I took a long break from writing. It was necessary. It was good. But I’m ready to start again — carefully, intentionally, and hopeful that I’ll find the rhythm I managed to hold over the last two years.

2025 wasn’t a year of big ambitions. I stepped back from marathons to focus on shorter distances and gave cross-country a try. My only real target was a mileage goal: 2,600 km.

Then came the curveball: Insomnia.

By August, my energy had disappeared. I lowered my goal to 2,500 km — still an ambitious ask for someone who felt permanently depleted. On December 29th, I did the math:

“Just two days left. It looks like I’ll miss my goal by 12 km.”

It stung. So close, yet so far.

On the morning of December 31st, I finished what was supposed to be my final run of the year. I came home, refuelled, and stared at the gap: 12.7 km remained between me and my promise. I realised I couldn’t leave it there.

I messaged my coach: “Don’t call me crazy… I’m going back out for a second run.”

Two long runs in one day are no joke. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done — not because of the distance or pace, but because of the exhaustion. But I finished. I honoured the promise.

For 2026, the metrics are changing.

I’m taking a break from chasing a total distance. My goals are simpler: train well and fix my sleep. I have two marathons planned. If PBs follow, I’ll welcome them — not as targets chased, but as outcomes earned.

Here’s to another year of doing things I’m not very good at, but that are very good for me.

I’m ditching the Strava goals for a bit this year. What’s one metric, if any, you’re letting go of in 2026?

#PromiseKept #TrainingJourney #RunningIn2026 #StravaLife #WritingAgain