Per Christian “Long-distance run as a lifestyle”

Every big dream requires us to work hard, be consistent, and the ability to keep pace while chasing this dream. The way to something great is usually long and tiring. This resembles quite much a long-distance run. In the beginning, each sprinter is full of strength and optimism to give his best and reach the finish line. But the longer he runs, the less strength is left for completing what he has already started. His body gets tired, breath turns uneven and spasmodic. Out of physical rationality, his mind tells the body to stop and have a break, but something spiritual keeps him running. This battle between man’s will and wish to stop continues all the way to the finish. It happens during the race as well as in the real life while chasing the dream. Therefore, it is extremely important to know how to pace yourself on a long-distance run and to keep motivation until the goal is accomplished.

In this article, we would like to share with you the experience of a professional marathon runner from Norway, Per Christian Eggen Mjøs, and his piece of advice on how to not fall out of the race and to seek the target up to the finish line.

Per Christian has started his marathon journey in 2016. He was aware that long-distance run is one of the most exhausting types of sport which puts huge physical pressure on every single muscle of man’s body and tremendous mental load on the mind. However, it did not make him fear the pain which goes along with this sport. Contrary, this awoke excitement to take a challenge and to prove that he can.

I used to play football. However, as I got 16, I turned to track and field athletics. A good friend of mine is a professional marathon runner, and once he challenged me to participate in Bergen half-marathon race. I took the challenge and that’s how my marathon journey started.

Perch had half a year to get ready for the first half-marathon. He trained 5 times a week while keeping in mind the goal to show a good result and to beat his friend in the marathon race. And all the hours spent on training were not in vain. In the half-marathon (21.097 km distance), Perch has shown 1 hour 33 minutes time in his first competition and outpaced his friend. “I was very satisfied with my first result and got really passionate about the marathon. I realized that in marathon races such things as good luck or accident are completely eliminated. Only the hard work done during the training and the champion spirit decide whether you succeed or fail. This assured me that marathon is the right sport for me”, says Perch.

Nowadays, Perch is actively training and competing in marathon races worldwide. He has won many prizes, particularly in 2019, he achieved third place in NM-Marathon which is a national marathon competition in Norway. Perch sets for himself ambitious goals he aims to reach through his marathon journey.

I am training hard and chasing the goal to make 2 hours 10 minutes as my time in the marathon. Also, I aim to enter Norway's national marathon team and participate in more international competitions. To be qualified to the Olympic Games and to compete against the best marathoners in the world is definitely the dream I try to make come true.

Hard work and dedication beat the talent. Perch says that this is totally about a marathon race. Some people definitely have a talent and innate skills which can be helpful. But in marathon race where the distance is over 42 km, the role of talent is turned off. Self-dedication and discipline are the pillars where success stands on.

As each young person I want to hang out with my friends overnight, stay long outside and fully enjoy my student years. However, I cannot do this without breaking the discipline I follow. The moments I tempted to go against the sport routine I comply to, I always remind myself the big goals I want to reach in my life and real joy they can bring me.

Extreme importance in the marathon has a pace that runners develop during the training in order to use it in the marathon race. Perch explains that in two halves of a marathon race the runners try to show the same time what helps to balance the strength. For this reason, it is essential to develop the ability to follow the running pace on each meter of the distance and to fully control the strength up to the finish line.

The ability to follow the pace is crucial. If more strength is given than needed, runners could hit the wall and fall out of the race. However, if less strength is applied than it is supposed to be, runners will not be able to use all of it efficiently until the finish. Therefore, timely strength consumption plays enormous role in marathon race. It requires from marathon runners to constantly keep on tracking the performance.

He recommends a threshold type of training for reaching your best half-marathon race pace. More detailed tips about this type of training you can find here.

After many competitions and days on end spent following his daily sports routine, Perch clearly realized that the true struggle is a struggle against yourself. If you are able to win it and to say no to things that do not help you in reaching your dreams, you will succeed.

Follow your passion and do what brings you joy. Regardless of physical pain and mental pressure, I enjoy running in a marathon race. Each managed kilometer helps me to get better, and crossing the finish line brings me the ultimate satisfaction. Find your passion and then the most tiring work will keep you the happiest person in the world!!!

Have you already found your passion? If not, do not be afraid to try different things, even if they look hard for you!!! Perch’s marathon journey is the best evidence that hard work does not seem tiring if you do what you love!

Stay motivated and hungry for success!