"There are plenty of sub 3 marathon plans out there but what they don't give you is focus on your weaknesses and they don't adjust to changes as the plan progresses."
"I'd been targetting a sub 3 marathon for 3 years, each year getting 3 or so minutes quicker. At 52 I wanted one last go at hitting it so I approached Michelle at Maxwell Coaching asking for help. Her experience in both running and coaching marathons and ultras made her the number one local choice. In our first meeting I explained that I wanted to go sub 3 at Newport 6 months later in May but also wanted to run a very challenging 100 miler 7 weeks later.... I followed the plan and I ran 2:59:53! And 7 weeks later I was 12th in the Jurassic Coast 100. There are plenty of sub 3 marathon plans out there but what they don't give you is focus on your weaknesses and they don't adjust to changes as the plan progresses. If you're fatigued the plan gets changed to fix this. If you're after help in moving your running to the next level I can thoroughly recommend Michelle and Maxwell Coaching."
I have been using Maxwell Coaching for a few years now. Chris and Michelle have always been incredibly supportive. I have found their coaching flexible and adaptive to my busy life and work patterns. In times where I've had niggles, they've worked closely with my physio to get me going again swiftly. These guys go beyond...even popping up at events to support their athletes!! Great Coaching Team!
"I have found their coaching flexible and adaptive to my busy life and work patterns"
"Knowing she’s there for me, knows what I can do and keeping me accountable has been invaluable. I probably could have done it without her, but if I did the results would have been totally different."
I signed up with Maxwell Coaching having entered the TP100. I’d only ever run one 100km before having made up my plan by cobbling together plans from all over the place. 100miles however was a totally different beast and being a busy full time working mum to young kids I knew I needed something that would work for me around my schedule and get me to the start line in the best possible shape without sacrificing everything else. There are plans out there for 100miles which I could have followed but they aren’t really aimed at people like me.
Michelle developed a training programme around my life which though at times was daunting was always achievable, with Michelle knowing my paces and my capabilities much better than I myself. On top of the runs I also got s&c plans too.
With regular check ins the plan was adapted whenever I needed it and Michelle was always on top of how I was doing. Michelle has so much knowledge and expertise and her advise is always spot on.
5 months after I started with Michelle I completed my 100miles within mins of my predicted time (which Michelle has kept secret from me until a few days before the race) - it was spooky that Michelle knew what I could achieve when I was completely clueless and would have just been happy to finish. I was over the moon and got a time I would have never thought possible without help.
Since completing the TP100 Michelle continues to coach me and has got me through mountain races and more. Knowing she’s there for me, knows what I can do and keeping me accountable has been invaluable. I probably could have done it without her, but if I did the results would have been totally different.
"Michelle had transformed my running over the last 3 years, got me through races I’d never have considered doing and showed me that I’m capable of so much more than I thought."
"I never really thought I was ‘good enough’ to need a coach, but I absolutely wouldn’t be without one now. Michelle had transformed my running over the last 3 years, got me through races I’d never have considered doing and showed me that I’m capable of so much more than I thought. She pretty much never says no to any of my slightly hair-brained plans and fits my training around children, work, life and will always change things if I’m struggling. Absolutely brilliant!"
Maxwell Coaching are first class. I’ve been coached by Michelle for the last 7months and she has not only helped me achieve PBs but lifted my confidence in my running ability. With Michelle’s knowledge, support and experience I have improved in areas of weakness, train smarter, run more efficiently and finally achieved my sub 1hr30mins Half Marathon PB, which has escaped me many times. Whatever you’re looking to achieve, Maxwell Coaching can help you with it for sure!
"With Michelle’s knowledge, support and experience I have improved in areas of weakness, train smarter, run more efficiently and finally achieved my sub 1hr30mins Half Marathon PB"
"Michelle’s holistic and considered approach has given me a lot more focus and confidence in my training but more importantly (to me anyway!), I’m loving the training."
As an enthusiastic but somewhat average runner, I wasn’t sure I would be competitive enough to need a coach. I’d followed online training plans in the past and done a few races but I felt a bit overwhelmed at the thought of doing anything longer without some professional support. Michelle’s holistic and considered approach has given me a lot more focus and confidence in my training but more importantly (to me anyway!), I’m loving the training. The training is varied and not too prescriptive so I can chose which routes I take. Her experience in race preparation has been invaluable and has really helped me get the most out of my race days. Living in a different country, timezone and climate to Michelle, I’ve not exactly made things easy for her but she’s been brilliantly adaptable and happy to move around training days when life has got in the way of training. I couldn’t recommend her highly enough!’
"Michelle is totally committed to her athletes and achieving their goals."
"Personalised training plan from a talented and amazing coach Michelle Maxwell. Michelle is totally committed to her athletes and achieving their goals. She has a wealth of experience and knowledge to help from 5k to ultra and understand the complexity of day to day life issues creating a personal flexible plan to help with the life/training balance. Michelle will help you reach those heights you never imagined you could. Friendly bespoken coaching from an incredible athlete. Highly recommended."
Having realised about 5 years ago that I had neither the time nor the experience to improve myself as a runner I was recommended to try Maxwell Coaching and haven’t looked back. Their selection of hugely experienced coaches (I am coached by Michelle) allow an athlete to maximise their true potential. Quite simply, I couldn’t have become the runner I am now without Michelle’s guidance, expertise and friendship. I went from a runner who was always short of time (due to work) and therefore prone to missing key sessions to having a structured and targeted programme that was flexible enough to cater for the odd stupidly long work day. Under Michelle’s guidance I have set PBs ranging from 5K to 100 miles - improving in virtually all cases on times set as a 20 something, and I’m still improving. Maxwell Coaching also provides a supportive and friendly athlete community and I now enjoy ‘dot watching’ as much as racing:). Finding an experienced and knowledgeable coach shouldn’t be seen as a luxury but a necessity if you wish to unleash the athlete you have always suspected you could become! I only wish I had done it sooner.
"I couldn’t have become the runner I am now without Michelle’s guidance, expertise and friendship. "
"It's hard to properly articulate just how much Michelle has helped my running."
"It's hard to properly articulate just how much Michelle has helped my running. She has taken me through some pretty hard races over the years and not only helped me finish, but to do them really well. She quite literally has made me go quick at 5k to 200 miles. Training plans are focused and fit around my life, there is no race too long or idea too stupid... she takes on the challenge of training with enthusiasm and knowledge. Any complaint of a niggle is met with a swift solution and the strength plans compliment the running perfectly. Couldn't recommend highly enough." Photo credit: Stu March
I've worked with both Chris for triathlons and Michelle for running and I can't recommend them highly enough. They are experienced and well qualified but they also really care about their athletes. Front, middle or back of the pack, if you are looking for a coach then contact them.
"They are experienced and well qualified but they also really care about their athletes. "
"she helps me believe in myself and that in itself is priceless"
"I have been coached by Michelle for nearly a year now and she has helped me achieve things I could never have done on my own. Michelle is incredibly knowledgeable and builds me training plans that are targeted to my goals, work around my life and incorporate crucial strength training. Perhaps what I value most though is her neverending support and encouragement - she helps me believe in myself and that in itself is priceless."
"Maxwell Coaching have a thorough knowledge to help an athlete develop physically, but crucially they also understand the mental side - both in competing and in every day life"
Michelle has taken me from simply having big ideas to becoming a really well rounded runner with several successful ultra marathons and plenty more to come. Maxwell Coaching have a thorough knowledge to help an athlete develop physically, but crucially they also understand the mental side - both in competing and in every day life. As a result you end up with a plan built around you and your schedule, which means it’s far more achievable. Superb coaches 👍
"Nothing seems to phase Michelle and she is supportive of my goals"
"I have been working with Michelle and Maxwell Coaching for about a year now and have achieved things I didn’t think possible. Michelle is always on hand to help with any issues I have, whether that be lack of time, lack of self belief, kit selection or nutrition. Michelle works my training week around a busy work and home life and has helped me find little tweeks to help fit things in. Nothing seems to phase Michelle and she is supportive of my goals. I am looking forward to another year with Maxwell Coaching and achieving some of the biggest goals I’ve ever set myself. "
Brilliant knowledgeable team who truly care about their athletes. Working with Michelle has helped me hugely as a runner, and has made me overall a stronger person. I cannot recommend the expertise the team provide highly enough.
"Working with Michelle has helped me hugely as a runner, and has made me overall a stronger person."
"I have learnt so much regarding training for the longer distances."
Michelle has been an invaluable help in my training towards a very specific goal of a 100 miler. Feeling out of my depth a bit with regards to the programming side Michelle was great in giving a tailored weekly program working around niggles, commitments and all based on the progress you've been making. I have learnt so much regarding training for the longer distances and she has really helped with the other side of things such as nutrition, S & C, pacing/planning, kits/logistics and the mental side of longer races. All of these things were great to chat about and bounce ideas off Michelle to see what worked for me. A great individualised service that I can highly recommend to anyone, what ever your goals.
I had been running with Chippenham harriers for a few years but was finding it difficult to feel like I was getting any where new and achieving goals I was aiming for. I decided to take the step and join Maxwell Coaching with Nicky. After having a break from running after having my son I tried and failed a couple times to get back into running on my own with minimal success. I have found Nicky's support and tailored approach really valuable, helping me find the right approach for my strength training. Helping me find away to fit it in with our busy family life with work, toddler and a coached hubby. Nicky has helped me build up my confidence with my running, learning that I can run for more then a hour and 15 min and more then 10k. Which I have never felt I would be able to do. Making me believe that I can do a Half Marathon one day. I felt confident to go out and run 10k plus on my own fighting those demons grow with each run even then bad one. The support is even more valuable when you are having a tough time to talk it over find the positives and build on them. Nicky is now supporting me with my recovery from a tendon injury, building my strength to support to help prevent a recurrence. Helping me mix it up so I can train and feel useful without running. And looking forward to building the running and getting back out there building the miles again and smashing those PB’s.
"I have found Nicky's support and tailored approach really valuable, helping me find the right approach for my strength training. "
"My initial goal was to improve on my marathon time, as I was sure I could do better than my previous attempt, and I actually achieved PB’s in all races distances from 5K up to half marathon."
I have used Maxwell Coaching for the past year. My initial goal was to improve on my marathon time, as I was sure I could do better than my previous attempt, and I actually achieved PB’s in all races distances from 5K up to half marathon. This gave me huge confidence going into the marathon training period. With Michelle’s eye to detail and a friendly, flexible and positive approach, my marathon training culminated in a 14 minute improvement to achieve a sub 3:30 time at Manchester Marathon. There is no way I could’ve achieved this without Michelle and I can’t recommend her coaching highly enough.