Three Years Later
What happened then? I know you've been waiting patiently.
In my last post I said running had changed shape — this is the fuller version.
2024
I started running more. I didn't realise it at the time, but I've run longer, slower, more varied and more frequently since my last article before the most recent entry.
I started reading about long slow runs and the benefits of doing them.
I tried it and found it a little uncomfortable, if I'm honest.
My runs were normally head out and go as fast as I could — or felt like going. Suddenly that became ticking over slowly at conversational pace. Alien to me. My legs hurt. It was different.
But I started to take a new enjoyment from running. Sometimes I still did fast (for me) runs. Now I targeted Strava segments if I fancied it. If not, I didn't.
There was a removal of trepidation before runs. Now it was just: let's see how we go.
My annual kilometre total increased. A previous yearly total surpassed.
Injuries and illness still came along. For the most part that meant listening to my body.
A new "easy" pace was identified.
2025
This was an interesting year. With a little spring in my step I raced slowly out of the blocks. Then got injured. Then sick.
I'd set myself a target to run most in a calendar year.
One early dark morning, while drinking coffee, a resolution formed in my head to do it anyway — even though four weeks were lost and 140 km off my target.
Basic maths used to calculate a plan. Every other day run 10k.
Simple.
Just be consistent.
Even when I didn't feel like it. In winter. When it rained. When I couldn't be bothered.
Then by the end of the year I approached my target. That felt nice. A sense of accomplishment.
Supplementary training and nutrition
I saw a nutritionist in 2025. We discussed fatigue, not feeling super pumped, and white spots on my nails.
We went through a thorough questionnaire. We met and discussed things. She surprised me by normalising a bottle of wine and suggesting dandelion coffee.
I did a swab test to check out impacts of common food items.
I'm partially sensitive to caffeine and also not. I have a predisposition to eating a lot.
I still drink caffeine.
I have started supplementing:
- Vit D
- Magnesium
- Multivits
- Omega 3
- NAC
- Probiotic
People say I look well when they see me. That's good.
2026
After my efforts of 2025 I've backed off a bit. My distance is down per run and I don't charge out every other day.
I've consciously done two things.
Firstly my nutrition is better. I eat lots of eggs. I eat lots of low fat yoghurt. Sardines — I love sardines. My weight is lowish and I am definitely leaner. I get skinny comments :O)
Secondly I train harder with weights. I consciously look to progressively overload. Just a bit, regularly.
Each weight session I try and get at least one new PB — either in volume, one-rep weight, or similar. I am amazed to see that even at my mature age it works.
I decided to start writing again.
TLDR — slower running stuck; 2025 was consistency through injury and illness; nutrition and weights in 2026; I'm back at the keyboard.
More soon.