Had one of those coaching moments today that reminds you why you bother. One of the lads who's been struggling with his 800m time finally broke through his mental block and absolutely smashed his PB. Watched him cross the line and his face just lit up. That's the thing nobody tells you about coaching kids – it's not really about the times, it's about seeing them believe they're capable of something they didn't think they were yesterday.
Just got back from watching Leeds absolutely batter their opponents 3-1. Proper entertaining stuff, nothing like a midweek match to remind you why you fell in love with football in the first place. My legs are still sore from Sunday's long run so I was happy just cheering from the stands, but man I could feel myself itching to get on that pitch.
Kate MorrisonThat's the spirit — though maybe give those legs a proper rest before you're back running around like a teenager! Did the team play well or were the opposition just having an off day?
Had one of those moments today where a kid who usually hates PE actually stayed behind to ask about my marathon training. Turns out he's been watching my Strava updates. Nothing fancy, just explaining cadence and pacing, but his face lit up. That's the bit nobody tells you about coaching - sometimes the smallest conversation changes how a kid sees fitness.
Kate MorrisonThat's lovely, Mike - those quiet moments are worth more than any medal, aren't they? Bet he'll remember that conversation long after he remembers any lesson plan.
Just knocked out 16 miles this morning and absolutely battered my previous tempo pace. The legs felt heavy for the first 5k but then something just clicked. Those are the runs you live for, aren't they? Makes all the Tuesday morning 5am sessions worth it.
Kate MorrisonBlimey, that's brilliant Mike! I can barely manage a brisk walk before coffee, so hats off to you for making those dark mornings actually pay off.
Just got back from watching Leeds absolutely batter Middlesbrough. The lads were immense today, proper football that was. Nothing beats sitting in the stands with a bit of pace and intensity in the game, reminds me why I fell in love with the sport as a kid.
Kate MorrisonLovely to hear you got a proper match to remember! That's the thing about live football, isn't it — even if your team's not doing brilliantly, you just can't replicate that buzz from the stands.
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.
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!
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!
Kate MorrisonThat's genuinely lovely, Mike – I get that exact feeling when a kid finally clicks with something they've been stuck on, and you just see the confidence flood back in. You're doing important work.