Manchester Half Marathon Success for Joe

Achieve the unthinkable

Joe is well know as one of my long term virtual running coaching clients, driven, motivated and focused this young man has had a tough year … having got a stress fracture half way through his Brighton marathon plan he spent the final weeks cross training to help him prepare.

A summer of strengthening and speed work followed, he joined Reading AC by recommendation to help him push and be pushed out of his comfort zone including some first time track racing.

Over the last 8 weeks joe has been training hard for a new Half marathon PB… when i set Joe’s goals I don’t take the easy road … he wouldn’t want me to.

We set a target of over 3 minutes faster than his current PB –

Training has gone well.
Paces have been hit.
Fuelling practiced.
Strength work has happened.

AND we brought back Fitcamp training sessions (which were neglected into his Brighton plan)

Today Joe smashed his PB coming in at 1 hour 26 minute leaving his old PB of 1.28 right where it should be … behind him.

Joe said after his race ‘I’m so happy with my time today, I followed Karen’s race plan to have the belief in my self to hold back at the start. I went of at a steady pace and I paced the race very well that I had enough left in my legs to push in the last few miles and I was really happy and buzzing with my new PB 1:26 it was tough going but the buzz at the end with medal around the neck is such a great feeling and makes it all worth it. I finished strong like karen said I would and it’s great to come back stronger after my injury earlier this year ‘

All I had to say to Joe was what time did you do your first half marathon in less than 2 years ago ? 1 hour 50 was his answer …

1 hour 50 to 1 hour 26 in less than 2 years.

Now that’s ‘achieving the unthinkable’

Well done Joe, a year of learning and you’ve come back stronger.

What’s next for Joe?

We’ve got a new plan to break his 10 km PB before he heads into some well deserved active recovery over December and then it’s back to Marathon training where he returns to the same venue of Manchester to set his sights on that sub 3.30 marathon in early 2020.

#achievetheunthinkable