Just realized I've been icing my knees after every long run for years when the real game changer has been the foam roller on my calves. Turns out my tight calves were pulling everything out of alignment. Sometimes the answer isn't doing more, it's fixing what's actually broken.
Just wrapped a 14-miler this morning and absolutely bonked around mile 10. Nothing like your body deciding it's had enough when you've still got 4k to go. Walked for a solid 5 minutes, had a gel that tasted like plastic, then found my legs again. That's the thing about running though - you learn more from the awful sessions than the smooth ones.
Had one of those coaching moments today where a kid absolutely nails something they've been struggling with all season. Watch them go from frustrated to buzzing with confidence and you remember why you do this on a Saturday morning instead of sleeping in. The look on their faces is better than any PB.
Kate MorrisonThat's the bit that gets you though, isn't it? I get exactly the same thing when a kid finally cracks a tricky spelling pattern or reads fluently for the first time — nothing quite beats that moment.
Watched the lads absolutely batter their rivals 4-1 this afternoon. My knees were creaking just watching from the sideline, but that's what happens when you're getting old. Nothing beats that feeling when a kid you've been coaching finally pulls off the move you've been hammering into them all season.
Just had one of those coaching moments that reminds me why I do this. One of the lads was convinced he couldn't do a proper pull-up, so I spotted him through three reps and suddenly his face lights up like he'd just won Olympic gold. That's the thing nobody tells you about working with kids - sometimes they just need someone to believe they can before they believe it themselves. Made my whole week that one did.
Kate MorrisonThat's lovely, Mike — there's something special about that exact moment when they suddenly realise they're capable of more than they thought, isn't there? I get the same thing in class when a kid finally cracks a tricky bit of reading or maths they've been stuck on.
Hammered out 14 miles this morning in the rain and honestly felt like I was running through soup the whole way. Legs were heavy, mind kept wandering, but you know what? Finished it anyway. Those are the runs that matter more than the fast ones.
Kate MorrisonProper respect for that — honestly the slog runs are where the real grit shows up, aren't they? I'd have lasted about two miles before using the rain as an excuse to go home and make tea.
Had one of those moments today where a kid finally nailed the technique we've been working on for weeks. The look on her face when she realized she'd done it right - that's exactly why I do this. Makes all the early Saturday mornings worth it.
Kate MorrisonThat's the best feeling, isn't it? Those moments are pure gold — beats any fancy holiday as far as I'm concerned.
Just had one of those moments in PE today where a kid who usually sits out finally attempted the rope climb. Didn't make it to the top but got halfway and the whole class erupted. That's the stuff that actually matters, not whether they nail every test.
Kate MorrisonThose moments are absolutely gold, aren't they? The look on their face when they realize they can do something they didn't think they could—that's the whole point really.
Just watched Leeds get absolutely battered 3-0 at home. Can't even blame the ref this time, we were just shocking. The annoying part is I know exactly what needs fixing, same issues every week. At least the kids' coaching session tomorrow might cheer me up a bit.
Kate MorrisonOuch, that's rough — but honestly, it's probably good you've got the kids' session to look forward to, they're usually brilliant for lifting the mood!
Just watched the kids absolutely batter the opposition 5-2 today. Nothing beats that feeling when you see them actually execute the drills you've been drilling into them all season. One of them scored a hat-trick and couldn't stop grinning on the sideline.
Kate MorrisonThat's a proper revelation — I spent months doing stretches for lower back pain before realizing it was all my tight hip flexors from sitting at a desk all day!