The marathon spotlight this week is a local runner who has recently smashed his PB over multiple distances. I first met Graham at the Coast to Coast last year, where he was on the same leg. I went on to follow his progress. Putting his success down to his flexible training plan. His experience across the distance is priceless and encourages us not to take anything for granted when it comes to fitness. His ability to juggle shift patterns and training hard is an inspiration to us all… I introduce G…. it was hard to find any selfies of him 🙈😂. Take it away G!!
Marathons completed?
9
Loch Ness, Manchester x 2, Edinburgh x 2, London x 2, Kielder, Stirling
PB Marathon time?
3:05:43 at Manchester this year
Favourite marathon and why?
Has to be London so far for me it’s the pinnacle of Marathons in the UK,
The iconic sites and crowds just make it special, not that I actually remember much of the sites from the first time there!
What got you into running the 26.2mile distance?
I joined a running group in Newtonhill in 2014 and was egged on to do a marathon, I just couldn’t see myself doing one then buckled and signed up For Loch Ness that year.
Worst marathon memory and why?
My First London Marathon in 2016, I had the unfortunate timing of coming upon the Soldier who died at Mile 23 that year, I saw him getting CPR but found out later he had passed away sadly, It made me realise you can’t take anything in life for granted including your fitness so
embrace the moment!
Marathon plan 80:20, Pfitz, Hal Higdon or other?
In the past I’ve roughly/badly followed online plans but nothing solid,
From November last year I started working Robbie Simpson and now have a structured plan to follow, difficult to achieve because I work 12 hour shifts, Days & Nights plus the added Winter on call but so far its worked really well, giving me a Sub 40min 10k time, Second Fastest half time at Inverness in Miserable weather and a huge 19min Marathon PB!!
I do feel sorry for Robbie having to put up with me but its working! Ha Ha
Funniest Training Moment?
I think so far it would be this winter when most of Metro were in counteswells
Doing longer runs on the snowy trails all wrapped up and there’s myself layered on the top half but shorts on! Says it all, No sense no Feeling!
Favourite session?
Not sure I have one but I like to run hard and give each session a 110%
Hydration & Nutrition snack of choice on long runs?
To be honest I’m pretty poor with both on long runs, I hate carrying water or other stuff while I’m running so that’s why I got into doing loops, wether it’s 1 mile or 5 miles then I have the option of the car nearby so I can have a quick stop for water or a gel if I need it.
Shoes – minimal or maximal?
For Years I used ASICS & Saucony then changed to ONS as I loved how light they were but a reoccurring back issue early this year meant a change and now I use Adidas Ultra Boost for Cushioning and Nike Turbo X for racing in.
What is your Mantra?
Work hard in training and reap the rewards!
Tell us about MANCHESTER – Well done on a spiffing time!!!
Having pretty much completed the plan set out bar missing a couple of 20 mile runs due to me falling apart and a family bereavement it all went pretty well, just the wobble a week before in my head thinking have I done enough? Will I make it to the finish line? You know the normal Maranoia!
Race day couldn’t have gone any better, Not to go out fast at the start was my main aim, settled in after the first few miles and concentrated on my pacing which I think I hit spot on, towards the last few miles my legs were getting tired but still hung in till the end and finished with a 19 minute Marathon PB and looks like I’ve gained Boston & Chicago qualifying times for 2020!
Fly Solo or flock together? ( Run in a group or on your own)
Fly Solo pretty much most of the time during Marathon training, I find with working unsociable hours a lot that my runs tend to be later in the day if I’ve been on nights or days off, I like my bed to much when I get a chance for a long lie, but I do like a social run when I get a chance.
Terrain – trail, track or tarmac?
Always been tarmac but Robbie has introduced trail into my plan to help take the stress of the body a bit more for longer runs and recovery runs which has helped a lot.
What’s your goal?
To go Sub 3 hours hopefully in my next marathon wherever it may be?
Top tip for #project345 ?
Enjoy it and stick in on the Day!
Plus a wise man gave me this saying recently for Manchester,
“Be Comfortable being uncomfortable” 😉
Fantastic Graham thank you and I’m sure that -3hrs will come with hard work and determination!
Thanks for reading!
Run Long and Prosper
James
