Fatuma and I started working together back in 2022, firstly just on a nutrition basis, before transitioning to Complete Coaching, my blended coaching and nutrition program. 2026 has been a breakthrough year for her, and I thought I would mark it with a dedicated blog post.

Over the course of 50+ coaching calls during this time working together, we’ve obviously covered lots of ground! Every client has unique considerations (which keeps it interesting), and in Fatuma’s case, we’ve managed moving away from London, job changes, close family bereavements, and the fuelling and hydration challenges of Ramadan in marathon training…which we manage better together and refine every year.

On the roads, Fatuma saw steady progress in the first few years (spot the pic a the bottom of us both looking a little more youthful), but 2026 is where everything really clicked and the PBs have tumbled. A more dedicated and holistic approach to training has paid off (particularly nutrition, S&C and recovery).

Last week saw Fatuma not only go sub 4 in the marathon for the first time, but take 16 minutes off last year’s PB with a fantastic 3:53 in Yorkshire (title pic).

This came hot on the heels of Worcester HM in September (1:50 PB and the dubious pleasure of a hug from a sweaty coach, second pic), and parkrun PBs that just keep coming down (24:03).

Most importantly (having had our most recent call this week), she is loving the process more than ever, and what it brings to her life beyond running.

Next up, we need to find a 10k to complete the PB set for 2026, before beating them all again in 2027. Great work, Fatuma!