My 2016 Marathon: Manchester

I knew after crossing the finish line at the London Marathon this year that I wanted to run another marathon. Yes the pain in my legs was horrendous and the thought of just having to walk to find my friends and family felt like another whole marathon in itself, but I knew I wanted to do it all again. 

Not getting into the London Marathon this year via the ballot was a disappointment, and the prospect of securing another charity place although appealing, felt a little too daunting to try and raise that level of funds again. So the hunt was on for my 2016 marathon. 

I wanted a Spring marathon - I like the idea of starting the year with a clear focus, and also not having the knowledge of a forthcoming marathon training programme hanging over me. The obvious choices were Manchester, Brighton or Edinburgh. Brighton clashed with the Lincoln 10k - my local race. I know I could miss this, but I have ran it for three years consecutively now, it was my first ever race, and it is event I therefore like to support and be a part of. Plus I have also ran in Brighton twice already. Edinburgh clashed with the Liverpool Rock n Roll Half Marathon that I have already booked to run with my sister, and which was also an event I enjoyed so much this year, so that was not really an option. That left Manchester...

I have read only good things about Manchester, the flat course, good organisation, great support etc. The only thing that put me off slightly was the early April date - Sunday 10th April - meaning a sixteen week training plan would translate as starting full training the week of Christmas! But after some thought I decided that this probably would not be too much of an issue, and essentially is only two weeks earlier than if I was starting a training programme for the 2016 London Marathon. So Manchester has been booked!

April 2016 will now be quite a month for me. My Manchester Marathon will be Sunday 10th April, followed the week after by the Lincoln 10k, which I will somehow get round although god knows what my legs will be like! Then it is the London Marathon, which although I will personally not be running, I get to reverse roles and support my friend who has secured a place. I am actually very excited about being a spectator on the day - surely the next best thing to running! Having watched the race on TV for many, many years, I have never actually watched it in person. I know it will be just as special an experience watching the marathon as being one of the thousands of runners, especially that moment when I get to see my friend as I know exactly how that feels!
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So Manchester Marathon 2016 is the next goal - I am aiming for sub 4 hours, after recording 4:09 at London this year. I would absolutely love to be able to run sub 3:45 and get 'Good For Age' entry into London Marathon in 2017 - but that may be asking a little to much of myself, we shall see! ​