Today's episode is all about some calculated tweaks I'm making to my training week to try to optimise this training cycle for Manchester marathon.

It can be easy to change too much at once and opt for things that aren't sustainable in the long run. I have also found it difficult to move away from things that have served me well in the past.

So these tweaks hopefully will blend the best of both. Retaining the general philosophy and structure to my week but with a few new ideas and ways to keep me on track with some of the work I find more difficult.

As always, any cycle should begin with keeping what has worked well whilst being open to adding in something new that can help, or sometimes even eliminating things that didn't work.

I have a few slots still available for one to one coaching which takes the guesswork out of your training and racing. Find out more here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.therunningrules.com/coaching

Happy new year! In the first episode of 2026 I go through the reason marathons are a big step up from half marathons. It doesn't mean you should be scared of them but it's certainly important to respect the distance.

There are some things you can get away with a bit more over shorter distances but over the marathon you can get found out. I go through how to make sure you are prepared for the marathon.

This episode is perfect for anyone stepping up to the marathon for the first time or even for anyone who doesn't feel they've got it quite right yet in their previous marathons.

I have a few slots still available for one to one coaching which takes the guesswork out of your training and racing. Find out more here: ⁠⁠⁠www.therunningrules.com/coaching

In the final episode of 2025, I go back through the year and pull out the highs and lows with the lessons I learnt and will take forward to 2026.

I reveal my race plans for next year and also that I will be joining the NI running show as a speaker in February.

I hope to see a lot of you at the show - to get £3 off your tickets use the code RunningRules at checkout or use the link below: www.eventbrite.com/e/1347804041169/?discount=RunningRules

You can get help with your spring races with the master the marathon course or a one to one coaching at ⁠⁠www.therunningrules.com/services

Thank you for all your support in 2025! Today's episode is a short one reflecting on how busy Christmas can get and to make sure running is enhancing your holiday period and not adding a bigger stress to it.

The days after Christmas can be a good time to get back on track quickly but it's about getting the balance right. This is also a time when I reflect on how lucky I am to have your support for what I do.

Have a wonderful time, look after yourself and keeping running (when you can!)

Today's guest is 2:33 marathoner and coach Nick Weston. He is also a 4 time iron man finisher and 6 time 100mile ultra finisher and we talk about his transition into the marathon.

Nick opens up about his experience of chronic underfuelling and the consequences early in his endurance journey. This was an incredibly powerful conversation that could affect many runners pushing their miles up.

We talk about good fuelling practices as well how Nick ran his personal best in the marathon without looking at any pace or elapsed time.

Nick is also the 3 hour pacer at the 2026 Belfast marathon and he shares some insights into what to expect if you join him on the day or before in the lead up to the race.

Find out more about Nick on his website rnnng.co.uk or linktree at https://linktr.ee/rnnng_nickweston

On 7th and 8th February 2026 there will be a brand new NI running show at the Eikon Centre.

Today's guest is the event's director Oonagh Cattigan. She has a background of many years putting on big events in England and is combining that with her passion for running.

Oonagh got into running through a local 5k after returning to Northern Ireland as a new mother and describes the amazingly positive mental benefits she gets from running.

We talk in detail about the plans for the NI running show, what to expect and how to get involved as well as Oonagh's first marathon experience and her planned second in Belfast next year.

Get more information and adult tickets for a reduced price of £10 with code SPECIAL (kids are free) at www.nirunningshow.com

Keep up to date on socials at

www.instagram.com/nirunningshow and www.facebook.com/nirunningshow or send Oonagh a message at oonagh@nirunningshow.com

Today's episode is a recap of my race at the Seeley Cup 10k from the weekend past and the takeaways from it.

Coming 4 weeks off the back of NYC marathon, I always viewed this race as one that might not happen for me, but having something in the calendar really focused my recovery efforts.

With near perfect conditions, a flat(ish!) course and a fast field, I felt I could get close to my best but maybe more importantly, take part in a big local race that I hadn't done for 10 years.

To get the Master the Marathon course or enquire about coaching go to ⁠www.therunningrules.com/services

The biggest thing that can hold you back in running is not running. Whether it's an injury, illness or lack of motivation, failing to achieve consistency is the reason most people won't fulfil their potential.

That's why recovery is so important. It doesn't have to be fancy but getting a lot of the basics right will get you most of the way to guarding against injury or illness and making sure you are mentally prepped to go every session.

In today's episode I talk about physical and mental recovery and why both are important and what you can do on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis.

To get the Master the Marathon course or enquire about coaching go to ⁠www.therunningrules.com/services