It’s been a while since my last update, Physio, Patience, and a Plan. After injury setbacks and a necessary pause to reset, I’d love to say I’ve been smashing my training and running like the wind.
But let’s be honest: the wind’s been doing a lot more running than I have lately.
Since my last post, things have stalled a bit. I’ve been resting my knees, and the mix of work, life, and general chaos has made it far too easy to slip out of routine. One missed run turned into two… and suddenly I found myself spending more time thinking about running than actually doing it. I became a kind of theoretical runner, highly motivated in my mind, but mysteriously glued to the sofa in practice.
Every evening turned into a battle between lacing up or putting the kettle on, and I’ll be honest, the kettle won. Repeatedly.
But I haven’t given up. I’ve just paused, temporarily. The plan is still there, the goal is still set, and I know once I restart, the routine will come back. It always does. Until then, I’m trying not to beat myself up for falling off track, just promising myself I’ll get back to it (after this cup of tea).
That said, it’s not all doom and gloom. Progress has still been happening, just not all of it in trainers.
✅ Marathon Momentum
I’ve now officially signed up on the london marathon console, confirming my charity place for the 2026 London Marathon
I’ve signed up for the Bath Half Marathon on Sunday 15 March 2026
I’ve been given 10 months of free access to Coopah, the personalised training app, a brilliant gift from the Meningitis Research Foundation for their runners.
(Coach Coopah has mostly just been glaring at me from my phone screen, but we’ll get back on speaking terms soon.)
🏃♂️ Progress (and a Belt Emergency)
I’ve lost just over a stone since I started running again – which is great… except now none of my trousers fit. I spent a solid week doing the “beltless shuffle” at work — one hand holding a coffee, the other holding up my jeans. Not ideal. Eventually, I gave in and bought a new belt. It’s possibly the most practical milestone of my running journey so far.
The last couple of pounds to get under 12 stone are being annoyingly stubborn, clinging on like they know December’s full marathon training block is coming — and they’re not invited. I’m not quite at racing snake status yet, but definitely a few notches closer on the new belt.
Weirdly, I feel fitter even though I haven’t been running much lately. Maybe it’s the physio work. Maybe it’s muscle memory. Or maybe it’s just the fact I now get out of breath less often doing things like putting socks on. Whatever it is, I’ll take it.
🧠 The Mental Game
Even without a full running routine, things are shifting. I’m thinking more like a runner again. I’m being patient (mostly). And I’m still 100% committed to getting to that start line in April.
The Bath Half will be a big checkpoint and a great way to seeing where I’m at around 6 weeks before London. Between now and then, it’s about slowly building rhythm, being kind to my knees, and not panicking every time someone mentions “26.2 miles” like it’s just a Sunday stroll.
💸 Fundraising Update
I’ve raised £295 so far towards my £2,300 target for the Meningitis Research Foundation 🎉
That’s amazing, and just enough to give me a healthy mix of pride and mild panic.
If you’d like to support a lapsed-but-returning runner who talks more than he trains (for now), I’d be hugely grateful.
👉 Donate on my JustGiving page
Or, if you want to support in a more personal way, you can sponsor one of my Memory Miles.
I’m dedicating each mile of the London Marathon to someone special, in memory or celebration. For a small donation, you can choose a mile, add a name and message, and it’ll appear on my virtual memory wall, and eventually, on the back of my running vest on race day.
💜 Sponsor a Memory Mile here: https://www.running.me.uk/memory-miles/
It’s a way to be part of the journey, one mile at a time.
Thanks for sticking with me. Marathon training might not be linear, but the goal hasn’t changed. I’ll be lacing up again soon, right after I’ve finished reorganising my sock drawer and having a serious word with my knee.
More updates soon (unless I get distracted by ice creams… again). 🍨