NE — This is a lot of running, doing it for fun but super dedicated at the same time. You’ve had a career as a professional runner though, how different was your commitment back in those days?

RM — Running as a pro is VASTLY different from the type of running I did in 2023 or do now in general. Running as a pro, while enjoyable (at times), is a more singleminded focus and selfish endeavour. Everything about your day to day life is dedicated towards what is going to make you the best runner possible. When I say, “selfish endeavour”, I don’t mean it in a negative way, but just in the sense that you have to prioritise yourself above all else. Training, racing, rest/recovery, etc are number one. Everything else falls a distant second place. So while there’s plenty of room for fun, it’s vastly different to running as an amateur or as I like to call it, a “citizen runner”, where your livelihood isn’t tied to performances. You’re not chasing sponsors or World/Olympic teams. You can just run for the pure fun of it and perhaps even have a more balanced lifestyle. I enjoyed my professional days, and now I’m enjoying this phase of my running life, as a citizen runner, and coach/pacer. 

NE — How is your life now, as a retired pro?

RM — Life is good, I continue to seek diversity and my own growth and evolution. I’m able to devote more time to my friends, family and the sport, in a different capacity. Through coaching and pacing, I’m able to give back to the sport that has given me so much. As a retired pro, I find that my experiences still translate perfectly to the every day or “citizen runner” and their pursuit of training/racing goals. Having “been there” and “done that”, helps also lend a sense of credibility that allows for a lot of buy in, when you’re working with runners. I still run, but rather than for performance, it’s just for maintenance/fitness now. I’ll occasionally do a few proper long runs, when gearing up to pace someone to a sub 3. Otherwise, I get most of my cardio fitness from a healthy balance of running and football. Retired life means I can do other sports and activities that I wasn’t able to do as much or at all during my pro days.

NE — What have you learned from your life as a professional athlete? 

RM — Perspective, mental strength and SPORT is the universal language. To break it down further… Perspective: running as a pro at times seemed like a do or die practice. Run X time and qualify for X event and/or pick up Y sponsor. Don’t and lose out. But perspective helped me realise it wasn’t the end of the world if/when things didn’t go your way. Sometimes it’s hard to realise that when you’re in the moment, and only after you create some distance and time, can you realise this. Mental Strength: Running showed me that you’re stronger than you think. Getting after it for so many years, with so many highs and lows, you realise that you’re capable of more than you may have allowed yourself to dream. You’re also made stronger by each experience, both good and bad can provide a learning opportunity. As you go along accumulating experiences, you grow and become better and stronger for it. SPORT as universal language: traveling all over the world, I was able to experience different cultures, and get exposed to different point of views. What always remained the same and helped open doors and form bonds however, was sport. Running is a simple sport to understand, with a low barrier to entry. This helped people understand what it was that you did, no matter where in the world you were. More often than not, they too were runners. I learned the world is full of runners, and they’re all super welcoming.