Author: busyrunning

I’m a busy dad, company director and general plate spinner with a passion for the outdoors and running.

Week 3: 12 – 18 Jan

Run: 6hrs 21 mins (46.2mi) / Gym 0mins / Crosstrain: 0min

Normally this would be the start of a 2 week taper before a long event, but I felt like I was still chasing the miles, after a few problems in recent weeks. I therefore set out with the plan to have build some decent miles this week, whilst also trying to catch up on some rest, before dropping the load next week. Monday morning started with the loop, and was fine. Top of the foot still tender but ok. Tuesday was a restful morning, aiming to run in the evening as usual, but perhaps not the full 10miles. Evening plans changed, but I managed to squeeze in a 5.7mile route. Daughters birthday on Wednesday meant seeing her before school, and out for dinner in the evening – this was already accounted for though, and was a useful midweek break to avoid any stress as I built the miles back up. Thursday was an early morning loop, then Friday saw the arrival of my new shoes NNormal Kjerag Trail.

They were a struggle to get on, but once on, I yanked the tongue up (it is fixed to the midsole on both sides, so needed to ensure no wrinkles). The toe box was roomy – fingers crossed. I finished the 10k with some soreness on the inside of my big toe. After wearing Newtons for the last 8 years, I wasn’t surprised that something had caught.

With race day next Sunday, I was looking to alternate shoes each run. I ended up walking the dog in the NNormals, as well as wearing them around the house. Saturday am was 10miles in my Newtons, followed by almost 9miles on Sunday in the NNormals. They felt good. I was weary of the big toe issue, and varied my push-off a little to try and give some variation before problem developed.

So a week light on variation, but felt good to get the miles covered and new shoes Christened. Next week will be lie-ins and shorter sharper runs, early in the week with just a few loosens later. Looking forward to St Ives…

Week 2: 5 – 11 Jan 2026

Run: 1hr 22min (9.5mi) / Gym: 42mins / Crosstrain: 3hrs 46mins

The foot soreness developed into a self-diagnosed case of tendinopathy across the top of my right foot (anterior tibialis tendon). Rest and rehab was going to be key.

Monday started with what was going to be a regular feature this week – an indoor turbo session, which to be fair suited to sub-zero conditions outside, and also got my legs used to a bit more pedalling, which will feature heavily in my build up to the early summer triathlon. 1 hour of grinding the cranks, and sweating a few litres, followed by some mobility work. This was repeated on Tuesday, and then coupled with a short upper body weight session on Wednesday. Thursday was a quick test – 10 mins on the treadmill, which confirmed I wasn’t ready. A turbo followed by weights on Friday morning, was added to by a 40 minute test on the treadmill in the evening. After 10 minutes of wincing, the pain eased, and I was able to push up the pace. Saturday was a runner-specific weights and mobility class, designed to improve resilience and ward off injury. Ironically I pulled my hip flexor, so headed home to ice it. Sunday morning was a tentative spin on the turbo, before a more convincing 30mins on the treadmill. I’m not fixed, but I’m not bad. 2 weeks to go before lining up at St Ives for the UTMB Arc of Attrition, and crossing my fingers

2025’s Running Total

Run: 174hrs 54min (1,236mi) / Gym: 18hrs / Crosstrain: 33hrs

Average weekly mileage of just under 24 miles, over approximately 3hrs 20mins.

Three notable injuries: knee (meniscus), strains to both groins, anterior tibialis tendinopathy. All of which on reflection, appear to be a result of returning to high volume too quickly. [mental note].

Major take-aways from the year:

  • You get injured when you push too hard too quickly [remember you are old now]
  • You need to do the gym work consistently to strengthen joint tissues to avoid injury [see note above]
  • You have not completed any events in 2025 [disappointing], but have managed to maintain decent consistency without a target race non-the-less [well done].

Action list:

  • Set 2026 targets for:
    • mileage
    • events
    • PRs
    • activity types
  • Review:
    • Nutrition (diet and supplements)
    • Footwear

Week 1: 29 Dec – 4 Jan 2026

Run: 5hrs 46min (40.0mi) / Gym: 7mins / Crosstrain: 45mins

This was a difficult week. It was a case of good intentions and quality family time clashing. With two of the three kids on a trip, we took our eldest away and enjoyed a couple of nights of exertion in the hills and restfulness and good hospitality at the hotel. With the trail race looming in January, I took advantage of the elevation on offer to test my legs. The stunning view from the fells were more than ample reward for getting up early on Monday. The next day I tested my new HOKA shoes on the hotel treadmill. Whilst they felt narrow to wear, they were fine when running, even at speed. It was a new brand to me, so I was still suspicious.

Back home on Wednesday, all seemed in order on the extended loop, clocking up a satisfying 10miles. On New Year day, my wife had arranged a river-side sauna and dip in a forest for us. The water, at 3.5 degrees was excruciatingly cold, so must have been very good for the legs… it certainly cleared the head.

Friday morning I noticed some pain across the top of my right foot when lacing up my shoes. I decided to run it off, and headed out on my regular loop. No dramas.

Saturday was 45 mins on the turbo trainer (with the 70.3 triathlon half in mind), then straight into an 11 mile run in the snow – again wincing when lacing up, but what a fantastic morning to be out.

Running in the snow. Making a potential obstacle into a reason, not an excuse