Running has always been a part of my life. From 2007 to 2015, I competed as a 400m athlete before transitioning into a casual 10km runner in 2020. Before taking on my first marathon, I regularly ran 10km distances, pushing myself to improve with each session. But the marathon was a whole new challenge—one that would test my endurance, efficiency, and mental strength like never before.
On October 6th, 2024, I completed my first marathon in 3 hours and 23 minutes—a milestone that wouldn’t have been possible without Ochy’s running form analysis helping me refine my form. Along the way, I also set a new half-marathon personal best, improving my time from 1:32 to 1:29. But this journey wasn’t just about finishing times; it was about optimizing my running efficiency, understanding my body, and learning how to sustain good form even under fatigue.
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I started training four months before the marathon, kicking off with an initial Ochy analysis on June 4th. My efficiency score? 71%. Not bad, but I knew I had room to improve. I was determined to get stronger, faster, and more efficient in the months ahead.
I structured my training around four runs per week, incorporating a mix of interval training, long-distance runs, and easy recovery jogs. Additionally, I committed to two strength-training sessions per week, following Ochy’s strength training plan, which focused on exercises I could do at home. These sessions targeted weak muscles that affected my form, helping me run more efficiently and stay injury-free. Despite my best efforts, life was unpredictable. Balancing my responsibilities as a CEO and father meant missed sessions, adjustments, and sometimes squeezing in runs at odd hours. But I kept going.
My second Ochy analysis on July 4th revealed a slight dip—69%. Initially, I was frustrated. Was I not improving? Was I overtraining? However, the data made me reassess my form rather than focus solely on speed and endurance. I made tweaks to my posture and cadence, determined to see an improvement in my next analysis.
A week later, on July 11th, my efforts paid off. My efficiency score shot up to 83%, a huge jump. This was proof that small adjustments could yield significant results. By July 26th, my score remained strong at 82%, showing that I was becoming more consistent in my running mechanics. Ochy was helping me stay accountable, tracking the efficiency of my movements rather than just my mileage or pace.
August 14th brought another milestone—an efficiency score of 86%. I was feeling stronger and more confident, and my runs felt smoother. However, running isn’t always about improvement in a straight line. On August 25th, during a half-marathon race, my efficiency dropped to 74% at the 20km mark. This was a key moment of learning—fatigue will cause a drop in form, but the goal is to minimize that drop. Strong form under fatigue is what separates good runners from great ones. Despite the drop in efficiency, I still managed to improve my half-marathon time, bringing it down from 1:32 to 1:29. This proved that efficiency matters, but maintaining good mechanics when exhausted is crucial for peak performance.
On September 6th, I did my last analysis before the marathon, scoring 80%. I felt ready. My body was primed, my mind focused. The marathon was exactly one month away, and all I needed to do was maintain my training without overloading myself.
October 6th arrived. The race itself was an incredible experience, filled with highs and lows. The sheer adrenaline of the event, the cheers from the crowd, and the knowledge that months of preparation had led to this moment carried me through. I crossed the finish line in 3 hours and 23 minutes—an achievement I’ll never forget.
After the marathon, I took a well-deserved break from running. My first run back on October 20th yielded an efficiency score of 72%. Not bad, considering I had just come off a marathon recovery period. However, life got in the way, and training took a backseat in November and December.
When I finally returned to structured training on January 11th, my efficiency had dropped to 59%. It was a stark reminder that consistency is key in running. The break had cost me, but it also reignited my motivation. I had signed up for the Berlin Half Marathon in April, and it was time to rebuild.
Two weeks into my new training cycle, I did another Ochy analysis on January 28th. My score had climbed back up to 70%. Progress was happening, slowly but surely. The journey was far from over, and I had a new goal in mind—to run the Berlin Half Marathon stronger and more efficiently than ever before.
Looking back, my marathon journey wasn’t just about training hard; it was about training smart. Here are some key takeaways that every runner can learn from:
If you’re considering running a marathon or improving your running performance, let my story be proof that it’s possible—even with a packed schedule. Using tools like Ochy can help optimize your training, allowing you to run smarter, not just harder.
See you on the roads, fellow runners!
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