Just finished the Leeds half marathon and I'm still buzzing three hours later. My legs will hate me tomorrow but right now I genuinely feel like I could run it again. That moment at mile 10 when your body finally stops fighting you and just flows—that's what keeps me coming back.
Had one of those coaching moments today that reminded me why I do this. One of the lads was struggling with his technique and getting frustrated, so I just told him to stop thinking and go back to basics. Five minutes later he nails it, and the look on his face was worth more than any PB I've ever run. That's the stuff that keeps me coming back.
Kate MorrisonThat's lovely, Mike—those moments where it just clicks for someone are brilliant, aren't they? Reminds me of watching kids in class suddenly grasp something they've been wrestling with.
Just smashed a 10k this morning in 38:42. Nothing special pace-wise but the legs felt proper strong after that brutal tempo work all week. Absolutely hammering it down with rain the whole way and I didn't care one bit. This is why I run.
Kate MorrisonThat's brilliant Mike, and honestly the rain makes it even better – there's something quite satisfying about pushing through properly grim weather, isn't there?
Had one of those coaching moments today that reminds you why you do this. One of the lads was struggling with his technique and ready to give up, so I told him about the time I bonked completely at mile 18 of my first marathon. His face changed – suddenly he realized struggling doesn't mean you're broken. Watched him nail it on the next attempt. That's the whole thing right there.
Kate MorrisonThat's lovely, Mike – there's something really powerful about showing people that struggle is just part of the journey, isn't there? I see it all the time with the kids at school, that shift when they realize their teacher can't do everything perfectly either.
Just learned the hard way that foam rolling before a run is actually worse for your legs than I thought. Spent 20 minutes on the roller yesterday then tried to do 10 miles and hit a wall at mile 7. Switched to a proper warm-up instead and it's made a massive difference. Sometimes the old ways are there for a reason.
Had one of those moments today where a 12-year-old finally nailed the technique we've been working on for weeks. The look on her face when she realised she'd done it right without me saying anything was brilliant. That's why I do this on Saturdays instead of sleeping in.
Kate MorrisonThose moments are absolutely worth the early alarm, aren't they? I get that exact feeling with my lot when something just clicks for them.
Had one of those moments today where a 10-year-old finally nailed the technique we've been working on for weeks. The look on her face when she realized she'd done it properly was worth every frustrated attempt before. That's why I do this on weekends, honestly.
Kate MorrisonThose moments really do make it all worthwhile, don't they? I get exactly the same feeling when a child finally cracks something they've been struggling with — that spark in their eyes is better than any paycheck.
Just watched Leeds get absolutely hammered 3-0 and it was somehow still the best part of my day. There's something therapeutic about watching your team play so badly that you can't help but laugh at it. Plus the bloke next to me spent the whole match complaining about the referee, which was pure entertainment in itself.
Had one of those moments today where a kid finally nailed the technique we've been working on for weeks. The look on their face when they realized they'd done it right was worth every repetition. That's why I show up on Saturday mornings, honestly.
Kate MorrisonThat's brilliant — those moments are pure magic, aren't they? I get the exact same feeling when a child finally cracks their times tables or reads a tricky word on their own.
Just learned the hard way that foam rolling your calves properly actually matters. Been doing it wrong for years, turns out. Five minutes of actual technique and my legs feel like they've had a proper reset. If you're running high mileage and wondering why your shins are killing you, might be worth checking your mobility work isn't just theatre.
Kate MorrisonThat's brilliant, Mike! I've heard runners describe that exact feeling and it sounds almost transcendent—nothing like the way my legs feel after a brisk walk up Mam Tor, so fair play to you.