I ran 2:24 around a full time job. I’ll show you how to fit fast running into yours.
Online coaching and personalised plans from a 2:24:35 marathoner, PT since 2010, still running every day.
I’m Gareth Cooke, a running coach and personal trainer from Barnsley and a member of Barnsley Athletic Club. I went from a 4:04 first marathon to 2:24:35 while working full time, and I’ve run every single day since 30 November 2015. That’s 3,957 days and counting. When surgery came along I kept the streak going, came back, and ran 15:40 at parkrun. None of that happened because I had loads of spare time. It happened because the training fitted the life.
Most of the people I coach look a lot like I did: working, busy, already running a fair few miles a week and stuck just short of a number. Sub 3:30, sub 3, sub 90, sub 20. Every plan is written around the days you can actually train, at paces built from your own recent times. If you want the strength side covered too, Premium coaching adds a full strength programme, progressed alongside your running.
The title ‘therunningmaninblue’ came from choosing to wear the same blue top when racing before I joined a running club. I have previously run for Penistone Footpath Runners & Athletic Club; making the transfer to the blue side again in 2021.
Not sure which option fits, or want to talk something through before committing? Email me on gareth@therunningmaninblue.co.uk. I answer every message myself.
Want to see what I’ve been doing, check out the updates section.
Day 3,957 and still running
Train with someone who hasn’t missed a day since 2015
I took myself from a 4:04 marathon to 2:24:35 while working full time. No altitude camps, no shortcuts. Whatever you’re chasing, I’ll build the training that gets you there.
2:24:35 marathon PB / Coaching & PT since 2010 / Barnsley AC / Streak since 30 Nov 2015
£80 / £120
Standard / Premium, per month
1:1 coaching
- Training written week by week, for you
- WhatsApp access, so I’m only ever a message away
- Race planning, pacing and taper
- Premium adds form analysis and a monthly call
£39
One off payment
Personalised training plan
- 5K, 10K, half or full marathon
- Paces built from your own recent PB
- Every session named and explained
- Delivered as a branded PDF
£60
Running form analysis. Send up to five twenty second clips from your phone, filmed from behind and side on. You get back what your stride is actually doing, plus the corrective strength work aimed at the faults it finds.
Analyse my form£30
Strength & conditioning plan. A full progressive programme of gym and bodyweight work built for runners, to keep you clear of injury and stronger over the closing miles.
Add S&CNot sure yet? Start with a free consultation by email, WhatsApp or a phone call. No obligation.
Athletes I coach
37:17 10k
Part of the Barnsley training group, with every session and every week written by me. Only been running a few years and has gone from strength to strength, most recently taking his 10k best to 37:17 at York.
Lee, coached athlete
2:59:18 marathon
Scott
2:52:35 marathon
Came to me in September 2024 with a marathon best of 2:58:52. Through that winter he took the half down to 79:06 at Brass Monkey and ran 36:09 for 10k at Dewsbury, then went to Boston and came home in 2:52:35. Over six minutes quicker than he had ever run. After the inevitable post-marathon flat spell he came back and took the half to 1:17:37 at Manchester.
Keiron, coached athlete
therunningmaninblue over on YouTube
In years gone by I took a proactive stance to writing up my racing and training reports with a lot of this moving over to a YouTube channel that I routinely update. If you’re interested in following and watching along check out my channel here.
Marathon Fuelling: Gels, Drinks and Actually Practising It
The wall is mostly a fuelling problem, and it is the easiest one in the marathon to fix.
6 Sessions In: Am I On Track to Beat 2:24 in Valencia?
Two weeks into the Valencia block and my watch is already trying to have a word with me. It reckons…
Dynafish Xiaonian: The £100 Non Carbon Shoe Replacing My Evo SL
Dynafish Xiaonian first run review from a 2:24:35 marathoner. It’s non carbon, high stack and cost me around £100, and…