Meet Lewis and Hayley, English teachers at the Hyndburn Academy.
Lewis recently conquered the 'Triple Marathon Challenge,' running the Paris, Manchester, and London marathons in three weeks. Inspired by his commitment, Hayley decided to follow in his footsteps and run her first marathon.
We caught up with them to hear about their marathon journeys.
Q: Lewis, you recently completed three marathons in three weeks, an incredible feat! Can you share what inspired you to take on such a challenge?
Lewis: Thank you! Well, it all started after completing my first marathon in Manchester last year. Despite telling myself I would never put myself through the agony of the 26.2-mile distance again, I caught the ‘bug’ and was hooked to the thrill of finishing it again.
When I saw an opportunity to run for MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia, and Coloboma Support), a charity that helps children born without eyes or with underdeveloped eyes, I couldn't resist. Manchester conveniently fit right in between the London and Paris dates so I decided to call it 'The Triple Marathon Challenge’ – I thought it had a nice ring to it.
Q: That's truly impressive! Could you tell us more about your experience running for MACS and how it impacted your journey?
Lewis: Absolutely. MACS supports children born with eye conditions by offering vital resources and community support to affected families. Running for them added a deeper purpose to my races. Every mile was not just a personal achievement but a step towards making a difference in the lives of those in need.
Q: Hayley, you tackled the Manchester Marathon solo. What inspired you to complete the marathon?
Hayley: Lewis is a colleague and friend of mine, and his Triple Marathon Challenge gave me the drive to complete one. I have always enjoyed running and I take part in the Remembrance 10k Run that takes place in Lytham each year, but I wanted to see how far I could push myself and do something that only 1% of the population has done. I can now happily say that I am in that 1% club!
Q: How did you manage the challenge of balancing teaching and training?
Lewis: Balancing teaching and training is the hardest part of the year. Getting up at 5.00am to run on the pitch-black, freezing, rainy streets requires discipline, not motivation. Each run is a brick in the wall, and that wall has to be built! As the weekly mileage increases, so does fatigue, but you need to show resilience to see the end results.
Hayley: The training consisted of running 120km a month on average. Some days were tougher than others, especially with the lack of sunshine we have had and the niggling hamstring injury that I picked up along the way. The support of my colleagues, friends and family gave me the boost to persevere.
Q: What were the highlights of your marathon experiences?
Hayley: The marathon itself was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. 32,000 runners and 125,000 spectators so, as you can imagine, the atmosphere was electric! No wind, no rain, and a little bit of sunshine provided perfect race day conditions. From start to finish the vibe was fantastic and the crowds were roaring. I have caught the marathon bug and will definitely be doing it again!
Lewis: All of the marathons were wonderful in their different ways: Paris was my fastest marathon at 3 hours 18 minutes; Manchester was close to home and had brilliant family support along the route; London's stature and fame brought massive crowds to spur us all on - something I've never experienced before.
Q: Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring marathon runners?
Lewis: Get one booked. Pull the trigger and then you will have the task of needing to get out and train for it. It's an addicting event, and I live for the buzz of the crowds and the desire to punish my body to better myself in every race. The self-satisfaction of knowing that the training has been worthwhile when you run a PB is the best feeling in the world. Running for charity is an even better feeling!
Hayley: Follow a training plan, eat well, stay hydrated and don't run through an injury - if your body needs rest, then rest. On race day, stick at your own pace, don't set off too fast and enjoy every moment.