Running the Manchester Marathon for Parkinson’s UK
On April 19th, I’ll be running the Manchester Marathon for Parkinson’s UK, a cause that’s incredibly close to my heart.
My grandma, Sybil, lived with the disease for many years. As a child, I didn’t fully understand what was happening; I just knew how much it took from her. I don’t actually have a single memory of her not being ill. Every memory I have is of her being housebound, sitting in her chair, limited by such a cruel condition.
It robbed us of so many simple childhood moments things like her coming to my birthday parties, school plays, or sports days (not that I was ever much of an athlete back then!).
These are the kinds of days most people take for granted, but they would have meant everything to us.
Having seen the impact this has not just on the person diagnosed, but on everyone who loves them I wanted to do something to help.
I’m running this for my Grandma Sybil, and for everyone else out there whose lives have been changed by Parkinson’s.
Every donation, no matter the size, goes toward the research and support that the Parkinson’s community so desperately needs.
Thank you so much for your support. 💙
My updates
MCR Marathon Update: Week 15 of 16
Sunday 12th Apr
So now we are in taper week 2. The mileage has dropped right back and the body (I hope) is doing something quite remarkable right now, even if the mind is doing its best to sabotage it. During taper your muscles are repairing, your glycogen stores are topping back up, and your body is quietly consolidating 15 weeks of hard work. The legs are hopefully going to start to feel fresher, the energy is meant to return (or so the theory goes). The goal is to arrive at the start line feeling sharp, not exhausted. All the hard work is supposed to already be banked. Taper is just the final piece of the puzzle.
The brain however doesn't get the memo. With less running to focus on, there's nothing left to do but overthink everything. Which I am doing. Extensively.
Earlier this week I got an email from an old school friend who said he admires my strength and positive attitude. I laughed. I'm not sure I have a positive attitude. Confidence is something I genuinely struggle with and running confident is such a big part of being successful. When you run confident your brain is with you. When you run without confidence, your body starts telling you to slow down and walk. I know I'll have that battle with myself on race day. I just have to keep reminding myself, I can't quit now. I've come too far. No matter how hard it gets.
Sunday's run was what I have affectionately named the Eminem Run. Film fans might get the reference. I ran 8 miles of the actual course through Altrincham and Timperley. Manchester is relatively flat but this stretch has a little incline and I wanted to familiarise myself with it again.
Timperley at mile 16 was where it all fell apart for me last year. Running through it on Sunday I tried to envisage what I'll be thinking and saying to myself as I push through those later miles on race day. I really do need to start believing in myself.
Hydration is a priority this week. At least 2 litres every day and making sure I'm getting all my electrolytes in. It's not complicated, it just requires discipline.
And then there's sleep. The thing I am worst at. I struggle to switch off completely. Some nights I don't sleep at all, others 4 hours counts as a good night. But sleep is where the real recovery happens. It's when the body repairs itself, consolidates energy and prepares for what's coming. So from Monday, strict rules are in place. Bed at 11pm. No TV, no phone, no Nintendo. I shall read a book. An actual book, made from paper.
1 week to go.
I'm running the Manchester Marathon on April 19th for Parkinson's UK. My grandmother lived the last 10 years of her life unable to leave her home because of Parkinson's. Parkinson's slowly takes away movement, independence and freedom. Running a marathon is a privilege. Share
MCR Marathon Update: Week 14 of 16
Monday 6th Apr
MCR Marathon Update: Week 14 of 16
Week one of taper and the mileage has been cut back.
Monday: Easy 7 miles
Wednesday: Intervals 5.5 miles
Friday: Easy 7 miles
Sunday: Postponed
Monday: Long Run 14 miles
Total: 33.5 miles
Sunday I spent the day looking for a decent weather window but it was so windy I wasn't exactly thrilled at the idea of 14 miles into a headwind. After numerous false starts I called it quits and postponed until Monday.
And i'm so glad I did. Monday arrived with a much better forecast, even a bit of sun. My plan broke the 14 miles down into 4 sections. 4 miles warm up at conversation pace, 4.5 miles at slightly less than marathon pace, 4.5 miles at marathon pace, then 1 mile cool down back to conversation pace. Really just a test of myself and my confidence. Over the last 4months I've genuinely tried to learn how to pace myself properly. I've always struggled with it. My old methodology was to go as fast as I could for as long as I could until the wheels came off. Now I'm training my body to understand what a sustainable race pace actually feels like.
Coach Steven is always telling me to chill. His mantra is that the body runs fastest when it's relaxed. I always fire back, how do you expect me to be chill when I'm running faster than I ever have in my life? Feels like an oxymoron to me. I know when I'm pushing too hard because my posture gets all scrunched up. So I need to relax into my pace, even when every instinct is telling me to push harder.
I did watch an Instagram Reel recently where someone made the point that you shouldn't be able to hit race pace every week in training. Race pace is the combination of months of hard work all coming together on one single day.
So now I need to get into a positive headspace. Over this training block I've run 400 miles. I have those miles and that experience in my legs. I can't let negativity creep in. I can only focus on the good. My coach is constantly telling me to believe in my own abilities and that's something I genuinely struggle with. I'm not sure I have the self belief he thinks I should have. But what I do believe is that he knows what he's talking about.
Pace wise it was a success. My new race day shoes however were a different story. Pins and needles from mile 2 all the way to mile 9, and when I got home it was clear I'd bruised two toenails pretty badly. So now I have a decision to make. Same shoe in a bigger size, or stick with my other pair that are comfortable but aren't my race day shoes. Something I'm going to have to mull over, and I haven't got much mulling time. Anything new will need breaking in before April 19th.
Manchester Marathon Update: Week 13 of 16
Monday 30th Mar
Another week done, and this one was my highest mileage week of the entire block.
Monday: Easy 7 miles
Wednesday: Intervals 6.5 miles
Friday: Tempo 6.5 miles
Sunday: Long Run 20 miles
Total: 40 miles
Today's run was always meant to be a bit of a dress rehearsal. The golden rule of marathon running is nothing new on race day, so today was all about testing. New performance shorts, fueling strategy, the last 10 miles of the actual course.
First the shorts, they are indecently short. Today was probably not the ideal day to be debuting racing shorts given it was absolutely freezing and raining, but they needed a long run test. I was impressed. The inbuilt belt made carrying and accessing my gels straightforward, no bouncing, no restriction, nothing like the chaos of the hydration vest. The shorts are now on the race day kit list.
Fueling also got the green light. Maurten gels and a packet of Jelly Belly Chewy Candy Sours, vegan obviously, no stomach issues, no cramping. The Jelly Bellys were a nice addition actually, something different to space out between gels and genuinely something to look forward to mid run. Maurten work for me, they're easy to digest and easy to open on the move. On race day I'm planning to take 6, with some handed to trusted friends placed along the course to pass to me at key points. It needs to be planned like a military operation, but if it means not carrying everything from the start then it's worth it.
The run itself incorporated the last 10 miles of the actual Manchester Marathon course. Last year I really struggled over those final miles. The route from mile 16 onwards is crap and not inspiring. So I've been deliberately training on that section. Before I set off I tried to mentally prepare myself for the hard slog home, to think about how I'll feel on race day and how I'll talk myself through it.
Then it started raining. Not a gentle drizzle. Proper freezing, soaking, relentless rain. Any mental preparation went straight out the window. My only thought for the last stretch was getting home and dry. Honestly, that became my motivation to keep the pace up.
When I finally got back I stripped off the wet kit, got my dressing gown on and went straight to bed. Under three duvets. It took the best part of an hour to warm up. The stretching and shower did eventually happen, but they had to wait.
So that's the last of the really long runs done. I made it to taper. Finally. The mileage reduces from here to let the body recover from what has been a pretty brutal 13 weeks.
Next week's long run is 14 miles. Please can we have some decent weather though. Nothing too hot, but a bit of sunshine and blue sky would be nice. After today's monsoon, it's not too much to ask.
3 weeks to go.
Before I go, a quick reminder of why I'm doing all of this. I'm running the Manchester Marathon on April 19th for Parkinson's UK, supporting people living with Parkinson's and funding research into the condition.
As someone who has watched people I love struggle as they fight Parkinson's, I know that every donation genuinely makes a difference. Thanks
Manchester Marathon Training: Week 12 of 16
Monday 30th Mar
After last week's absolute disaster of a 22-miler, Pleased to say this week was a seriously needed confidence boost.
Monday the training plan said 6.5 miles. The day after last Sunday's 22 miles of misery, I was back out in the rain. I was expecting to feel like a rusty tin can. I surprised myself. It was an actual easy pace for once, and I even managed to pick it up at the halfway mark to stretch the legs out. The physio who told me I needed to stretch because I'm old keeps being proven right. Still annoying though.
Wednesday was track night with Didsbury Runners. The session was 6 x 800m reps with 90 seconds recovery in between, all at 10km pace. I was restrained on the first set, found my flow from sets 2 to 5, hitting my splits consistently lap after lap. Then on the last set I let my legs fly. I only wish I was this controlled off track.
Did I ever explain how I ended up a Didsbury Runners member when I don't actually live too near Didsbury?
I was originally a member of Man Tri, who did their track sessions on the same night. I kept showing up week after week but never really clicked with the coach or the group. One frosty evening they cancelled without telling me and I was the only one from my club who turned up. I asked Coach Steven from Didsbury if I could join his group for the night. They were undeterred by the weather. No problem. It was a great session, really friendly bunch, and honestly I never looked back. When I realised Man Tri just wasn't the right fit for me, the decision made itself. Now I have Coach Steven, genuinely the most supportive coach who inspires me to be the best I can be. Switching was the best decision I ever made.
Tuesday and Thursday were cross training on the Peloton, power zone classes both days. I'd love to squeeze more in but I keep reminding myself that recovery is just as important as the sessions themselves. Rest is training too, even if it doesn't feel like it. My schedule is already 6 days a week as it is.
This week was a dip week, a reduced mileage week, so the long run was a more manageable 10 miles. I decided to do it on Saturday and build it around parkrun. Stretford this week, which is 3.5 miles from me, so there and back plus the parkrun made the perfect 10 mile sandwich. The goal was to run slightly faster than marathon pace, so I left at precisely 8:28, timed to roll in just as it was starting. I ran the 5k, only stopping briefly to get my barcode scanned, then headed back. Held the pace the whole way round in the sunshine, it felt like I was back in business. Coffee and cake at the end, obviously.
Sunday was a different kind of morning entirely. No alarm, no forcing down two bowls of porridge before a dreaded double digit run. The plan called for an easy 4.5 miles, though I do struggle with sticking to easy pace. I happily trotted round Heaton Park in the afternoon. Simple, short, and another week ticked off the plan. 4 weeks to go now.
I won't lie, and whilst this week has been a good one, the training for this marathon has been the most consistent and toughest I've ever done. Taper is on the horizon though. However there is still the small matter of a 20 mile run next Sunday to deal with first.
If you've got this far and haven't figured it out yet, I'm running the Manchester Marathon on April 19th for Parkinson's UK. As someone who has watched people I love struggle as they fight Parkinson's everyday, I want you to know how close to my heart this is. Every donation genuinely makes a difference. If you'd like to support, you've come to the right place.. Thank you.
MCR Marathon Update: Week 11 of 16
Monday 16th Mar
Before the really long runs I always make sure there's something good waiting for me when I get back. A proper treat to drag myself home for. My routine is pretty set by now. Stagger through the door, get out of the sweaty kit immediately, blood pressure check (I'm doing a monitoring experiment at the moment, I'll talk about that another time), 20 minutes of stretching, chocolate protein shake, shower, then the reward. Usually vegan pizza or donuts. Sometimes both.
This week's long run was the big one. 22 miles. The longest run of the entire training block. I still have a 20-miler in a couple of weeks but this was peak mileage. It doesn't get higher than this before race day.
The plan was porridge and coffee, then out the door as early as possible. I left at 7am, Four hours later I was back home. Completely done. Not even slightly happy about it.
I ran the full 22 miles, so there's that. But it was a grind from start to finish. The pace was supposed to feel easy and it absolutely did not. The route was dull and uninspiring, the weather was cold and grey, and even though I mostly dodged the rain I still got caught in a couple of showers.
I'd hoped this one would feel like a confidence boost heading into the final weeks. It didn't. It was one of those runs where I found myself wanting to stop and I had to keep talking myself out of it. I haven't felt like that in a while.
But every training block has a run like this. I know that. Marathon training isn't about one long run. It's about what you've built over weeks and months. I've had perfect training blocks that led to awful race days. One bad run doesn't mean anything. It still feels rubbish though.
Remember the post-run reward I mentioned? This week I had planned a trip to the cinema to see Project Hail Mary. I'm a sucker for an impending doom movie set in space. But after that run I had absolutely no motivation to leave the apartment, so instead I had my cinema snacks on the sofa and took a nap. I'm sure I'll get to the cinema later in the week.
All in all, not my favourite training day. But as a friend reminded me "You didn't have to like it. You just had to get it done." and that part at least, I managed.
Week 11 ticked off.
Next week should be a little kinder. The big run is "only" 10 miles at race pace. Share
Week 11 Marathon Training- Bonus Edition.
Saturday 14th Mar
So apparently I need to create more content. That's genuine feedback I got this week from my fundraiser coordinator at Parkinson's UK, so congratulations, you're getting a bonus blog.
The full week recap is probably coming Monday after the final long run of this training block. But today you're getting stories from Friday instead.
Friday's session was a speed run in Alexandra Park, right next to my old school where we used to do cross country, which I absolutely hated every single minute of. There's something a bit erm mad about voluntarily turning up to the same park at 5pm on a Friday to run laps. My teenage self would be completely shocked.
He'd also still think Blockbuster Video was the best possible way to spend a Friday night, so best not tell him what the future holds.
I got out of the car for a 5 mile tempo session and the sky absolutely opened up. Proper hailstones, the kind that sting your face and make you question what the (insert swearword of choice) you're doing. I ran it anyway, and if anything the weather probably pushed me faster just to get it done.
Slowing down for the cool down I fell into conversation with another runner who was out in exactly the same conditions, a guy called Jon, also training for Manchester, his first marathon, just become a new dad, and full of questions about it all.
My first reaction was to tell him he was probably asking the wrong person. But actually, 17 marathons in, I've made pretty much every mistake there is to make. I know what not to do in great detail, and after all I've failed more times than most. That turns out to be pretty useful.
We ended up running together for a couple of miles, just talking about training and racing and the slightly ridiculous things marathon running makes you do, and somewhere along the way I completely stopped caring about the rain.
Maybe we carry the 'don't talk to strangers' rule a bit too far into adulthood. You never know who you're going to meet out there.
Back on Monday with more ramblings and details of the long run. If you want to support the reason I'm doing all this, I'm running Manchester Marathon for Parkinson's UK, donation link is in my bio.
Thanks
MCR Marathon Update: Week 10 of 16
Sunday 8th Mar
As many of you know, I’m currently training for the Manchester Marathon in April and raising money for Parkinson's UK. The charity does incredible work supporting people living with Parkinson’s and funding research into the condition. If you’d like to support the cause, there’s a link in my profile. Every donation genuinely makes a difference.
Now, onto this week’s ramblings.
Welcome to the business end of the marathon plan. This is where things start to get serious. After last Sunday’s 19-mile run, the last thing I wanted to do was head out again on Monday for another 7 miles. Turns out it wasn’t nearly as bad as I anticipated. My pace just seems to be quicker in the evenings. I am clearly nocturnal. My circadian rhythm must be wired for night running. That said, the Manchester Marathon starts early in the morning, so I need to get my act together.
Wednesday was track night with Didsbury Runners. Another big session. 16 × 400m (one lap of the track) with 50 seconds recovery. I was definitely on it. Super consistent all the way through, which again makes me wonder if there really is something in my evening running theory. With the warm-up and cool-down the session ended up being just over 6 miles. Strange to think I ran the distance from Whitefield to Manchester without actually going anywhere other than in a circle.
Friday’s plan called for another 8 easy miles. I ran into Chorlton to refamiliarise myself with that section of the course. The Manchester Marathon is known for being one of the flattest around, but there are still some stretches that somehow feel like inclines. Best to be prepared for the long roads and false inclines.
Tuesday and Thursday were Peloton days. Tuesday was a 45-minute ride keeping the heart rate in Zone 2. Thursday was a one-hour endurance class. I really like what cross-training adds to the plan. I can keep my heart rate low and still feel like I’m building fitness. It’s also surprising how much sweat you can produce without going all out. Just more washing to add to the never-ending cycle.
Saturday was a rest day. I’ve mentioned before that in this training block my coach has asked me to space my runs out more, which means I’ve had to sacrifice my beloved parkrun. This was the final non-negotiable my coach has managed to claim from me. I keep telling myself it’s a worthwhile sacrifice and the marathon will be over soon. On the plus side it gave me the chance to volunteer and cheer on others.
Sunday is always long run day. I started with 4 miles at conversation pace, moved into 8 miles faster than race pace, then finished with 3 miles back at conversation pace, for a 15-mile total.
Somewhere during those faster miles a woman tried to hand me a flyer while I was in the middle of a speed effort. I’m not entirely sure what she expected me to do with it. Stop? Read it? And she wasn’t the only questionable encounter. A man with a ridiculously long dog lead was taking up the entire width of the canal path. If I hadn’t leapt over it at the last second, I’m pretty sure I would have ended up in the water.
When I got back home it was straight into 20 minutes of stretching. A physio once told me I’m too old not to stretch. I hate stretching and him for saying that.
Once all the exercise was ticked off I spent the rest of the day watching the Los Angeles Marathon on YouTube. For those who know me well, LA is my happy place and I’ve been lucky enough to run that marathon four times. It feels like home to me. I spent the afternoon reminiscing about the course and trying to spot friends running it this year.
I’m glad I wasn’t there though, the weather reached the brutal high 80s. They haven’t announced the dates for 2027 yet, but if it falls on the same weekend next year it will land on my birthday… and that would be very difficult to pass up.
So that's Week 10 done. Next up Week 11 which includes the longest run of the entire training block, 22 miles.
MCR Marathon Training Update: Week 9 of 16
Monday 2nd Mar
You’d think after a few marathons I’d have this all figured out by now. In the past, I’ve described marathon training as a bit like Stockholm Syndrome, you somehow fall in love with your captor. Usually and crazily once race day is over, I actually miss the routine and those endless long runs.
Right now? Nothing could be further from the truth. Honestly, a Sunday morning spent in bed sounds a lot more appealing than 19 miles in the rain.
This week’s 19-miler dragged. No runner’s high just head down and grinding it out. I intentionally chose a route that covered about 15 miles of the actual Manchester Marathon course. My logic is that when marathon brain kicks in on race day and a slight incline starts feeling like Everest, my muscle memory will take over and remind me it’s not actually that bad. That’s the theory, anyway. I managed all 19 miles without stopping once, not even for a red light this week.
Which brings me to Olympian Jeff Galloway. The man who inspired the run walk movement sadly passed away this week. I was lucky enough to meet Jeff a few times and he was always generous with his time. We spoke about the many benefits of run walking and for many years I was a dedicated "Jeffer". It is only recently, as I have got fitter and stronger, that I have been able to run consistently. But that was all thanks to Jeff. His method was the perfect platform to push beyond myself.
After 19 miles when I finally got home i essentially tried to eat my way through the kitchen. If anyone has ever earned a pizza at 11:00 AM, it was me.
For those who have missed my previous ramblings, I’m running the Manchester Marathon this April to raise money for Parkinson’s UK. Every donation goes directly toward research and supporting people living with the condition. There is a link in my profile if you’d like to support the cause every bit honestly makes a massive difference.
That’s Week 9 done and dusted. On to Week 10.
The weeks are absolutely flying by.
MCR Marathon Training Update: Week 8 of 16
Sunday 22nd Feb
This week was a dip week. Lower mileage, slightly calmer legs, and a chance to let the body recover from the last few big efforts. That said, I still ran 24 miles across 4 runs.
The highlight of the week was Wednesday night at Longford Park with Didsbury Runners. Eight 800m reps on the track. In absolutely freezing conditions. There were over 40 of us circling that track, I’ll let you decide whether that’s inspiring dedication or collective madness. Most of this marathon block has been fairly solo. Just me, my thoughts, and whatever podcast I convince myself will make the miles fly by. So track sessions are a real boost. There’s something about shared suffering, it’s a good reminder that I’m not actually doing this alone.
This week’s long run was “only” 10 miles (yes, I did just say only). I decided to roll it into parkrun, which meant an earlier alarm than I’d have liked on Saturday but it bought me a full Sunday off. A trade I was very happy to make. With the mileage about to ramp up and three-hour runs looming, 10 miles suddenly feels like a warm-up.
Somewhere during those miles I found myself overthinking how dirty the streets of Manchester actually are. I don’t know how people walk through all that and then keep their shoes on at home. Is that normal or is that just my slightly obsessive marathon brain at work?
With my Sunday “off,” I had visions of a slow morning and a lie-in. That lasted approximately 15 minutes. Instead, I clipped in for a two-hour Peloton session. Apparently I don’t really do rest days.
For anyone who’s missed my previous ramblings, I’m training for the Manchester Marathon in April and raising money for Parkinson's UK. Every donation goes towards research and supporting people living with Parkinson’s. There’s a link in my profile if you’d like to support, every contribution makes a difference.
That’s Week 8 boxed off.
We move into Week 9… which includes a casual 19-mile long run.
MCR Marathon Training Update: Week 7 of 16
Tuesday 17th Feb
I’ll be honest this Sunday's long run sucked. The weather was miserable, the route I chose was boring, and I pretty much hated every minute of it. No "runner’s high" today just a long, wet 17 mile slog. But it’s done, and that’s another week ticked off the plan. I’m officially halfway through now, heading into the "business end" where the runs just keep getting longer.
On the plus side, I tried and liked these Vimto Gels. I’m not 100% sure they actually tasted like Vimto, but they were a million times better than those SIS Lemon & Lime ones that taste like coriander, the herb of the devil.
I also loved my post-run Huel protein shake. I had it cold this week, which was a smart move. Last week I tried putting it through my coffee machine milk steamer and it caused me no end of issues. You live and learn! It tasted great, but it’s got me wondering: does anyone know if heating up a protein drink kills the nutritional benefits?
For those that don't know, the reason why I’m doing these training updates is because I’m running the Manchester Marathon in April for Parkinson’s UK. You can find a link on my profile to donate. Every donation, no matter the size, goes toward research and supporting the Parkinson’s community.
And for that kind contribution, I will continue to share with you the "post-run brain" ramblings of a mad person.
Onwards to Week 8!
Thank you to my sponsors
£20
Lee Gabbie
£20
Georgina
Good luck and have fun 🤩
£20
Joanna Parker
Well done Stu!!!!! You will smash it!! Good luck tomorrow love Jo and family xx
£32.23
Peter Brown
Great cause!!! Very admirative of all your running, especially when it supports others less fortunate. Well done mate!
£10
Ryan Burris
Good Luck Stewart. From your favourite MAGA guy in LA. Love you brother
£11.09
Shoab
Have a smashing run buddy!
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Jenn Barow
Go smash it Stewart you have this.
£103.60
Anonymous
Of course you will smash it Never in any doubt Heaton parkrun is super proud of you
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Coco Remy
Let’s do this!!!!!!!!!! Manchester 26.2 or bust
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Ashwin Khanna
Good luck!
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Maureen Kulikowska
Good luck Stewart x
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Gary Nesbit
Well done and good luck!
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Dr Stephen Shimberg
Have a great run for a very deserving charity Go for it 26.Stu!!!!! All our love Mum and Dad XXX
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Jason Greene
£32.23
Fay White
You've got this 💜
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Richard Berd
Good luck Stewart from Richard.
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Lisa B
Good luck Stewart, you have got this 💪 I hope you raise lots of money for this great cause
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Jan And Wayne
Well done on your training and a great cause to run for. You're going to smash both the event and your sponsorship total xx
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Margaret White
Great cause. Good luck.
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Graham Collie
All the best! Hope you enjoy it. Great cause.
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Charlotte Legge
Go Stew! You will totally smash it! Such an amazing charity to raise money for. Love Charlotte, Alan & Harley xx
Good luck, Stew! And for a great cause. You will do Grandma Sybil o la va shalom proud