As I announced at the start of the year, I’ll be publishing a reoccurring article for my chosen ‘athlete of the month’. For November, the athlete of the month is... Nick Leahy
Nick is someone that I would classify as a grinder! Showing real grit and determination within his training to put himself in the best possible position for race day. He has had an incredibly consistent last few weeks training. Despite having an intense work schedule he’s found the time to train and it has paid off!
Yesterday he ran a marathon PB of 2:55, smashing the sub 3-hour barrier which was something we had been working towards. Pretty phenomenal considering that he had not fully decided to do it until just a few weeks to ago. His speed was there and from that point onwards it was the longer run that became the most important session within the week.
You never know exactly how you going to feel on race day, but what you can do is put the training in that’s required to give you the best possible shot of having a good race and achieving your goal. A combination of Nick putting in the work and pacing the race really well, meant that magical sub 3-hour marathon was never in doubt!
He most certainly deserves a post-race pizza to celebrate this achievement! I can guarantee you he’s not done just yet and this is just a step forward along his journey. I’ve seen him run a lap of the track at 2:30 per km pace (at our handicap race a few weeks ago). The speed is there and now that we’ve worked out a formula that works for him, with consistency, great things will come!
Well done Nick, it’s been very rewarding as your coach seeing you progress over the past few months. I must also say, I’m not sure if I know of anyone else who quite LOVES a race quite like you do. Many more to come and PB’s to follow too.
Onwards
Upwards
Progress!
Who will be the athlete of the month for December??
