On Sunday 14th May, two weeks after the birth of my beautiful son Oliver, I ran the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, the first official Leeds Marathon for 20 years since 2003, such a historic event that I just wanted to be apart of when it was announced. It was also great way to get involved to help fundraising for the planned build of the Rob Burrow MND Research Centre in a bid to eventually find a cure for this horrible disease.
I was actually retired from the full marathon distance and have been for the last 5 years after my last London Marathon in 2018. After 5 years of 'Good For Age' marathon qualifications and being in the top 3% fastest marathon runners in the UK and after a year off the marathon in 2017, I ran one last marathon in 2018 which in my mind was to be my last full marathon as I had really pushed myself for 6 or 7 years and just didn't have the desire to put my body through it anymore at that time. One thing with running a marathon, it is such a physical and mental challenge, you have to want to or have the desire to put your body through the pain barriers that you will inevitably experience in the later stages of a marathon.
However, I just really really really wanted to be apart of this historic event and have been inspired by my Leeds Rhinos rugby league and sporting heroes Rob Burrow, who is sadly suffering from MND and Kevin Sinfield who has been challenging himself over the last three years for Rob with raising millions of pounds for Rob and to find a vital cure for this awful MND disease. Sinfield has been running marathon challenges and ultra marathons and endurance challenges and this time has invited the whole community to be involved in challenging themselves.
The marathon has turned into a huge mega event with a lot of local and even national media attention and is already the 3rd largest marathon event in the UK with 12,000 participants and was organised and run alongside the long standing Leeds Half Marathon, which I have run 15 times myself. There's also other former Leeds Rhinos legends such as Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Keith Senior running it. So, in a nutshell, I just wanted to be inspired and apart of this huge event and to help raise money towards finding a cure for MND and I entered it on impulse on the day it was announced.
Me and Jonny (who was running his first ever marathon) and my sister Melanie (who was running the half marathon) all ran for Leeds Hospitals Charity to help raise money towards the build of the Rob Burrow MND Research Centre and below is the total that we managed to raise.
Thank you from all three of us to every single person who has donated and sponsored us, it is greatly appreciated.
As it was a year ago when I entered the marathon, which was literally announced a few weeks after I had just ran the Leeds Half Marathon in 2022, I had already in training as had been training for a month leading up to the Leeds Half Marathon, so I decided to continue my running and fitness momentum and train for the marathon for a whole year.
Initially my cousin Matty also entered the marathon but decided to pull out further down the line and my mate Jonny entered and my sister Melanie also decided to start her own running journey.
With this in mind, I decided to put a plan of several half marathon races for us all to enter and I organised some virtual runs and virtual half marathon's in association with my RJ Sports banner, taking place up and down the Leeds Liverpool Canal.
Some of the races that took place during 2022 and early 2023 we ran included the Ilkley Half Marathon, Run Yorkshire Leeds Running Festival Roundhay Half Marathon, Run Nation Roundhay Half Marathon and Sheffield Half Marathon.
Personally, although I was not able to run anywhere near the times I could a few years back when I was in my prime years, I was improving and I got myself quickly back into the early 1:40 range for the half marathon distance from the early 1:50's and every race right up until the Sheffield Half Marathon in March this year, I improved my times.
I was probably ahead of schedule going into early 2023 and ran a 20 mile virtual run down the canal in January, however, the canal is flat and is not necessarily the best training for such a hilly marathon that the Leeds Marathon route was hyped as.
However, despite alot of my training incorporating hilly 10 mile courses around High Royds and Menston where I live, wearing 5KG weights on my back and 1.5KG weights on my hands, my preparation for the marathon particularly from end of March until the marathon in mid May was really held back due to the imminent birth of mine and Katie's son, Oliver and there were question marks of whether I will be able to run it in the end.
Fitness wise however, I was in a good place. I kept playing competitive 11 a aside football with my team Bramhope Vets right up until late April, although I did develop a niggle with my knee and both achilles were giving me pain, which is normal for me these last few years. I ensured that I strapped them up for the marathon. I was also giving myself weekly core strength and explosive leg workouts to keep myself ticking over conditioning wise.
In the circumstances there probably was not much more I could have done to prepare but I did my best. In hindsight it would have probably been better for me if the marathon took place several months earlier.
So, the race day and race itself, what an experience it was but I have to admit, I had to really dig deep at times during the marathon and go to some dark places. I got to mile 17 and I then remembered why I decided to retire from the marathon distance 5 years ago and I really had to answer some serious questions of myself. Although my legs may not have it in them like they once did, I certainly still have plenty of heart in me. It's easy for me to forget that I have been running half marathon's since I was 22 years old, so from very young and I ran my first marathon when I was 27 years old, so my legs really do have miles on the clock and playing over 1,000 games of competitive football since the age of 8 has also contributed to what I call 'my legs are shot to bits' now in my late 30's. I wrote a previous sports blog about this very subject a few months ago - you can check it out here if you wish: Sports Decline Blog.
My sister picked me up at 6:45am to take me to her house for some breakfast - toast with peanut butter, a banana and a vitamin water drink, this is what I usually always eat on the morning of a long distance race as it's light but full of energy and I try to limit the amount of water I have in the morning as I have an active bladder so I usually do most of my hydrating the day and night before.
I had eaten well all week with plenty of super foods and some clean eating meals from Gusto that me and Katie make during the week, however, the couple of weeks prior, my balanced diet had gone out of the window due to the baby arriving and being in hospital for several days so I was not eating or drinking well during the week or so prior but I tried to get back on track and did the best that I could. I drank plenty of water and green tea and fruit the evening and night before.
Sleep wise I didn't have the best and have been averaging 3 or so hours for the week or two leading up to the marathon due to baby Oliver and I watched the Eurovision Song Contest with Katie the night before as she loves it.
Once me and Mel had our breakfast we waited for Jonny to arrive at her house with his girlfriend Gemma and her parents so we could then head off into Headingly, meet Melanie's Hyde Park Harriers running friend Sammie (who was also running the Leeds Half Marathon with Mel) and we headed off to the start areas in the grounds of Headingley Cricket and Rugby stadium).
Near the starting pens I bumped into an old Kirkstall Harriers running club team mate Matt which was nice and my school mate Clarkie, who I started the marathon with.
Going into the marathon, I knew it would get very tough late on and I knew it was a very hilly course from my research and I knew that although I was very fit and had trained hard, I deep down knew that I was forced to taper down earlier than I should have due to my life circumstances and I was feeling run down but I was also confident I could maybe creep under 4 hours if I paced the marathon well and use my experience.
Most of my training was done in the cold of winter so the fact that it was 18 degrees and sunny from mile one until around mile 22 it definitely took it out of me.
The first 3 or 4 miles were super steady and relatively easy to be honest. At the 2 mile mark I had to have a quick wee at the port-aloo toilets which was annoying but as the marathon was delayed by 15 minutes, I developed the urge to wee and it's better to get it out of the way early so it does not effect your running rhythm or give you pain later in the run.
Without going into crazy detail, the first 3 or 4 miles are relatively flat really, but with some gradual inclines one in Woodhouse coming back into Hyde Park, then a long gradual incline miles 4 and 5 from Headingley into Bramhope and Adel from the famous Otley Road. I felt okay and was running in the late 8 minute miles pacing, which is where I wanted to be.
Although I did say that I wasn't overly bothered about my time, I did secretly want to run under 4 hours, mainly for a competitive pride thing since my previous marathon times were generally very good ranging from my PB time of 2:57 sub 3 hours in 2014 to my previous worst time of 3:45 in 2018 which was my last comeback for the marathon after 2 years off the distance.
In training I was running with 5KG weights in usually ;pace ranging from 7:35 to 8:00 minute miles so I felt a pace of around 8:50 to 8:55 I would be able to sustain as it's a very comfortable pace for me but for whatever reason and I cannot just blame the hills as I trained quote a lot on hills too, but for whatever reason my legs felt heavy and by mile 8. I was questioning to myself, why does this feel much harder than it should? Why does this not feel comfortable as I expect?
I have provided all my Fit Bit pacing splits below and you can see that until Mile 16 I was managing to keep up a sub 4 hour pace but then I started to feel drained and in mile 17 which went through the heart of Otley, I had to really dig deep and go to some dark places mentally. I salute the crowd and supporters who helped me through mile 17 and 18 as my legs (which lets be honest were held together by Sellotape) just fell apart. The support and encouragement really inspired me to dig deep. I was reaching deep into my soul for the courage to push through this pain barrier and the scariest thing is there were still 9 miles left and a huge mega hill out of Otley. I also kept looking up into the sky to God for the strength to keep running. I refused to walk as many were and I took inspiration from Leeds Rhinos' legend Jamie Jones-Buchanan (JJB) who said when it gets tough, just put one foot infront of the other and that is the mantra I used to get myself up those hills from mile 17 to 19. The reward was a beautiful view of Otley and the countryside below and the fact there were only 6 or 7 miles left and the thought that the last 3 would be pretty much downhill back into Headingley.
I also kept telling myself to keep going and get back home to Katie and Oliver and show them my medal and this can be a story to inspire my son one day.
The crowds were unbelievable but I was a bit disappointed with the lack of water stations I have to say but the Hi5 carb gels that were being handed out where good and gave that extra boost when needed.
As I ran through Bramhope and Lawnswood area I knew the tough miles were done and it would be a tough but also supportive victory parade to the finish in Headingley and the support was immense. Thank you to my old Kirkstall Harriers running team-mate Adam Moger who handed me a banana near Golden Acre Park, a much needed energy boost - what a legend - thanks Adam!
The Crowds and Support:
The crowds from start to finish were immense and apparently over 15,000 spectators lined the streets of Leeds and Otley. I saw so many people I knew as well and there are far too many to mention but I thank every one of you for the shout outs and encouragement if support. A couple to pin-point was Jonny's girlfriend Gemma and her parents who cheered me at mile 3 and mile 25 in Headingley, you can also see a video of me running past from Gemma on my highlights video at the bottom of the blog.
Another was a shout out on the mic by rapper, singer and entertainer Raj Silverfinger who was entertaining crowds along the route at mile 11, I used to work with him at Vodafone, great guy and is also a local popular singer / artist who I follow.
I had so many shout outs of support from people I know and although there are too many to mention I just want to take every one who gave me encouragement along the route - you're all legends!
The Finish:
Coming into the last mile, I did manage to up the pace a bit but in the last mile I also had severe cramp in both legs and my left knee that was strapped up had been hurting for most of the second half of the race, although the pain was being blocked out by other pain barriers I was going through.
I was glad to see St Michael's Lane and managed to power through and once I got into the Headingley Stadium South Stand ground area at the back of the stadium I found my sprint finish energy, I mentally prepped myself and as soon as I got into the stadium from the corner and saw the thousands in the stands I just went for it and focused my energy on a strong sprint finish which you can see on the photo above.
After crossing the line, I was absolutely knackered and took a few moments to gather myself again. I received my medal from my favourite current Leeds Rhinos player Rhyse Martin who also plays for my favourite national team - Papua New Guinea Kumuls' - how fitting?
I called him a legend but I was a bit starstruck and I also had runners mush brain, but I really wish I had told him he's my favourite Rhinos player and that I love Papua New Guinea rugby league and that I was the first person in the world to create a website dedicated to Papua New Guinea rugby via RJ Sports way back in 2001.
I had a lap of honour walk around the stadium with the rest of the finishers, had a water and managed to sit down on the side of the pitch for 5 minutes and had a good chat with another finisher.
My race time for the marathon was officially 4:30 which although is my worst ever time for a marathon and I was disappointed to not get under 4 hours initially, I am proud that I ran this and was apart of such an amazing event and helped raise so much money for MND and Rob Burrow, along with my mate Jonny and my sister which will make a difference to so many people suffering from this disease now or in the future.
From a personal perspective I love a challenge and I am a very competitive person in sport, fitness and running and especially with my times after the level I did once run at but I guess father time and miles on the clock catches up with us all eventually and I have kind of accepted that and my running now is more about achieving milestones rather than times.
My next ambition is to reach 20 Leeds Half Marathon's, I am currently on 15 and only during the Covid year when the half marathon was postponed and this year due to the marathon have I missed a year since I started running the Leeds Half Marathon way back in 2007 and it has been my long term ambition to hit 20.
I also want to reach 50 official half marathon's and I am currently on 36. Next up is the Ilkley Half Marathon in July.
In terms of the full marathon, I am now on 9 and I do now remember why I stopped running them, however, I am now going to have that ich to hit double figures and hit the 10 mark. I am also not happy with how it went and I'd like to rid that ghost. That could ne the Leeds Marathon again, it could be another major race I have not yet run like the Manchester Marathon (maybe my mate Luke Redfearn - also a newly keen runner will think about that one in the future, since he lives near Manchester way?) or the Yorkshire Marathon (a recommended race from my mate James Hunt - who is on top form with his running right now)?
Anyway, in hindsight, despite training really hard, I guess I did not have the best preparation the few weeks leading into the Leeds Marathon that may have factored into me not preforming on the day and I was feeling run down after a lack of sleep and had bad mouth ulcers as well but it is what it is - I'll be back for one more go - maybe not in the next couple of years as I won't have the time to train properly but certainly I can see myself doing one more in the future - get rid of the ghost of the Leeds Marathon performance.
My Marathon Comeback Journey Highlights 2022-2023 aged 37-38
released on my You Tube Channel
This was my 9th official full marathon and here are some of my historical facts:
-My fastest marathon time: 2:57:29 aged 29 at London Marathon
-My first marathon: London Marathon 2012 aged 27
-My first ‘Good For Age’ qualification time: Achieved at Edinburgh Marathon in 2012, aged 27
-How many Sub 3 Hour times? 2
-How many ‘Good For Age’ qualifications? 5 qualification times, 6 GFA entries
-My previous marathon before 2023 comeback? 2018 after a 2 year comeback with a time of 3:45
-I have ran 9 marathon’s now: London Marathon 6 times, Edinburgh Marathon 2 times and now Leeds Marathon.
-This was the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon but the first official Leeds Marathon since 2003, so 20 years dormant.
-This was my first marathon after 5 years after I officially retired from the distance in 2018, so this is an official one off comeback.
-I may have a final itch to hit double figures and run a 10th marathon in the future. If I do - maybe the Yorkshire Marathon? The Manchester Marathon or the Leeds Marathon again?
Full Marathon Count: 9 (PB - 2:57)
Half Marathon Count: 36 (PB - 1:22)
20 Mile Race Count: 6 (PB - 2:14)