Manchester marathon ✅

[Tasha99]

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 😍

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

Great result there Tasha!

Great to meet you and GTFC too.

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon in reply to SkiMonday]

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!

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to SkiMonday]

Cheers! Mega well done to you too 😍

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

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.

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Al! It was a brilliant day!

[GTFC Marathon]

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 💞

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Thank you for everything! 😍

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

An immense achievement Tasha. Smoggies Rule ! All that work on low heart rate running and facing your demons too. Nobody deserved this result more. 👏👏👏👏👏👍🥇🏆🥂

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thank you BC! Smog monsters all the way! Hope you’re ok too 😍

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

Going in the right direction; back to see Keith on Thursday……a good recommendation, thanks 👍

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

🤞🏽

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Huge congratulations Tasha 🥳💥🙌👏🥳👏 You absolutely smashed it and I don’t know how you look so fresh 😳 Brilliant!

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

I certainly was NOT fresh and I still can’t walk normally 🤣 Thank you so much Sandie 👌🏽

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

Lol! I remember that so well from my half. It was about 3 days before I lost the John Wayne look 😂

[Instructor57]

Congratulations Tasha99 🎉🎉🎉Great race and time ,

And great to have had the support from your sister and GTFC .

Awesome !

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks so much I57 😍

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

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!

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

I’m at school. It’s been a struggle 🤣Thank you 😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

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! 🏃‍♀️🏅👊👏❤️

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It was great to meet more VRBs! Thank you so much 😃

[Lookslikejames Marathon]

Knew you’d smash it, well done!

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Lookslikejames]

Cheers LLJ!

[00marks Marathon]

Well done Tasha. That was a great achievement! Something to remember for ever. The crowds on Sunday were really supportive, willing everyone on.

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to 00marks]

The crowds were amazing! Are you in for next year then?

[00marks Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

👍

[Katnap Marathon]

Great result in fantastic weather conditions and amazing support from the Manchester crowds.

Happy day with happy memories! I've done some walking recovery but still really stiff limbed.

How are you feeling now?

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Exhausted and still walking like the tin man, but probably likely to sign up for next year imminently 🤣 You?

[Katnap Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

🤣 started to get a bit more flexibility and strength but still no running! I'm not overly excited at going at it again!

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

How fabulous - well done!!!!!!! xxx

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks so much 😊

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

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

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Oh that’s so lovely! Thank you IP! 😍

[RunWillie Marathon]

I knew you would do it! You’re amazing Tasha99 😍

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Oh thank you RW! 👌🏽

[Bladerunner2049 Marathon]

Fantastic result. I’m doing my first on Sunday 😬

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Bladerunner2049]

Oh good luck! You will love it!

[misswobble Marathon]

😀Ah go on then, why not? That’s the spirit 👏😀👍

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 🙂

Rest up, go again 💪👍😀🏃‍♀️

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

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.

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thank you so much! I am relieved I’m free of a training plan but still thinking about doing it next year again 😍

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

Or find another one. There’s loads 😁. Leeds is flat! Good PB potential 🏃‍♀️

I’m doing Cleethorpes half. Finish on the prom. Don’t mind if I do 🙂

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Too late 🤣

[Elfe5]

Oh fantastic Tasha - what a star! Great photo too! 😄👍🏻👏👏👏👏🤸‍♂️🤸‍♂️🤸‍♂️

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Elfe5]

Cheers Elfe5 ! It was a great day!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Fabulous! All the determination paid off. You beat all the gremlins! Congratulations 👏

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you Linda 😍

[Bluebirdrunner]

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.❤❤

You are a really great role model!🏃‍♀️💪👌🏅xxx

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

I definitely have aches! Thank you for your support 😍

[buzzards]

Amazing time. 🎉🎊🎉🎊Congratulations!👏👏👏All your training really paid off. ☺️👌👌

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to buzzards]

Thank you Buzzards!

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Amazing-love the photo with your fan club!Congratulations.

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Week7]

Thank you!

[nowster Metric Marathon]

Very well done! I really wouldn't have noticed from your splits that you'd had troubles after 30km.

There seems to be something special about that distance. Others have said it's all sunshine and rainbows until they get past 30km or 18/19miles.

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to nowster]

Stubborn won 💪🏽🤣

[Jericho2332 Half Marathon]

Brilliant Tasha! Well done 💪🏻💪🏻😁

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Jericho2332]

Thank you! Hope you’re ok 😊

[Jericho2332 Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

I am thank you! 😁. Just heading to London for 4 days after 2 in Hull. Next run looks like Monday for me 👀🤞🏻

[R4inbow Ultramarathon]

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!

Hope you're looking forward to next year

😀

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to R4inbow]

Thank you! I hope you’re well 😍

[R4inbow Ultramarathon in reply to Tasha99]

I'm feeling great this week, I clearly didn't push hard enough 🤣🤣

[Birdlady64]

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!

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Birdlady64]

It was so special, thank you 😊

[Couchpotato2 Marathon]

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…

Again massive congratulations 🎉

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Couchpotato2]

You will do it! 💪🏽

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

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!🙂

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you Sandraj 😍

[Cmoi Marathon]

Belated congratulations, and so delighted for you that you beat your target time Tasha99 !

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Then you so much Cmoi! Still pleased now!

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Congratulations Tasha! I've come on here today for some good old HU motivation and your post has definitely helped!

[Tasha99 Marathon]

You’ve got this! 💪🏽

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Wonderful Tasha! I am so happy for you! Well done!

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thank you Decker!