We speak to the British 1500m silver medalist whose leap of faith is paying off.
When Molly Hudson stepped onto the start line of the women’s 1500m at this year’s British Athletics Indoor Championships, she did so with quiet ambition rather than expectation. “I didn’t think I would get a medal this year,” he says. “Maybe in the future, but not now.”
The field was deep and experienced. For him, the fight for bronze seemed the most likely outcome.
“I thought one and two were probably settled between Gemma (Ricky) and Revie (Walcott-Nolan),” said the 23-year-old. However, some advice from Dave Ragan, his partner Ben Pattison’s trainer, changed his thinking. “Do not respect anyone too much.”
For an athlete who has struggled with self-confidence, the instruction hit home. “I’m usually someone who doubts myself a lot, so I had to be extremely confident going in,” she says.
It worked as Hudson positioned himself well and won the national silver medal behind Ricky.
“I was just thinking. “Don’t doubt yourself, stick with it,” she says. “It depends on how much you wanted it. And I obviously wanted it.”
The medal marked a major breakthrough after a difficult period.
“The last few years have been really tough,” Hudson says. “Especially mentally.”
Hudson spent two years in the United States in the NCAA system at Boston College, where he achieved academic success and developed strong friendships, but struggled to progress on the track. Coaching changes undermined continuity and confidence.
“The training was very intense. The first year I probably didn’t do enough, the second year I probably did too much. There was no consistency. And consistency is key in running,” he says. “I had one coach that we didn’t see and the training wasn’t right for me. It was a really tough time. He kept me hard there. There were times when I wanted to go home but I didn’t, but I did it and I’m glad I did because I finished it.”
Hudson improved on his 1500m PB but was up over 800m frustrated by repeated training and a lack of momentum. Returning to the UK and based in Loughborough, Hudson began working formally with Pattison. The transition was not without challenges. After ending the American college season early, he tried to extend the British season without a proper reset.
“I tried to force it,” he says. “I wasn’t ready mentally or physically. I was just desperate to prove a point.”
Instead, he refocused on rebuilding. Training volume was adjusted to what he calls his “sweet spot” of 40-45 miles per week, and the emphasis shifted to consistency rather than chasing quick fixes. Trusting Pattison as a coach was a leap, but it paid off.
“When I returned, I thought: “I’ll just trust you,” I heard all he said.
I don’t really need a lot of attention. I just go with it because he’s got his own.”
Their approach paid off early in the indoor season with a personal best of 4:10.02.
“I knew it was in me,” she says. “Physically, I was in a good place. It was more of a mental block. When you manage a PB or a time you’re happy with, your confidence just comes back. If you don’t believe you can do it, you won’t.”
Looking ahead, Hudson’s focus is clear. lower his personal best and position himself for major championship standards.
“After this indoor season, I’m looking at that Commonwealth and European standards a bit more,” he says. “I can definitely run under 4:10.”
So far, the UK silver close suggests that the rebuild is working.
“I was finally happy with my races,” he says. “And it’s been a long time.”
If you could choose one person to train/compete with, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would have to say either Jessica Ennis or Kelly Holmes because they were both my idols growing up and women I look up to. I don’t think I’ll be able to follow any of them, and I guess Jess’s teaching is different than mine. But it would be a lot of fun.
