Athlete of the Month - Stuart Souter
October 2024
It’s such a pleasure to recognise Stuart Souter as the Athlete of the Month for October. Stu's dedication and hard work have been truly inspiring, and his journey with Best Athletics exemplifies the commitment we value so much in our athletes. As one of the founding members of Best Athletics, I have know Stu for many years, however his journey with me as his coach began with a clear goal: to prepare for the New York Marathon injury-free. Having faced injuries in the past, Stu's main priority was to enter the race feeling strong and well-prepared—especially after previous races, where the focus had often been on chasing a fast time, sometimes at the expense of enjoying the experience.
Stu’s goal for New York was simple but powerful: to enjoy the experience and avoid feeling like the race was a grind. We didn’t aim for a PB but wanted him to feel more prepared than he had in the past. His training block leading up to the race was nothing short of stellar. Stu not only remained consistent, but he also trained smartly, staying in tune with his body throughout the process. He communicated regularly with me about how he was feeling, allowing us to make necessary adjustments to the plan as needed. This proactive approach ensured that we were able to adapt the training to suit his physical condition, preventing any setbacks and keeping him on track for his goal. By prioritising quality over quantity, and by listening to his body, Stu managed to maintain a steady progression while staying injury-free, ensuring he was in optimal shape for race day. His commitment to the process paid off, as he not only completed the marathon injury-free but absolutely crushed it with a finishing time of 3:21 coming 382nd out of 3451 in his age category!
What makes Stu’s achievement even more remarkable is his mindset throughout the race. Not only did he achieve a fantastic time, but he also truly enjoyed the experience, even stopping for a selfie mid-run—an attitude that embodies the joy of running. Stu’s ability to balance hard work with a sense of fun and enjoyment is an inspiration to all. It's been a privilege to work with Stu over the past few months. He is a shining example of what it means to train with purpose, stay injury-free, and embrace the journey.
Congratulations, Stu, on an amazing month and well-deserved recognition as Athlete of the Month!
Coach Sam 💙
nice text bro
That balance between dedication and enjoyment matters outside running too. Everyone needs a little downtime after working towards a demanding goal, whether that means relaxing with friends or finding something entertaining online such as Aviamasters. Congratulations to Stuart on a very well-deserved Athlete of the Month!
Congratulations to Stuart on being named Athlete of the Month. I really like that the focus was not only on performance, but also on staying healthy and enjoying the marathon experience. I came across https://spinshark-uk.com/ while reading about similar training journeys and injury-free race preparation. Reaching the start line feeling strong and confident is a huge achievement in itself.
Hey everyone! What a fascinating read about Bali's wine scene - I honestly had no idea the island had been producing wine since 1994! The fact that Ida Bagus Rai Budarsa took a chance on growing grapes in a tropical climate that most winemakers would have written off is such a great example of how unexpected opportunities often come from places nobody's looking.
The comparison between Hatten's cellar door in Sanur and Sababay in Gianyar is really helpful for anyone planning a visit. That note about harvesting up to three https://spingranny.at/app times a year instead of once is wild - completely different rhythm from traditional wine regions. And the tip about imported alcohol being taxed at around 90% makes local…
This month, we celebrate Stuart Souter as our Athlete of the Month. His recognition is a chance to highlight the commitment, determination and passion that athletes bring to their sport.
Being an athlete is about more than performance. It is also about consistency, resilience and the willingness to keep improving. Stuart’s recognition reflects the qualities that make an athlete stand out and inspire those around them.
Athlete of the Month is a great way to celebrate individual achievements while recognising the dedication behind them. chickenroad also offers a place to discover more inspiring ideas and stories.