Barnstaple Marathon 2026 | Strong Start | Second Half a Struggle

The Barnstaple Marathon 2026 🏃‍♀️ After 12 weeks of training, it was time to take on the Barnstaple Marathon along the Tarka Trail in North Devon. I had a time goal in mind, but looking back, I think I was a little too optimistic given the training I’d done! The first half went really well… perhaps a little too well. I set off faster than I should have, and the second half became a very different story. As the miles ticked by, the pain kicked in, and holding on became a real battle. I guess marathons have a way of teaching you lessons, and this one was a reminder that ambition needs to be matched by the training and, perhaps most importantly, a sensible pacing strategy! Come along for the highs, the lows and the reality of a marathon that definitely didn’t go quite to plan. Have you ever gone out too fast in a race and paid for it later? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for watching, and if you enjoy running adventures, race-day experiences and honest accounts of the highs and lows of running, please like, subscribe and follow along for the next one. #marathontraining #marathonrunning #runningvlog #marathonrace #northdevon