Lucy Reid believes that the sky is the restrict.
Final month, the British long-distance runner clocked 2:26:35 – her gun time was 2:26:37 – on the Malaga Marathon (December 15), a mark which put the 32-year-old 14th on the UK all-time checklist over 26.2 miles.
It was additionally the third quickest marathon debut by a British feminine athlete in historical past. Solely Paula Radcliffe (2:18:56) and Calli Hauger-Thackery (2:22:17) have gone quicker of their first race over the space.
Remarkably, Reid initially deliberate to run in Valencia two weeks previous to Malaga, however needed to postpone her debut marathon by a fortnight due to a illness bug and sprained ankle.
Her build-up to the marathon included three well-liked home races – The Massive Half, Vitality London 10,000 and Manchester Half-Marathon.
Reid positioned third, second and first on the respective occasions and recorded a private better of 69:13 over 13.1 miles within the latter.
Early on in 2024, Reid additionally travelled to Iten, Kenya to participate in a high-altitude coaching camp – a visit that she describes as a “ceremony of passage” – however sadly sprained her ankle just a few days into the journey.
Overcoming challenges and adversity is nothing new for Reid, who balances a full-time job at JPMorgan Chase together with her working endeavours.
Right here is an unique interview with Reid on her 2:26:35 marathon, how she obtained into working and potential over 26.2 miles.
Lucy Reid (Richard Owen)
How did it really feel to run 2:26:35 on debut in Malaga?
I used to be delighted with the run and to nail the primary one was actually particular. I hadn’t even considered having a debut marathon that ranked wherever.
When somebody mentioned to me that it was the third quickest debut marathon by a British feminine athlete I couldn’t fairly consider it!
I felt like I had it in me to run mid-2:20s based mostly on the place I used to be health smart. So to ship it when it mattered was actually particular.
What was your coaching like going into Malaga?
So within the rapid build-up to Malaga, I sprained my ankle and obtained a illness bug. Previous to that nonetheless issues had gone actually easily and I used to be in a position to put collectively a constant four-month block collectively.
With it being my first marathon, I did longer mileage on this block than in earlier others. In previous years, we labored out that I responded nicely to marathon-style coaching so this block didn’t look too detached to others.
My common coaching could be 75-90 miles per week however the peak for the marathon was round 100 miles. It was somewhat bit increased however there wasn’t an enormous distinction. The size of among the runs, notably midweek, had been additionally added to the programme. I felt like I responded nicely off that barely increased mileage.
The arc of the marathon block, together with a taper, was utterly new to me nonetheless. It was enjoyable to study a number of new stuff a protracted the way in which. I’d be coaching with a number of totally different teams in London and it was good to get that selection as nicely.
Lily Patridge [L], Eilish McColgan [C], Lucy Reid [R] (LM Occasions)
How did The Massive Half, Vitality London 10,000 and Manchester Half enable you to for the marathon?
I take pleasure in racing so much and I haven’t performed it too usually. The Massive Half and Vitality London 10,000 had been nice because the ambiance is all the time sensible and I stay within the metropolis as nicely. To have gotten on the rostrum with the likes of Eilish McColgan and Calli Hauger-Thackery was an superior expertise.
One factor that made The Massive Half difficult was that my alarm clock didn’t go off so I solely awakened an hour earlier than the race! I used to be additionally recovering from Covid-19 in order that was one the place I simply needed to grind it out and take third place.
Vitality London 10,000 was enjoyable and I don’t do 10kms that usually. Then doing Manchester Half on high of that helped construct up my resilience nicely.
What was it like going for you mentally within the latter phases of the marathon?
The very fact the tough a part of the course was within the remaining 10km was each powerful and a blessing in disguise. I ran the primary 33km or so fairly comfortably. I’d chatted to my coach Richard Owen and sort people who’d performed Malaga earlier than the race, so I may get the recommendation about that final 10km.
Ultimately, I had sufficient in me to tackle these hills on the finish. Over the past 5km I managed to see my dad and mom and coach, which helped carry me over the road. There wasn’t a load of assist on the course so that basically lifted me within the latter phases.
Calli Hauger-Thackery [L], Eilish McColgan [C], Lucy Reid [R] (LM Occasions)
What does it imply to have the third quickest marathon by a British feminine athlete in historical past?
Each Paula Radcliffe and Calli Hauger-Thackery are unimaginable athletes and I’d by no means put myself in the identical sentence, by way of marathon capacity, with them. I feel I simply benefit from the longer distances and this has now given me an awesome confidence increase over the subsequent few years.
I do know Calli nicely and he or she’s been so supportive of me. I had a name together with her earlier than Valencia to ask a load of marathon questions. She’s unbelievable and provoking. Seeing her run occasions within the low 2:20s makes you assume I may give it a go.
So many British feminine distance-runners are making a reputation for themselves on the worldwide stage. It’s type of insane what number of have damaged the two:30 barrier and it’s thrilling as a result of there’s a number of expertise. It undoubtedly pushes you on and it’s thrilling to see how issues can evolve additional.
How’s the steadiness for you between having a full-time job at JPMorgan Chase and working?
It’s powerful and it took me some time to prioritise issues and how you can finest slot in coaching, fuelling and sleep. It’s the case of being actually environment friendly on time. Most days you’re doing the job and a run or one thing like energy and conditioning. I’ve needed to make some sacrifices because the weekdays actually are simply working and working.
When it comes to how we set the coaching, it needs to be a bit extra versatile. If I’ve obtained a giant factor with work or I’m simply knackered, then we’ll simply transfer stuff round. You’re not going to get the perfect out of your self should you’re not in a position to prepare correctly.
I’ve additionally prioritised sleep now and learnt to take holidays across the marathon blocks. That’s helped mentally as nicely. Incrementally over time, I’ve learnt so much and restoration can be a giant factor now.
Lucy Reid (Mark Hookway)
What was the inspiration in entering into working within the first place?
I did begin after I was younger. At Major College, my P.E. instructor really useful I am going to the native working membership in Tonbridge and that began every little thing off. Via the age teams, I represented them and cherished it.
It was perhaps later, till after college, that I realised my physiology was extra suited to the longer stuff. I’m now excited I’m in my marathon period because it’s what I take pleasure in.
How did it really feel to get a contract with PUMA?
That’s only a dream come true to be trustworthy. You realize, each individual thinks about what it’s prefer to be an expert athlete. I do know I’m balancing two jobs however you realize what I imply! I really like the sneakers they usually’re second to none. The group are so good and it’s been an awesome constructive expertise.
I messaged them earlier on in 2024 and thought ‘you’ve obtained to go for this’. Issues went from there and I used to be quickly speaking about my plans, ambitions and what I believed I used to be able to. Given what’s occurred in Manchester and Malaga, it’s set me up for the subsequent few years.
What are your ideas and ambitions in 2025?
It’s an thrilling time for positive. I’ve nonetheless not achieved a GB vest and that’s a lifelong purpose. That’s the top of the game. I really feel just like the sky’s the restrict in all honesty. I’m viewing this as not simply 2025 however the subsequent few years the place alternative lies. I need to shoot for issues and the momentum within the marathon goes in a superb course.
I’d like to have a crack at it [World Championship qualification standard of 2:23:50]. We haven’t finalised plans however I’d like to run the time in a Spring marathon. So yeah, we’ll see!
» Subscribe to AW journal right here, try our new podcast right here or signal as much as our digital archive of again points from 1945 to the current day right here
