Manchester Marathon 2026: 3:27
A 49min Marathon PB in addition to new 10k and 1/2 marathon PB’s along the way. ‘I went sent to see Dave at the beginning of December for the Lactate test, which gave me some fantastic insights into how my then body and fitness was staged and basically after a much needed debrief and in conclusion “a right good kick up the arse” I left with a plan and new intent.’
Last weekend I ran the Manchester Marathon and hit a personal PB of 3hrs and 27mins taking 49 minutes off my previous official marathon attempt.
I am super proud of myself and “I think” except for my wife, daughter, and family it might very well be one of my most significant personal achievements ever.
I am writing this report to thank all those people who have supported and helped me achieve this great milestone on my running journey.
I had spent the last two years enjoying running, running for a great club in Ackworth but only maintaining my fitness and increasingly getting frustrated with no longer pushing forward and beating those PB’s set before and therefore naturally being a competitive person, I wanted to prove myself wrong, break some habits and give myself a significantly better base to propel my running enthusiasm from.
I went sent to see Dave at the beginning of December for the Lactate test, which gave me some fantastic insights into how my then body and fitness was staged and basically after a much needed debrief and in conclusion “a right good kick up the arse” I left with a plan and new intent. The following day I set off on my 16-week training block and along the way pushed myself beyond and into new fitness zones including breaking my 10k PB at Dewsbury (albeit 5 seconds short of a sub-40) and half marathon around Retford so proves the training with the right commitment really works.
I also sacrificed running with my club to join the Blizard running group, a fantastic squad of “quality” but “very welcoming” runners who pushed me all the way, testing my resolve whilst constantly encouraging me to go faster and further. Those dark Wednesday nights in Doncaster in the cold, rain and wind is relentless but once you get into the rhythm, it’s an amazing group of people to be with and although you are not the fastest you never get left behind and always have someone there to pace you along and keep your motivation high. The Blizard team has been fundamental in helping me achieve my Marathon goal.
Mr Tune…your advice, support and encouragement have been amazing and without the change up in training with you and Blizard gang I wouldn’t have hit that milestone last weekend.
I am now 5kg lighter, 106% fitter according to Strava, stronger, more mobile and can now talk in miles rather than KMs.
Cheers Dave and the Team Blizard….and I am looking forward to the next milestone.
