Delighted to bring back the #marathonspotlight as a community we start to shift our goals to summer targets. This edition is a local runner with an inspiring level of motivation. Kirsty has completed 5/6 of the majors and has her targets set firmly on the Boston qualification time. Following Kirsty’s journey on Instagram (@shortgirlrunner) is full of race tips, training sessions, kit and the important aspect of shoes. I hope you enjoy this marathon spotlight as much as I did pulling it together – Thanks Kirsty @physiorun.
Marathons completed?
8 marathons completed.
Amsterdam, Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, Manchester, London, Dorney Lake
PB Marathon time?
Manchester 2019 – 3:36
Favourite marathon and why?
I absolutely loved Chicago, London and Tokyo but I would have to say Tokyo is my absolute favourite. The support on course is incredible, the volunteers are so friendly and helpful (standing holding plastic bags for runners to put gel packets in so that they weren’t dropped around the course) and it’s just a great marathon feeling. I smiled pretty much the whole way round.
What got you into running the 26.2mile distance?
Slowly building up distance, doing a couple of half marathons and thinking ‘what if’. Running a marathon became a bucket list thing that I wanted to do once and then once I had done one I wanted to do another, then it snowballed.
Worst marathon memory and why?
Dorney Lake Marathon, as the race was during the COVID pandemic it was in a time trial format. No crowds, a looped course (4 loops) and the weather was brutal, very cold rainy and windy. The loops were mentally a huge struggle for me and I passed my car 4 times while doing the marathon, the first half went well and I felt strong but then my back started to tighten and the rest of the race was really tough going.
Marathon plan 80:20, Pfitz, Hal Higdon or other?
I have followed the Hansons Marathon Method before and found it really improved my strength and endurance but running 6 times a week just doesn’t seem to work for my body, 5 days a week of running works for me and it is what I enjoy. I would go back to 6 days a week possibly now but I would be keen to have a longer long run than 16 miles (which is the longest run you do with Hansons).
Funniest Training Moment?
Not funny at the time but I went over my ankle while trying to take a picture which ended up with a trip to A&E after a lot of swelling. After a 2 hour wait and an X-Ray I found out that I very narrowly missed out on a fracture. Wasn’t even a good picture.
Favourite session?
200’s repeats, short enough to go fast.
Hydration & Nutrition snack of choice on long runs?
Science in Sport Gels for the long run, every 30 minutes and I alternative between caffiene and non-caffiene gels. I take water along with them and once a day have a SiS Hydro tab in water.
Shoes – minimal or maximal ?
At the moment I am wearing New Balance Fresh Foam 1080’s for easy and long runs and New Balance Fresh Foam Tempo for intervals and tempo sessions. Nike NEXT% for racing.
What is your Mantra?
‘This is what you came for’. In races I have often struggled with mindset even though I am very consistent in training. This mantra helps me remember all of the hours I have put in to the easy runs, tempo sessions, intervals and long runs and what all of the hard work was for/what I am capable of.
Fly Solo or flock together? ( Run in a group or on your own)
I do the majority of my running on my own but really love the easy runs and long runs with a couple of my friends, the miles fly past when you train with others.
Terrain – trail, track or tarmac?
I like trail running at times but for me tarmac is where I do 99% of my running, I loke working on intervals and getting faster for the marathon.
Favourite Podcast and why ?
I don’t listen to running podcasts that often as I usually listen to audio books on my long runs but when I do I really like ‘A Runners Life’ with Marcus Brown. Marcus talks to runners about their lives as well as running, he did a few interviews with his coach recently and it was really interesting learning more about their long term approach to training. It made me think differently about my goals and how to approach them.
Favourite Running Book and Why?
I loved ‘What I Talk About When I Talk About Running’ by Haruki Murakami and in a totally different way really liked ‘Can’t Hurt Me’ by David Goggins.
Whats your goal?
To qualify for the Boston Marathon. I have run 5 out of the 6 World Marathon Majors and would absolutely love to get my six star finisher medal by running the Boston Marathon.
Top tip for #projectrun?
Consistency, not all runs will feel good but they are all part of the puzzle and if you can stay consistent with a training plan even on the bad days there will be progress.
Where can people find out more about your journey?
On instagram @shortgirlrunner
Thank you so much to Kirsty for her time. A truly fantastic journey and a huge inspiration. Good luck with the Boston qualification. With your drive and determination we will see an update of the race in the future.
If you have enjoyed the post. Please feel free to have a look at the other spotlights available. I will list a few below :-
The Marathon Spotlight – Elizabeth Kerr looks at running and juggling a young family.
The first ever Marathon Spotlight #1 – Tom Brian – join sub elite Tom chase his PB goals.
My personal favourite is Marathon Spotlight – Isla Stewart an absolute legend and running queen!
Thanks for reading
Run Long and Prosper
James @physiorun
