What I Learned From Missing My Marathon Goal

Architecting Wellness

24 Jan 2025 — 2 min read

Missing a big goal can feel disheartening, but it’s also an opportunity for growth. At the Berlin Marathon, I fell short of my sub-4:00 goal but set a new PR at 4:16. The experience taught me the importance of proper race fueling, the value of progress, and how to shift my focus to new goals. Read more to discover how setbacks can fuel your future success.

The Berlin Marathon, my fourth time running the 26.2 mile distance, was supposed to be the first time I broke four hours. I trained, I prepared, and I believed I was ready. For the first 17 miles, I was on pace, but then I hit a wall, struggled through the final miles, and crossed the finish line in 4:16. It was a three-minute PR but short of my ultimate goal.

At first, I was disappointed. But as I reflected on the experience, I realized it wasn’t a failure, it was a stepping stone. Here’s what I learned from missing my marathon goal and how it’s shaped my approach to running and fitness.

1. Failure is Feedback

In hindsight, I realized my nutrition strategy wasn’t optimized. I wasn’t taking in the right types of carbohydrates to sustain my energy for 26.2 miles. According to the International Society of Sports Nutrition, endurance athletes need 30–60g of carbohydrates per hour during long events to maintain performance. Being a heavier runner, these demands can be even trickier to plan for.

This was a wake-up call for me to learn more about race fueling and apply those lessons to future events.

2. Progress Over Perfection

My first marathon was Boston 2022, where I finished in 5:02. A 4:16 finish in Berlin was a significant improvement, even if it wasn’t sub-4:00. Sometimes, progress is worth celebrating, even when it doesn’t look exactly like the goal you had in mind.

3. Shifting Goals and Focus

After Berlin, I took a step back to reassess what I enjoy most about running. I realized I still love the sport, but my passion now lies in chasing new PRs in shorter distances like the 5K and half marathon. I'm also excited to give hybrid racing a shot in 2025, with a Spartan DEKA Fit race in April and a Hyrox before the end of the year. Goals can evolve, and that’s okay.

Takeaway

Missing a goal doesn’t define you, it teaches you. The Berlin Marathon reminded me to appreciate progress, learn from challenges, and stay open to new goals. Whether I return to the marathon distance or not, I know the lessons I’ve learned will carry me forward in running and beyond.

Stay safe, stay healthy!

Martin Foley

Founder, Architecting Wellness

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