This month we’re catching up with Marathon Mind participant Marion Russell. Marion came to our attention while listening to Niall Breslin’s Marathon Mind podcast back in March while out on an early morning walk. Marion’s voice and story really resonated with us as her quiet determination and love for her husband Barry, who passed away during the first lockdown in 2020, and her three children was so obvious. Despite all that she was going through, her voice was filled with hope, something we all needed during those long days. Marion’s interview with Niall was a big wake-up call, which is why we got in contact with her to offer our support of our health supplements to help her on her Marathon Mind journey. We were pleasantly surprised to discover that Marion was already taking our Liposomal Vitamin C and Easy Omega-3 on the advice of pharmacist Nuala Carey from Glengarriff Pharmacy in West Cork!
Five months into her journey, we caught up with Marion to find out how she has been getting on with her quest to run a marathon later this year…
Tell us about your training and how it has been going?
Overall, it’s going well thanks! There have been a few hiccups including a strained hamstring, but I am fit and well at the moment so fingers crossed it stays like that!
What is the biggest challenge when training for a marathon?
Fitting everything in! I realised after a few weeks that I can’t give 100% to all of the plan all of the time, alongside being a mom, working and managing a household. Once I realised that, I started making smaller more short-term goals that are more suitable and sustainable for me. When I did that, I began to enjoy the process more and wasn’t as stressed out about it. So now if I miss a session, that’s okay and I’m not too hard on myself. I still have to be really organised in terms of planning ahead for meals/ babysitters etc.
How have SOMEGA products helped you on the journey?
SOMEGA has been a huge part of my daily supplement regime for a year or so now, so I was so thrilled when Mark and Paula got in touch to offer to help me through my training programme, it was almost serendipitous!
I take the Liposomal Vitamin C every day, my children do too. It has really helped with my energy levels and has helped keep me healthy by boosting my immune system… something that is so important when training in all-weather seasons and even more so now that we are facing in to longer darker evenings.
Biggest lesson learned since beginning Marathon Mind?
There have been a few lessons if I’m honest.
I realised pretty early on that I was quite highly stressed, and that I needed to address that. Every time I have a session with the Marathon Mind psychologist, Louize Carroll, I learn something new about myself. It’s fascinating and sometimes it’s difficult but I am growing as an individual and I’m gaining so much from them – the power of the mind is incredible and it’s so important to have self-belief, it’s a game changer!
What or who is your biggest motivator?
That’s easy – my husband Barry and my three children, Anna, Fia and Johnnie.
How do you make time to get the training done?
I am very lucky in this regard! I am a primary school teacher and currently work 3 days a week, so I run after dropping the kids to school. For the summer months, my amazing sister, Deirdre, helps me out with the kids a few days a week, and my parents are on call 24/7 so I am spoiled!
What would you say to someone who wants to challenge themselves by doing something new?
Firstly, pick something you are interested in. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, but maybe do something that still pushes you just a little bit outside your comfort zone, that will make completing the challenge all the sweeter 🙂
And try to have a bit of craic along the way!
How do you take your SOMEGA supplements?
I have the SOMEGA Vitamin D3 + K2 spray in the press and we all take that after breakfast each morning. The kids love passing the bottle around the table! I’m very bold with the Vitamin C, I keep it in the fridge and I just squirt it down the hatch! Yum 🙂 I’ve also just started to take the Vitamin B12 so am looking forward to feeling the benefits in the coming weeks.
Plans for the weeks ahead?
Enjoy the last days of the holidays with the kids. They made a wish list at the beginning of the summer, so we just have the last couple of boxes to tick off!
Training is tougher this month and will be from now on, so I’ll try to keep on track with that, as well as focus on hydration and fueling my body in the right way.
What is your top health tip?
Last year when I was at a low mentally and physically, I knew I needed to get my body and mind in the right place. I started walking every day and I started taking a variety of supplements to kick-start my gut/immune system and overall health. Liposomal Vitamin C was one of those, and I now swear by it.
For me, it’s simple. Eat well, sleep enough and drink enough water. And repeat as often as possible 🙂
Follow Marion’s journey on Instagram @marion_jer and listen to Marathon Mind wherever you get your podcasts from.
