Simon running two marathons, with two incredible performances and one very happy coach!
October was a very special month for Simon, who took on his first Abbott World Marathon Major at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, followed by the TCS Amsterdam Marathon just one week later.
And what a couple of weeks!
Simon's first World Marathon Major, and 12 minutes off his PB.
Chicago: a 12-minute PB
Chicago saw Simon knock an incredible 12 minutes off his previous marathon PB, crossing the finish line in 3:36:45.
Crossing the Finishing line in Amsterdam
Amsterdam, one week later
The original plan for Amsterdam was to take it easy, enjoy the experience and treat it as another marathon under his belt.
But Simon went into it feeling strong… so why not see what he could do?
And he certainly did! Just seven days after Chicago, he crossed the finish line in Amsterdam in 3:37:50, only 65 seconds outside his brand new PB.
Training for a marathon in a hot climate
What makes these performances even more impressive is the journey behind them.
Simon lives and works in a hot climate, which brings its own challenges when training through the summer months. Managing fuelling, hydration and electrolyte replacement in those conditions isn't always straightforward, and there have been some additional health challenges to navigate along the way.
When training doesn't go to plan
We had a really strong first block of training, but the build-up wasn't without its interruptions and adjustments. As with so many training journeys, things don't always go exactly to plan. Adapting, working with what you've got and keeping the bigger picture in mind is crucial!
Simon and his Amsterdam marathon medal
Why I love coaching Simon
What I absolutely love about coaching Simon is his attitude.
His positivity, ambition and determination are off the charts. Whatever the session, whatever the challenge, he gives it everything he's got.
And as his coach, seeing him achieve these results after everything we've worked through together is why I love my job!
Simon, this really is a wonderful reminder of what consistency, determination and a positive mindset can achieve.
Back-to-back marathon FAQs
Can you run two marathons a week apart? Yes, if you've trained well and recover properly in between, as Simon showed. It's not something to plan lightly, so talk it through with your coach first and listen to how your body feels in the days after the first race.
How do you train for a marathon in hot weather? Heat makes everything harder, so fuelling, hydration and electrolyte replacement need real thought, not just on race day but through every long run of the build.
What happens when marathon training doesn't go to plan? It happens to almost everyone, including me! Adapting, working with what you've got and keeping the bigger picture in mind matters more than ticking off every single session.
Thinking about your own marathon?
I'm fully booked for 1:1 coaching right now, but new spaces open in December and January. If Simon's story has you thinking about a race of your own next year, book a free 20-minute discovery call to be first in line. We'll talk about where you are, where you'd like to get to, and whether working together feels like the right fit.
