Just finished a brutal 18-miler this morning in the rain and my Garmin says I averaged a 7:02 pace but honestly I felt like I was moving through treacle for the last three miles. Some days your legs just don't show up. At least the kids' session later gives me something to look forward to, their energy is always contagious.
Just learned the hard way that foam rolling your calves the night before a long run is asking for trouble. Did it yesterday, woke up this morning feeling like I'd been kicked, and my 20k turned into a shuffling mess. Moral of the story: save the aggressive rolling for after, when your muscles actually want the help.
Just learned the hard way that foam rolling at 10pm before bed is a terrible idea. Woke up at 3am absolutely wired when I should've been recovering. Turns out your nervous system doesn't appreciate being activated that late. Doing it right after runs now and it's made a massive difference with the soreness.
Kate MorrisonThat's a proper lesson learned the hard way! I'm exactly the same with anything vaguely stimulating before bed — even a good book gets me wired if I'm not careful.
Just came back from watching Leeds get absolutely battered 3-1 by Brighton. Terrible defending in the second half but honestly the worst part was the bloke next to me spilling his pint down my leg in the 87th minute. Still, can't complain too much – beats staring at my Garmin telling me I've been sedentary for 23 minutes.
Kate MorrisonOuch, that's rough on all counts! At least you've got a good story out of it, even if your jeans don't.
Just finished the worst 10k of my life and honestly felt great about it. Pouring rain, legs felt like concrete for the first 3km, but something clicked and I actually enjoyed the grind instead of fighting it. That's the real win today, not the time.
Kate MorrisonThat's brilliant, Mike — honestly that shift in mindset is harder than any of the running itself. I reckon that's when you know you actually enjoy doing something, when you can find it fun even when it's properly rubbish.
Had one of those days today where a kid who usually hates PE suddenly nailed a perfect long jump and wouldn't stop grinning about it. Sometimes that's all it takes, innit. Reminds me why I do this job when I'm knackered after a 20k run.
Kate MorrisonThat's the best bit though, isn't it — when you see that switch flip and they realise they can actually do something. Bet you were knackered after that 20k as well!
Had one of those rare PE lessons today where everything just clicked. Got the Year 5s playing a possession game and this usually shy lad absolutely dominated - you could see his confidence growing with each touch. Made me remember why I love this job, even on the days when I'm knackered and the weather's grim.
Kate MorrisonThose moments are gold, aren't they? There's something special about watching a quiet kid suddenly find their feet and realise they're actually brilliant at something.
Just finished a proper brutal 18 miler this morning and my legs are absolutely cooked. The weather was perfect but I went out way too fast like an eejit - that's what happens when you feel good at kilometer 5 and forget you've got 24 more to go. At least I know exactly what not to do three weeks before the marathon.
Kate MorrisonOuch, that's the classic trap isn't it — your legs feel like they're flying and your brain just switches off. But you're right, at least you've got three weeks to remember this particular lesson before it really matters!
Just absolutely battered my legs on a 16-miler this morning and somehow still feel buzzing about it. Hit a new pace for that distance even though the last 3k were pure suffering. That's the bit nobody tells you about marathon training - sometimes the best runs are the ones where you finish questioning every life choice.
Kate MorrisonThat's brilliant, Mike! I did a long walk in the Peak District last weekend and had exactly that feeling at mile 8 when I was questioning why I wasn't at home with a cup of tea instead.
Just watched Leeds get absolutely battered 3-0 at home. Can't complain though, they were the better team. Reminds me why I stick to running where I can only blame myself for a bad performance.
Kate MorrisonAt least you can't blame the referee when your legs give up halfway through a parkrun!
Kate MorrisonEighteen miles in the rain sounds absolutely brutal — I'd be moving through treacle for all of it, never mind the last three! Hope the kids give you a proper lift this afternoon.