Digging deep: what running a half marathon taught me about financial planning

On the last Sunday in September, I ran the Folkestone Half Marathon. It was a glorious morning — flat start along The Leas, calm sea, sunshine, even views of France in the distance.

I kept a steady pace, unlike the last time I tackled a marathon 16 years ago. Back then, in London, I set out far too fast from Greenwich Park and hit the wall just past Canary Wharf. This time, at 55, I knew better: be measured, conserve energy, and keep something in reserve.

That decision made all the difference when the route ended with a brutal hill. A lot of runners faltered. I pushed on, heart pounding at 175, and found myself overtaking 20 people right at the end. My time of 2 hours and 4 mins won’t make the record books but I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and finished with a smile on my face and no injuries.

It struck me that this wasn’t just a running story. It’s a financial planning story too.

Why pacing matters

In a race, charging ahead early can leave you spent before the finish. In finance, the equivalent is overspending in the good years, or taking on too much investment risk without a clear plan. A steadier pace often wins the longer race.

Learning from the past

My younger self in 2009 thought he knew best. In truth, the lesson came later: experience shows the value of balance. Many of our clients say the same — as retirement approaches, they’re glad to have shifted from “fast and loose” decisions to something more cautious and sustainable.

Preparing for the tough miles

That final hill was fierce. It reminded me of the challenges many people face later in life — health concerns, care costs, or the reality of making retirement income last longer than expected. With preparation, those hills don’t have to defeat you.

It’s never too late to make progress

The best part of my race was those last few hundred metres — digging deep, pushing hard, and overtaking. In financial planning, it’s never too late to improve your position either. Consolidating pensions, setting up Powers of Attorney, or updating your will can give you a real advantage, even if you’ve left it later than you’d hoped.

The bigger picture

Running a half marathon reminded me that success isn’t just about the easy miles. It’s about pacing yourself, preparing for the hills, and being ready to dig deep when it counts. Financial planning is much the same. With the right approach, you can enjoy the view, face the challenges, and still finish strong.

If you’d like to explore how to prepare for the “hills” in your own financial journey, we’d be happy to talk it through with you.

Daren Wallbank, Chartered Financial Planner, Co-owner at Ginkgo Financial

Please note

• The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
• Will writing, probate and Powers of Attorney are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Approver Quilter Financial Services Ltd 02/10/2025