Marathon Talk - E40: Helen Thorn - Comedian, Author and Back-to-Back Marathon Runner

E40: Helen Thorn - Comedian, Author and Back-to-Back Marathon Runner

04/05/24 • 54 min

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All that running does for wellbeing is well-documented, but Helen Thorn’s marathon journey is an uplifting reminder to us all.

In the wake of a divorce, it became a central tenet to her mental health - now it’s central to her huge goal this year to run Boston and London back to back!

This week’s Marathon Talk shines a light on the mental wellness that so many find in running, we celebrate Jasmin Paris’ stellar Berkley Marathon performance, and Training Talk tackles the tailored tips to a flawless race in Boston.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:00 - We kick off with a poignant recording period for Deena in preparation for Mental Health Awareness Month, and Martin hails the UK’s recent sunny spells
6:40 - Rounding off recent stories, we praise Jasmin Paris’ world-first performance in the infamous Barkley Marathon, cover the East African dominance at World Cross, and look ahead to Boston’s promising race
18:10 - Training Talk: Boston Edition! Deena shares her invaluable experience for those now entering their taper stage for the race on April 15th
22:35 - Helen Thorn joins us in a heartfelt discussion on the power that running has for mental wellbeing, her journey from beginner to marathon finisher, and how she’ll take on the huge feat of Boston and London back to back

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All that running does for wellbeing is well-documented, but Helen Thorn’s marathon journey is an uplifting reminder to us all.

In the wake of a divorce, it became a central tenet to her mental health - now it’s central to her huge goal this year to run Boston and London back to back!

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:00 - We kick off with a poignant recording period for Deena in preparation for Mental Health Awareness Month, and Martin hails the UK’s recent sunny spells
6:40 - Rounding off recent stories, we praise Jasmin Paris’ world-first performance in the infamous Barkley Marathon, cover the East African dominance at World Cross, and look ahead to Boston’s promising race
18:10 - Training Talk: Boston Edition! Deena shares her invaluable experience for those now entering their taper stage for the race on April 15th
22:35 - Helen Thorn joins us in a heartfelt discussion on the power that running has for mental wellbeing, her journey from beginner to marathon finisher, and how she’ll take on the huge feat of Boston and London back to back

Previous Episode

E39: Andrew Kastor - Deena’s Coach & Husband

This week’s guest needs no introduction to Deena - he’s her coach, her husband, and now a Boston Marathon qualifier after an admirable performance in LA.

It’s a joy to catch up with Coach Kastor fresh from his 3 hour and 13 minute run as he shares the unique experience of coaching himself, his best recovery tips, and how to prepare your training cycle for a marathon far into the future.

Elsewhere in the show we spotlight a stacked field for the upcoming London Marathon, and in Training Talk we guide you through the do’s and don’ts of the final phase of your training.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:45 - Deena and Martin catch up on the last two weeks, from the LA Marathon and speaking at UCLA, to Martin’s Purbeck Loop and a sweary sheep-herding story, plus coverage of a staggering new World Record
9:50 - We bring the latest on a London Marathon field that’s absolutely stacked with elite runners, and a men’s lineup which will bring us a first-time champion
20:00 - Training Talk this week focuses on the do’s and don’ts in the late stages of prep, why ‘less is best’ at this point, and the unexpected power of doing a ‘kit lay’
29:10 - Deena’s coach and husband, Andrew Kastor, takes us through his recent LA Marathon experience, how he coaches himself through races, his top recovery advice, and how to build a training schedule to target a marathon 12 months out

Next Episode

E41: Cedric King - Award-Winning T64 Marathoner

When you overcome the voice in your head telling you to tap out, that’s where a true champion is made.

Such wise words come from a man whose past does not define his future - double amputee Cedric King is achieving the double this weekend with some huge Boston and London finishes.

His story is pure distilled inspiration; listen this week to learn more, as Martin & Deena also recap the highlights from a blistering Boston race, break down London’s lineup, and bring some post-race focus to Training Talk.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:00 - Martin & Deena touch base on their recent escapades, with some takeaways for those struggling to train through challenging weather
4:50 - In a huge roundup, we recap Boston’s biggest stories from a title defence in the women’s race to domination in the men’s and men’s wheelchair races, plus a look ahead to this weekend’s stacked lineup for the TCS London Marathon
27:00 - Training Talk this week touches on post-race reconciliation - what should you do with your body and your mind immediately after a marathon, and how do you thank your body for what it’s achieved?
31:45 - The remarkable Cedric King joins us to discuss his journey as a double amputee, the battle between talent vs will, and why living in the moment might be the key to distance running success