Sports massage for runners: Stephen’s marathon success

“I first heard about Zoe through a mutual friend in my local running club (Rugeley Runners) around February 2024. This year I committed to running the Manchester Marathon after previously dropping out due to niggling injuries and a lack of preparation and accountability. (It was easier to blame the injuries than put the work in). So this time I felt if I prepared better and committed to investing in myself I would be more successful, that's where Zoe came in! 

I contacted Zoe through social media and asked if she could help. I explained what my goals were and what had happened previously. She thought she could help support me over the next 10 weeks or so of training to get me where I wanted to be. I felt that for my ability level, a realistic target was around 4h 20mins though I secretly wanted to run it in under 4hours 

During the weekly sessions of treatment with Zoe, I found that she had become more of a mentor than I initially expected. She held me to account each week during the treatment and gave me the self-belief that I could get my 4 hours. I honestly believe that without that positive reinforcement and comfort that ‘Zoe will make my legs work again’ after some brutal winter training runs, I couldn't have done what I did, a 3h 58-minute marathon! 

For my next challenge I have been extremely fortunate enough to win a place in the 2025 London Marathon, an event I have always dreamed of being a part of. I know I can rely upon Zoe to help support me again over the coming months. 

My deepest thanks to Zoe for all your efforts this year. This was one of my greatest personal achievements and I could not have done it without you!”

Stephen Vaughan