Race report by Emma:
Yesterday’s Manchester Marathon was tough. The weather started off ideal—cool, sunny, and comfortable—but it didn’t stay that way for long, and I ended up feeling far too hot.
Around mile 9 or 10, I developed a really painful stitch that forced me to stop for while. Luckily, I had some Gaviscon tablets with me, which helped. Not long after, I spotted Phil, who looked completely at ease as he powered past—he even slowed briefly for a quick chat!
The second half of the race was the hardest, both physically and mentally. That’s when you really start questioning your life choices. But despite the heat, the stitch, and the disrupted training after my fall five weeks ago, I still managed to achieve a personal best.
I finished in 4:53:58—a 30-minute PB.
