Marathon Talk Episode 42: Anya Culling - Lockdown Runner-Turned-Elite International Athlete

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What a story Anya Culling has written! From humble beginnings running through lockdown to the elite field of the TCS London Marathon in just a few years.

And she continues to push herself on to even greater achievements, after another remarkable performance at this year's London Marathon.

Anya joins us on this week's show, as we debrief a weekend that gave us a new women’s-only WR, a moving success story for friend of the show Sam Perkins, and Training Talk tackles the three things EVERYONE should do following a spring marathon…

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In this episode of Marathon Talk

• 0:00 - We intro the show with some personal stories away from the sharp end of the London Marathon field, like Sam Perkins’ emotionally charged triumph and Martin’s tips for ‘calf-wrestling’
• 9:35 - It’s a packed round-up this week, with a world record-setting performance from Peres Jepchirchir, a stunning Team GB showing with two British men in the top four, and so much more
• 28:40 - Training Talk is short and sweet this week, with three quick-fire exercises that any runner should do in the wake of a spring marathon
• 31:45 - The marvellous Anya Culling talks us through her journey from a first-time marathon runner in 2019 to becoming one of Britain’s fastest women over 26.2 miles.

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Episode highlights

“Sam Perkins talked about his step-brother who pushed him the whole way in London - he says ‘He is no longer my step-brother, he is my brother’.” - 4:35 - Martin Yelling

“It was an exciting race, and a bit of a surprise that it was Peres Jepchirchir who broke that women’s only world record. This feels like it’s been a long time coming.” - 9:45 - Deena Kastor 

“Once you’ve done your spring marathon, wait 24 hours before you reflect on your race - you take your emotional goggles off.” - 29:00 - Martin Yelling

“I’d look back to the 2019 marathon, and as painful as it was, it gave me such an immense sense of happiness and achievement - so I wanted some of that again in 2020.” - 34:55 - Anya Culling

“I think my progression was quite gradual. I never actively thought I needed to up my training - it was just me being in a flow state, and my body started to handle more naturally.” - 39:30 - Anya Culling

“There was part of me that thought ‘I could just run in the masses, and I’d probably run faster’, but this was going to be my only opportunity at the time, and I had to take it with both hands!” - 45:15 - Anya Culling

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Useful links‍

Abbott World Marathon Majors ‍
https://www.instagram.com/wmmajors/

Martin Yelling‍
https://www.instagram.com/martinyelling/

Deena Kastor‍
https://www.instagram.com/deena8050/

Anya Culling‍
https://www.instagram.com/a.culling/

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