2025 in Running
02 Jan 20262024 was the first year my annual running volume dropped since I started to regularly run, and I backed that up with a 2025 that was even lower - 930km:
2025 goals: if I can get on top of these injuries, cover 2025Km (169km/month, 38.9km/week). This feels ambitious and I’m not sure I’ll hit it, particularly as the weeks tick over with this hip issue and I’ll need to rebuild my weekly distance slowly. Let’s See. I’ve optimistically signed up for Melbourne marathon in October as well 😬
At the time I wrote that my physio suspected my left hip issue was Iliopsoas Tendinopathy or Bursitis. However, by late January an MRI led to a Bone Stress Injury (BSI) diagnosis for my left medial femur neck. The physio was clear: stop running and let it heal or risk a fracture and surgery. He described it as a low grade injury in a high risk area.
Consequently, Feb-Apr was a lot of walking then re-building (1 min walk, 1 min run…). I lost fitness, and then (of course) nursed a mild left calf strain on and off May-Aug as I tried to return from the hip. The good news is Oct-Dec went well and I finished the year in good form, consistently manging 30km weeks across 3-4 runs and no niggles.
No PBs this year of course. I had a Melbourne Marathon entry (purchased pre-injury) and stubbornly had a crack despite not having completed a proper training block. I finished in 05:04:14 - the first ~28km went well, the rest we won’t speak of again. I’ve learnt my lesson about marathon preparedness.
I had a great year of Parkrun, running (or walking, or walk-running) 45 times and volunteering 21 times. Many of the volunteer shifts were with one or both of the kids, which was a highlight. The Merri Creek Running Club continued to be an enjoyable weekly routine, even if some of them involved meeting the group but then setting off on a solo walk.
No major changes to gear this year. My go to’s include a Garmin forerunner 265, Jabra Elite 4 Active’s, a flip belt, a phone for music/podcasts/audio books, and various Vivo Barefoot shoes. In 2024 I dabbled in a pair of zero-drop Altra’s to see if they reduced injuries and they didn’t, so for 2025 I went back to all Vivo’s.
2026 goals: 2024-25 were so injury prone it was discouraging. I’m going back in time and back to basics. What matters to my physical and mental health is the routine and regular exercise, so I’ll take inspiration from my 2022 goals. I’ll aim to get out 156 times - 3 times/week - and cover 1200Km (100Km/month). I’ll also aim for at least one 21Km+ activity per month, even if some are training runs that include some walking.
However, I did panic enter the Melbourne Marathon ballot out of FOMO and got in. Let’s see how I feel in September.