Coach the Run helps midlife runners improve their performance and reach their goals through personalised advice and training plans, with expert advice from London Marathon winner Mike Gratton. Join our mailing list to receive running tips, event details, discount codes, and more every two weeks...
Share
🧠 The runner's high rewired: managing ADHD and anxiety
Did you know that runner's high isn't just a feel-good moment; it's a powerful tool for managing ADHD and anxiety? In this email, you'll learn more about this and how running can be transformative for mental health.
We also share advice about the negative split strategy, and some delicious recipes to fuel your run. Plus, Mike reveals a turning point in his running that proves you can still make progress at any age!
With every mile you run, you're not just building a stronger body; you're rewiring your brain for resilience and clarity.
RUNNING TRAINING
Managing ADHD and anxiety through running
You might already be familiar with the concept of a runner’s high: the euphoric, calming sensation that follows a long run or intense workout. But did you know this natural phenomenon can also help alleviate symptoms of ADHD and anxiety? Running can help:
Calm racing thoughts
Reduce restlessness
Improve focus and concentration
Ease anxiety naturally.
Over time, regular running helps the body regulate these stress hormones and reduces the prolonged, heightened state caused by chronic stress.
Your brain's built-in pharmacy might be just a run away. Find out more in our article on this topic.
Whether you're a marathon novice or a seasoned runner, we have a running training plan just for you.
ASK THE COACH
The negative split debate
Head coach Mike was recently asked if he had successfully used a negative split strategy in a race. Peter wanted to know Mike’s experience and if it was something he should try in future races.
In this Ask the Coach article, Mike shared that he never aimed for negative splits; instead, he focused on even effort throughout. His philosophy: "Run a little faster when fresh at the start, maintain that pace with gradually increasing effort to the end."
Modern mass marathons have changed the game with pacemakers and crowded starts, but for most runners, the most efficient approach remains running as evenly as possible. Sometimes the simplest strategy is the best one!
"I started by focusing on weight loss, shedding 20kg, which immediately made me feel lighter on my feet. From there, I steadily increased my weekly mileage to around 70 miles, building a solid aerobic base."
Puresport Muscle & Joint Freeze Roll-On
Recover faster with Puresport’s Freeze Roll-On. Packed with 1000mg CBD, Arnica, and Menthol, it cools and soothes sore muscles for quick relief. Perfect for runners and active lifestyles! And it smells amazing!
adidas Adizero Prime X 3 - Strung Running - Tap into speed and push past your limits in these high-performance shoes. The adidas Adizero Prime X3 Strung pair innovative technologies to create a lightweight, cushioned race shoe for chasing your personal best.
Your exclusive 15% discount code sportsshoes.com
August code:
CH2F2QB5
September code:
PLM4VB72
For all our subscribers, the code will give you 15% off AW25 products
The first code expires on 1st Sept, the second code expires 1st Oct. (Exclusions apply, including but not limited to Brooks, Coros, Garmin, Shokz and Maurten)
"I feel glad I've done it as there was always a possibility that I wouldn't but I never look negatively at things, if I set a goal I try to achieve it and if I don't do it the first time I try it again and again and again"
Grace Chambers - age 97 - has become Europe's oldest parkrunner to reach the 250 run milestone
Bye for now
Please share your stories with us on Instagram or Facebook. If you have any questions, please drop us an email.
Coach the Run helps midlife runners improve their performance and reach their goals through personalised advice and training plans, with expert advice from London Marathon winner Mike Gratton. Join our mailing list to receive running tips, event details, discount codes, and more every two weeks...
Here's your Coach the Run fortnightly email Hi Reader, We hope you are well and enjoying the start of the season's festivities. This week, we're diving into game-changing topics to transform your running (with perhaps a few extra ideas to add to your Christmas list!) Discover how adaptogenic mushrooms are revolutionising endurance performance. And learn why every runner needs a spiky ball in their recovery toolkit. We also explore the life-changing benefits of marathon running that extend far...
Finding the right balance in training as you age Hi Reader, As you get older, birthdays can lose their charm - unless it’s a milestone that marks a new age group. Instead, they often bring a lingering question: why does everything seem to be slowing down? I remember talking to Bruce Tulloh at one of our Algarve training camps about how his VO2 max had fallen off a cliff once he reached his 70s. Now, Bruce had the longest high-level career I know; he won the European 5,000m on the track in...
Here's your Coach the Run fortnightly email Hi Reader, As the seasons change and the air gets crisper, it’s the perfect time to ensure you have the right gear to keep your training on track through the winter. Today is Black Friday, and we've gathered some of the best deals on products we trust to support your running journey. Whether you're building a base for a spring marathon or looking for that ideal Christmas present, these offers are designed to help you and your loved ones run...