June & July: a busy (and brilliant) summer of coaching

The last couple of months have been some of the busiest of the year.

Summer is race season, and for many of my runners it's the moment when months of training, consistency and preparation are finally put to the test. From mountain half marathons to several 100 mile ultras, June and July have been packed with challenges across the UK and Europe.

What has made this summer particularly memorable is that every single coached runner reached the finish line. No DNFs. Whether it was a first 100 miler, a stepping stone towards a bigger goal, or simply completing a race they'd been working towards for months, every runner delivered.

The weather certainly kept us on our toes. With several races taking place during periods of unusually high temperatures, preparation became about far more than just fitness. We spent plenty of time discussing pacing, hydration, electrolytes, fuelling and how to adapt expectations when the conditions demanded it. Sometimes the smartest performance isn't the fastest one - it's making good decisions for hours on end.

One thing I've been reminded of again and again is that race day is only the visible part of the journey. Behind every finish line are months of early mornings, strength sessions, treadmill climbs, long hikes, recovery weeks, consistency and countless small decisions that all add up over time. It's those small deposits that make the biggest difference.

Away from coaching, I've also launched the Trail Shorts podcast, something I've wanted to do for a long time. It's been great to share practical coaching advice in a short, easy-to-listen format, and I'm looking forward to building on that over the coming months.

As satisfying as it is to celebrate these summer results, coaching never really stands still. While some runners are enjoying a well-earned recovery, others are already building towards autumn and winter races, with new goals, fresh training blocks and exciting challenges on the horizon.

A huge congratulations to every runner I've worked with over the last couple of months. It's a privilege to play a small part in your journeys. You put in the hard work, I simply help guide the way.

Here's to lots more adventures!