Amsterdam Marathon 2024 - Simon Hammerton

Im Simon, a 35 year old male who's previously ran 2 marathons (York: 3:29 & Manchester: 3:08) with the aim of eventually running a sub 3 hour marathon. I always knew it was possible, I just needed the right guidance and training to help me get there. In comes Dave Tune. I train for my local athletics club (Cleethorpes AC) and with alot of runners with varying abilities, some  of whom have worked under Dave and highly recommended him. So when I entered Amsterdam as my preferred race to achieve the Sub 3 I knew I was always going to go to Dave to help me cross that line.

 

I booked in with Dave to have a blood lactate test done….the reason for this was to better understand my body and training zones, but also to find out if I was capable of more than just a sub-3? I didn't want to aim for sub 3 if I was cable of running quicker…and in this case the test showed I should be aiming for a 2:55. To me this was great as it gave me a buffer for if anything went a little sideways on the day.

 

After the test Dave sent me all the results and planned my 12-week block: we decided on a two-week block at a time which would be adapted as I went along depending on how I adapted to the training. This was great as I had regular contact with Dave, updating him on how I felt. Throughout the block I felt great, as I progressed through the sessions, finding my HR was lowering during certain sessions, whilst feeling fitter and stronger. Marathon pace started to feel easier and alot more achievable than it did the first couple weeks. Don't get me wrong it wasn't all plain sailing…there were weeks and sessions that felt difficult and marathon pace felt utterly unachievable but that's when the regular updates with Dave helped. He'd constantly remind me this is perfectly normal and expected. As you progress through the block you become more tired and your body aches, you just must learn to push through this, and having a coach who understands this helps a great deal.

 

I really learnt through this marathon block and working with Dave to really trust the process and trust Dave. I'd be lying if I said I fully trusted the process throughout, as there was a point I struggled a little (sorry Dave, didn't mention this previously ) but it came during the last 3 weeks, and it had nothing to do with Dave and his ability to coach and plan for runners but purely down to what I was doing compared to what I had done previously. Previously I had done a 2-week taper, with my last 23 mile run 2 weeks prior to race day, whilst still doing speed sessions up until the final week to keep the legs ticking over. This time it ended up more of a 4 week taper due to an easy week post half marathon race followed by a 3-week taper. Being out my comfort zone I naturally questioned if what I was doing was right etc and often wondered and felt should I be doing more? But as I had done already, I decided to stick with it and trust Dave and the process 100%. This turned out to be the best decision ever…I felt amazing come race day, Dave truly knew what my body needed and how to deliver it going into race day.

 

The week of the race I spoke to Dave about my plans for the week and race day strategy etc. we spoke about everything regarding rest, carb loading, race day fuelling strategies and advice on what to expect with Dave previously running it. This helped a great deal knowing what I was planning and doing was ideal but also to find out and to expect the race to be very congested for the first 3 or 4 miles, so to expect to be held up abit but this is beneficial, so I don't go out too quick.

 

Come race day I felt good, but a little under the weather from a cold that threatened to kick in all week. But all I knew is I had to give it 100%. The race went perfectly and as planned, my splits throughout were very consistent and my fuelling strategy worked a treat. At no point in the race did I feel I was struggling or sub 3 was unachievable. Even during the later stages when your body starts to tire, all I could think about was what Dave told me …”you know it's going to hurt at some point, but what hurts more the training block, this feeling right now or the feeling of not hitting sub-3”. This constant reminder kept me going through to the end in a time of 2:56:16.

 

 

My experience with Dave has been amazing and I can't wait to work with him again towards my future goals at getting quicker over the 5 and 10k distances