Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sporting ExcitementSporting Excitement

Horse Racing

Unbridled Passions: Jockey Daniel Muscutt as you’ve never seen him before on his love of marathon running

, Unbridled Passions: Jockey Daniel Muscutt as you’ve never seen him before on his love of marathon running

I was always fairly sporty at school and used to play a lot of rugby. But long-distance running is only something I have started doing over the past 16 months.

In October 2018, I had a heavy fall at the races – on a two-year-old making his racecourse debut at Chelmsford. I broke my neck, had fractures in my back and fractured a rib.

Sadly, the horse was fatally injured and I was taken to hospital. Then I needed a four-month period of recuperation.

I did four residential visits for about a week at a time to Oaksey House, the Injured Jockeys Fund rehabilitation centre in Lambourn. The care I received there and the gym work that I did were brilliant.

But on the weeks when I wasn’t there I started running longer and longer distances. It started off at just a mile or two, then I built it up to five miles or a bit more.

Of course, partly it was to get back to where I needed to be on the scales and fitness-wise. When I had my fall, I could ride at 8 stone 11 lbs – so I weighted just under that. But while I was injured my weight went up to 10 stones 7 lbs or heavier.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

I started to get a real kick out of running and started doing ten-mile runs. I don’t see it as a hardship any more. It’s a great way of switching off.

In fact, I find it therapeutic – much better than sitting in a sauna!

Often I will stick on a podcast when I am running – perhaps “The Peter Crouch Podcast”, the BBC World Service or country music.

I decided to do local half marathon in September last year – more than 13 miles – at Ely, Cambridgeshire, near to where I live. I really enjoyed it and started taking it even more seriously. I got myself a proper watch so I could learn to pace myself. I followed that up with two more half marathons.

I would have done the Brighton full marathon in April this year but it was postponed because of coronavirus.

Instead, because I had done all the hard yards training, I did a full marathon on my own – more than 26 miles – and clocked three hours 23 minutes. I was really pleased with that. I was sponsored too and raised more than £1,200 for the National Trust.

I am 24 now and I am 100 per cent certain to keep my running going: it’s a big part of my life. I hope to do the Brighton marathon when its re arranged.

I would love run a marathon in under three hours – that would be a big deal for me. I know from running the Cambridge half marathon that it’s a lot easier when there are other runners and a crowd willing you on, sucking you along.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

I get a bit distracted when I am running alone: if I was a racehorse, I would probably need blinkers!

, Unbridled Passions: Jockey Daniel Muscutt as you’ve never seen him before on his love of marathon running

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/royal-ascot-2020-red-letter-day-for-kevin-ryan-and-kevin-stott-as-hello-youmzain-and-hey-jonesy-hit-the-target

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest

Premier League

Former Football Stars Turned Coaches Cesc Fabregas has been predicted to join the ranks of successful managers like Mikel Arteta, Thierry Henry, and Patrick...

Premier League

Guardiola's Headache Manchester City is facing a massive injury crisis with seven key players at risk of missing the crucial showdown against Arsenal. Defensive...

Premier League

ARSENAL and West Ham are on the brink of securing an extra Champions League spot for English clubs in 2024-25 by potentially eliminating German...

Premier League

Sir Jim Ratcliffe making changes at Old Trafford Manchester United is gearing up for a major shake-up as Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the British billionaire...

Premier League

Man City vs Arsenal Preview Manchester City and Arsenal, two title rivals, are set to clash this Easter Sunday in a crucial Premier League...

Golf

Golden Rule: They're Patrons, Not Fans When attending the Masters at Augusta National, remember to address fellow spectators as 'patrons' and not 'fans'. This...

Advertisement
Advertisement

Facebook

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement