THE BARCELONA MARATHON WAS TOUGH, BUT WILL STEPHEN'S LONDON ADVENTURE BE EVEN TOUGHER?

Stephen Johnson from southwest London is a keen runner and is taking on the London Marathon for Scoliosis Support & Research. His first marathon was in Barcelona, an experience that gave him plenty to think about. Losing seven toenails taught him so much about looking after his feet during a marathon and he shares this and many other stories on the first of three podcast episodes on his way to the finish in April.

If you'd like to follow in Stephen's footsteps and run your next event for Scoliosis Support & Research, or you're interested in one of the charity's London Marathon entries, email Will fundraising@ssr.org.uk. Thank you.

To find out more about Scoliosis head to https://ssr.org.uk

 

PODCAST NOTES

Keywords

 

London Marathon, Scoliosis, running, charity, training, fundraising, personal stories, marathon preparation

 

Summary

 

In this conversation, Tim Rogers interviews Stephen, who is preparing to run the London Marathon for scoliosis support. Stephen shares his personal journey as a runner, his motivations for choosing this charity, and the lessons he learned from previous marathon experiences. He discusses his training strategies, the importance of proper gear, and his approach to fundraising. Stephen also reflects on the impact of scoliosis on his family and the advancements in treatment over the years. The conversation highlights the mental and physical preparations necessary for marathon running, especially when running for a cause.

 

Takeaways

• Stephen has been running for over 12 years, starting with park runs.
• He chose the London Marathon to support scoliosis, a condition affecting his family.
• Preparation is key; Stephen learned from mistakes made in previous marathons.
• Training for the London Marathon includes long runs and proper fueling.
• Choosing the right shoes and socks is crucial to avoid injuries.
• Fundraising can be daunting, but starting early helps alleviate stress.
• Personalising fundraising messages can lead to better support.
• Stephen's sister's experiences with scoliosis highlight the importance of research and support.
• Mental preparation is as important as physical training for marathon success.
• The marathon experience is unique; each run teaches valuable lessons.

 

Titles

• Running for a Cause: Stephen's Marathon Journey
• Lessons Learned from the London Marathon
• Scoliosis Support Through Running

Sound Bites

• "I ended up in the medical centre Barcelona."
• "It's important to get the right footwear."
• "The marathon only really starts at 30k, doesn't it?"
• "You just got to get out there and get to people."
• "People generally do want to help."
• "You have to force yourself not to go out too fast."

Chapters

 

00:00 Introduction to Stephen's Journey

01:52 Running Background and Motivation

05:15 Lessons from Previous Marathons

08:00 Training Strategies for London Marathon

11:20 Choosing the Right Gear

13:45 Fundraising for Scoliosis Support

22:06 Personal Stories and Impact of Scoliosis

25:40 Final Preparations and Mental Strategies