On April 2nd, Olivier Maria, aka lowcarbfrenchie, set off down the Champs Élysées with a very specific goal: to run a marathon in under 3 hours!
We won't keep you in suspense any longer. The goal has been met, as he crossed the finish line in 2:58:18. The sub-3 hour mark has been validated! Yes, but a sub-3 hour like no other...
The scene is set, we now let Olivier tell you about his Marathon in the most beautiful city in the world.
Paris 2023
"This year in Paris, my goal is clear: to "settle" behind the "3h" pacemaker and not move an inch for 42 km. Take no risks, but above all, take the race as relaxed as possible, don't put any pressure on myself. Enjoy the moment, run from monument to monument, take in the view. I decide to take my Gopro to bring back some images from the inside, but it should also help me run relaxed and without pressure.
But the start is in waves and I don't see any pacemakers on the horizon. In any case, there are so many people at the start on the descent of the Champs and on the first kilometers that there is no point in panicking, it is better to start slowly, carried along by the crowd, knowing that this "slowly" is often a little too fast. After a few kilometers, I see the red flag in the distance and I decide to accelerate to catch up with it. Arriving at its height at the cost of my best kilometer of the day (3'47), I don't let go of it and my acceleration adds a comfortable cushion of advance on the objective.
I check my heart rate from time to time and it's good, much lower than last year, I tell myself that's a good sign. I don't worry about my pace, I trust the pacemaker. He advises us, sets the mood. There are people. I have great legs, it's easy. I film. Around the 15th km, I still feel that an effort has been made and I try not to lose motivation. Except that the pacemaker stops for natural needs and leaves us to our own devices! We continue at our pace around 4'15/km, except that when he catches us with a nice acceleration, he is still at his much faster pace (the one that allowed him to catch us) and I too often see 3'55 displayed on my watch. We all wonder what to do, we hang on, I think I do my fastest 5 km between the 20th and 25th.
Then come the mini-tunnels at the edge of the stage, I'm dreading them because I've always had to walk up them, exhausted. This year, I'm still firmly in place behind the flag, I successfully pass the many tunnels, I feel that the SUB3 is within my reach. I'm moved. My legs are getting heavier and heavier but I don't slow down yet as I pass the 30th and its famous "wall". From the 35-37th, the effort becomes unbearable, my legs are burnt but my pace remains correct, I can't think of anything anymore, I move forward. We overtake the runners "in the hard": and to think that I was in their situation the last few times. The passage through the Bois de Boulogne, then the return to Paris, the 39, 40, 41 km signs... The finish is near! 500m, 350m, right turn and we arrive on the famous green carpet: the finish line is at the end, I accelerate as best I can, and there it is: 2h58'18. Finally the Sub3!
My diet before and during the marathon
"In the days leading up to the marathon, I didn't change anything in my diet: vegetables, meat, eggs, butter, olive oil... No grains or starchy foods. At least I did, 2 wheat pancakes the evening before the race because we were eating Lebanese. A very small carbohydrate boost. I didn't eat anything for breakfast the morning of the race.
During the marathon, I had publicly explained on Instagram in particular that I would eat at the aid stations if I felt the need. Consuming more carbohydrates during the event is also an interesting strategy. But the kilometers passed and I did not feel my blood sugar drop or hunger invade me so I continued without eating anything and I finished the marathon without any calories. I specify again that this was absolutely not my basic objective, but I am happy to have experienced the marathon like that, without experiencing a drop in energy, a wall or hypoglycemia even without eating anything: what a pleasure, what freedom! This shows that my body was efficient at burning fat and it served as fuel for me during these 3 hours. On the other hand, I did not deprive myself of water, and I drank 2 to 3 sips at almost every aid station. I “missed” or “skipped” 2 or 3 from memory: what a jostling around each aid station! "
Want to learn more about Olivier's diet and his vision for daily training? Visit his website at lowcarbfrenchie.com