Running the Manchester Marathon: A Personal Journey of Challenge and Connection

There’s something extraordinary about challenging yourself — pushing beyond your perceived limits and stepping out of your comfort zone. This past weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to take on one of the biggest personal challenges I’ve faced recently: running the Manchester Marathon. With lucky number 23870 pinned to my vest and months of training behind me, I stood at the start line alongside thousands of other runners, each embarking on their own unique journey to the finish line. What a journey it was.

Why I Chose to Run the Manchester Marathon

As an osteopath and clinic tutor, I often work with patients and students on setting goals, embracing challenges, and striving for personal growth. Running the Manchester Marathon felt like a natural extension of these values. It was about more than just physical endurance — it was about mental strength, discipline, and a deeper personal commitment to well-being.

Training for a marathon demands focus, patience, and adaptability — qualities that mirror the therapeutic process itself. It also provides something that is sometimes overlooked: a chance to reconnect with your body in a profound way. Listening to the small signals, respecting limitations, and understanding when to push and when to hold back are all lessons I regularly discuss in clinic sessions, and they became very real for me throughout my preparation and on race day itself.

The Preparation: Balancing Life and Training

One of the greatest challenges in preparing for the Manchester Marathon was fitting consistent training into a full and busy life. Between clinic work, tutoring budding osteopaths at the UCO School of Osteopathy, and managing day-to-day responsibilities, finding time for long runs, strength training, and recovery was not always easy.

But in every obstacle, there’s an opportunity for creativity and growth. I learned to approach training with the same flexible, person-centered attitude I use in clinical practice. Some days required modifying plans to accommodate energy levels or work commitments. Other days became opportunities to squeeze in a run during a lunch break or to use a session with patients as a chance to demonstrate biomechanics drills. Every step of preparation became integrated into daily life rather than an added burden.

Understanding the Body: Lessons from Osteopathy and Running

Being an osteopath uniquely shaped my approach to marathon training. I wasn’t just logging miles — I was constantly analyzing how my body moved, responded, and adapted. Small niggles and imbalances weren’t just problems to overcome; they were signals to listen to and learn from.

Preventing injury and promoting performance required a holistic approach. I incorporated regular mobility work, strength conditioning, and — perhaps most importantly — rest and recovery time into my regime. I think we sometimes underestimate just how essential recovery is in any physical pursuit. Recovery isn’t a weakness; it’s where resilience is built.

Throughout training, I had the chance to apply osteopathic principles to my own life. Palpating tired muscles, assessing alignment, and practicing body awareness helped me stay healthy and adapt to the increasing demands of training.

Race Day: Embracing the Challenge

Sunday morning arrived with a mix of excitement and nerves. Standing among thousands of runners at the start line was both humbling and energizing. There’s an unspoken camaraderie among marathoners — a mutual recognition that regardless of pace, time, or background, everyone is undertaking the same daunting task.

Tracking number 23870, I crossed the start line and found my rhythm. Early miles passed in a blur of excitement — spectators cheering, bands playing, and a sea of colorful vests moving in unison. Every face on the sidelines seemed to send a wave of energy into the course.

The first half of the race felt strong. I focused on staying steady, checking in with my form, and enjoying the experience. I made a point to soak in the atmosphere, high-fiving kids along the route and exchanging a few words with fellow runners. The connection — to the crowd, to the other runners, and to the city itself — was tangible and uplifting.

The Wall: A Lesson in Perseverance

No marathon story is complete without “the wall” — that famed point where both body and mind are truly tested. For me, it hit around mile 20. Fatigue set in, my legs began to protest, and the finish line still felt agonizingly far away.

This is where the mental aspect of running became vital. Just like in clinical practice, when faced with a complex case or a stubborn injury, perseverance and adaptation are key. I fell back onto the mental tools I encourage patients and students to use: breaking the remaining distance into manageable chunks, focusing on what was achievable, staying in the present moment, and drawing strength from the community around me.

Each step was a reminder that progress is sometimes slow and uncomfortable — but also meaningful and transformative.

The Finish Line: A Moment of Joy and Reflection

The moment I crossed the finish line, the exhaustion melted away, replaced by an overwhelming sense of achievement and gratitude. Completing the Manchester Marathon was not just about running 26.2 miles; it was about embracing the journey, respecting the process, and discovering new layers of resilience and connection, both with myself and with the hundreds of people who supported me along the way.

It was a celebration of movement, community, and personal growth — values at the very core of my work as an osteopath.

What This Experience Taught Me (and What It Can Teach You)

This experience reaffirmed so many lessons that I believe are crucial, not just in sport or health, but in life:

• The body is incredibly adaptable. With the right balance of challenge, rest, and support, we can achieve things that once seemed out of reach.
• Recovery is crucial. Progress doesn’t come from constant effort alone but from giving the body and mind what they need to rebuild stronger.
• Listening matters. Whether it’s tuning into your body’s signals during a marathon or truly hearing a patient during a consultation, awareness and empathy are key.
• Community lifts us higher. Whether it’s family, friends, fellow runners, or even spectators cheering from the sidelines, connection fuels resilience.
• Growth happens outside of your comfort zone. Facing discomfort — whether physical or mental — is where true transformation lies.

Moving Forward: Bringing Marathon Lessons into My Practice

As I return to clinic work and teaching, I feel a renewed energy and empathy for everyone undertaking their own personal marathons — whether that’s recovering from injury, building healthier habits, or simply navigating the complexities of everyday life.

My experiences on the Manchester course have deepened my appreciation for the incredible resilience of the human body and the importance of person-centered care. Every patient, like every runner, follows a unique path with their own milestones and hurdles. As an osteopath, it’s my privilege to support that journey, whether it involves recovering from injury, building confidence, or simply enhancing quality of life.

Thank You

I want to extend an enormous thank you to everyone who followed my journey and offered messages of support, encouragement, and inspiration. Your positivity carried me through the toughest miles.

For anyone considering taking on a marathon — whether an official race, a personal fitness goal, or a new life challenge — my best advice is this: trust yourself, listen to your body, embrace the community around you, and never underestimate what you’re capable of achieving. The journey is tough, transformative, and absolutely worth it.

See you at the next start line!