Tickhill’s Max Polson has recovered from a serious injury, posted PBs across the board, and shed significant amounts of weight with the help of our physiotherapists, lactate testing, organised run sessions and nutrition posts, boosting his confidence for his 2016 goals!

This evening we catch up with local lad, Max Polson, who has travelled around the metaphorical globe and back in terms of how much he has achieved against so many odds with Blizard Physiotherapy.

Now he is aiming to smash PBs in the mile and the marathon, as he believes anything is possible based on his meteoric rise in speed and strength in 2015.

Max first visited the clinic for physiotherapy following a horrific leg break towards the end of 2013, and, working with our expert team, recovered well enough to have his first lactate test with Dave Tune last May.

He explained how he has managed to keep on top of his injury and prevent it interfering with his training:

“I try and have a physiotherapy 'service' at least once a quarter - this stops the issues and helps me get fitter and faster!

“I’ve got to keep on top of my rehabilitation due to the nature of my leg break, but luckily I have warning signs, and, if I see these, I book into see Jenny.

“She has given me lots of great exercises that help stop the issues, but even with my foam roller, massage stick and ball, sometimes you need someone to manipulate the issue with physiotherapy, and Jenny does that.”

Following on from his impressive injury comeback and initial lactate test last May, within 16 weeks he had posted PBs in the Blizard and Curly’s Super Mile (5:51), the Cusworth 10km (43:43) and knocked an incredible nine minutes off his lifetime half marathon best at Worksop with a superb 1:35.54, despite having been working on a building site all day in the week leading up to the race!

“The best thing was that I was only running at 90%, I could have gone quicker!” he enthused about his half marathon PB

Brimming with confidence, he is sure he can also run closer to 40 minutes for 10km on a flatter course this year, particularly considering his most recent lactate test a few weeks ago showed he had improved his threshold pace by a huge 30 seconds a mile!



























How has he made such massive improvements?

Max explained: “I honestly put it down to the test and the goals set by Dave, along with regular ‘Tempo Tuesday’ sessions with the Blizard gang, and losing weight by switching to a low carb, high fat diet. 

"If I didn’t have Dave setting goals and doing the tests I wouldn’t run like I do today.

"As I’m a competitive individual I love the idea that I’m getting quicker and improving. I’ll not lie, it isn’t easy, but after the first 16 weeks I was fitter than I’ve ever been! I knew I had it in me, but I couldn’t believe I was giving Dave his traditional ‘PB wine’ - (when Coach Tune’s athletes achieve a PB they enjoy giving him a gift of wine as a thank you) - I didn’t think I’d be capable!”
 
Max knows now that lactate training and consistent physiotherapy really pay off, so, along with his quarterly physio at the clinic, a low carb, high fat diet, and regular efforts with the Blizard cross country, tempo and 5km time trial sessions, he is targeting the Blizard and Curly’s Super Mile, but his main goal is the Bexhill marathon on May 15th, which also happens to be his 30th birthday!

“I scouted for a marathon for that day, and, as it was between races in Cleveland, Ohio and Bexhill, Sussex, I opted for the slightly closer event!” he explained.

“I’ve had my test to set me up for marathon training, and will start my 16 week training programme as soon as I return from a forthcoming trip to America.

“We have goals which include build up races, and reaching a good racing weight to ensure I’m in top condition going into the marathon. I have a time I want to run and, with my training programme, dedication to the runs and healthy eating - including following some great LCHF recipes from Blizard’s Facebook page - I know I can achieve my goal!”

What an inspiration you are Max!