Behind the scenes of our journalist’s preparation

March 26, 2024

It’s 8:20 p.m. Like every Tuesday, I’m running with the “adidas Runners” group. I love these moments when we get active together, without any competitive spirit, when we run for fun along the banks of the Seine. I take the opportunity to check: “Did you receive the same email as me?” Several people confirm it. So it’s not a scam. I’m overwhelmed by immense joy: I’m going to take part in the Olympic Games marathon, following in the footsteps of the champions. The first thing to do is to set up a training program that will alternate different types of sessions, from light jogging to intense sessions, including long outings. I sign up on an online platform that offers twelve-week programs and arrange to have two outings coincide with those of my running group (Tuesdays and Thursdays). I also agree to keep my logbook for an article to be published in Le Pèlerin. One more challenge… but I dare you!

May 14, 2024

Forty minutes of running at a pace that allows me to easily chat with Alexandre, my sports partner who often accompanies me. Between us, we call it a “blablarun”. Nothing very exciting, but it’s the first training session according to my plan established online, which should take me to the Olympic Games.

May 15, 2024

Eat well, sleep well, hydrate well… During these three months, I have to give up the small glasses of prosecco that I usually enjoy. It’s okay, I don’t miss them. On the other hand, I have a sweet tooth and it’s harder for me to resist the “Tuesday cake”, which we take turns bringing to our Pèlerin service… and which delights the entire editorial team.

May 19, 2024

At 6:15 a.m., the first strides are set for a one-hour-forty-minute outing. I grumble inwardly about inflicting this early morning wake-up on myself, I who am not a morning person and, what’s more, on a day off! But I want to enjoy the freshness of the morning and not impose the consequences of my sports practice on my companion. I run on the magnificent Giens peninsula, in Hyères (Var), between the sea and the salt marshes. The sun has barely risen, a few beautiful waves catch my eye. I fill my lungs with sea air. There is not a soul, neither on the roads nor in the water, I feel like I am alone in the world in this moment that belongs only to me. Running makes you alive. What joy!

May 21, 2024

Rough end of day at the newspaper with many articles to put online on the site lepelerin.com. I only have one desire: to go home, prepare carbonara pasta, my favorite dish, and sit on my sofa. Fortunately, when the motivation is no longer there, discipline continues to impose its routine: I put on my sports outfit without thinking and I go out.

May 23, 2024

My legs are heavy and my breath is racing. Every Thursday evening, I join the adidas Runners at the Charléty annex stadium (13th arrondissement) for a split session (alternating between fast and slower runs). Despite the group emulation, I’m not in good shape even though the Paris marathon was over a month ago. I signed up for it thinking I wouldn’t be drawn for the MPT. I regret it. It was stupid, especially since I’d never run one before. And so I find myself running two in the space of four months!

Faced with my doubts, my entourage – runners or not – is unanimous: we must not let this opportunity pass us by. “You will do it at your own pace. The most important thing here is not the performance, but to participate in this immense party,” they keep telling me. It is true that there will be no ranking. I continue. But for the moment, I feel so tired.

May 27, 2024

I hate running uphill, I get out of breath quickly. It’s my weak point. The proof in training: a few colleagues from Pèlerin, with whom I occasionally run in a park near the Bayard group’s premises, are ahead of me uphill. It’s frustrating, because on the flat, I overtake them at full speed! However, I’m going to have to face it: the MPT course has a positive elevation gain of 436 m, almost double that of the Paris marathon, which is already difficult…

June 13, 2024

Ah! Those endurance enthusiasts who complain about muscle strengthening sessions! I have a hard time understanding them. In addition to being essential, this activity breaks the monotony of a running workout. When I telework from home, and without urgent news to put online, I take advantage of my lunch break to lift weights, do exercises, hold a minute in a plank… I like to move according to my desire and energy, it’s what makes me feel good on a daily basis.

June 23, 2024

Today, I’m running with my friends Antoine, Justine, Alexandre, Thérèse and Alexis. Our team, called “Les Pieds légers”, is used to participating in an “ekiden” every year in June. Originally from Japan, this marathon is run in relays. The atmosphere is crazy at the start of the Jean-Bouin stadium in Paris. Who said that running was an individual sport?

July 4, 2024

Damn Paris meeting! The Charléty annex stadium is closed for the organization of this prestigious athletics meeting. “We’ll meet at the Cité universitaire,” Anh Kiet, our supervisor for Thursday’s training, posts on the Facebook event. Even if the setting is beautiful, we do our scales – exercises at the start of the session to improve our stride – on the grass. Watch out for a sprain! That would be too stupid…

July 6, 2024

What sadistic mind decided that it would be wise to organize a marathon on this terrain? Today, accompanied by Alexandre, I ran 20 km on the Olympic race route: Paris-Versailles-Paris, including the big climb of the 29th kilometer. It’s only 700 m, but it’s like a real wall… reaching a 12% gradient! I have to alternate between running and walking. I’ll never make it…

July 7, 2024

This morning, I have the pleasant surprise of feeling my legs light despite my strenuous outing the day before. The training finally seems to be bearing fruit. I feel the desire and motivation returning.

July 8, 2024

Today, I discovered that this arduous MPT route recalls a key moment in the French Revolution. On October 5, 1789, thousands of Parisian women – joined by men – marched on Versailles to demand bread and reforms. Under pressure from the rioters, the king ratified the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and, the next day, returned to Paris with his family. Running in their footsteps, along this popular, feminine and revolutionary route stimulates me.

July 14, 2024

Forty-five kilometers this week in several sections. I’m sticking to my plan!

July 18, 2024

Normally, I don’t run in the summer, because of all the temptations of the period: barbecues, aperitifs, ice creams, restaurants… Especially since this year I’m on vacation in the Spanish Basque Country, where the fresh sangria seems very tasty. I allow myself pintxos (similar to tapas)… and I feel heavy, later, during training. Oh well! After all, I’m not a high-level athlete who follows a strict diet.

July 21, 2024

Total energy drop! My return late last night from my vacation, accumulated fatigue, lack of sleep… I give in to laziness and stay at home, missing the “test session”. If there was a training session not to be missed, it was this one. It’s about getting closer to real marathon conditions to test my endurance, but also my sportswear, my hydration, my diet.

July 27, 2024

Well, I caught up on my test session and my morale has returned after my little slump last weekend. I feel ready for the marathon in two weeks. I’m going to gradually reduce my training to rest and arrive in top form on the day of the competition. Come on, the die is cast: the tunnel of lights is mine!