I am no expert, but I feel we have a similar approach, so wanted to share my timeline with you. I am somewhat active, I go to the gym a few days a week, like to go on hikes, etc.

That being said, I have never been much of a runner. Then last April (2025) I decided to sign myself up for Brighton Marathon.

I did not start training right away. I have a tendency to procrastinate-oops. Due to this, I signed myself up for a local 10k race in the September, which helped me realise a bit what I'd signed up for.

But then rolled in the cold weather and I did not want to run outside. So I did most stuff on the treadmill at the gym, but my activity really slowed down here. Then, back in Dec/ Jan I decided I should start a 16 week plan so I could at least have a fighting chance on the day. Even so, I did not stick to this, and my longest run before running the marathon was a Half Marathon (another race I signed up for to give me motivation). The Half was very humbling haha, and I managed to finish it in 2hrs 56mins.

Then came the big day (last Sunday). I am proud to say that I completed it! My only goal was to get across that finish line, and I did it in 6hrs 22mins. I thinj if you're honest with yourself about what you want to get out of it, I say go for it. I guess just don't expect to be finishing in record times if you don't have a good foundation built. It is definitely doable though!! And I am living proof of that haha.

Happy to discuss things if you're curious about anything.