From impossible to finish line: Angela's marathon journey

Two years ago, running a marathon felt impossible

But step by step—10km, 20km, 30km—I got there.

The journey was filled with intervals, tempo runs, easy jogs, and long-distance efforts.

Each session built strength, endurance, and confidence.

It wasn’t just about logging kilometres—it was about learning, adapting, and growing through every run.

The training itself was a journey

Having grown up playing basketball, I was used to short bursts of speed and intensity, so interval training felt familiar and manageable.

But the long, slow, steady runs?

They were a whole different challenge.

Learning to pace myself over distance was one of the hardest parts of training—physically and mentally.

Still, I showed up consistently, even after a busy day as a physio, trusting that every session was moving me closer to the goal.

The marathon was in the preparation, race day was the celebration

Training was the real challenge.

But having race day in mind gave me something to work towards.

That finish line kept me going through tired legs, sore muscles, and mental hurdles.

Most of the work happened before anyone was watching—in quiet moments, on solo runs, and in the discipline of showing up when it wasn’t easy.

Planning is everything

You don’t just ‘wing’ a marathon.

A structured training plan, realistic milestones, and a timeline are essential.

The same goes for rehab and recovery.

Support makes the difference

From family and friends to physios and co-workers—having a support team helps you stay on track, avoid injury, and stay motivated.

Strength training is essential

Running alone isn’t enough.

Strength training helped me stay injury-free, improve endurance, and build the resilience needed for long distances.

It’s a key part of any well-rounded training program.

One step at a time

I didn’t go from 0 to 42km overnight. I built up slowly, and each milestone gave me confidence. Progress is about patience and persistence.

Trust your preparation

When race day came, I was nervous—but ready.

I trusted the work I’d put in.

Whether you’re training for a marathon or recovering from injury, trust the process.

Running brings unexpected joys

Beyond the kilometres and training plans, running brought me moments of pure joy: stunning sunsets, kangaroos hopping across the trail, sealions by the coast, a double rainbow, a high five from a fellow runner, and cheers from the locals and the race day crowds.

These small surprises made the journey even more meaningful.

Final thought

The impossible becomes possible when you take it one step at a time.

At our clinic, we’re here to support you—whether you’re chasing a finish line or just trying to move better.