As 2019 and this decade of the ‘10s’ or ‘teens’ comes to a close, I have pricked out some of my favourite sporting photos of the last decade and explained a little story about each one. There has been so many amazing memories for me over the past 10 years, particularly between 2012 to 2016, which were genuinely my physical peak years all round in sports and fitness. The photos that I have selected are in no particular order.
ENJOY...
This was at mile 22 during the London Marathon 2014, which was one of the best days of my life. At 29 years old and in my fifth marathon, I ran my first sub 3 hour marathon and my third ‘Good For Age’ marathon time with a finishing time of 2:57:29, which is still my marathon PB to this day. I felt at my all-time peak during this race both physically and mentally combined and it felt so comfortable, I didn’t put a foot wrong. Looking back I probably could have ran it even faster but I was so happy with my first sub 3 hour marathon after being just 41 seconds off that feat just one year before. I also came back from a bad calf tear injury the year leading up to this which made it all the sweeter. I ran this marathon raising money for Epilepsy Society.
This photo was taken by one of my Kirkstall Harriers runners and supporters. I saw the Kirkstall Harriers banner and them all cheering me on so I raised my arms in the air. My sister Melanie and my cousin Matty were also cheering me on near the same spot.
This is one of my favourite team photos from my long standing five a side football team that I organised alongside my mate Jonny from 2006 to 2017. Over the years we went by the name of FC Galacticos, Sick Int Teeth, Roman Galacticos and Olympique. At this point during this photo above, we were called Sick Int Teeth and we were crowned Champions of the Championship division for the second season running down at Goals Soccer Centre. We could never play in the top Premiership division due to the earlier kick off times which was a shame.
We had a great team during this time in 2010 and this was when my team was probably at it’s all time peak. We had Jonny in goal who was at his all time peak as a keeper, such great shot stopping and his roll outs and understanding with me, Tim and O’Brien up top was telepathic. We had a young Matty at the back, my cousin who was very fit and was strong, he played at the back with a very talented and skilful defender in Wayne, who could also link up with our attackers. We had Paul who was a former semi professional player, so skilful and slotted in anywhere on the pitch in any position. Then we had our star striker O’Brien who would regularly score 5 goals a game. We had Tim and me running off O’Brien, both chipping in with a lot of goals and assists. We had an unbelievable balance in the team and everyone knew their roles and we all played to our strength. Myself, I was at my peak in regards to my speed and athleticism and my dribbling ability meant I could be the playmaker of the team, I really enjoyed playing with with these lads and we won a lot during the few years before and after this picture.
RJ SPORTS TV: a selection of goals I’ve scored in 5 a side between 2011 and 2016
This is a photo of me and my former Kirkstall Harriers team-mate Philip after the Leeds Golden Mile 1600m Track Event at Leeds Beckett Carnegie Athletics Track. It was my first track race since high school and I was a little nervous but also very excited. I was running Heat 7, one of the fastest heats and I ended up winning in a time of 5:04, which was a new one mile PB for me at the time. Amazing day.
This has got to be one of my sporting photos of the decade. At the time when this photo was shot, it went on a mini viral trip on Facebook, within Kirkstall Harriers and within some of the local running clubs. The KA7 race is organised by my running club Kirkstall Harriers and we have a mini challenge within the race. We have a ‘beat the Monk’ and a ‘Nun on the run’.
This was the second time I ran dressed as The Monk for Kirkstall Harriers and it came down to a sprint finish battle between two good Valley Striders runners trying to beat me towards the finish line. I have traditionally being very explosive on a sprint finish and there was no way these guys were gonna beat me that day - I was on fire, culminating in this amazing photo of us racing to the finish line. I had just overtaken them and they were trying to get me back but I was gone. I finished the tough 7 mile trail race in a time of 42:55 and in 17th position out of 241. Oh and believe me, it’s not easy running with that heavy outfit on. Great race and a great memory too!
This photo was of me before entering my race pen for the Good For Age Race starting section in 2014, running for my club Kirkstall Harriers and charity Epilepsy Society. It was to be probably my greatest running achievement, or atleast the one that meant the most to me, where I achievement my long term ambition of running a marathon under 3 hours. My race time of 2:57:29 earned me the accolade of being inside the top 3% of marathon runners in the United Kingdom. After coming so close to reaching my target by seconds the year before after putting in so much effort and to then bounce back after injury to do it in 2014, it was euphoric and emotional.
This is one of my all-time favourite photos of me playing football and it came within the last decade, at Leeds United’s Elland Road football stadium during an 11 a side tournament. Although as a team, we didn’t have great results at this tournament, I did play very well, despite just recovering from a very painful I.T. band injury. I was utilising the space available on the big Elland Road pitch and my pace and dribbling was on form that day, above I was on an explosive run!
This has got to be one of my all-time favourite photos. It was taken during the Yorkshire Tough Mudder that I completed in 2014 with Team Mudder Boots from my work place. What I love most about this picture is I was at my all-time physical peak and the way I glided through these monkey bars with relative ease just epitomises how strong and fit I was at the time. I was always working hard in the gym, not only weight training but working on body weight exercises, core strength, a bit of boxing on the bag, my running training was at its peak, with my competitive football and all my it’s plyometric training I really did feel athletic and invincible. At this Tough Mudder, I completed every single obstacle first time. The year after in 2015 I also completed the 12 mile obstacle course but didn’t perform anywhere near my best - although having a bad hangover probably didn’t help haha.
This photo is such an iconic photo for all three of us and a photo that really meant a lot to each of us. When this photo was first posted on our respective social media pages, the caption was:
Richard: a 6x Good For Age marathon runner, Terry: a Guinness World Record Holder, Glenn: a sub 3-hour marathon runner.
All three of us ran this very tough and hilly and notoriously hard 20 mile race pretty much together the whole of the 20 miles and all had our own goals at the London Marathon 2015. Terry in the middle sadly passed away this year and was such sad news. He made such an impact on the running community. RIP Terry, a legend of running!
Another great shot by my friend and amazing photographer Dan Wilkinson from the Elland Road tournament. I just love the action shot of this photo with the Sky Bet adverts in the background. The ball came firing at me and I used my athleticism to control the ball in mid-air. The opponent here is actually my mate Millsy, who actually scored a wonder goal during this tournament.
This is one of my favourite photos and a little bit because it is from my one and only fell race that I have ever ran. I ran this and I wasn’t prepared for how competitive and aggressive it can be near the start line and my inexperience showed during this race. I wasn’t too bothered about starting in the middle somewhere as I thought I would ease my way into the race. I needed a wee badly before the start and I thought I would wait at the back to have a quick wee before I start the race and catch the front pack up.
So the race started and everyone darted to the front and fought hard to do so using elbows and all sorts. Meanwhile, I was waiting at the back so I could sneak off for a wee. I soon realised after my wee when I literally started right at the back, why they all competed for the start line - it was single file for the first few miles. I had to gradually overtake right from the back and once I got out of the single file parts of the race I ran my heart out. I overtook so many runners on a very tough course along the moorland. I actually thoroughly enjoyed it and I ended up finishing 102nd, which although it was very disappointing for me, as I should have been in top 30-50, I know that starting from right at the back - I actually ran very well that day. Also, one of the Brownlee Brothers holds the record for that fell race .
I love this photo infront of the Kop at Elland Road where we had a big team photo together. What a day and what an experience, playing at Leeds United’s home ground. We lost most of our games in the tournament sadly, however, we won our final game 1-0, the only goal of the game scored by our great midfielder Wayne, after I set him up with a picked through ball. Memories for life.
CLICK HERE FOR MY FULL BLOG ABOUT THE ELLAND ROAD TOURNAMENT IN MAY 2014
I love the focus that I have on my face before this race, which was my first official track event since my high school years. I won my heat after an amazing sprint finish and final lap. I used my old school tactic of sticking behind the leader and then making my move just after the bell on the final lap. I remember that the guy Scott, who was third just behind me, Chris was leading, tried to make a move just before the final bell, so I instead made my move then and I overtook the leader Chris and I backed myself right until the end and put on a sprint finish to take victory. I was always going to win that day and I raced both tactically and with my head and heart.
It was such a great feeling too as my Grandma Maureen and Grandad John, who are both big athletics fans came to watch me win. I won a bottle of fruit wine and I went back to my cousins house that night and we all drank it in my auntie and uncles hot tub - was a class day and another memory for life.
You can watch the full race football below, filmed by my cousin Michael.
RJ SPORTS TV: full race
This photo is from mile 22 of the London Marathon 2015 where I ran my second sub 3-hour marathon time in two years. I was really feeling at my absolute long distance running peak coming into this race and had recently earned a 20 mile PB at Spen 20 a month before. My sister took this photo and I punched the air as I saw her and my cousin cheering me on. I really should have ran this one quicker if I am honest but it wasn’t to be on the day but it was my second quickest marathon time ever and I really enjoyed the race, although there were some tough moments too, it wouldn’t be a marathon if there wasn’t I guess? I was running for mental health charity - Mind.
I love the whole setting of this photo that was taken by my mate Jonny who I regularly had boxing pads sessions on our roof terrace at Clarendon Quarter The Gardens where I lived in 2017. I really got into my boxing got fitness in 2017 and found it great for fitness and a buzz too. With the summer sunset in the background, I love this photo.
RJ SPORTS TV: I enjoyed my outdoor pad sessions with my mate Jonny
This is from the start of Leg 4 of this 64 mile team relay race, which me and Paul ran together with me holding the baton. We were around the same speed generally, at that time and it was a great experience running alongside him as a team. We ran through cornfields, trails, wooded pathways - you name it and we came out with one of the top times too.
I love this photo as it says it all about Cross-Country running in one photo. It’s muddy, it’s competitive and can be rough at times to fend eachother off for race positions, even elbows are used at times. I ran in the Northern Championships and the Nationals during my 3-4 year stint in Cross-Country but I must admit, the local Pecos were my favourites. I produced one of my best sprint finishes at this race.
Another shot of me at the Elland Road tournament flying down the left flank. This game was probably my best in the tournament, I was on fire, it was our second match of the tournament. We dribbled past three down the flank including the guy in the distance, using my pure explosive pace but I have to say, when I approached the box and had a great chance to finish, I think I know I was at Elland Road I bottled it if I am honest and it was a poor shot on goal and the keeper saved it easy - it was straight at him.
Although this photo is of the state of my socks after running the marathon in 2:58:38, finishing inside the top 4% at London Marathon and not a photo of myself, to me it is one of my favourite photos of the last decade.
The photo shows that I run with heart and there is no quit in me no matter what problems and pain I encounter. My blisters that I suffered from in this 26.2 mile marathon began in the first 3-4 miles and I had to endure the rest of the marathon in this pain but I had the heart to power through and I still earned a sub 3-hour time, it didn’t slow me down one little bit and I ran my heart out. Traditionally I very rarely suffer from blisters as my feet are used to it after years of football and running so experiencing them to this level was not what I was used to.
I love this photograph that was taken during a game at the Elland Road tournament. Being small I always had to work on my aerial work and during this time I was at my footballing peak years. I always love a physical challenge and here out-leaped the taller opposition to challenge for the ball in the air.
This photo shows the extreme physical shape that I got myself back into during my marathon 2018 comeback season whilst I was training at my gym at Clarendon Quarter. I was really working on my all round physical fitness and I particularly had a passion and enjoyment for Bulgarian Bag workouts, although they were very tough. I didn’t hit the times I wanted to in my marathon comeback but I was extremely fit physically. Looking back I probably worked a little too much on my strength and conditioning rather than running training.
RJ SPORTS TV: highlights of my sporting comeback in 2017
Although this photo is a little vain, it is one of my favourites because I was genuinely at my all-time physical prime during this period of my life at 30 years old. I really worked hard on my strength, conditioning, weight training, gym, plyometrics, body weights exercises, explosiveness, competitive football, competitive running, athletics, obstacle courses, all sorts of sports - you name it.
I was 30 years old and in the best all round physical shape ever and unless I dedicate again in the future, maybe ever.
RJ SPORTS TV: me in peak conditions
This was my first official one mile race that I ever ran and I finished 2nd in my Heat 7 or 8 of 10. It was a great race, very tough. I was leading for the first quarter of a mile but to be fair, the winner was very strong and a clear winner. A great race and a great finishing position for me.
This is from the first time I ran the KA7 dressed as the Mad Monk. I am not going to lie, I had a shocking hangover but I ran my heart out. This photo is an iconic one which believe it or not ended up on the side of a Kirkstall Tourism mini bus.
This is one of my favourite pictures from a boxing bag session and I was really enjoying my boxing training for fitness at that time. After two years out of the gym it was my comeback year and my fitness and strength really began to improve again during this time. It’s one of my former Facebook Profile Photos.
RJ SPORTS TV: a few boxing clips on the bag at the Clarendon Quarter Gym where I lived - no technique but plenty of energy
This was right at the start of this decade and I ran the Leeds 10K, which at the time was a relatively new race. It had only been going for a few years and was organised by the Jane Tomlinson Appeal. The course back then was much tougher than it is these days and went up to Meanwoood then back into town. I finished inside the top 100 and I felt very proud of that.
Here, after running hard, you can see the ecstasy and relief on my face after finishing a sprint finish! Also, my body was so physically lean at that time and you can tell from how lean my legs and arms look, at 25 years old I was coming into my natural physical peak.
I love this photo which was taken this year. At 34 years old and as I approached 35 years old, my sporting veteran years - I got into rope training alongside my boxing sessions with my mate Jonny at the gym. Naturally I seem to be pretty decent at this style of training and I’m starting to feel very fit again. Hopefully for many more years to come!
RJ SPORTS TV: checkout some of my rope training
This was the last game in the tournament where we won our one and only game of the tournament in a 1-0 victory. We had to wear a blue away kit as our Leeds United white kit clashed with the opposition. Here, this is before the game and I was made captain by team captain Benny for the last game so I was talking tactics with Lee and my cousin Matty. I played upfront as an out and out striker in this game because my I.T. Band injury was giving me trouble so I needed to do less running and running in behind the defence was the best option. I almost scored in this game too, the ball came into me just at edge of the box and I twisted and turned as I received it and hit it just over the bar and all I heard was ‘ooos’ haha, so close, it would have been one of my best goals ever. I also got to take a corner in this game too, what an experience at Elland Road. I have always been great at crossing and thankfully I put in a good delivery.
Below are two more of my favourite photos from this tournament. One performing some silky skills and one a one-two double touch dribble past a defender from the first game.
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