Who's James then..?

Let me introduce myself - I started running at school. I was the left wing on my schools rugby team. Aged 15, I injured my back in a match. Thankfully, a new teacher started, a passionate cross country runner, and got lots of us training properly. I became my schools cross country captain and kept training into my early 20s. Work and my career took over in my 20s, but returned to running 20 years ago as I moved to Manchester. 

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Even at school, I loved long distance running, but developed myself in the old school way 10k, then half marathons and only then to marathons. I completed my 1st marathon in Munich in 2009 in 2hrs 55 minutes and completed many since. in 2024 at the age of 50, I completed Manchester marathon in 2 hrs 38 and Manchester half in 1 hr 15. 

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I started my coaching in 2014 through the England athletics coaching pathway, and begun private coaching in 2018. I've gained further qualifications with the running school in London in bio-mechanical analysis and in working with runners returning post injury. I'm finishing my final personal trainer qualification as I believe strength training as part of a runners routine is invaluable, especially as we get older. 

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I'm a firm believer we need to look after our own health through cardio, strength, diet and nutrition, sleep and stress management. I help clients with running and strength focused exercises, but as much of my time as a coach is spent listening and reassuring the people I work with in helping achieve their goals.