So it’s another Manchester marathon post! Having really struggled in 2019 to complete the Yorkshire marathon in 5hrs 25, I have been determined ever since to having a more comfortable attempt at 26.2.
I was initially supposed to be doing Yorkshire in 2021 but I struggled with mental health issues and dropped out a few weeks before. As you know, I decided to do Manchester. I didn’t tell many people about it as I had wanted to keep the pressure off, although I did tell you lot😍
Training went very much to plan and I knew I was capable of a sub 5 hour time, possibly 4:50 at a push. So that’s what I aimed for.
The whole event was absolutely brilliant: it was so well organised and the crowds were amazing! The signs were so motivating and people shouted runners’ names, not realising how much that meant, especially in those tough miles near the end.
It wasn’t an easy run. I could tell within the first mile that it was going to be ‘one of those runs’ but I fell into a pace and stuck with it, knowing it could be too fast. I decided I’d risk it and could slow down later if I needed to. I went through HM in 2:19 and knew I I was on for smashing my target of both 5 hours and 4:50 if could keep it up.
I willed that 30km timing mat to appear, thinking that once I’d gone over it, I’d have it done. But that was not what happened. From then on it was a real struggle. I just aimed to keep running and not stop as I thought that if I stopped once, I’d struggle to get going again. Those last 6 miles were tough! But I got to 25 miles and I knew that I’d soon see GTFC , my sister and my niece to cheer me on. On the final strait I picked up the pace and saw them all willing me on!
I crossed the finish line with a race time of 4:40 and a Strava time off 4:38 - 10 (or 12) minutes better than I could ever have imagined I could have done!
After that, GTFC and I headed to meet SkiMonday and Katnap in a nearby pub. It was really great to meet some more VRBs.
GTFC has thoroughly looked after me too!
Would I do it again? Last night I would’ve said no. Today? Ah, go on then 😍
Photo: GTFC, me, my sister and niece 😍
Written by
Tasha99
Marathon
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Also, really well done on fighting through those last 6 miles. Seems that wasn’t the only battle you had to win to reach the finish so huge kudos to you for an excellent result!
A huge congratulations to you Tasha99 on completing the Manchester Marathon, well done, glad you enjoyed the run and GTFC was there to cheer you on, I posted on another post that he ran, sorry about that, he cheered you on, that is a lovely photo of you, GTFC, your sister and niece.
You know exactly how I feel Tasha99 ❤ To watch you do so well made me feel in complete awe of you. Tracking your run and watching you head to the finish line will live with me forever. You deserved your success yesterday and 4 hours 38 minutes is just a brilliant time. To be with your sister at the end was so special. You did it angel and there's nobody prouder of you than me. To overcome what you have and fight those demons all the way up to the start line shows the courage you hold deep inside. Always remember you're so much stronger than you realise. You are amazing 💞
An immense achievement Tasha. Smoggies Rule ! All that work on low heart rate running and facing your demons too. Nobody deserved this result more. 👏👏👏👏👏👍🥇🏆🥂
Many congratulations i am so pleased that it went really well. You super star! 🌟🏃🏻♀️👏🎉🎈I simply can not imagine over fours of running! I was wondering how you managed school the day after the race. Just a possibility that your Easter Holiday has already begun.I am beaming for you!
Absolutely, 100%, totally epic Tasha!! I’m in awe, and you deserved that incredible result. What a wonderful cheerleading team, and how lovely to have that pub meetup too! 🏃♀️🏅👊👏❤️
I knew it was your sister before I read your post as you look so alike!
What a lovely photo 😍 definitely one for the “Life’s Special Memory” book. And when your niece grows up she’ll be so proud to look at this photo and say how proud she is that her aunt did such an amazing thing and she was there!
Many congratulations Tasha, that’s a fabulous run and an amazing time. You should be very proud of that x
Congratulations 🥳🍰🏅🎉. I bet you’re so relieved it’s done. When it gets tough going you’re willing that finish flag to appear. When it doesn’t it can do your head in 😫
It’s good that there is lots of support, not just from spectators but from other runners. They are so helpful when we hit a rough patch 🙂
I agree with you misswobble regarding the support for ALL marathon runners, it's just a pity that bands and a lot of spectators tend to disperse after or even before the 5-hour pacer comes, I read a post from someone earlier today that ran just under 5 hours and she said she could see the bands packing up their equipment to go home although the crowds who had not gone were quite rightly cheering her on.
Aah found this!Huge Congratulations to you Tasha on an awesome run. I can't imagine being able to do anything like this, but I can imagine how wonderful it was to see your support team cheering you on for the home straight.
I hope you don't have too many aches and niggles, enjoy that hard earned medal.
Now you have done this, you and GTFC can enjoy some gentle run outs together.❤❤
Fantastic race Tasha, well done! It's such a great achievement, but I'm honestly very impressed at how your second half was so close in pace to your first half!
What a fantastic run Tasha and a great time! I'm in awe of anyone who commits to such a distance. It must have been pretty special to have GTFC , your sister and niece there to cheer you on over that finish line. And that's a lovely photo of you all!Very well done!
First I looked at the smiles, then the medal, then the shoes, then the baby… analyse that!
So pleased to read your report. I’m really proud of your fantastic achievement and hope I’ll be able to progress in the same way too. My first marathon last year I did in 5:30 and am hoping to over the year(s) build a base that will get me to 5 or just under. For now, it’s c19 recovery time…
Great run report Tasha - huge congratulations to you! What a fab time you ran it in too - total star!⭐️Lovely photo - you and your sister look so alike!🙂
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