🏃♂️ From A to Z: 26 Marathons, One Long Game
Every so often, a patient walks through the door with a goal that makes you pause for a second. Not because it’s unrealistic—but because it’s remarkably ambitious and sounds a little crazy.
We’ve had the privilege of working with Anna- a runner who set out to complete a marathon for every letter of the alphabet. Yes—you read that right.
That’s 26 events, across different locations and conditions, all stitched together into one long-term challenge.
Just think about what it would actually take to see it through.
Twenty-six events. Different courses, travel, logistics—and a fair bit of understanding from your partner—spread out over years. From “A” all the way through to “Z”.
On paper, it’s a neat idea. In reality, it’s something else entirely.
This wasn’t just about ticking races off a list (although, of course, that was part of it). The more interesting part was showing up—again and again—through the less visible parts of training.
The weeks where things felt good, and the ones where they didn’t. The stretches where progress came easily, and the moments where everything felt hard… and you had to slow down, reset, and rebuild (even when that’s the last thing you feel like doing).
Goals like this aren’t driven by motivation alone.
They’re built on quieter things:
managing niggles before they become something bigger
adjusting training when life inevitably gets busy
recovering well enough to go again
knowing when to push, and when to hold back
Like most long-term running journeys, it wasn’t linear. There were ups and downs along the way—but the theme running through it all was consistency (couldn’t resist that pun). Not perfect training, not perfect races—just the ability to keep moving forward.
And that’s the part that amazed me the most—and the part from the outside that often gets overlooked in any big goals..
You don’t need to be chasing 26 marathons to take something from this.
The same pattern shows up whether the goal is a first 5km, returning from injury, or simply getting back into a rhythm with exercise again.
Progress rarely comes from getting everything right.
It comes from staying in it—and adjusting when things change.
Geez I feel like a motivational speaker....but great lessons for all of us to apply in all sorts of situations
Completing an A–Z of marathons is obviously no small feat. It reflects years of persistence, patience, and a willingness to keep going, even when things aren't going to plan.
A pretty good reminder of what’s possible when a goal is given enough time—and the flexibility to evolve along the way.
Top 5 Takeaways from an A–Z Marathon Journey
1. Learn your body (and actually listen to it)
One of the biggest skills in long-term training is understanding what your body is telling you. Not every ache means stop—but not every ache should be pushed through either. The runners who last are the ones who learn the difference. Knowing when to ease off, when to adjust, and when you’re good to keep going is a skill that develops over time—and it’s one of the most valuable ones you can build.
2. Recovery isn’t optional—it’s part of the training
With back-to-back events and ongoing training, recovery becomes just as important as the running itself. Sleep, nutrition, and allowing enough time between harder efforts all play a role. It’s often the less visible part of training, but it’s what allows you to keep showing up consistently.
3. Strength work: the part no one sees
The kilometres get the attention, but the gym work is often what keeps everything holding together. Building strength—particularly through the legs and trunk—helps improve efficiency, manage load, and reduce the risk of injuries creeping in over time. It’s not always the most exciting part of training, but it’s one of the most important.
4. Keep things fresh to stay consistent
Training for years on end can become repetitive. Mixing up locations, events, training sessions, or even setting creative goals (like an A–Z challenge) helps keep things engaging. Staying interested in the process makes it much easier to stay consistent over the long term.
5. Back yourself—and have the right support around you
Big goals don’t happen in isolation. There’s a level of self-belief required to keep going, especially when things aren’t going to plan. Just as importantly, having support around you—whether that’s a partner, family, or others involved in your journey—makes a huge difference. Long-term training is rarely a solo effort.
Happy running,
The Urban Athlete Team
Mā ō waewae e oma — It’s your legs that make you run.
