Self Compassion

We are all guilty of being our own worst critics. But when it comes to your running that needs to stop. If you're getting out the front door and running,...

Hills Reps

We all love hills right? I remember training for the 2018 Hastings Half Marathon when my fitness was particularly poor. I only ever ran on the seafront and the minute...

Go Hard in Sessions

If you're looking to make gains and improve your times across distances ranging from 5k up to half marathon, then the really important sessions are intervals. These can vary depending...

Train at Goal Pace

When I trained for my first marathon, Bournemouth 2018, I was a little disgruntled at the pace of my long runs. A wise head, or whom I assumed was knowledgeable...

Run Tall

Probably the single most important running form tip you can focus on is to Run Tall!! I'm guilty of slouching myself and as someone that has spent the majority of...

Run Relaxed

Day 5 of my tip streak and I headed down to Hastings parkrun in my latest pair of running shoes. Slightly concerning this is the 4th pair I have purchased...

10 Minutes Warm Up Run

10 minutes. That is not a long time. Considerably shorter than the time you are likely to be racing or running intervals in the forthcoming session. Ideally we'd always do...

Rest Days

I'll keep this one brief today as whilst there isn't a great deal of explaining to do, this running tip is very important. Rest Days. We all need them. And...

Train in Groups

When I first started my own running journey I spent 12 months training on my own. It wasn't until I completed my first half marathon and joined my local club...

Run The Trails

I have a lot of silly ideas. Some of them better than others. Some last minutes, some days, some even months. But I'll always give them a try and you...

Race to the Stones and Beyond!!

I've always been open about my lack of Ultra Running experience, as a participant and a coach, but I've been given the opportunity by several in the team to learn...

Ultra Success for Determined Anna

Often as a coach I'm confident of a runner’s success heading into an event based on the training they've done. This weekend could not have been further from that truth....

PBs Galore in Spring 5K

I'm a little speechless. Not ideal at the start of a blog post. I understand now why I was so excited about this race, I couldn't have dreamt a better...

Paddock Wood I love you!

Paddock Wood, I absolute love you. I had to rewrite that sentence and remove the expletive, that's how much I love this race. My first visit came in 2016. I'd...

Round and round we go!

Over the past 4 years, I've run 7,878.3 miles. This took me 1,140 hours and included 276,116 feet of elevation. That's the equivalent of 300.69 marathons. But prior to Sunday...

Happy New Year

My facebook post summed it up nicely, but the blog offers me a little more of an opportunity to express my gratitude to those that have supported me over the...

Close to Capacity

Here we are again. Another Monday. Another Coach Simon Blog. They come around quickly don't they? Mondays that is? I'm sure you can't get enough of my musings. So what...

Tis the season to be injured

Ah ball bags! I class myself as extremely lucky. For the past 5 years I've pretty much kept injuries at bay. A recurring hip/glute pain has prevented me from completing...

These are NOT PB Conditions

As the week progressed and I ticked off the miles and split squats the excitement grew. The weather forecast for parkrun was at last favourable and many of the team...

I said 60 minutes

Last week started with a lot of apprehension as my own training continues to build in volume. Looking at the week ahead I was a little daunted, and combined with...

One at a Time

It's Tuesday morning. I'm a little weary with a creaky back having lugged some furniture around at the weekend, without bending my knees properly (schoolboy error). I feel like I...

Beckley and Beyond

It was a pretty uneventful week right? We had a few drops of rain to deal with and a couple of puddles to hurdle, but that's all part of being...

Team Orange making your Coach Proud

To be honest, up until this weekend I've had doubts about whether or not this running coach venture of mine was just another pipe dream. And trust me I've had...

Burning desire to improve

It's burning deep down inside me. More than ever before. I want to work so hard that the tears flow after a race. I want to roar in jubilation and...

Another Week Another Marathon

From Berlin to Loch Ness, this weekend it was Sarah Marzaioli's turn to complete a marathon. She's long since passed the 100 tally, and she didn't even start running until...

Team Orange Update: Sue Conquers Berlin

There's only one place to start with this weeks Team Orange update and that's Berlin. Forget the World Record, we are more interested in Sue Wilkinson adding another of the...

One Step Backwards

Progress is never linear. Something I've learned over the past 5 years and often it's important to accept that taking a step backwards is actually a good thing. I worked...

Team Orange Weekly Update

I'll be honest, I'm glad to see the back of August. Holidays, injuries and illness have proved a bit of a headache for many of the Team in recent weeks...

BBB 10K Race Strategy

Make sure you begin any race day with your regular breakfast routine. Arrive at the Race HQ in plenty of time to get your race number and do a good...

Week Off!!

With training plan 13 safely and successfully negotiated it was time for the hardest thing for me to do, take some time off running. A week in fact. This is...

Training Less Getting Faster

Before I reveal my secrets I'll start by talking about the Barry Richards 10K. A Hastings Runners club only race held every August. In 2016, my first year as a...

Barry Richards 10K Race Report

After my weekend facebook debate I think it's important not to start this Team Orange update simply discussing times. Generally those seeking the advice of a running coach ultimately want...

Barry Richards 10K Challenge

I'm tingling with excitement having just taken another look at the Bexhill weather forecast for Thursday evening. This is week 19 of my 13th training plan. Crazy to think I've...

The Handicappers POV

Normally our experiences of running are somewhat predictable. We might turn up at our local parkrun, knowing every inch of the route, running an almost identical time to the previous...

Trust the Process

It's been a busy, but enjoyable week so far. Full days of work on Monday & Tuesday were followed by coaching duties in the evening. On Wednesday we headed over...

Coach Simon Blog Intro

Hey! I've been inspired to write more. A lovely rest day at Bateman's has encouraged me to try and spend more time sharing my thoughts with words and not just...

Smiles at Bewl

I've lost track when the Sunday long run started. 5 hardy souls rocked up at 8am that first morning to run for 60 minutes in one direction and 60 minutes...

HHM Never Disappoints

The Hastings Half Marathon provided a fitting conclusion to a dozen Team Orange training plans. I guess most coaches will be judged on the performances of their runners, but I...

PBs at Paddock Wood

Ever since I completed my first training plan I couldn't work out why every runner wasn't using this approach? I'm still a little bewildered why more don't spend a small...

Coaching Philosophies

In this day and age we are spoilt for choice when it comes to information. There is so much knowledge to be gained through social media channels. What's important to...

Cambridge Success for Jo

Now I'm getting excited. The races are coming! LET'S GO!! Time to put the hard work and grind over the winter months to practice and get our much deserved rewards....

Pier to Pier Success

Another great week. I'm actually proud of what you've all achieved this week. The Pier to Pier was an obvious highlight. What I would say to those not involved, who...

Parkrun PB for Sarah

Another brilliant week and I'm buzzing right now with how well you guys are doing on your training plans. Exciting times lie ahead and this week marks the start of...

The Races are Coming!

Is it me or there is a buzz of excitement in the air around Hastings Runners right now? I get the impression so many people are motivated and feeding off...