You are AMAZING!
Rachel's Story
Had a brilliant time at the event. Incredible atmosphere round the whole course with lots of people out supporting. We were told it was close to 115k people supporting throughout the day which was just amazing. I saw my own support crew between miles 24 and 25 which gave me that final push for the end. Delighted with my time of 3:39:21 which was 40 minutes off my PB from London. Extra motivator throughout the race was running for this marvellous charity and all it is hoping to achieve. Noodle the poodle attempted to steal the show and my medal at the end!
Battled through the wind this morning to reach my longest run goal of 36km. Felt the strongest I have done so far, both physically and mentally. A couple of wee muscular niggles to focus on recovery for the next few weeks during the taper phase but delighted with how that one went. It was great to have Nikki with me for company, although, having started at 5:30am, neither of us were up for much conversation! The route worked really well. One hiccup in Clydebank as the canal path was shut on the side we were meant to be on but a quick detour and we were back on course. Three weeks to go and feeling excited!
Completed on Mother's Day which was perfect timing to build up an appetite for roast dinner! I struggled through the first 10km of this run. It felt it took a while to warm up and feel comfortable with the pace and the psychology of the distance which was a bit daunting at the start. We covered off our biggest loop which takes us to about 17km and then ran Clydeside as an out and back for the final 13km (6.5km each way). Headwind on the way out along the river was tough but I was grateful for the tailwind in the final kilometres. The distance backs of slightly in the plan for this week and then only one more increased distance to go during week commencing 18 March. Lots of self-care needed for the foreseeable with massage, yoga and ice/hot baths!
I really enjoyed this route as the first loop is about 16km and psychologically, it was nice to have less than 10km to cover on the smaller loop. It was pretty hilly, the weather was grim and my trainers caused blisters on both feet but I am hoping these mental battles will stand me in good stead for race day! Nice to have a lighter training week after this and plan is to ramp up to 30km during week commencing 4 March. About six and a half weeks to go and the three longest runs in the plan left to complete. Countdown to race day will start soon!
I am now half way through my training plan and have ticked off a 23.5km run which is over half the distance required so a good milestone to reach! The next long run is 25km so not too much of an increase. Just over 7 weeks to go until the main event!
Fundraising complete! Manchester Marathon - 14 April 2024 has reached 100% of the target!
Almost there! Manchester Marathon - 14 April 2024 has reached 75% of the target!
At the half way mark! Manchester Marathon - 14 April 2024 has reached 50% of the target!
Making great progress, Manchester Marathon - 14 April 2024 has reached 25% of the target!
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