I had a lot of personal issues going on at the same time I had committed to running the marathon. Spending hours on the road alone in your own head knowing you

I had a lot of personal issues going on at the same time I had committed to running the marathon. Spending hours on the road alone in your own head knowing you've inflicted extra suffering on yourself through the personal choices of drinking gives you lots of time to reflect on your priorities. For me at least, preparing for some kind of sporting competition makes it really easy for me to fix any drinking or eating habits as it becomes so obvious how much of a hindrance those activies are on my progress.