6 Lessons I've Learned from 18 years of running (while taking you around the Chicago marathon expo!) 

For anyone wondering, Ben ran a 2h43 marathon. I think we can safely say your "goal of somewhere between 2h50 and 3h, it should be easy, well I shouldn't say easy", wasn't as presomptuous as you made it out to be in your videon, Ben! 😀 Also, thanks for the advice of "tiering" races. It's going to be helpful for a consistent training.

Got long covid. 1.5 years later still not running , but so happy with all the cool stuff i did before. Good luck evrybody and ENJOY the runs you can do.

You seem to be in a better place than you were in the post-UTMB videos. Glad to see it! 👍👍👍

It's a pity that the Chicago Marathon was on the same day as the Chester Marathon, because a lot of world leading runners such as myself were already doing Chester. I believe Kelvin Kiptum himself was 50:50

Great to see your positivity back after UTMB Ben, loving the back to basics videos and focus on what you love, it is great to see. Thank you. Hope Chicago went well.

Sarah mentioning Bacardi Breezer, that takes me back to my uni days, brilliant. 😀

Thanks for the video. Ideal conditions today for the marathon. Congratulations on running it in 2:43:27 and Sarah in 3:54:00. I also ran it today and got a PB for me (very much slower than you!) Thanks for being so real with your videos and sharing your journey.

Just entered my first marathon next year and I'm 58! Cant wait!

Thank you for the insight and inspiration, Ben!

Thank you for all your advice Ben. Keep up the good work👍

Excellent video Ben and great insightful tips as usual!

Your last two videos are full of good running advices which improves race times and keep running interesting!

Love you Ben! Please don’t stop. You’re the goat!!!

Thanks for all your videos Ben (and Sarah!). I don't follow any other running RU-vidrs as yours are the only ones I need for the positive energy, smiles and results despite the struggles! Cheers!

Thanks Ben! Lots of inspirational words. I'll be running in NY marathon November 5th. Looks like fun in Chicago. I have a friend who ran it and just finished about a half hour ago before I watched your video. Can't wait to see your update. 💖

Thanks for the great discussion on running - lots of good nuggets of wisdom in there! Cheers!

Loved this, great tips! We run because we can, and running your own journey is key, but often hard. Massive inspiration to show where you started and where you are now, and that there are no shortcuts, just hard work and consistency 👍🏻

Very Humble Video Ben ..... Love it!

Awesome video, thank you Ben.

Best running advise 👌 thank you and love the channel 👏

Hey, was hoping to see you guys. Funny to see your expo footage. And you did a great job with your time. Enjoyed the race today, PB of 1:36 minutes. Chicago is a great city, well worth visiting and doing the marathon.

Great video and heartwarming

Nice Ben 👍🏻I’m sure that you both will do great on Sunday 👏🏼👏🏼

For me only A races are needed. Kiptum doesn't compete in all possible events. One can be patient and race once or twice a year. Btw, I also failed to run sub 4 h when I ran my first marathon in 1999. I wasn't training or doing any sports at all. Instead, I worked 100+ hours weeks. I ran totally 40 km before that marathon (4 times ca. 10 km) and had no idea what marathon is all about. It was my first running race/event of my life and I had never run a longer distance than 10 km before. So we started in a crowded field very slowly and I was surprised because I thought that running is something that you do fast. Then I realized that the distance got "shorter" by a 10 km because the start was like a walking pace. After the half way mark I got inpatient and started hammering. I ran from 25 to 32 km as fast as I could with HR of around 195. After that my legs couldn't take pounding at all. Then my HR started to come down to 150s because I couldn't lift my legs. I was struggling to finish and missed the 4 hours mark by a couple of minutes. At least I wasn't walking. I told myself that it's a running race and runners don't walk.

such a great vibe!

Very insightful video Ben! It was a pleasure to meet you and Sarah on Saturday!!

All the time I'm watching I'm thinking "that's a nice looking hat"...so I just ordered one 😁. Well done on the race!

Have you paced the last 2 World Records now Ben? Hahaha Really enjoyed following your program for this race, Thank You- just a few minutes off my 11yr old PB but boy did I feel so so so much stronger and better at the finish. And massive progression in the last couple marathons since following you. 38mins off my time last year. Chicago is definitely my favourite marathon-great vibes, great music the whole way round!!

Deja vu, run my first marathon today, tried to go under 4h and ended up with 4h 1min 44sec 😉😂 the small difference is, I’m not 18 anymore, more like 50 😁😁

I was there in Chicago, too. I trained using your level 2 marathon plan. Aimed for a 4:30 finish using your pace chart. Flew out from London, ran a consistent pace, finished strong at 4:29. Not too bad for my 2nd marathon attempt in my 50's. Thanks, Ben 👍

A great race. Hope you enjoyed it.

Amazing mindset 🏃💪

You rock ben! You run so fast

Legend. You are my favorite running youtuber.

Hey Ben, just saw you at the end of Eric Floburgs video of the Chicago Marathon. You are an inspiration to runners of all abilities. Keep up the great work and enjoy your running 😀👍

Good to see you back in your element Ben

Great work Ben! I’m 41 and just started running from last year. Can you do a video regarding your approach to avoid injuries and extent your running longevity during your 40s.

2:43 well done Ben.

Blind test, I doubt many people could feel a massive difference between a 4mm drop vs 0mm. As long as it’s not a grim 10mm drop, I’m happy somewhere between a ‘stated’ 0-6mm 🤷‍♂️

I'm jealous. Wish don't have this stupid asthma so can give my all. Would be lovely to crosstrain daily or even 5days a week. Like you said, don't take it for granted. I am just glad I can train 3x a week with our current heat and humidity. Better days are coming. Have a great day always from TH

Great looking hat!

You make a best trail shoes vid?

Wanted to say 'Hi' at the Kofuzi ShakeOut but you seemed busy and I didn't want to bug you after soo many people had been chatting with you. Great video!! 😊

def want to hear about the new altras Ben

Congrats. I ran Chicago as well and beat my time that I was training for using your marathon plan. Any changes you would make to your plan for Someone over 55?

I wish I ran into you at the expo :( Hope to see you at Tokyo?

Hi I broke my ankle 3 weeks ago and wonder if you have healed to 100%. I have a Trimalleolar fracture and the other ankle was very badly sprained so am a bit worried about recovery time and if I’ll be back to normal. Looks like you are running so good for you!!

I love Ben's videos you can clearly see he runs purely cos he loves it

I think I saw you as I was getting off the L and you and Sara were getting on! I saw these bright pink gloves and I thought who else wears those?! It was too late at that point to say hello

Love your shorts! We in India seem to get just boring long, dull colours shorts 🫤

it must be a really nice life travelling the world and running in all these different running events ...??...

Wait, what? You just went blasting thru the Beer Ticket stand at 9:34? ;o)

I ran today too but you were way ahead

I mean, you were young(er) and it is normal to be gutted missing a goal by so little. I think it hurts more to miss by a lot than by 1 min. But great tips

One reason why you need go to the expo: You might meet Ben Parkes ! :))

bros been running since I was born crazy

Are you alright mate? Your lips look worryingly purple. Blood oxygen level good?