Real Runners' Stories

I engaged Polly to help me train for my first full marathon. At the time I had already run a few half marathons, and I figured I could probably just follow a plan and be ok for the full marathon… But I had a heart condition at the time (atrial fibrillation) and that flipped me over to thinking a coach would be a good idea.

What I expected was expert technical knowledge to help me navigate my way through 6 months of training for the Manchester marathon. I also knew that having someone else investing time and effort in my training would help me adhere to my training plan much better than I would with just a training schedule and willpower. I knew there would be frequent check-ins that would help motivate me to keep on track. All of these Polly absolutely delivered.

Then comes the stuff I did not think of or expect before training began. Polly very quickly got to grips with my personality, my motivations and my triggers. She also quickly got to understand my body and how it responds to training. I was able to communicate with her about injuries and niggles as they came up. This is the sort of insight that no automated app could ever provide.

You think a Marathon is long? Marathon training is absolutely massive. If you’re doing it on your own from a basic start you will clock up over 800 km (500 miles) in long lonely, rainy training runs. I can’t begin to express what a difference it made to me to have Polly right there with me – celebrating tiny little victories, cheering me up when a training run had gone horribly wrong, and (big one) being there to assure me that all my training was on track when I was 3 months in and really unable to see how I’d ever manage 42.2 km.

I genuinely shudder to think how my Marathon experience would have gone if I hadn’t engaged Polly as a coach: she is an absolute diamond.

When I came to Polly at RunVive, I was in a place where I’d lost my love for running and was desperate to enjoy it again; every run felt so hard and I was struggling to be consistent – so that is what my goals were. To be more consistent and more comfortable.
Polly’s plans and support (both in person and digitally) along the way has been the best – seeing her unexpectedly at the finish line of my first 10k race and running that last bit with me was the last little boost I didn’t know I needed. Joining me to run the hardest speed sessions helped me stick to them (I definitely would have flaked and walked some!)
4 months down the line and I’ve followed my plan, achieved my goals, enjoyed it and feel better for it.
Thank you Polly, I’ll be back! ❤️

I started to attend Polly’s S&C classes after picking up a running injury, realising I needed to do some proper strength training to support recovery and prevent it from happening again. I was quite anxious about starting as I was a complete beginner, but Polly was really encouraging, patient and supportive- and I now love attending! The classes are so much fun and a great way to decompress after work, all whilst building strength specifically tailored to running.

Since attending regularly, I’ve now recovered from my injury and my running is stronger than it’s ever been. I’ve noticed I have less aches and pains the day after a run, and I’ve also built up the confidence to go to the gym regularly on my own- something I would never have dreamt of doing before. Thank you Polly for your continued help and endless positive energy!

Infinite thank you’s to Polly Lord of RunVive! Polly’s boundless energy and radiant enthusiasm is infectious. Her highly informative guidance has helped me navigate complex health issues to train safely and complete my first marathon with a time I’m proud of, while also enjoying the entire experience. Polly’s holistic approach considers your work / life balance factors which impact your energy. As a busy working parent I found this infinitely helpful and will forever refer to her suggestions. I cannot recommend highly enough. You need this person in your life. This is life changing coaching!

Polly has helped me endlessly in my running. Getting back into running after 8 years was really tough, but with the help of Polly I was able to find my love of running again.
After completing my first 5k last year after returning, I went on to complete a half marathon within 6 months, which I never thought I would achieve!
Polly is so knowledgeable from run form to hydration and race day tips. She’s been a massive supporter and believer in me even though I’m a slower runner. She has adapted running for me when I have needed it. I enjoyed it so much I now go to the S&C classes and have 121s too! I couldn’t recommend her enough.

Polly has been my running coach for a year now. Over this time Polly has helped me set and achieve goals that I would never have attempted on my own. Polly’s running plans are packed with wisdom and humour, and are based on a practical, intuitive approach earned from many miles on the trails. With her motivation, encouragement and excellent advice I completed my first Ultra in May 2024 and am already planning my next one with her. If you’re looking for a coach to get you to places you never thought were possible, Polly’s the coach for you!