This is the first year I can remember without an ultra in my calendar.
In the past, having a string of events booked and building towards a big goal has generally kept me focused and motivated to train hard and consistently. This year, however, I have enjoyed the headspace to simply be in the moment while I’m running, feeling relaxed, with time to reflect and space to make my training hours more productive.
And yet I’ve also stayed consistent. Although my weekly mileage has dropped a little – averaging around 20 miles – I’ve added in two strength and conditioning sessions and a one-hour boxing session each week. Periodically, I’ve increased my weekly mileage into the mid-30s to remind my body (and mind) what is required to run ultras, which also gives me some confidence that I could turn up the heat again when I need to.
All in all, I’m exercising for just under six hours a week and wow – I feel so much better for replacing some running with strength work. My abs, glutes and upper body are so much stronger, all contributing to better running form. That includes how I lift my knees, push off my trailing leg, keep my chin up, and avoid haunching when I get tired – that feeling of running slowly rather than shuffling when the going gets tough.
Cold water swimming remains a key contributor to my overall wellbeing, helping with muscle recovery and reducing the effects of fatigue. It’s an amazing ingredient to my emotional health and resilience. We are in late autumn here in the UK and this will be my second winter of cold-water swimming. The photo at the top of this post is of the Marine Lake, Clevedon, taken last week on a crisp, clear morning.
Although I’m doing this year without a big race in mind, like many of you, I am thinking about events for 2026. The Winter Fan Dance will kick-off 2026 – a gruelling 24km SAS selection test march staged over Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons. Each participant carries a 30lb Bergen or rucksack, plus their food and water.
Then, at the end of April, the 50-mile BTU, followed possibly by a 100-miler? The jury is out on that last one: my last 100-miler was the TP100 back in 2015, some time ago… We’ll see.
Happy Autumn / Winter running folks,
– Andy
Life is a Sine Curve 