Hyrox Manchester 2026!

My second run out with client & partner in crime Dan Smith in the mens pro doubles last week.

Manchester always brings an electric atmosphere. Maybe I'm biased because it's my hometown, but the place was buzzing more than usual.

The layout was different. Easier for spectators to get around. Less busy for competitors on the track (or at least I thought so).

But unfortunately... this race definitely didn't go to plan!

We had high hopes for a sub 1 hour 10 mins after we achieved 1 hour 13 mins in Glasgow last year (which included a 3 min time penalty for getting the exercises in the wrong order. Rookie mistake!)

On the train journey over we both felt pretty good despite a few differing variables, including...

• 6.30pm race time (we're usually putting kids to bed and winding down at this point in the day). All other races have been before 12pm.

• Both had outrageously busy work weeks (I was talking at an event in Wakefield the day before running on 4 hours sleep).

• Bit of post Christmas weight still knocking about (Those Ferrero Rochers have got a hold on me)

We know the stations aren't our weak point, it's running. So I programmed in more sprints for Dan in the build up. A lot more running in general for us both. Combination of sprints & threshold runs plus some longer endurance based work. We doubled down hoping to make some improvements.

The game plan was set. We had a decent warm up before hand. Left nothing to chance on the day.

But straight from the off, we knew it was going to be an uphill battle.

Dan struggled with the pace I set in the early stages. But fair play, he stuck to the game plan and managed to pull his weight on every station.

My body began pushing back about half way round. A nasty stitch. The type that doubles you over and feels like it's winded you. When the diaphragm locks up and makes every breath feel horrendous (Not ideal heading into our next exercise, burpee broad jumps).

Although Dan continued to struggle with the pace, what I will say is, he never gives in. Dan's a machine in every sense of the word.

There wasn't a moment I looked over my shoulder and didn't see him in a world of pain. It was written all over his face from the first lap. But he never stopped moving forwards.

At one point I even asked if he wanted to walk for a brief moment to catch his breath...

He snapped back... "Don't ever ask me that again" lol

Point made and taken mate!

But testament to how much he's willing to stay in that pain cave for the sake of a better time.

I could reel off a litany of other things that seemed to be a sign from above that things weren't meant to be (and I will).

From quad cramp just before heading into walking lunges (haven't had cramp in my quads in years).

To pulling my groin on the last few metres of the walking lunges (not ideal heading into wall balls).

There was a moment half way round when I genuinely thought 1 hour 20 was gonna be a struggle.

So to finish in 1 hour 12mins, just shy of a minute PB, was music to our ears crossing that finish line.

It wasn't the time we had hoped for. Wasn't the race we had hoped for. But we can't be mad.

We finished it. Gained more experience. Walked home with a smile and another patch.

I have to give a special shout out to my creaky knees. Which I may have to rename.

Possibly the only win from Hyrox Manchester came from these bad boys.

They held up better than ever with no noticeable pain in the days following. Stark contrast to 6 weeks ago in London where they were in agony after the burpees and put me out of action for almost a week after.

8 months of rehab really paying dividends. A lot more confident that they won't be my limiting factor this year.

Next up is another pro doubles in London with Dan. March 29th we'll have a redo. See if we can get a little closer to 1 hour 5 mins. Work to do!

Ryan Dutton

Personal Trainer Sheffield

Online Coach