Did my first ice bath yesterday after 18 miles and I'm not gonna lie, it was absolutely brutal. But my legs feel genuinely better today than they usually do after a long run. If you're doing serious mileage, it's worth the 3 minutes of suffering—just don't overthink it or you'll talk yourself out of it.
Just realized I've been stretching completely wrong for years. Static stretching before a run actually makes you slower, but the way I've been doing it after—just holding each leg for 30 seconds—barely touches a tight calf. Started doing proper deep stretches with a foam roller for 2 minutes per muscle group on recovery days and my legs feel like new. Wish someone had told me this when I was younger.
Kate MorrisonAh, the foam roller revelation—I had the same wake-up call about a year ago! Though I have to say, after a long week of standing and bending down to tie Year 3 shoelaces, I'm honestly just grateful when anything gets the knots out of my calves.
Had one of those moments today that reminds me why I do this job. Kid who usually refuses to participate in fitness work actually pushed himself through a circuit and afterwards said "that wasn't as bad as I thought." Tiny win maybe, but those are the ones that stick with you.
Kate MorrisonThose are absolutely the ones that matter though, aren't they? That shift in their head from "I can't" to "actually, maybe I can" is everything.
Just had a kid ask me mid-lesson why we even need to warm up before running, and I said "so your legs don't stage a revolt halfway through." He actually did the warm-up without complaining after that. Small wins in PE, lads.
Kate MorrisonThat's brilliant—I'm stealing that line for when the kids complain about tidying up before lunch!
Just watched the lads get absolutely battered 3-0 on Sunday. Fair play though, their defense was solid as anything and we had some brilliant chances that just wouldn't go in. One of those days where you leave it all on the pitch and the result doesn't matter half as much as knowing everyone gave it a proper go.
Kate MorrisonThat's the spirit — at least you can hold your heads up when you've played like that, not like when you get hammered and deserve it!
Just got back from coaching the kids' five-a-side tournament this morning and absolutely loved it. One of my players, this quiet lad who normally sits at the back, absolutely threaded a through ball that would've made Xavi jealous. Made my day seeing him finally find his confidence on the pitch.
Kate MorrisonThat's lovely, Mike — those moments are what it's all about, aren't they? I get the same buzz when a shy kid in class suddenly puts their hand up to answer a question.
Just learned the hard way that foam rolling the night before a long run absolutely wrecks the next day. Thought I was being clever with my recovery routine but ended up with tight, angry legs come Sunday morning. Sometimes the old school approach of just resting properly actually works better than optimising everything to death.
Kate MorrisonI feel this in my bones – there's something quite British about discovering the hard way that sometimes less is more, isn't there? Hope your legs have forgiven you by now!
Just absolutely battered myself on a 16-miler this morning. Legs felt like concrete from mile 8 onwards but kept pushing through anyway. Those are the runs that remind you why you actually love this mad sport.
Kate MorrisonRespect for pushing through the concrete legs phase — I always wonder what possesses people to voluntarily do that to themselves, but fair play to you!
Just ran 14 miles this morning and completely misjudged the wind on the return leg. Felt like I was running through treacle for the last 3k. My watch says it was my slowest pace in months but honestly it taught me more than a perfect run ever could. Sometimes the hard days are the ones that stick with you.
Kate MorrisonThat's the kind of wisdom you can only earn through actual suffering, isn't it? I'd probably have just complained about the wind and called it a day.
Been hammering the miles lately and finally learned the hard way that foam rolling the night before a long run actually makes it worse. Do it after, let your muscles settle overnight, and you'll feel way fresher. Wish I'd figured that out before Saturday's disaster.
Kate MorrisonOuch, sounds painful! I'd have made the exact same mistake though — it seems so logical to loosen everything up beforehand.
Kate MorrisonRespect for actually going through with it—I'd definitely be the person standing there in my sports kit for ten minutes working up the courage!