Hello
Matt has coached in the mountains for 4 years: first as a skier, and now as a runner. He studied Sports and Exercise Science at both MMU & Lancaster University, including sports physiology, psychology, and biomechanics.
He now lives in the Lake District, perhaps the best environment for a fell runner, and loves getting out in the fells. Wednesday night and weekend races are brilliant fun, with the occasional off-road triathlon and MTB race thrown in.
My Running & Coaching
The Cumbria vest I'm wearing here I earned for my track and field athletics way back pre-Covid. I trained in decathlon and loved the 200m, long jump, and javelin. I became Cumbria County champion in several events and got to compete in this vest! I like to wear it sometimes in training to feel extra fast, and I recently wore it in a hill race in Edinburgh. The plan was to terrify the city-dwelling opposition with my immense Cumbrian leg-power, somewhat successfully, as I ran into 6th place!
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I left home for Switzerland aged 18 to learn French and teach skiing. I lived and worked in Les 4 Vallées for 3 winter seasons, with another 2 seasons living in Chongli - Northern China, and Wanaka - New Zealand. I don't ski too often anymore, but I do regularly speak French!
After some bone and ligament-breaking-falls (videos available on request), I enrolled at Manchester Metropolitan University for my BSc in Sports and Exercise Science. I took the city opportunities to compete in hockey and wheelchair basketball, and participate in sports PHd research. The degree was fantastic, but I needed to be closer to the hills. I transferred to Lancaster University for my final 2 years and reveled in the ease of hills and crags nearby. I trad climbed more than anything else and so got to know the Lake District in a beautiful new way.
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I maintain that long mountain walk-ins to crags with a heavy climbing rucksack are the ultimate training for moving fast on tough terrain! I now combine my interests, running, climbing, swimming, and biking every week.
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My site offers a fantastic resource for runners wanting to get more out of themselves. From articles on races, kit, and training ideas, to 1-1 coaching services and personalised training plans. My FAQ answers a lot of questions you might have, and I hope you find something useful and exciting here.