Behind every medal is a season of quiet commitment - early alarms, missed plans, miles logged in the rain and darkness, and the steady negotiation between ambition and everyday life.
Between November and February, Romain, Run4It’s Marketing & Content Manager, prepared for the Sevilla Marathon, which took place last Sunday.
Race day isn’t the full picture of a marathon. It’s shaped by the unseen miles - the disciplined runs, the missed ones, the fatigue, the quiet wins. The highs and lows. The constant balancing act with everyday life.
The quiet triumphs
🏅 Long runs logged in the early morning hours, before the workday even begins.
🏅 Eight steady weeks of base building - staying disciplined in lower heart rate zones, even when feeling fresh.
🏅 Keeping the training fun by mixing in weekly HYROX sessions.
🏅 Tackling sub-3-hour marathon training again, despite the challenges of the season - and this time with a young baby in tow.
The silent struggles
⚡The mental load of sticking to a plan when life feels full - the temptation to adjust the plan to suit the mood of the day is always real.
⚡Tackling marathon pace–specific sessions in the cold and wind - made harder when familiar routes feel repetitive.
⚡Navigating seasonal illnesses while keeping training balanced and recovery on track.
⚡The quiet weight of expecting yourself to treat marathon training as routine.
The Sevilla marathon
A roller coaster of emotion. The thrill of being one of 17,000 runners, weaving through a beautiful city under the sun, is something truly special.
The second half of the training block had been a bit hit-and-miss, so the approach was simple: give the sub-3-hour pace a shot and see what happens.
The first 15 km felt blissful. After a couple of light training weeks, the legs were eager to move. Pace was on point, breathing felt good, and the stomping rhythm of thousands of runners around was absolutely electrifying.
Then, reality sets in quickly. The body simply wasn’t prepared to sustain that pace for the full marathon. The legs got heavy, and turning them over consistently felt almost impossible. It was a clear reminder that running 26.2 miles at a target pace requires an uninterrupted training block - and that the marathon pace runs really need to be done.
The final stretch became a subtle mental battle: letting go of the clock and just running, step by step, without letting ego dictate worth or meaning.
'Onto the next one' would be easy said. Let's simply appreciate the beauty of the uncomfortable effort a marathon is. Medal around the neck, shaped by the unseen miles.
And through it all - the right gear matters.
In the build-up to the Seville Marathon, Romain leaned on a trusted shoe rotation and carefully chosen training essentials to stay consistent, comfortable, and motivated.
New Balance Rebel V5 for tempo / faster-pace workouts.
Nike Vomero Plus for long runs and recovery runs.
Brooks Glycerin 23 for daily miles.
Romain’s build-up unfolded during wet and cold months, where smart layering was just as important as the miles themselves.
His go-to setup included:
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Long-Sleeve Top - The foundation of almost every run. Layered over a technical short-sleeve tee, it adds lightweight warmth and breathability.
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Jacket - Outer layer worn over a long-sleeve top on windy, cold days or rain-soaked runs.
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Tights - A key essential in the winter month to keep muscles warm and reduce the risk of strain as training load builds over time.
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Cap - To keep rain and drizzle off the face, helping maintain comfort and visibility during wet runs.
