761 miles

I did it! I crossed the 750 mile finishing line on my final run of 2025. Concluding an awesome year of running.

Running has long been part of my wellbeing (more so than leisure) routine. It helps to both have a break from everything, but also allow time for some thoughts to cycle through and process. Prior to 2020 I always ran outside, however in 2020 I injured my knee resulting in a bad grade one tear. After physio I gradually returned to running, starting with walking, then jogging. Even walking was hard at the start, but over time I got back to full mobility. During this recovery process I started using the treadmill as my way to exercise. The consistent and steady pacing helped (no stopping for traffic to cross a road). Along with having a flat surface, the unevenness of payments and stepping up and down on curbs had been painful, so the treadmill worked perfectly for my recovery.

After some time, I could likely have returned to the outdoor and off road running. However, I was scared I would re-injure my knee, so remained on the treadmill.

Over time my running behaviour (on the treadmill) changed. With the comfort of a water bottle holder and a phone tray, my runs became longer. I also didnt have to worry about the return aspect of outdoor running, and pick the point to turnaround and head home. I could just keep going until energy or time ran out (I need to be back for Henry in the morning). With the added plus of an available and nearby toilet when needed.

In the last 4 years I have very much missed running outside, the fresh air, the changing scenery. However, the option to run with the surface I was happy on, the provision of a toilet, and the option to go until I couldn't has really suited me.

It has also allowed me to set some substantial running targets. In 2022 I aimed for 1,000km/ 623 miles, in 2024 I set the same target and in 2025 I upped that to 750 miles. I have so enjoyed these challeneges. And naturally having reached the 750 total, I have thought about could I do 800 miles or maybe the 874 miles (Lands End to John O Groats distance). However, maybe thankfully, and somewhat sadly, I have decided to change focus for 2026. This year (2025) my exercise has been solely running focused, and I'd like to change that up. Running, while being primarily a mental wellbeing tool has also been a physical wellbeing tool for me. Yet, physically there are other parts of my body that could use some exercise. Picking up Henry is getting harder and so much of my work is desk based. Which has lead me to refocus my 2026 fitness goals. Slightly less on a target, more a behaviour. It's something I'm working on, but I'm considering something like 50%+ time on weights and or mobility and up to 50% on running.

I'm going to struggle to rein myself in with the running, and I do love a target, but I think thats going to be really hard to gage at this stage whats possible. It might be caping runs at 60-90 minutes and doing them after mobility work, so I know that's done.

To start with I'm going to try using fixed weights and maybe reactivating my Apple Fitness app to get the movement training happening again.

I think that's why this feels a little more like an end, because of the refocusing. It's not just the end of a challenge but also the end of this routine and behaviour.

That said, it's been tricky. In 2025 I completed 48 runs, 46 of those were on Sunday mornings, mostly getting up at 4am. Because of the single-mindedness, and consern I still have with injury, I turned down some activities because I didnt want to get injured or be unable to complete my challenge. I think that's the other great and difficult thing with a year long challenge, the pressure you put on yourself over an extended period of time. I cant get injured, I cant not get up, I cant go for that drink Saturday night because, I have to be awake and ready to run 10+ miles in the morning. I think working towards a focus is likely more healthy (for me) like a week or month challenge.

I've mentioned some of my running numbers, and I wanted to look back too and see what have I run over the years, and this year. Thanks to the Nike Running app, here are my running insights:

Mike's running distances by year:

2019 - 316 total miles

2020 -117 total miles

2021 -209 total miles

2022 - 684 total miles

2023 - 471 total miles

2024 - 641 total miles

2025 - 761 total miles

Mike's 2025 running (48 total runs):

10+ mile runs: 2

Half marathon runs: 12

15+ mile runs: 29

20+ mile runs: 3

Marathon runs: 2

I love looking at those numbers, I feel a real sence of pride and achievement. This year I was focused on distances, and look, I did it! Not to mention two(!) marathon runs in there as well! Something I never thought I'd be able to do. I've never used so many exclamation marks!

I think that's part of what makes 2026 feel less attractive, there's no 'set goal', it's more 'lets get stronger, more flexable and lose a little weight'. Maybe, just maybe I'll set a run goal once I'm a little into the year... on reflection maybe this year it'll be to run a third marathon, or to run my furtherest distance, maybe hit 30 miles?! I cant help myself.

Here's to whatever your fitness goals and journey are for the year. And if you dont have one that's ok too. Be flexible with yourself, your goals and expectations. I'm also trying to learn to be more flexible; both physically and behaviourally.

See you on the treadmill.

Blogger's note: This post does not include sponsored content. None of the services, projects, campaigns or charities mentioned have seen this post before it is published, nor have they instructed me on what to say. The views, experiences, thoughts and insights expressed in this post are my own. The links included are direct web links and are not affiliate links.

Additional links and signposting

• John Hopkins Medicine - Benefits of Running 

• Runners World - Benefits of Running on Mental Health 

• Mental Health Foundation - How Running Has Boosted My Mental Health 

• Great Run Series - How Does Running Help

• Runna - Mental Health Benefits of Running