18/10/2026
Yorkshire Marathon ✅
PB ✅
Weather ✅
Fuelling ✅
Course ✅
Event organisation ✅
Toilet queue only 10 mins😂✅
This was a great marathon. I love how it’s a proper marathon but it’s low key in respect of minimal faff! You basically rock up at 9am, queue for the loos then start at 9.30, job done!
The course is the most challenging I have done for a marathon. Whilst I wouldn’t call it really hilly it’s definitely undulating with a hard slog uphill from mile 18-20 and the little stinger of a hill at the end, very cruel yorkshiremarathon ! I can only compare to. Berlin, Brighton and Manchester which are pretty flat.
I really wasn’t feeling 100% on the run up to today with yesterday me questioning whether or not to drop to the 10 mile race option. However after a 9 hour sleep! Yes 9 hours! Which is unheard of for me ! I felt better so decided to give it a go and I’m so glad I did as I walked away with a 4 second PB which I am delighted with on my toughest marathon course to date. !
What helped….
⛽️ FUEL-I carb loaded for 3 days before. Overall I only have a few more calories than normal but I swap most my fats and protein for carbs and lower fibre content to reduce the chance of tummy issues mid run 😬
😴 RESPECT THE TAPER- this last week I have reduced the volume of training and just kept ticking over. Normally I struggle with this but starting my new job this week meant I was distracted and not falling too much into my usual taper tantrums!
🏊🏻 CROSS TRAINING- I have now been swimming regularly 2/3 times a week for over a year and I really believe this has massively helped improve my aerobic capacity whilst giving my body a break form the impact of continuous running.
🏋️ STRENGTH TRAINING- I have stuck to my Strength Training twice a week. Working on all the muscles that we use for running.
🧘🏼♀️ PILATES- as you know I qualified in Mat Pilates nearly a year ago now and by practicing as often as I can fit in I feel my muscles have been mobilised, stretched and strengthened to good level. In particular my core strength has improved really helping with my posture in running.
What have I learnt from this run 📝
*whilst my body overall felt strong and held up for 26.2 (well actually more as you know you always run further!) my calf’s and hips were feeling the distance. Therefore I plan to build more exercises into my routines focussing on these areas.
* I learnt that securing your banana 🍌 on the walk to the start is very important as this morning mine was nowhere to be seen when I reached for it! Luckily, I always have an emergency Soreen to hand!
* I learnt that arranging my gels in a sentence order of which ones to take would be better as I dropped a few and hand to turn round to pick them up, knocking me off my flow.
*Finally, that even when you doubt yourselves brave and put yourself out there!
Remember to keep watching this space for Pilates class updates and if you are interested in any Run Coaching please get in touch.
Happy Running!
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