This week didn’t start quite as planned, I missed my Monday run. Work, life, and general fatigue got in the way, but rather than stress about it, I decided to just reset and focus on the next run. Sometimes, that’s all you can do. Training for the 2026 London Marathon was never meant to be easy, and weeks like this are all part of the journey.
Wednesday – Back on Track
Wednesday became my first run of the week: a steady 20-minute run with 5-minute walks either side for warm-up and cool-down, 1.89 miles running in 20 minutes with a solid 10:35 per mile average pace. It felt good to be back out, steady and controlled, one of those runs where you can actually feel the progress you’ve made over the past few weeks.
The Gym & Pool Combo
Tuesday and Thursday were spent in the gym, both followed by a swim, my new favourite (and exhausting) routine.
On Tuesday, I hit the stepmaster for 14 minutes, climbing what felt like an endless staircase, 45.3 floors to be exact. Then it was 14 minutes on the bike, covering 3.21 miles before heading into the pool, where I managed 14 lengths.
By Thursday, I was back at it, 47.5 floors on the stepmaster, 3.3 miles on the bike, and 16 lengths in the pool. The best part? I actually managed a couple of back-to-back lengths without stopping in between. For someone who still doesn’t love putting their head under the water, that’s progress!
Friday – 10K
The plan was to do a 40-minute jog, but it turned into something much bigger. From the start, my legs felt good, my breathing settled quickly, and I found that rare running rhythm where everything just clicks.
At 6K I thought, “let’s see if I can make it to an hour.”
At 7K I thought, “I’m close now, might as well keep going.”
And at the hour mark, I realised I was within touching distance of 10K, so I pushed through and did it.
10.07km in 1:09:13.
My first full 10K in years. It wasn’t fast, and it wasn’t easy, but it felt amazing. Seeing that double-digit distance pop up on Strava was such a milestone moment, proof that all the effort since I started this has been worth it.
I might be slower than I used to be, but I’m running further, stronger, and with a purpose. Every mile feels earned, every ache feels worthwhile. I’m not chasing old times anymore, I need to get that out of my head, I’m chasing new goals. It’s not about proving I can still run fast; it’s about proving I can keep going. Every step takes me closer to the marathon, and closer to doing something that truly means something.
Reflections
- Missing a run isn’t the end of the world, it’s what you do next that counts.
- Mixing in gym and swimming sessions has been a game changer, low impact but still great for fitness.
- Once you hit 7K, the rest is all in your head. The legs complain, but the mind decides.
- Running 10K again reminded me that the marathon goal isn’t just possible, it’s happening.
I didn’t plan to push too hard, but once I got going on Friday, I found a nice rhythm. The hills didn’t make it easy, but every climb made the finish feel even better. Running can be full of surprises, and today, technology added one of its own.
According to Strava, I’ve just clocked my second-fastest 10K. Not bad at all, but when I checked my Garmin watch, it told a slightly different story: same route, same run… but a faster time. Both times added on Strava.
I guess that’s the beauty (and frustration) of GPS! A few seconds here, a few metres there, and suddenly you’ve got two apps arguing over who’s right. But honestly, I’ll take either, because both prove something important: I’m improving.
It wasn’t long ago that 10K felt like a huge challenge, and now I’m running it confidently enough to debate fine margins. Whether Strava or Garmin wins this one doesn’t really matter, what matters is that I showed up, pushed through, and finished strong.
Every run like this gets me closer to where I want to be, fitter, stronger, and ready for the London Marathon in April. And if the data can’t quite agree on my pace, that’s fine. The miles are still in the legs, and that’s what counts.
It’s strange to think that a few months ago, running 10K felt impossible. Now it’s locked in and part of the journey. A slower pace doesn’t bother me, it’s all about consistency, not perfection.