Running Instructor Shares Post-Marathon Tips

A prominent running instructor has opened up about her must-haves after completing marathons, as she prepares for her last World Major event.

Susie Chan, a well-known Peloton running instructor, is in Australia gearing up for the Sydney Marathon, marking her entry into the elite group of seven World Major marathons.

In a conversation with news.com.au, Chan, now 50, discussed her journey into running, which began when her younger brother convinced her to join him for a half marathon 15 years ago.

“I was a single mom who enjoyed her job, but it didn’t pay well. I was always on the skinny side, but we were happy and healthy,” she reflected.

Feeling a bit stagnant in life, she decided to give running a shot.

“Honestly, I wasn’t clear on how it would feel or what I was getting into. My brother was pretty persuasive, and I thought maybe it’d help me get fit,” she admitted.

At the time, she was 35 and thought it was the right moment to start something new.

Chan prepared for the half marathon, but on race day, she almost backed out.

Eventually, her brother coaxed her out the door, and she made it to the start line with just five minutes to spare.

While it wasn’t her best performance, she was surprised to find it wasn’t as daunting as she’d imagined.

This initial experience set her on a new path. After running that 21 km, Chan felt inspired and supported by the community around her.

Embracing her optimistic nature, she began sharing her running journey on social media.

In 2021, she received a message from Peloton.

“They said they liked what I was doing and wanted to see if I’d be interested in becoming an instructor,” she recalled.

She had doubts, wondering if they were aware of her age, thinking it might be a young person’s game.

However, after through multiple auditions, she landed the role.

“The first few months were tough, to be honest,” she shared.

Joining Peloton, she realized she could connect with a range of fitness levels, reminiscent of her own early running struggles.

Chan often receives encouraging messages from Peloton users who credit her for helping them start their running journeys, and she feels fortunate. “It’s just great,” she said.

She dismisses the notion that age should limit experiences. When she began running at 35, she wasn’t brimming with confidence but hopes to inspire others to take that first step.

“Age doesn’t have to be an obstacle. I see friends in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s doing amazing things. You don’t need to run a marathon to start; even a brisk walk or a quick jog is a step in the right direction.”

Though her journey has had its challenges—like a thyroid cancer diagnosis in 2017, which came as a shock while she was competing in major races—she has persevered.

“I’d been feeling off for a few weeks, but I brushed it off as fatigue from running,” Chan explained, recounting that she collapsed after finishing the Chicago Marathon.

A friend recognized that something was wrong and urged her to seek medical help.

“They found a large lump on my neck. It was hard to accept,” she said.

Fortunately, the cancer was manageable, and after a few surgeries, she was back to running, completing a half marathon just weeks later. This experience helped her regain trust in her body.

Throughout her running career, Chan has set records, including the 12-hour treadmill world record, has completed the Marathon des Sables four times, and has participated in all six World Marathon majors.

Now, her outlook is different. With age and the challenges of menopause, her goals lean more towards enjoyment than time. After races, she eagerly anticipates her post-race tradition of salty pizza topped with anchovies, olives, pineapple, fries, and a beer.

“We try to avoid superstitions like lucky socks—it’s not them who run the race,” she joked.