Testimonials
I’m really proud of all my clients’ achievements, but here are just a few to shout about.
Alex Whearity
2021 - Crawley 24hr track race 257km (100m split 14:21.34) (2nd position)
2021 - GUCR win 23:25 (3rd fastest time)
2020 - Gloucester Invitation 24hr track race (100miles 15:15)
2019 - GUCR, KACR, LLCR - win (Canalslam course record holder)
2019 - QEP Marathon win - CR
2019 - London marathon 2:35.54 (PB)
17 x 100 mile finishes
Parkrun PB - 16.59
What Wendy has done for me has changed my whole approach to running ultras. In 2 years I have gone from a decent mid pack runner to someone who has won the Grand Union Canal race and the canal race triple crown. The main reason being Wendy’s strategically disciplined approach to race craft and nutrition. The support, care and tough love she exhibits as a coach has led to a huge amount of my success over the past 2 years.
Photo: GUCR trophies 2021
Daniel Hawkins
2021 Spartathlon - 13th finisher (10th male), 1st GB finisher 26:58.59
2021 - GUCR (145m) 2nd place 25hrs 40 mins “Run for your life” winner
2019 - Gloucester 24hr 2nd place (130 miles)
Spartathlon Auto Qualifier sub 15:45 100 miles
2019 - Oxford half marathon PB 1:19
Parkrun PB 17:39
I’m fairly new to the running scene, I have done a few ultras before I joined Wendy and it’s fair to say I wasn’t training or fuelling right for them. With her coaching and guidance she really brought the best out in my running. She really pushed me hard through the training plan which ended up getting me the result I wanted (Spartathlon AQ).
I couldn’t recommend Wendy enough. Was a great pleasure having her by my side. The work she put in with me really made me a much stronger endurance runner and I learnt that 100 miles can be enjoyable. She stuck with me throughout the 24hr race every 20 minutes she was there instructing me.
Photo: GUCR, May 2021
Chloe
2021 - LLCR 32:06 (1st female, 8th overall)
2021 - GUCR 38:34 (4th female)
2021 - River Aire 50m Ultra 9:49.00 (1st female)
2020 - Short Circuit Ultra (53km) 6:16.00 (1st female)
2020 - Hardmoors 110m - 34:19.55
Starting with Wendy has made a massive difference to my running. I jumped into running and ultras without having a clue what I was doing and I have massively benefited from her expertise. My times have improved, and I have even won a couple of local ultras. But more importantly for me, I just enjoy all my running so much more. My day-to-day training is much more varied and I am so much better prepared for my races so that I can enjoy the experience on the day. With Wendy as my coach, I’ve finished every single one of my races that I’ve entered including GUCR and Hardmoors 110 all while staying injury-free. Wendy is so supportive, and during my races I know she is willing me on all the way.
Photo: GUCR - 2021
Quentin
2020 - Virtual Virgin London marathon - 3hrs 5 mins
I have been running for about 10 years and since my first marathon in 2012 (4:03) was determined to improve and hoped one day to get a good for age time. I approached Wendy in the Summer to see if she’d consider coaching me. My running had improved and my Marathon time gradually coming down to 3:26 in October 2019. Wendy was the boost I needed to achieve this not insignificant running goal. Firstly she personalised my training programme and spent all the time I needed reviewing it with me, making small changes where necessary, giving me the confidence I needed to stay on track. In just 6 weeks of work with me Wendy achieved what had taken me years to do without her. I took on the virtual London Marathon in October and Wendy was there for the whole event - even supplying a pace-maker who enabled me to run the fastest marathon AND half marathon of my life, hitting 3:05 a Good for Age and a 3 minute negative split on the second half. I would thoroughly recommend Wendy to anyone looking to improve their performance, she is professional, knowledgeable, dedicated and gave me such a boost to my confidence and running all round. I think she is the best money I have ever spent in terms of my running outlay.
Photo: Virtual VLM - 2020
Rusty Gardham
2021 - Canalslam (GUCR/KACR/LLCR) finisher
2019 - Centurion Grand Slam finisher
2018 - Barkley fall classic finisher
2016 - Spartathlon finisher
13 x 100+ mile finishes
97 Marathons - 41 of Ultra distance
1/2 marathon PB - 1:27 (2018)
Parkrun PB - 18.40
I’ve been running all my life and didn’t think I needed a coach, in fact I was adamant I didn’t. After all “I’d already accomplished the Spartathlon”, out in Greece, why then “had I just DNF’d at The Arc of Attrition, I wasn’t injured!
I’ve succeeded to run in most distances, sometimes doing better than others. A few years ago I started ultra running and found that I loved this distance. Finishing many and also having a few DNF’s along the way, the ARC being one of these.
After discussing my needs with Wendy (pretty sure there would be nothing much I could do to better my running) she sparked a new hope. What was that ? “running even better, maybe longer than I did already” with less DNF’s.
I decided to take the plunge and get a coach, Wendy was the obvious and only choice.
Since that time I’ve had weekly run plans, no more lazy days!!! If it says run, ‘I run’. If it says ‘rest’, I rest. This routine and structure has totally worked for me. My run verses rest has improved my speed and distance and how I feel whilst running.
My plan is always tailored. It always takes into account my ‘other life’ and the other commitments I have. Wendy is always at the other end of the phone to call or message if something does not feel right.
Wendy also arranged for me a great pacer for a recent marathon, gaining me a good for age time. Again the same pacer was arranged for one of my recent 100 mile races. This showed me just what I was capable of running wise gaining my fastest ever second half of a race (the last 50 miles) a smidge over a negative split. I usually walk a lot of the second half. This well matched pacer arranged via Wendy showed me I didn’t need to walk and “I can do better”, go “quicker” and I can still run the 50 - 100 mile section. Wendy had planned this out entirely with the person she set to pace me. They had my plan to execute.
Wendy has also transformed my nutrition on race day where I always seem to struggle with gut troubles. I now have a race day nutrition plan, that works. That’s a 1st. Did I need a coach? Yes I did. Would I recommend Wendy ? Not highly enough. Do you need a coach ? If you’ve read this far then I guess so!
Photo: Barkley Fall Classic - 2018
Zoe Gardham
Sub 2hr half marathon
Thames Trot 50 finisher
Forces March 3.5/5 days finisher
Parkrun PB - 25 mins
What I love about being coached by Wendy is that it does not matter that she’s a world record holder or that she competes for the GB Ultra team, she can still take things back to my level.
What’s Wendy done for me. For starters, I would not even be running if Wendy had not given the confidence and know how to start. She researched, googled and found me a run club locally. She inspired me to go when I had never ran (or exercised before).Kept up with my progress and set me new goals along the way to keep me interested and focused.
Wendy ran both my 1st half marathon and my 1st full marathon with me. She kept me going and was always there to get me through.
In addition, no question is a silly question (although these days I think my questions are a bit silly myself) as I asked “what’s a PB”, or “what’s a gel”, or “do I actually need proper run shoes”.
With Wendy’s help to even get a foot out the door and start running I’ve gone onto achieve around 40 half marathons, 23 full marathons, 1 50 mile race, and too many to count other distances including a whopping 337 parkruns.
Wendy has also been fantastic at listening to my individual needs, it’s never one size fits all. She has helped me with nutrition and now I’m injured has helped me to find other activities to keep me fit until I’m running again.
Believe it or not I even met my husband through Wendy at an ultra running event. Now I can’t promise Wendy will find you a husband or wife but I can promise she will help you to excel in running or the fitness goals you want to achieve!
Photo: Easy Sussex Cross Country League - Ashdown Forest
Joanne
2021 - Ridgeway 40 - 12:40
2019 - Ridgeway 40 - 11:50
I am in no way a natural athlete but do at least try very hard during my training and give my best effort to the events I enter. I had entered Endure24 as a solo hoping to manage 50 miles so the LDWA Ridgeway 40 was to be a training event, with a run-walk strategy. I had done a few Ridgeway recces with my brother so knew the route reasonably well and had been training hard with Wendy during my PT sessions. However, I was concerned about being close to the checkpoint cut-off times. From my 50 miles target at Endure in 24 hours, down to 40 miles in under 14.5 hours was going to be a big ask. I had been coming back from injury hence was walking rather than running most of my mileage.
Wendy entered the event and stayed by my side throughout on the actual day. With her encouragement, skill and brilliant judgement not only did I reach each checkpoint well within the cut-off times but managed to run a lot more of the route than originally envisaged. I completed the event in sub 12- hours and very best of all, finished strongly to run into the Goring Village Hall feeling utter elation at what I had just achieved. That feeling will stay with me for a very long time. Thanks Wendy!
Photo: Joanne and Gerald celebrating after Ridgeway 40
Ross
2021 - CCC (UTMB) - 20:57
2021 - Witiker Backyard Ultra 167.6km
2020 - Arc of Attrition - 33:36.59
2019 - Autumn 100 - 22:45.16
2019 - SDW 100 - 24:27.31
Wendy started coaching me when I signed up for my first 100 mile race. I’m a very average runner, and had only started running a few years previously, but I wanted to do all I could to ensure a finish.
Wendy has not only totally transformed my running, but also helped transform my mindset towards running. She develops personal training plans that provide variety and intensity, while having a real understanding of the need to balance work and family requirements. The remote coaching approach has been extremely successful, being holistic and fully personalized with Wendy adapting my training through multiple issues including injury.
Not only did I finish my first 100 mile race, but I was hours ahead of where I expected to finish and was able to enjoy every moment. This was in no small part to both the fitness levels I had from the training plan, but also the confidence from Wendy talking me through what to expect, providing advice and sharing her experiences. In other races, I have gone from a consistent mid-pack finisher to top 20%. Wendy has given me the confidence to develop my running ambitions which I am sure with her continued support I will achieve. I cannot recommend her highly enough!
Photo: Ross - SDW 100 2019
Vicki
Loch Ness Marathon 2018 - 4:59.20
I was very nervous before the start of my first training session, but Wendy immediately put me at ease with her friendly positive manner. Being rather unfit having neglected exercise after my son was born, it was hard work to get through the session but Wendy was very encouraging, and I came away feeling really happy that I had made the effort.
I had never run before meeting Wendy, well except when it was compulsory at school, but Wendy help me build up my endurance until I was ready to complete my first 10 km race. I was really proud of myself as I crossed the line and quite emotional as my son handed me my medal. Since then, Wendy has helped me complete 3 half marathons, as well as my first marathon.
Would I have been able achieved these milestones without Wendy? In short, no! I never would have contemplated running in the first place. Wendy gave me the confidence to have a go and provided excellent support and guidance. She has helped me set realistic goals and tailored my training plan to help me achieve them. I also really appreciate how Wendy regularly checks in to see how I’m getting on and keep me on track.
Photo: Vicki & James - Loch Ness Marathon 2018
James
2021 - Round Reading 50K Ultra Marathon - 7:04.49
2021 - Goring Gap 50K Ultra Marathon - 6:55.07
2020 - Round Reading 50K Ultra Marathon - 6:10.55
2019 - Round Reading 50K Ultra Marathon - 6:03.36
Having decided to take up running, in my forties...., I found that it is something that I really enjoy. I just wish I had started sooner!
After struggling through my first half marathon, I felt I needed some help with my training plans and race craft and Wendy was recommended to me. During our first couple of sessions she quickly understood my abilities and immediately started me on an achievable plan to increase both my speed and distance. Since then I have done 10km races, several half marathons, a full marathon and my first 50km ultra run! All the while my performance has improved, something I am still finding hard to believe can happen considering my late start to running!
Wendy is an excellent coach and provides great advice and encouragement to help me achieve my goals.
I highly recommend her!
Photo: Round Reading 50k - 2019