Our Commercial Director, Jemma Ralton, is weeks away from toeing the start line at the London Marathon. Earlier this month she caught up with with Giulia Romano at Fieldnotes for season 2, episode 2 of The Bento Club Podcast, chatting all things beer, running and market research. Check out the podcast episode here!
Jemma says: As I’m well into my training, I wanted to reflect on what those speed sessions, existential crisis long runs, and blisters have taught me, and of course how it links to research!
1. It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint! (Sorry, but it had to be said.)
Look, I know it’s a cliché, but it’s true. In marathon training, if you go off too fast too early, especially for those long runs, the second half is going to be absolutely miserable (trust me on this). And the same applies to research. Clients often want quick answers, it’s a fast-moving industry! But good research, like good marathon pacing, is about measured steps, strategic thinking, and sustained effort.
2. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Sprints!
That said, sometimes a sprint is exactly what you need. I’ve grown to love interval training (weird, I know). It’s short, brutal, and makes you question all your life choices – but it’s also deeply satisfying when you smash your pace targets.
It’s the same in research. Quick wins – like a rapid turnaround survey or a fast-track insights deck – can be incredibly valuable. They might not tell the whole story, but when used correctly, they can be just what’s needed to keep momentum going.
3. Building Resilience (because injuries and research setbacks, happen)
Like any other millennial who suddenly decided running was their personality, I’ve had my fair share of injuries: dodgy Achilles, tight calves, unexpected niggles, you name it. The trick is learning to adapt. More rest days? Changing up training? Listening to my body? All crucial.
And research is no different. Setbacks happen: unexpected results, shifting client needs, methodologies that need adjusting mid-project. The key is resilience: learning from failures, being flexible, and knowing when to change gear. Sometimes that means pivoting to a different methodology; other times, it’s just pushing through. Either way, it’s all about adapting and moving forward.
4. The Role of Data (AKA, Why I’m a nerd about stats)
As a quant researcher, I love data. My Garmin and Strava are basically my running coaches—tracking pace, heart rate, mileage, and trends over time to make sure I’m on track. Obviously, in research, data is kind of important.
So, what is the key to both running and research? High-quality inputs. If your data is flawed, your insights (or your training plan) will be too. However, with regard to benchmarking and competitor analysis, the parallel doesn’t work. In research, comparing against industry trends is invaluable. On Strava? It’s a great way to make yourself feel bad about your pace compared to some ultra-marathoner who ‘just went for an easy jog’. Not always helpful.
5. Team Power (because running solo can suck)
Training isn’t best done alone. I’m a Captain and Run Leader at an amazing club, Run Dusty (we like drinking beer and running), and through that I’ve built up a great community of likeminded runners. Running with friends is infinitely better than slogging through a long run solo, especially when it’s cold, wet, and miserable. They keep you going.
It’s the same at work; clients, researchers, and partners all play a role. My job can sometimes feel a bit lonely but the power of collaboration, networking, and bouncing ideas off others is a huge bonus. Whether it’s a project insight or a marathon training tip, success rarely happens in isolation.
Jemma will be taking on the London Marathon on 27th April, raising money for the children’s Charity Coram. If you’d like to support her journey, check out her fundraising page!
