Athlete Analysis: Josh Robinson

Neuff x Athletics Weekly

Usually found in the 800m events, Josh Robinson is a focused middle distance athlete, who also competes in cross country from time to time.

He started taking athletics more seriously after wanting to better himself during lockdown. Ever since his initial foray into the sport, he is fully committed to his craft, and enjoys the buzz he feels from pushing his body to the limit in training and competitions.

Having competed for Chelmsford AC and Southend AC, Josh says this season provided him with the best and most consistent training he's ever had, and he's now looking to build on his success as a student-athlete, after having just joined university a earlier this year.

With big improvements firmly in Josh's eyeline, he spoke to us as part of a special ambassador series with Athletics Weekly, where he divulged more about his beginnings in the sport, and what makes him so passionate to keep going in the demaning sport of distance running.

Your journey began from a simple run during COVID that ended up changing everything for you. What made you decide that at this time running would help you break the cycle in your life, and what aspects of the sport help you to be more productive as a person?

At the time, I didn’t intend to use running as a way to change my life, I simply wanted to make my school cross-country team.

I would always be the reserve, FOR THE RESERVE. So, I wasn’t great and I had to make a change. I started training outside of school on my own as well as researching every little way I could improve at running.

This was the first time I had a strong drive to achieve something. So, it led me to develop some strong skills such as discipline, hard work, etc. which I was able to translate to other parts of my life like studying at school. In terms of productivity, I would say the running itself helped clear my mind before work so when I got back to work I could fully focus.

When you look back at what you have achieved so far, what would you say have been your biggest highlights, and why do these particular achievements or moments mean so much to you?

I would say it was a couple of years ago where I first thought "I could be really good at this whole running thing".

I was only 2 years into training properly, and I jumped from 2:02 to 1:56 in the 800m, which qualified me for Nationals and got me into the Youth Talent Program for England.

Another highlight was in summer 2024. I was very, very ill, which ended up in a trip to the hospital. However, I recovered 3 weeks after, and I then got a 3 second PB in the 800m!!!

I was shocked. I had convinced myself that all my hard work had just gone down the drain when I was ill, so when I saw the time at the finish line, it meant a lot.

It’s been a very busy year for you. You’ve been taking your final A-level exams, all while training most days of the week. What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced while trying to balance everything together, and how did you overcome them?

Student athletes don't get enough credit. It's tough.

You need to be very good at time management to properly balance studying and training. The main way I coped with this was by taking every little opportunity I had and I would try to make something positive with it.

For example, if I had a 30 minute drive to training, I would then spend at least 10 minutes studying, otherwise I wouldn't have another opportunity in the day.

It's a lot of sacrifice as well, and a lot of people won't understand why you miss "fun" events to go and train. I've learnt from this that the better you get, the more you're misunderstood.

I feel this way because from my experience, as you get to a higher and higher level, fewer and fewer people have achieved what you have, so they don't truly understand what it takes.

You recently finished a seven-year stint as a runner for your school. Now that you’re planning on heading to uni soon, how will your best memories and the skills you’ve gained help you become an unbeatable athlete as you move up age categories and take on new challenges in your life?

Turn fear into excitement. That's the main thing I've learnt over the years of running because if you're not enjoying it, what's the point?

If it wasn't for school and racing across the country with my mates, then I wouldn't have understood this.

Currently, I'm enjoying the sport more than ever before, and working harder than ever before. So, as I move up the age categories, I'll be able to move to higher levels within the sport without burning out or getting overwhelmed.

You’re constantly inspired by the camaraderie within the distance community. In what ways does your support network inspire you? Why is this camaraderie such a vital part of your success?

Running is often seen as an individual sport, but the best of the best has a full team of support behind them.

I've met a lot of amazing athletes and coaches, some of whom aren't even from the endurance community. They've all made me better in one way or another, whether that's from specific training knowledge and advice, to someone to train with and compete against to push me further.

I'm always meeting new people year on year, and they always help me become a better athlete.

Now that your uni journey is only around the corner, what role do you think athletics will play in your life over the next few years now you’ll be facing new challenges? What will your main goals be?

Next year, there's going to be a lot of change. I'm ready to take my performance to the next level.

I approached last year conservatively, because I was growing a lot and I was very prone to injury during this time. But now, I'm ready to take it up a notch.

I've always wanted to train with people faster than me, because I think that’s the best way to get better. Over the years, I’ve changed my training setup multiple times to accompany this idea.

My main goal is essentially to be better than the year before. To slowly make progress, while still adapting and improving.