate it i like circles i like maybe finding your way back home. somehow.
Tim : um But I got kind of used to... Runin'. in a straight line and and and coming back which was a bit weird
UKRunChat: Yeah. Yeah, it's not weird.
Tim : but loads of different places, yeah.
UKRunChat: No, it's very practical yeah very practical It's cool. It's true.
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: Because i honestly, i I spend, I mean, that that kind of strikes fear into my heart when you're like, I don't know where where I'm going.
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: I'll just see where I end up because I'm kind of meticulous about planning a route and I'll i'll happily spend an hour on OS Maps beforehand going, where am I going to today? Where am I going to? like i like last week i kind of got the the train 20 miles away to run back on our canal because like you were saying the idea of running out somewhere and then running back.
UKRunChat: Yeah! My brain could not comprehend that. I would have wouldve hated the second half. so yeah So good for you for being able to kind of conquer that.
Tim : Yeah. Thank you.
UKRunChat: But I think that's a good part of training, isn't it? To kind of make some runs. kind of purposefully hard like that mentally because
Tim : Yes.
UKRunChat: the marathon you know we we are training to do a hard thing. Yeah, so I think it does help. so So tell us about the race itself then, Tim. We've talked around it for a while. so what What was race morning like then? You must have been so excited.
Tim : It was... It was race weekend so we went on a Saturday morning.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : And I had my little fan club. So I had my wife. my kids, I had my sister -in -law and her son and we got the train down to London really early to go and enjoy the the expo.
Tim : so I'd seen all these videos of people getting their bib numbers and having their picture taken by the wall. And I wanted to be that guy. so I dragged them along.
Tim : showed them all the running stuff that I'd been looking at religiously for the last... four months. And we had ah an afternoon walking around London. And...
Tim : It's hard. I don't know how people do it, but stay off your feet the day before if you're going to London and Your... going to the expo then going to your hotel or getting something to eat you can't help but do. steps and i think i did about 15 000 steps or something stupid just because the kids still wanted to go to m m world or the lego shop or wherever it was
Tim : And I didn't want to be that guy that said, oh, no, I've got to go and sit in the hotel for an afternoon. So we managed to. Do a mini version of... sightseeing And then we we kind of crashed out in the hotel.
Tim : But that the morning itself. I'd been planning in my head what I'd have to eat, what I'd have to drink. how I would get from the hotel to the start line. And again, I think I did about 6000 steps. before I even got to...
Tim : the start line i don't know how anybody cannot cannot do those kind of distances when they when they're trying to get. to the park where it starts and But I was on my own and and I was okay. ah i was I was ready, I was focused.
Tim : i was following the crowds i was on the tube and and got chatting to loads of really cool people that We just talked to you. Is this your first one? I've done it before. and And the buzz, that you could you could just feel it, the atmosphere, even...
Tim : Before you got to con of Greenwich Park, it was you could just see it and sense it and you was a part of it. and I was about... Half past 10, I think.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : so i was a bit later on And I could hear the the kind of the the DJ, I could see on the telly. The... but world record attempt and... under two hours and i was just like oh my god i just want to finish i just want yeah
UKRunChat: oh gosh yeah that you were there for that amazing race oh my gosh yeah like what yeah What a memory.
Tim : one Yeah. yeah um So you'd you'd hear in all these stories and...
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : And then you can see it on the TV and and you kind of wow, like. I just want to cross the line and he's done it in. the time it takes me to do an half marathon i don't know um And then we went into the pen and... and I got really nervous and like you don't know what to expect. and Don't start off too fast.
Tim : wait for this, wait for that and and get yourself ready. And I just kind of think I just went with the flow.
UKRunChat: yeah
Tim : for the first part When. up and down through the tones um and i think it wasn't until i got to boy cutty sark that And you see the... the grand kind of ship.
Tim : and all the crowds. Because that was probably one of the biggest crowds you see first first big crowd I was like, oh my God, like I'm running the London Marathon. it's It's that. realization and that kind of penny drop again where Oh my god, like, this is it.
Tim : like just just keep focused keep going keep going And... I created a playlist. that I wouldn't listen to until a race day. And I'd get people that would kind of.
Tim : Put songs in it. for me. So I wouldn't know what was in there.
UKRunChat: It's a good idea, yeah.
Tim : Um... so there'd be a few kind of songs that would come on and it would kind of spur me on and then there'd be a few kind of slower moments and and and thinking. Okay, let's just focus on that.
Tim : kind of landmark or let's get to there let's get to there and everything seems to be going as planned I had... people at home on the app following me i had my wife and my kids which i knew We're going to go towards Buckingham Palace. So it was going to be a long time until I saw them.
Tim : And I could see all these moments of... People. Hugin. cheering, that moment where you see your family member. And I was thinking, I was focusing on that for me. I was thinking that that's coming soon. That's coming soon. That's coming soon.
Tim : Um... Tara Bridge. am Amazing. like you hear stories and you hear
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : I don't know, you see videos of people going through, but it was just... how many people on a bridge, and how many people are cheering on a bridge non -stop and they don't know you from Adam.
Tim : And you'll... running over this bridge. cheering with everybody else. That was a great moment. And I think it was... a Maybe about 10 or 15 minutes after that.
Tim : I felt like I was... The wall. and i don't know i think i think i came to the wall a lot sooner than i thought
UKRunChat: Right.
Tim : and it was that realization of This is odd. This is really, really hard. So I kind of slowed it down a little bit. and Just played through And I've got to...
Tim : round boy Um... All the offices, um Canary Wharf.
UKRunChat: oh yeah so that's about 18 to 20 miles isn't it on the route yeah
Tim : And... Hold on. Fucking... it's quite round and iggledy -piggledy. and the crows kind of thin out a little bit. And it's that kind of moment where you're thinking, right,
Tim : Nearly there just keep going, keep going, keep going.
Tim : and i felt like i wasn't enjoying it for that moment i felt like this is hard this is grueling Let's try and enjoy it. So I'll join in with some of the... the crowds and the signs and people offering kind of half a ice lolly or a...
Tim : drink or whatever and I'd Try and soak in. a little bit more to try and get me back on. on track And um then I think the best bit. along the embankment looking at Big Ben.
Tim : I really enjoyed that bit because I knew it was close.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : Um... And then... randomly Run along. In my zone. And I saw my brother. at the corner of my eye. which I didn't know he was there.
Tim : And he was cheering. and shouting and I ran over to him and he so he just... surprised me so he was there like
UKRunChat: Ah.
Tim : And he was going, are you doing so well? And I was like, oh, ah thanks. look carried on. Um... And then I saw my wife and kids and absolutely broke down thinking, great, no.
Tim : one minute away from having the that photo taken and that finish line. And I'm absolutely kind of like... Oh my god! So that was a great moment.
Tim : And then just crossing the line. I was running up until the light and I stopped. I'm just going to tuck it in a little bit. right and then walked over and just kind of proper like shook my fists to go i've done it Don't eat.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : Um, And the whole thing... was amazing. It was hard. And I wouldn't change any of it, I don't think, because it's what got me over that line. um And it was amazing. so i know you asked the question what was race morning like and i've gave it a whole kind of race
UKRunChat: No.
Tim : it's like Yeah. it's There's nothing else like it. And I'm so glad I waited. for London. um Because yeah. It is special.
UKRunChat: Yeah, it it's it it is an incredible race. London was my first marathon as well. And I agree with you. Like, it's so, so special, isn't it? Like, but nothing else ever compares, really. I mean, I've i've never done the majors or anything. So, I mean, they're obviously, I hear they're very good.
UKRunChat: um but it it is a race. you know, on it on a different scale to everything.
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: Like the noise that you mentioned is just, it's incredible, isn't it? Did you have your name on your shirt?
Tim : So i I didn't have my name, but I had I had the mind. T -shirt.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : because I was running for mind. And I had to kind of like my my my little Instagram kind of running logo um with my name on and stuff and and people was cheering. There was a lot of Um...
Tim : I don't know, I would just... It just felt like, for that day especially, i don't know before during after It was like... Got the human race is pretty cool. Like everybody was cheering everybody.
Tim : and even my wife and my brother and my kids and my sister -in -law from watching it. they was like seeing people and all walks of life. people in wheelchairs, people like the fridge guy, absolutely love fridge guy. And I had my photo taken with him.
Tim : um And there were all these special moments happening in one place. on one day um And it was just amazing to be part of.
UKRunChat: Yeah, it's it's incredible. So what how were you feeling then, kind of immediately after the race? What's going through you through your mind then?
Tim : I think... I sat down and I shouldn't have sat down. um I think I was changing my my trainers. I had my medal around my neck.
Tim : And I ah would refuse to take it off. um I wanted to try and find my family. which I found them quite quickly about 20 minutes later and we had like a locker a few photos and and and A few hugs.
Tim : And I think it was just... that of Duny. A few have done it. and and i think my my wife says you was always going to do it whether you was going to take three days you was always going to do it But in my head, I think. When you're competing against yourself, especially, and you're seeing those videos of people. and you Oh, I want to...
Tim : I want to do it in this. I want to do that. I want to... Doesn't matter. like that's not the important thing um I think after you couldn't wipe the smile off my face i was absolutely buzzing with with pride.
Tim : And like I said, I saw... I saw a fridge guy and he was an absolute. legend. We spoke to him and had a couple of photos. And you're seeing everybody. that had just done it and you can see their faces. Um...
Tim : And then then I said to everybody that we're going to walk. to the guinness uh the guinness factory and i'm gonna have my first point of guinness that i've had this year and i'm gonna really enjoy myself um and that's what we did so it was great ah
UKRunChat: Brilliant.
Tim : and
UKRunChat: You probably only needed the one sip, did you, after that? After not drinking.
Tim : Yeah, I think any more and I'd have been asleep. Definitely. Um... But that was my little treat having that. And and well. I know loads of places in London, but if you showed your medal, you had it for free.
Tim : So I was like, even better.
UKRunChat: Yeah, that was amazing. Yeah, yeah, oh there's lots lots of freebies for participants out there.
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: Yeah, yeah, it's a really great thing to do. So did did you see a difference with having given up alcohol before the marathon then?
Tim : i I think so.
UKRunChat: Mm.
Tim : I think I was i was really conscious of... Hydration.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : I'm... I think when I'm running. especially Wow. even though it was winter. And it's the... the miles i was putting in like i think i was i was I was sweating sweating loads. um And I was really worried about.
Tim : I don't know not drinking enough not getting the hydration and the electrolytes and I didn't want anything... So. so little and so simple to spoil it and i'm not a big drinker I enjoy a drink.
UKRunChat: Yeah. yeah
Tim : I'm or enjoy a couple of Guinnesses. I think I had a nice Christmas and and you tend to kind of overindulge at Christmas anyway. So it was just that January, right, let's just concentrate on.
Tim : The carbs. And just drinking water. and electrolytes and and and it was great i felt bettering myself and I felt Like. If something was going to spoil it, it wasn't going to be something that I had control over like that.
UKRunChat: yeah
Tim : So. It didn't bother me and and I was able to do it.
UKRunChat: Yeah. Oh, that's brilliant. So how was your recovery afterwards then?
Tim : It was good. I think you do get those blues and you get those days where you're like...
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : well now what do I do? Um... if really helpful because we The email came out a couple of days after to say that I was included in the Guinness World Records because it was the... I've got it here because I want to quote it correctly. um The largest number of finishers in a marathon.
Tim : and it broke a record. So I was able to get those little certificates that you get when you're a Guinness World Record holder.
UKRunChat: ah Wow.
Tim : so those people who finished the London Marathon this year. are going to be mentioned in the guinness world record book to say i don't know class of 2026 world record um so that was a really cool thing because i just got the medal and i didn't take it off for a couple of days And now I've got a world record hold. um so i was I was very smug.
Tim : for a couple of days um
UKRunChat: That's very cool. And you didn't even have to run in a giant shoe or carrying a fridge or anything either.
Tim : yeah
Tim : No. No, and I take my hat off to all those people that did that.
UKRunChat: so
Tim : um lots of rainbows and lots of dinosaurs and rhinoceroses, that rhino guy. Yeah. and i was absolutely roasting because it was a warm day as well.
Tim : um So I take my hat off to all those people that... Did fancy dress
UKRunChat: Yeah. Oh, wonderful. I'm so happy for you. I'm so happy that you got to do it because people do. They they enter the ballot year upon year upon year. And it's just no, no, no.
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: So, yeah. very lucky and yeah. I'm really pleased that you enjoyed it and that you didn't put too much pressure on yourself as well because you never get the opportunity to run your first marathon again, do you?
Tim : No, I wanted to enjoy it. Yeah, so I wanted to enjoy. everything that came with it the before the during the after because ah like you said i
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : i'm not sure when i'm going to get a chance to do anything like that again
UKRunChat: no
Tim : um i put in for it again straight after and wasn't successful and it's just one of those things it's it's the hardest thing to to get in. And I think once you're in. my mindset was.
Tim : i want to do it properly and and give it a good go. So I know a few people that entered. And I don't know if it was like my my brother and my partner was like. oh I want to do it just in case, just in case, and and nobody got in.
Tim : And I just think he's just one of those things.
UKRunChat: Oh no. Yeah.
Tim : um Who knows, maybe again. another time I'll keep trying.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : but I don't know what. Or feel. doing it again because it was a lot of firsts.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : and There's a few things I think I would do differently However, It's... i don't know i really enjoyed this one and i don't want anything to kind of spoil that So.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : Yeah, he's a tough one.
UKRunChat: Yeah. so So would you do a different marathon now? I don't want to ask what your next race is because we're obviously, we're chatting about London today, but would you consider doing another marathon now having done that?
Tim : I think so. I think... I like the challenge that it gave me. So I like the push. I like the focus and like I said those 12 weeks.
Tim : Um, It was great to have that aim and that goal. um But I think... Think I might go back and do a couple of half marathons and try and revisit how I was during during those that I completed a couple of years ago. and if i just maybe get a couple of minutes off what does that look like how does that feel what what training would i have to do Because...
Tim : I do think... it would have to be something i don't know big special. I don't know. It's hard. um I've been toying with lots of ideas to to kind of give me that next push and that next challenge.
Tim : i know a couple of people that do the the Rhodes Half Marathon.
UKRunChat: oh yeah
Tim : And it's the same time of year as as London in April. And I was kind of thinking. That would be quite cool to do something like that. um Maybe that could be the next.
Tim : the next thing get a bit of sunshine as well
UKRunChat: that sounds nice yeah yeah particularly with the weather this week You know.
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: but Yeah, that sounds good. So... So, I mean... it's It's hard, isn't it, when we've got a goal in our head for so long and then suddenly you took it off. and it's it's done so
Tim : Yeah.
UKRunChat: I know you mentioned a bit of post -marathon blues, but that had been kind of a long time coming, hadn't it? so What's changed in your own running since London then?
Tim : I'm... I... again i think it's I'm not putting too much pressure on it. it was nice to kind of go from Running half marathons and more every weekend to just going out and and doing what i normally would do like the five and ten k's pre -work or after work.
Tim : It was nice to get my weekends back.
UKRunChat: Yeah. The kids were probably pleased to have you back as well and your wife.
Tim : Peace. Yeah absolutely and I think it was...
UKRunChat: Yeah. yeah
Tim : not that i missed out on anything but it was just nice to get back to a little bit more Um, family life and family routine. but still kind of having that in my back pocket and that in my head to say that Ooh.
Tim : you know what i mean of doing that and When I go out now and I do. a run I'm always looking to
Tim : to get the benefits from it that I've always got from. So like that mental health and and the fitness. And I think that... unless I'm going and to enter. something big or old. get into a middle of a plan or a training plan.
Tim : it's nice to enjoy as like a Just... Enjoy. as for what it is.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : Um... I think the training was the hardest thing And I think it's the winter as well. So I'd maybe look at a different time of year. But the blues itself.
Tim : Blasted. um like a couple of weeks where It was... It was hard to not. focus on something. um But it soon kind of fizzled out. I soon had other things to occupy and other things to enjoy.
Tim : But I definitely want to get my teeth into another plan, I think.
UKRunChat: Yeah. Yeah, I'm glad that's worked well for you and you've you've kind of developed that. for yourself, haven't you that's been that's been good. You mentioned using kind of the AI tools at hand and kind of making it work for you.
Tim : Yeah. Yeah. um I had no idea where to start. and and
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : and like i said instagram can be helpful it can be it can be harmful The London Marathon emails and and what you used what you got from them were really helpful. and and They had some really great kind of points and some great tips.
Tim : But I just needed something that would... Tyler Timmall. kind of like lifestyle and my life at the moment which AI was a great addition to chuck that in. and and get them to produce something that I could kind of stick to.
UKRunChat: Yeah. I think. Good to mention they use it with a bit of caution, isn't it, for anyone listening, that it does need to work for you.
Tim : Yeah, yeah, yeah
UKRunChat: and i think you need to put a lot of information into it about what you do and who you are. and the kind of running that you do anyway. so that it's it's right for you.
UKRunChat: Yeah. yeah interesting that you didn't mention going further than the marathon is that a goal or just not
Tim : um it's It's very spooky. there was ah I was speaking to somebody at work. last week or the week before who they do in rails a lot of ultras and a lot of of past that.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : 42k and I like the sound of it because there's a lot of eating involved and you can take your time. um And it is something that I would probably... look at and i think somewhere in wales where you've got kind of like snowdonia and all those kind of places to...
Tim : to occupy your mind while you're sightseeing.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : would be a beautiful place to to do that. but I think. Yeah, after doing what I've done in April this year. i think i could yeah I think I could have a go at anything.
UKRunChat: yeah it's funny the marathon does that to you doesn't it it makes you feel like wow Just do not. Yeah. what's what's possible now because i've taken the breath enough yeah
Tim : Yeah, yeah, it's nice. It's nice
UKRunChat: Yeah, it's a good feeling. I was so pleased you got to do it. Yeah, I made up for you.
Tim : Thank you. and And yeah, very spooky after, like, I don't know, after our conversation last time and saying it would only be London.
UKRunChat: Yeah.
Tim : um I had to finally put my my money where my mouth was. and and yeah Have a go.
UKRunChat: Yeah. It's brilliant. And I'm so glad you had a good experience there. So if you could go back and talk now to the Tim that we interviewed two years ago, what would you tell him?
Tim : I think I just carry on.
UKRunChat: Hmm.
Tim : Get out when you can. um Put that precious aid in that. competitive side of wanting to break certain times which I kind of fell into a little bit.
Tim : up until we're receiving that email. Just don't worry about it. um I love my watch. I love seeing my time, but it's not the most important thing. and and the London Marathon and the training.
Tim : Help me. realize that so that's probably what i would say
UKRunChat: Yeah. Oh, that's brilliant. Oh, well, thank you so much, Tim. It's been really nice having you back on for a chat. And yeah, it's nice to see what's happened since we last spoke. and So I hope that everybody out there has enjoyed listening. Tim, where can people find you on Instagram if they want to follow along?
Tim : Yeah, it's run with fonts, so F -O -N -Z. um I need to... got some great followers and and some great kind of chats with lots of running community so yeah Thank you.
UKRunChat: Yeah. fabulous so get involved in the chat on instagram and a thank you for listening you've been listening to the uk run chat podcast and i've been michelle we'll be back with another episode very soon
