When I decided I was going to run a marathon, I didn’t know anyone who’d run a marathon. I have an uncle who’d done a few when I was a kid, but nobody in my peer group ran. At least not more than a couple of miles.

I trained for the marathon by myself. I travelled to the race with a couple of friends to support me. I finished my first marathon and my friends told me I was amazing. Here was this challenge that, at points, I thought was impossible for me, and yet I’d done it. I’d run 26.2 miles. I felt amazing.

My first marathon

My first marathon

I wanted to do it again, and the more I became immersed in the running community, the more I found people who were doing what I was doing. There were lots of people out there running marathons, but some were running faster than me, some were running more than one, and some were running further than a marathon.

I’ve said before that, if you want to do amazing stuff, hang out with other people who are doing amazing stuff. It has the effect of a river gently sweeping you up with its flow and carrying you along on a swell of positivity and inspiration.

Sometimes, however, it can be tempting to look at what other people are doing and think that your efforts are nothing in comparison. This weekend I’ll attempt to run two marathons in one weekend. There’s a guy called Rob Young who is running a marathon every day for a year. I could look at his achievement and think that my weekend looks feeble in comparison. But I don’t think like that; I don’t compare myself to anyone other than the person who, five years ago, signed up for her first marathon.

Why am I running two marathons in one weekend? It’s a good question and one I’ve been asked many times. It’s not to raise money. It’s not to prove anything to anyone, or to compete with anyone. It’s, very simply, because I think it will be fun. Because I like running and I like hanging out with friends. Spending a few days doing just that sounds like a pretty good way to spend a weekend.

Of course, it will be a challenge. The fact that I think it will be fun doesn’t mean I don’t think it will be hard. That’s the other pitfall of comparing what you’re doing to other people’s efforts: you can very easily start to underestimate the task in hand. Start to think you’re “only” running a marathon, a half marathon, whatever, because someone else out there is doing more, and you’ll underprepare, which will make enjoying yourself unlikely.

Whether it’s a 5k, half marathon, a sprint triathlon, it doesn’t matter what, set yourself a challenge that will be challenging for you, and don’t worry that other people are going further or faster than you. Be inspired by them, don’t be discouraged by them. Celebrate their achievements, but make sure you celebrate your own as well.