Coaching

Following a brief but illustrious racing career (including twice winning the prestigious Lakeland 100 and placing 8th at the CCC — one of the world's most competitive ultras — full palmarès HERE), I started 1:1 coaching in late 2017 and have since worked with athletes of a wide range of talent and ability, from Skyrunning national champions, to retirees who just want to get more out of their running or finish their first ultra.

Whatever your background or experience: whether you're a seasoned athlete looking to work with a highly race experienced coach and gain fresh training insight, or are simply seeking the guidance to train more consistently and with and increased motivation, following more structured plan that comprises more purposeful daily workouts — if you know where you want to be with your running: I can help you get there! I now offer a range of coaching services, please read on to learn more about each option. Step Above and achieve your running APEX: you are capable of far more than you think.

1:1 COACHING

Initially, we will arrange a video call, so I can get to know more about you and your goals, and how I can support you in achieving them. Following this initial consultation and assuming you're happy to proceed, I'll generate a training plan for the initial three months of training, with the plan subsequently updated and delivered monthly and any necessary adjustments made weekly. Any plan is highly flexible and subject to change in accordance with any other commitments you may have.

Training is delivered via the TrainingPeaks platform (for which there is a great mobile app), linking to your GPS watch and allowing us to both seamlessly track your workouts and build a training diary. Some technical workouts also feature video tutorial (example HERE), to help fast-track your education and awareness of core training principles and practice. Ahead of each target race, it's usual to create a bespoke nutrition and pacing strategy based on your individual goals.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to training and coaching; some clients need more guidance than others. Therefore, coached athletes benefit from unlimited 24/7 contact and support via email or WhatsApp, as well as a monthly video call to discuss any queries you may have regarding training, equipment, diet, etc. The current rate for 1:1 online coaching is £150/month and subject to an initial two month commitment, but no setup fee. To ensure a high quality of service for all clients I work with, my capacity is capped at 12 athletes.

Whether your goal is to complete your first ultra, or maximise your athletic potential and step onto the top of the podium: I can help. If you'd like to work with me, please get in touch via email to arrange an initial no obligation video call: mike@apexrunning.co

If you're seeking genuine progress with your running and want to benefit from the accountability and direction that comes with 1:1 coaching: Get in touch today!

BESPOKE TRAINING PLANS

If 1:1 coaching isn’t for you, but you would like to receive a bespoke TrainingPeaks plan that is tailored to your unique needs and training time availability, I also offer custom training plans of various durations and for differing purposes (see below).

If you wish to purchase a bespoke plan, please get in touch via email. You’ll then be asked to complete a comprehensive athlete survey, the responses of which will allow me to better understand your goals and how the plan can be tailored to your unique requirements.

Below are some examples of bespoke plans that have been created previously:

6 week ‘return to structured training’ plan.
12 week base training plan.
8-12 week final race prep & recovery plan.
20 week off-season training plan inc. preparation races.

Current pricing for bespoke training plans is £20/wk with a minimum plan duration of six weeks.

Please note, these plans do not feature the ongoing support and contact reserved for 1:1 coached athletes. However, following completion of the initial plan, it can be revised and renewed following input from a new survey completion, as well as a review of your training from myself.

Sound like this could be for you? If so, then I’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch via email today: mike@apexrunning.co

TRAINING MOT CONSULTATION

I also offer one-off, 1:1 video calls for those curious about how to enhance their running and racing practice. During the call, it’s an ask me anything about training, recovery, racing, nutrition, psychology, mandatory kit, etc. The goal is that you come away from the call with a renewed enthusiasm and a clear view of how you can take your running and racing to the next level. I’ll also help you identify any blind spots in your current training and how you can rectify them.

Thanks to a wealth of racing experience on my part, this could also be an ideal opportunity for us both to assess the unique demands of your target race and seek to develop a custom race pacing and nutrition plan. Got a place in UTMB and want a full walk-through of the route and what to expect? No problem! Running Lakeland 50/100 and want to ensure you’re training properly for it? I can help.

A 1:1 video call lasts 60-90 minutes and the current price is £90.

If you wish book a 1:1 call, please get in touch via email today: mike@apexrunning.co You’ll then be asked to complete a comprehensive athlete survey, the responses of which will allow me to understand your current situation and help me plan for the call.

COACHED ATHLETE TESTIMONIALS

“Entering my early 60s, I thought my dream of finishing UTMB was over, following two successive DNFs. Knowing I had to do something different, I approached Mike in early February with the very specific aim of helping me achieve my dream. Following an initial meeting, Mike said he was confident he could help me finish UTMB and quickly formulated a tailored training plan which was very different to any way I had previously trained. Over the next months, the plan was adapted to my progress and work/life situations with regular feedback, advice and meetings with the occasional push when he thought it was needed.

Fast forward seven months and I am now a UTMB finisher. Progress has been such that I feel I have much more to achieve and learn and look forward to continuing to work with Mike in helping me achieve my new goals.” — Andy Cooksey.

Andy enjoying the 2024 Hurtwood 50k.

“Before I started working with Mike, my running lacked structure. I spent years just trying to rack up miles as fast as possible, but it left me exhausted and without real progress. In the last nine months of coaching with Mike, everything has changed. He helped me understand how to train smarter, not harder. My performance has improved in ways I never imagined. I’m faster, more efficient, and I finally feel like I’m moving forward instead of just grinding. Mike’s coaching has completely redefined my approach to running, and I couldn’t be more grateful.” — Marcus Marsden.

Marcus en route to finishing TDS in 2024.

“Having Mike as my running coach was the best decision I made. His coaching style transformed my training and running achievements which provided a massive boost to my confidence. His training plans were tailored to my goals and also reflected his belief in me as an athlete. He was always available with positive feedback and support at all times.

Mike helped me focus my training for my dream race, UTS 50K. His plan allowed me to grow week by week. It was easy to follow and I quickly saw results. He completely changed to way I trained, recognising it’s quality not quantity that gets results.” — Rachel Sherwen.

Rachel at the Yorkshireman Half Marathon in 2023.

“I got in contact with Mike after getting a place in UTMB as living and training in the South Downs made me feel like I could do with some more experienced input and advice. Mike put together a solid training plan and built it around my work requirements, including a complex shift pattern. There was never a problem with changing the plan to work around an ongoing injury or life commitments, and before UTMB he talked me through the race in depth, drawing on his own extensive experience… Thanks to Mikes coaching, I was guided through an excellent year of running, including finishing UTMB and actually enjoying myself on the way round. I cannot recommend him highly enough as a coach.” — Ollie Beaney.

Ollie crossing the finish line of UTMB in 2024.

“After being coached by Mike for nine months, I’ve recommended him to others for a number of reasons. First, he is one of the most accomplished race directors in the UK, so when discussing race strategies and logistics, his knowledge is invaluable. He is also an experienced runner himself, giving me lots of handy tips for races as well as being responsive and supportive. He provided me with so many different exercise plans, drills and ideas that I feel in a much better place now to direct my own training moving forwards. Cheers Mike!” — Alex Shah.

Alex in action at the 2024 Nice by UTMB event — his target race of the year.

"Prior to working with Mike at the beginning of 2019, my training was determined by how I felt on the day and what the weather was doing. During our first chat we discussed my athletic background, current environment, work/life balance, etc., and narrowed the goals to Skyrunning UK & Ireland series races, so I could compete in events which truly inspire me... Fast-forward to the end of the season and with a bit of hard work along the way, I am the Skyrunner UK & Ireland champion for 2019. I could not be happier!" — Kasia Osipowicz.

"Mike is a fantastic coach, very enthusiastic about running, racing, and coaching. I found myself at a place with my running where I had plateaued and wanted to look into ways in which I could improve. As soon as I started working with Mike, he was able to quickly assess and understand where I was with my training and provide me a vastly improved plan, to get more out of each session and to help me work on my weaknesses. While life was quite a challenge for me in 2019, he managed to improve my race times considerably. I could not have been happier with the results." — Matt Johnson

"I’m not the fastest runner but I’d lined up a year which included the Lavaredo Ultra Trail & TDS, and I wanted to have a good training plan/expert advice so that I could give them my best shot. I have a history of getting niggles which have restricted my training in the past so Mike tailored the plan to suit, including regular S&C & form drills. Following that plan, along with regular input from Mike, meant that I had a long consistent block of training, culminating in a successful completion of the new, longer TDS. I’m sure that working with Mike was a major contributor to this." — Dave Boothroyd

Dave running CCC in 2017.