My Story

I completed the Chicago Marathon in early October. Without doubt, it was one of my favourite marathons to date, and despite a number of challenges through injury and illness the race itself went surprisingly well.

It is one of curiosities of racing, that the perfect training plan doesn't always deliver the perfect race. Conversely, this was arguably my worst preparation of any of race in the last 10 years; so in the days before the race I was expecting only to be able to get around without embarrassing myself. However, once the gun went off something kicked in and I was on a path to finish on 2:58:00 which would have been my best time since 2017. The conditions were ideal and adrenaline blanked out the injuries and a heavy cold. However, I ignored some basic essentials - hydration and in-race fuel... and at mile 23 my pace dropped away and I added 5 minutes in the last 3 miles. Finishing time 3:03:42 with a schoolboy error to learn from. Okay... I've written a book about it.... and didn't take my own advice 😖😖

Being able to participate in the Age Group World Championships added to the overall experience, especially the free Goose Island tent at the end.

Looking forward to Boston, where training has now started since the start of 2024.  

Thanks for all the support. We raised £500 for BEN.