Running My First Marathon At 40

It’s time for Andy to take on his first marathon. Will he break 3 hours? Will he be able to finish? Can he get his gel timings right? Will his knee be ok? These are all the thoughts going round Andy’s head as he takes to the startline of Valencia marathon for his first ever 26.2 mile experience. Wish him luck!
↓↓ Have you run a marathon? Got any advice for Andy? Let us know in the comments! ↓↓
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What's in this video:
00:00:00 - Preparation for the Valencia Marathon
00:01:23 - Pre-Race Nerves
00:02:46 - Crossing the Start Line
00:04:32 - Learning from my Longest Run
00:06:00 - Pushing the pace
00:07:41 - Overcoming Pain and Building Confidence
00:09:14 - The Pain of Running
00:10:41 - Pushing Through The Pain
00:12:12 - The Finish Line
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[@MsRafanatic]

Well done, Andy! Just a ftiendly reminder that Sifan Hassan stopped twice to stretch and still won the London marathon. Stopping does not make your run any less special! ❤

[@gm2407]

Everyone gets cramp, it cant be helped sometimes the muscle gets cold or electrolytes are depleted, sometimes it recovers suboptimally from training or travel. Adapt and overcome, Andy has done something to be proud of and we are all happy for him.

[@FaeRae-333]

I wanted to say the same! You did AMAZING, Andy! ❤

[@kimhaig99]

Massive well done Andy! What an achievement 🎉

[@karenstyles7639]

Amazing job, especially given Andy’s background which was all about 1500 training, a marathon is a different beast so this first one is his learning curve, I’m sure that Olympian brain is ticking over to see how he could do it again! Awesome job buddy 👏👏💪🏻

[@julie99nl]

There is even some suggestions (evidence may be the wrong word) that slowing down/walking/stopping allows you to regroup and run faster afterwards leading to a faster finish.

[@tirvplumbing]

Freddie making a sub 3 marathon look like a park run warmup 🤯. Seriously well done Andy i did my first marathon this year too andbi took it a lot easier than you did. You should be very proud. 😊

[@emmadean9146]

I’d love to know Freddie’s marathon pb!

[@BroLuap]

Yes! What’s Freddie’s PB??

[@kjerstenkipp1154]

No kidding. What is Freddie running on the regular that he is cold chilling for 2:53

[@TheLooseForward]

Who would have thought an Olympian could be so relatable whilst running faster than I’ll ever run! Love it.

[@seascape]

I’m a lot older than Andy, a lot heavier, a LOT slower, with an irregular heartbeat (afib), and I’m training for my first marathon in 12 weeks! Andy’s journey has helped me overcome many of my fears, raised some new ones, and inspired me to believe that I can complete one too. Thank you for taking us along from start to finish!

[@meganhirschi6248]

That’s a lot of challenges! You must be quite mentally tough!

[@runningchannel]

Good luck for your first marathon! Which one are you running?

[@seascape]

​@@meganhirschi6248 I'm planning to binge watch Andy's and Tom's first marathon videos the night before my first for motivation!

[@seascape]

@@runningchannel Napa Valley Marathon on March 3, 2004! It runs by many great vineyards and wineries, with a net elevation loss. It's also a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, not that it matters for me.

[@goodyeoman4534]

I work with a lot of patients with AF, so I know what a challenge this is you've set yourself, mate. My respect to you for having a go. Just complete it and don't go for speed at all. Good luck!

[@doubletee5250]

Sub 3 hours is very impressive. Well done Andy, well done indeed. Congrats to Freddy, too. He looked like he could have turned round and run back.

[@runningchannel]

Thanks!! Freddie is a machine! 😂

[@mayankthakur5137]

Freddy is a beast. Casually running a sub 3 marathon while filming and running backwards at times.

[@rogerrichards8048]

Well done Andy and special thanks to Freddie for recording it for us KZbin viewers. You will never forget your first!

[@bmurphy1112]

Congratulations Andy! Thank you for sharing every step of this with us. I am 37, a father of 2, and I just ran my first marathon yesterday. Your honest presentation and communication of your experience gave me so much inspiration to tackle my training and my race. Thank you for shining your light to all of us!

[@marclivingstone]

Andy always impresses me with his willingness to show his vulnerability. He's an accomplished Olympic athlete but still has and is willing to show his struggles. Well done Andy, a great inspiration!

[@scottyj5839]

100% such a down to earth bloke!

[@garethjones8466]

The fact that an olympic athlete found a marathon distance hard is reassuring. Andy's sure grit & determination is truly inspirational! 🙌🏻

[@uncomfortablestretch]

🏃❤️ TRC videos and especially Andy’s runs 🏃have inspired me to take up running, and it’s given me a second wind on my weight loss journey 📉 (nearly 6 stone lost) so huge congratulations Andy and the Team. But mostly thank you because you’re helping people to find they’re inner runner ❤️🏃be stronger mentally and physically, and live longer 💪🏻

[@michellewilliams5043]

Great work Andy ❤️

[@PatrickStar-km1dm]

If weight loss is your main goal I would recommend weight lifting and not running. It's proven by science to be much more effective for weight loss. Running is more for the soul

[@remyvdk]

Well done Andy, sub 3 hours is a massive achievement for a marathon debut! I'm still working on sub 4 after missing that goal by a minute in Amsterdam this year, or perhaps that just gave me an excuse to sign up for another marathon next year... 😊

[@Hanskazan102]

Can we all just share some love for the whole TRC team?? Seriously, the dedication these coworkers and friends have for each other is amazing. Love Freddy (can we have a more detailed video on his story??) who pushes everyone through at the end (Anna, Sarah, and now Andy) much love to you all ❤️

[@stevenbromham1594]

❤❤❤ TRC and welcome to the finishers club Andy.

[@monikaczng]

I love how you can hear Sarah's cheering here and there during the video 🥰 congratulations Andy, this has been such an amazing challenge for you to accomplish and for us to follow long ❣

[@runningchannel]

Thank you Monika!

[@WaarisMarleen]

Awesome job Andy! You did fantastic! And what a superhuman is Freddy, to run and film on this fast pace also! Well done lads, it's so great to see the reality of a marathon, with all the feelings and struggles, rather than just a photo of a shiny medal.

[@nidhivaidya6485]

Congrats Andy!! And I’m always so impressed at Freddie filming marathons at different speeds, congrats Freddie!

[@nick-shak]

Huge congrats Andy! I'm the bloke in the red and white vest saying hello on the start line 👋 - hello from Hyde Park Harriers in Leeds! I shared a lot of the pain you describe, but crossing that blue finish line was truly magical and made it all worth it. This was my third marathon and I managed my first sub-3 with a 2:56:41. Congrats again and see you on the next one? Nick from Leeds

[@Mpatey]

Your first 5k was almost as fast as my fastest park run, so seriously impressive for your first time. It’s lovely to see the human side of you in the video and well done the Running channel family for getting you home.

[@jrnarvaezph]

It's inspiring to see the dedication of a professional athlete to push through one step at a time. Congrats Andy sub 3 hours!!!

[@ranliu4367]

congratulations! thanks for taking us along!

[@brent_f]

Congratulations Andy. Sub 3 for first marathon is beyond amazing.👏👏👏 Thanks for bringing us along.

[@christinaclementson]

That was so emotional! That really captured just how tough the marathon distance is. Freddie on the other hand made it look like a breeze 😂 Legends, both of you. Incredible achievement Andy. Have a rest now 😊

[@l-schm]

That's epic, Andy! You can be so, so proud for persevering!

[@quintusmetullus]

Well done Andy (and Freddie)! So much to be proud of!

[@SamHerbert50]

Why do these videos always make me cry 😭 You guys are AMAZING!! Congratulations Andy and Freddie 🤩🤩

[@runningchannel]

Thank you so much Sam! 😁

[@Shaun742]

Congrats Andy! I'm 38 and I'll be running my first marathon in Brighton in April.

[@drdcheung]

Congratulations The marathon is unforgiving but you learn so much about yourself

[@TheFomtribute]

Well done Andy! Thank you to all of TRC for these videos

[@andymcgrath327]

😮‍💨well done - big up Freddie too for the running and filming, incredible work

[@ChrisSh1984]

Well done! I'm 39 and have only done 1/2 marathons and dream of one day completing a marathon.

[@runningchannel]

You'll get there! A half marathon is a great achievement!

[@johnherold830]

mate, it really is achievable. I did my first this year at 54 in under 4 hours, having done three 1/2 marathons in my 30s. Watching this makes me want to do another...!

[@ChrisSh1984]

@@johnherold830 wow that's incredible! The fact that you want to do it again is even more incredible!

[@awong1220]

I can’t tell you how much I have been looking forward to this video. Congrats! Thank you for sharing your journey.

[@matthewrudd1283]

I have my first marathon coming up in April. You're such a great inspiration, Andy. Thank you. Thank you to the whole TRC. x

[@seanmcdonagh6237]

Well done Andy! Freddie is an unbelievable runner

[@richardgreenway8826]

Well done Andy great effort. Cudos to Freddie as well, crusing along filming and encouraging.

[@PrincessTianaB]

Loved following your progress towards your first marathon! Congrats! 🎉

[@katrinachandler7174]

Wow! Emotional Andy! Felt like we were all in the pain cave with you. Massive congratulations again!! You did amazimg! Enjoy the well deserved rest! Well done to Freddie who made running a marathon a complete breeze. Would love to see a vlog on his running journey too.

[@michaelchiller2494]

Well done Andy. When you go alone you can go fast but when you go together you can go long. Never has this been more meaningful than this episode; this run and this show.

[@daniel11902]

Brilliant job, Andy! It's been great to follow your marathon journey. Not going to lie I was a mess watching this, always get emotional watching someone do something amazing, also an huge shout-out to Freddie for his calming support and motivation throughout the race. Well done to the running channel for another fantastic video. 👍🏃‍♂️

[@DapperGentsClub]

Well done Andy, inspirational as always!

[@willyn1984]

Woot! great run and video Andy🤙

[@timeonfeet]

Big congrats Andy, what an achievement and thank you for the inspiration 👍

[@tnan123]

Congrats on getting the marathon done Andy! Very inspiring to see you take this on and you did amazing.

[@justoutlaw6423]

Amazing. Congrats.

[@gavinmenezes3045]

Well done Andy, your humility is truly inspiring.

[@karthikks]

This is inspiring, Andy. Congratulations on a sub-3 Marathon, which in itself is a huge achievement! 👊

[@summerislandor]

Great run Andy! It is really heartening to see the emotions and understand that all runners go through the same at the end of the run. What a finish!

[@bbtrentham]

Thanks for documenting

[@cmal6645]

Amazing! Sending lots of love, Andy!!

[@keithgreen2102]

Brilliant job, Andy! It's been great to follow your marathon journey. And a big shout-out to Freddie for his calming support throughout.

[@ianburke2490]

Getting back into running after over 10 years, TRC has helped so much, Andy's marathon journey has been inspiring! Great work Andy and the whole team, not just on an incredible pace but for sharing this with others as you have, a Gavi well earned.

[@jfreed91]

Congratulations, Andy!! This was such an inspriational and motivational video. TRC has quickly become one of my favorite running-related YT channels because of great content like this!

[@augustengell8262]

What a legend you are!! Really inspiring to watch your progress :)

[@StudentOfEleos]

After watching the debrief I'm excited to watch this. Well done. I'm doing Marathon no.4 at 40 but my first non virtual marathon - London here I come :) will take some tips and inspiration with me

[@daroodedoo]

Congrats to you, and also Freddy for making it look like a light jog! I’ve only ever done one marathon, and that didn’t go as well as I’d hoped 😂 I really need to get back out there and do one!

[@sekharachandra]

Oh Andy! Fantastic! Congrats! Well done! Cheers to Freddy for being there by you when it mattered the most and pulling you, literally, to the finish! It was a perfect crescendo of BGM , glimpses of your preparation and your finish! Cheers to editing team as well for bringing out such a wonderful video! You and TRC have played a great role so far in shaping me well, an aspiring marathon runner! You have just given me and all the beginners out there, a great boost of confidence to keep trying and travel well on the path of self discovery! 👏👏👏

[@DistantStorm]

Congrats Andy! Thank you for sharing your journey to the big day and inspiring the rest of us!

[@sarab.2323]

A sub 3 marathon is so impressive! Thanks for bringing us on your marathon journey - it's a huge inspiration! 😁

[@cezzadenning91]

Congratulations Andy and well done Freddie!! Would love to know what his marathon PB is. What an amazing support he was. Great to see the reality of what a marathon can do to you. There are highs and lows but crossing that finish line is always special. Enjoy the recovery Andy, you’ve earned it 💪🏼

[@JustKeepFlowingYes]

Congratulations Andy! I’ve been waiting for this video since I started following the channel which was since the beginning!

[@juancarlossalamanca3797]

Super inspiring, congrats on an amazing run!

[@jimtherunner3501]

Amazing stuff Andy! All of you at TRC are a big motivation for me. Currently coming back from long covid and a years-long drop in fitness. Following your journey really has given me hope. I got 3:09 in 2019 and I still have my sub 3 dream in there somewhere. Thank you for giving such inspiration :)

[@runningchannel]

Thank you for saying that Jim 😁 You'll get to that sub 3 hour! 😁

[@Rennschnecke-zw7zi]

This is simply amazing!!! Sub 3 hour marathon for your FIRST ever marathon - so impressive! And I can promise you, you will never forget this! There's only one first marathon and for me, this will always be a precious and special memory!

[@squarehe]

Smashed it! Great job, Andy!

[@catherinestothard313]

Congratulations, Andy! Thank you for showing your full experience. Great video - so inspiring!

[@chanelcoppard]

Marathon club joined 🎉🎉 Insane pace even when you had to drop back slightly, you've still got another few weeks of milking that medal 🔥

[@mikel9181]

Brilliant Andy, congratulations! So enjoy watching you and Rick and how the Running Channel goes from strength to strength. Best wishes, Mike Lupson

[@runningchannel]

Thanks Mike!

[@joycemaas84]

Well done! You did so great!

[@shaunvanrensburg766]

This is so inspiring and uplifting! Well done!!

[@alexeyre3621]

Incredible what Andy did, but how does Freddie sound so calm running that quickly and having completed that distance?

[@cannuckchick7522]

I am so very impressed with the quality of this video! The whole team did a fabulous job at filming Andy and Andy’s narration during his sub-three hour marathon is amazing! My Pb in the day was only 3:59:59 (no lie) and I spent the second half of that effort in survival mode. Well done, Andy and TRC team!!

[@bebop2599]

Loved that, this inspred me. Well done Andy, thanks for sharing this amazing endeavour

[@Lancealotnz]

Well done Andy. Thanks for taking us with you on this journey. Very inspiring!

[@Nelzie1996]

Flipping smashing!! Loved the overview of the race as well 👏🏻

[@Landigan]

Congratulations Andy. Really enjoyed seeing this after following your training updates on the pod and videos over the last few months. Well done!

[@izzywhite2769]

love the insight and break down - keep it real

[@RichLyman]

well done andy, yay love new balance and runna ❤

[@felishawood1904]

Congrats, Andy! What an amazing achievement. So inspiring to see your commitment and follow through over the course of this build. So much to be proud of!

[@Alltagsabenteuer]

Spectacular and so relatable. Congratulations Andy!!!

[@theLittleDanadians]

Amazing job! Congrats on your first marathon ... you totally killed it!

[@whelks]

Well done! Great work Andy.

[@richardmorschel6266]

So amazing to journey with you and see how well you did. Truly inspiring! Thank you!

[@michaelhaney1357]

Welcome to the club🎉. Love the feeling when you are giving everything and you still have a long way to go.

[@silviavercikova2749]

Amazing effort Andy. Well done! Also love your short video after the marathon. So funny! I have my first marathon coming up in May and you and the rest of the Running channel crew have been a big inspiration for me. Thank you❤

[@user-kk6ic9ho6z]

Love the reflections from you, great run!

[@emmastollery1648]

So inspiring ….and so touching to see all your support! Such an achievement…..I’m dealing with a hamstring injury so watching you run is helping me look forward to getting out there again…thank you 🎉❤

[@chrisferris8890]

Congratulations Andy. A great video and an amazing time 🙌

[@kkwb6]

🎉 congrats on a great race, way to push through!!

[@SallyGuy-be8ok]

Inspiring Andy, love how real and honest you are about it all. Congrats

[@davinademelenne5040]

Congrats Andy! 👏 Inspiring to keep going!

[@joshjordan-clough1084]

Well done Andy and Freddie! Great team work.

[@jasminejames8579]

Andy, that was a super emotional watch. Congratulations! I ran my first marathon in October and it brought all the emotions. Definitely the best but hardest thing I’ve ever done.

[@johnstaines5705]

Well done Andy!! Fantastic result and very well deserved!!

[@iainsranndach]

Amazing! Well done!👏🏻

[@user-fx7xt7uk4c]

This is so inspiring, amazing work!

[@royjessup431]

Amazing job! Welcome to the marathon club!

[@friederikebaumerich33]

Amazing work, Andy!!

[@grevparmenter5658]

Fantastic achievement - it had been great to follow you on your journey to do what you thought you could never do

[@marklewis4519]

Amazing Andy! Massive Congrats 👏

[@StephanieCocks-sd7hr]

What a great journey to follow Well done Andy!

[@vivienblack5321]

Absolute magic. Really well done. 🎉🎉🎉