Pauline discovered running at university in Belgium, where she studied. In a beautiful forest near her campus, she saw students running, and it sparked a desire in her to start. Back then, it may not have been a regular practice, but at 19, the idea of running entered her life and never left. Although she wasn’t always consistent, Pauline ran at least once a week.
Her first impulse, every time she arrived in a new city, a new country, on a trip or on vacation, was to identify a place to run. Running became a constant, a true pillar of her daily life. Today, she tells us about her experience at the New York Marathon. Story.
How did your New York Marathon go?
My New York Marathon went incredibly well! I was a bit worried because of what I had read about the bridges and the course, said to be one of the toughest. It was my first marathon, and at 53, I wasn’t exactly young. Two days before, I felt like I had the flu because of the temperature changes and I feared it would handicap me, in addition to the stress of a first race. After training for nearly 30 weeks and coming from so far away, failing would have been a blow. But deep down, I was confident in my abilities and especially in my training program, which I felt was solid.
My level had improved considerably thanks to this program on RunMotion Coach. All my outings went well, I missed very few sessions, and I made the necessary adaptations when needed. I also followed all the nutritional advice, including in the last days before the race.
From the starting gun of the New York Marathon, I felt it would all go well, and I didn’t question myself anymore. I immediately decided to experience this race as a celebration. Throughout the course, I took photos and videos that I shared live with a group of friends following me via a mailing list. It cost me a few minutes, for sure, but I have no regrets. I finished in 5:07:45, while my goal was 5:10. Without a doubt, I could have gone under the five-hour mark without all those stops to take photos and answer messages.
I even stopped at kilometer 37, thinking I would meet my 10-year-old daughter and two friends there. Not seeing them, I called them to find out where they were. Maybe I lost precious minutes, but I would have been sad not to see them during the race. In the end, they were 200 meters from the finish line, where I obviously crossed the track to give them a hug. A wonderful adventure on this New York Marathon, successful thanks to RunMotion Coach.
How did you manage the preparation for the New York Marathon?
To prepare for the New York Marathon, I followed a structured training program for about 30 weeks on the RunMotion Coach App. Even before starting this specific marathon preparation, I was already running quite regularly, with three outings a week averaging 5 km.
What motivates you to run?
What motivates me to run is above all the well-being it brings me, both for physical fitness and pure pleasure. Running helps me stay active, manage stress better, and feel that deep satisfaction after each outing. It is also a way to show my daughter that it is possible to set challenges for oneself and stay in shape, even if one was not athletic in one’s youth. By seeing me persevere, I hope to pass on to her the desire to take care of herself, to push herself, and to stay active.
Running has become an essential part of my life. I really miss it if I don’t run for more than a month.
How did you discover the RunMotion Coach application?
I discovered the RunMotion Coach application by searching somewhat randomly on the Internet how to train and prepare for a marathon.
What encouraged you to download and try the application?
What encouraged me to download and try RunMotion Coach was first the simplicity of the application and its ease of access for someone who is not an expert with runner’s jargon (I didn’t know, for example, the meaning of words like « pace », « threshold », « VMA », etc.). In other training programs, you are often asked to run at a certain pace — « pace 3000 », « marathon pace » —, but for me, these notions were quite abstract. I had no idea what « running 5 minutes at marathon pace » or anything meant. I first tried the free version to see if the format suited me, and I eventually opted for the paid version to fully enjoy the features.
The articles and tips available and accessible from the app were very helpful to me, including an article explaining how to avoid the famous « wall » of the marathon. I followed these recommendations to the letter, and indeed, I did not experience this physical and mental blockage dreaded by so many runners.
What do you prefer in the application?
What I prefer in the application is its simplicity and its ability to get to the essentials. The program is personalized, and I particularly appreciate the possibility to change the days or adjust the program according to my needs. This allows for flexibility while following a structured plan.
After the New York Marathon, what is your next sports challenge?
After the New York Marathon, my next sports challenge is the Berlin Marathon in September 2025. My goal is to participate in the six Majors, one per year, if I can make it.
A last word?
I am very grateful to the RunMotion Coach team, because thanks to their application and their advice, I was able to fully experience this first New York Marathon without encountering major difficulties. This success gives me great confidence for the future: I am now convinced that I can run other marathons, aiming for a time around 4h45 or 4h50. My experience at the New York Marathon shows me that it is entirely within my reach, and I am looking forward to setting this new challenge for myself!
Congratulations Pauline! You can be proud of yourself and all the work you have done. This first marathon experience is a great success, and it’s only the beginning 🚀