Manchester Marathon 2023.

 I cannot believe that I am typing this, and I cannot believe that I am able to say... 

I am a marathon runner.

So, how did I get here? Through a lot of work, a lot of belief, a lot of training runs and, having the best support around me. 

Reality is. I signed up for Manchester Marathon in October 2022, but kept it an almighty secret. I knew I had nailed the half distance, so in effect, in the words of Jon Bon Jovi.. I was half way there. 26.2 miles terrified me, but with everything I had been through the last 12 months, this was the icing on the cake to prove to myself and others, that I will not be beaten. I will not be beaten down and that I am stronger than I ever thought I would be. I didn't tell anyone because I didn't want the pressure. I didn't want the doubt to set in. I just wanted to crack on. 

January hit and the training started, my white lie was "Sunday runs are in my routine now" (true) "I just want to see how far I can push myself." (Slight twist on the truth..) 

I admit, I had Blackpool Half booked in, so I could kind of get away with going up to 13 miles.. It was anything over that that people started questioning. 

So, my routine became Saturday morning Parkrun (5k) Sunday morning long run (variable) and Wednesday long (10k) these were my three runs which helped me with my time on feet. So, in essence I didn't really change much just the distances on a Sunday, which was helping with time on feet. I was of course, also going to the gym twice a week too, to help with strength. 

When it got to around 16 miles.. my glute started to play up and this is when I started to panic, I didn't train over 16 miles, but the way I go over this, was the fact that throughout the week I was running 25 miles total and, its not as though I was in a job that meant I was sat at a computer all day, I was chasing 4/5 year olds around. I started having regularly (ish) sports massages to support my glute and this really worked wonders, and, I've learnt how to apply my own KT tape! 

In taper week in the lead up to the marathon I put a lot of hip focussed yoga into my routine and honestly, this helped wonders. 

Week of the marathon

On that final week of the marathon I was terrified. I just wanted it over. I just felt like it was impending doom hanging over me. I didn't want to do too much, but I didn't want to completely stop. 
Manchester Marathon sent out an email about some Shakeout runs (what on earth is one of those?! - American, is what it is) I wouldn't usually entertain these things but as I scrolled down, one of the runs had an asterisks next to it. There was going to be a "special guest" at one of the runs. As I scrolled down and saw the name, I knew I had to be there. Kevin Sinfield.

Back in November 2022, I went to Manchester to spot Kevin Sinfield completing his latest challenge, which was a week of Ultra Marathons from Murrayfield (Home of Doddy Wier) to Old Trafford (Where the rugby final was being held) all in the name of his good friend Rob Burrows, who has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) What he has achieved has been absolutely astounding, which is why, in our house we lovingly call him Sir Kev.

There was no doubt about it, I had to be at that shakeout run. So after a lot of asking around and fluttering of eyelashes and explaining to 99% of my friends who Kevin Sinfield was (still mortified about the fact they don't know who he is!) Ginny and I set off to Manchester absolutely unsure of what to expect. 

It was such a good evening that it made me excited for what laid ahead of us. There were no more than 40 runners that turned up to the Adidas store in Manchester. Ginny and I walked in and we just stood there, taking it all in, completely unaware of how our evening was going to unfold. I was just scanning the store and I turned to Ginny. "He's there! He's in the corner!" And, at the back of the store, looking completely normal was Kevin Sinfield. I'm not good with famous people so I didn't go up to him. 

We were then welcomed to the 'shakeout run' and explained how the evening was going to work. We had a little Q&A with Kev, then we would go for a 5k run around Manchester, and then back for some carb loading pasta, courtesy of a local Italian place in Manchester (Nonna's Pasta).

For the Q&A, Kev just stood at the front of the store and we gathered around him. He gave lots of advice on prepping for a marathon and admitted that, he has run his best times from having McDonalds the night before! I was too nervous to ask any questions, so I just stood and took it all in. Then, I thought that would be it, Kev would go and we would go on our run. Oh no. He came on the 5k with us. I went on a run with Kevin Sinfield. I don't know what it is about running, but it was on that run that I got brave and started talking to him. He is so humble and so lovely. So, when we got back to the Adidas store, I mustered up the courage to ask for a photo. 

What was amazing about him coming on the run was that I expected him to just shoot off to the front and I wouldn't get the opportunity to talk to him. quite the opposite. He stayed towards the middle / back. Absolutely perfect for me. 

It was honestly an experience I will never forget, and it gave me the fire in my belly for Sunday. I was excited to be on that start line. 

The day before

Contrary to popular advice, I decided to head down to Parkrun, just to tide over the legs. I promised I would walk, but, I felt good so went a little bit faster than a walk. It was quite possibly my favourite Parkrun. Lots of people wishing me luck and all the best for what was to come. I was starting to feel a little bit nervous, but being around all my friends really helped. It was so lovely all the kind words that were said. I just had to do the milage really! I couldn't really do much else! 
It was the Saturday of the Grand National, so we had friends round to watch that, and it helped in bucketloads, as, I wasn't thinking about what was happening the following day and I was surrounded by good company. I made a bucketload of pasta for tea, made a banana bread to take with me for the start line, and wrote a to do list and attempted to get to bed early.. If I could sleep of course!

Marathon day

This was it, months of training, the day was here. My alarm went off at 5.50am and I was off. Porridge eaten, bag packed, kit on, time to wake Paul to take me to pick up Ginny so we could meet Jess.

7am - We got to Thrive to meet Jess and we were off to Manchester. 

We met Stu, Shelby, Andy and JG at Salford Quays and made our way to Old Trafford. I was starting to get nervous. 

We caught up with Alex before we parted ways and we got to outside the cricket ground and we had to say our goodbyes to Shelby and JG. That was hard, and then, I just had to start taking it all in. Thousands of people, stretching, limbering up, starting to take their gels. Ringing loved ones, The queues for the toilets were crazy. Our soundtrack, of course, was all the Manchester favourites.

We had a coffee, I had a nibble on my banana bread and then it was time to say goodbye again. Jess, Andy and Stu were in an earlier pen to Ginny and I.

I'm glad I had my sunglasses on because I started to tear up as they left us. It was all getting a bit real. 

Roles reversed and today it wasn't Ginny that needed all of the toilet stops.. It was me. I went; Just before we go into the cricket ground, in the cricket ground and on the way to the start line! 

We go into the pen and again soaked up the atmosphere. The pen before us was set off to "Not Nineteen Forever" So, I was dancing around singing to Ginny. We got Oasis. 

The first few miles went by quickly. Every mile, we did a "Shakeout" and reset our posture, shook out our arms and continued. The crowds around Old Trafford were amazing. 

Ginny and I had a bit of a natter - I was envisaging that we were on a Sunday run "Okay, we're just coming out of Cuerden now" - After all, it was JUST a Sunday run! 

As we approached Manchester City Centre, I started to get a bit deep. This run symbolised more than just going for a run and seeing how far I could go. This run was the start of new beginnings. Starting a new job, overcoming my demons, the start of happiness. And of course, I wouldn't be here today (quite literally) If it wasn't for the amazing people who I have met through running over the last 12 months. 

Then, we hit Manchester Deansgate. It was absolute party central. The crowds were at least 5 deep, music was blaring, the cheers were deafening and then, I spotted Shelby and JG. 

When running a race, or a huge challenge, you have no idea what a pick me up it is to see familiar faces. Just seeing them really spurred us on, and we weren't event half way! 

Upon leaving Deansgate, Ginny and I had an impromptu singalong. We started to hear The Clash - Should I stay or Should I go. So, we continued it on our way out of Manchester. We had a looong way to go! 

I get confused as to where we went after this, but I remember seeing some other running friends and it was lovely to have a brief chat with them as we went back passed Old Trafford and on our way towards Stretford. As we got there, it was great to see Carol pop up! 

We reached the motorway bridge and this was probably another personal favourite area of the course, as it was lacking with supporters, there was a DJ positioned under here, and the acoustics were amazing. It was definitely most welcomed from Ginny and I, a nice little 5 minute rave on our way to Altrincham. 
The next part becomes a blur as we wound our way through parts of Manchester I've never visited, but as we reached Timperley, a few nasty surprise canal bridges started appearing. I am proud to say, that I only walked up one and Ginny was amazing at getting me moving again. And it turned out that it was a good job she did, as, when we started our descend down, another two friendly faces appeared. Mike and Julia! It was such a relief to see these two I was so grateful they had made their way to come and see me! That gave me another boost to keep going. We wound through a few more corners and then, two more faces! (4, technically!) Laura, and Tony, two of the best, loudest cheerleaders of the day, who have only joined Lions this year had come along to support with two dear friends (Trevor and Fillipe) [Trevor is a Trex and Fillipe is a frog] Another great boost that was needed.

We got to mile 16 and suddenly.. this was all unchartered territory for me. I was officially on my longest run. The crowds and fellow runners were absolutely incredible, however, I just needed my music to get me through. Enter Shikari - Stop the clocks came on. "I don't ever want this to end, and that makes two of us" - I just said out loud, "I do. I do want it to end." 
It was very windy and I didn't feel like I was getting anywhere, but the miles kept passing and every time, we were 1 mile closer to the finish. 

I hit the wall around mile 23. I was done. No more running. But it was closer to finish, than to go all the way back to the start. I started bargaining with myself. Walk a bit, then run. Then, Ginny's logic, which I found much harder "The more you run, the sooner its over." My body just didn't want to do anymore. But. I did it. I think, Mile 24, I ran the rest. 
We hit a cheer point in Mile 25 and, I just cried. The realisation  was hitting what I had done. I was nearly at the end. I full on sobbed. That was probably the hardest point, to try and catch my breath and just get the job done!  

I managed to compose myself and continue and then.. who did I hear shouting Mike and Julia! I so needed to see them. "Get to that corner and you've done it!" 

I could hear the crowds, it was deafening. There was the sign. I'd bloody done it. 

"Welcome to the finishing straight."

I think my pace picked up, but I wasn't sure. It was so loud. It was so hard to take it all in. Then, there they were. Shelby, JG, Zoe, Seb, Laura, Tony. We made our way over. JG had a beer for me - becoming a tradition after Great North. Only, I grabbed the can instead of my cup, and Ginny grabbed the cup, leaving JG with nothing! I took a swig, and got a lot of cheers from the crowds. There was no way I was going over the finish with this - It fizzed over, so I threw it to the side. 

Then, it was like the crowds parted, and I saw Paul. I had the 0.2 miles to go. 

And I stepped over that line and my legs could finally stop moving. They had just got me 26.2 miles. In 5hours and 35 minutes. 
I had done what I always seemed impossible.
I had run a marathon. 

And I can't wait to smash that time out of the park.

I owe this lady the world for sticking by me.

It was the most amazing, incredible day, and I loved every mile. (apart from 23!) 

Marathon running has shown me, that anything is possible, if you put your mind to it.