Trust the Process: How Kirstan Turned a Sub-2:05 Goal into a 1:52 Half Marathon

One of the most rewarding parts of coaching is seeing someone achieve something they once thought might be out of reach.

Back in June, Kirstan contacted Strive with a clear goal in mind. She wanted to work towards achieving her Brackley Running Club Bronze Award for the half marathon, with her target race being Startfords Big Half on 14th September.

The initial goal was ambitious but achievable: a sub-2:05 finish.

Like many runners, Kirstan was balancing training around a busy schedule and multiple commitments throughout the week. Rather than trying to force a rigid programme into an already packed lifestyle, we built a personalised plan that could adapt around her life.

Flexibility was key. The aim wasn't simply to train harder it was to train smarter.

Over the following months, Kirstan committed fully to the process.

Some of the sessions were initially more demanding than what she had been used to, but she trusted the plan, embraced the challenge, and consistently put the work in week after week. Every run had a purpose, every session moved her closer to her goal, and her confidence continued to grow as her fitness improved.

Then came race day.

On 14th September, all the hard work came together in spectacular fashion.

Not only did Kirstan achieve her original goal, she completely surpassed it.

Crossing the finish line in an incredible 1:52, she smashed her previous personal best and exceeded all expectations. Even more impressively, her performance earned her Brackley Running Club's Silver Award based on her WAVA age grading score.

To improve from a target of sub-2:05 to a finishing time of 1:52 is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the dedication, consistency, and belief she showed throughout the journey.

As a coach, moments like these are what it's all about.

Seeing someone trust the process, put in the work, overcome self-doubt, and ultimately discover they're capable of far more than they imagined is incredibly rewarding.

Congratulations, Kirstan. You've earned every second of that result.

Thinking About Your Next Running Goal?

Whether you're targeting your first 5K, chasing a half marathon personal best, preparing for a marathon, or working towards a club standard award, the right plan can make all the difference.

At Strive, every running programme is built around the individual. Our coaching is personalised, adaptable, and designed to fit around real life, making it both effective and enjoyable to follow.

If you've got an autumn, winter, or spring running goal in mind, we'd love to help you achieve it.

Your next PB could be closer than you think.