2026: Putting My Own Oxygen Mask On First

Just worked on my goals for 2026 so asked ChatGPT to pull out health goals and produce this blog (sorry AI assisted).

There comes a point where health stops being about events, numbers, or labels – and becomes about who you want to be present for.

For me, 2026 is one of those years.

Two daughters getting married. Big family moments. Adventures planned. Work I still care deeply about. And the realisation that none of it works properly unless I look after myself first – physically and mentally.

So this year, I am simplifying things.

Strength First. Everything Else Hangs Off That.

For years, endurance defined me. Ironman, triathlon, long runs, big rides. I loved it – and I do not regret a second of it. But that chapter has done its job.

Now, strength comes first.

Three full-body strength sessions per week – non-negotiable

Simple, repeatable movements

Progress over perfection

To support that, I have just added four new 1kg plates to my home setup, taking my dumbells up to 12kg each, plus the bar. Nothing fancy – just enough extra load to keep things moving in the right direction.

Small additions. Quiet progress.

Daily Habits That Actually Stick

I am leaning heavily into habits that are almost impossible to miss:

Daily press-ups – 5 to 10 minutes, most days

Ankle raises while brushing my teeth (habit stacking at its finest)

Short mobility work built into my morning routine

Nothing heroic. Just consistent.

Cardio With a Purpose (Not an Identity)

Cardio still matters – but it supports strength now, not the other way around.

Running and cycling stay because I enjoy them and because they keep my VO2 max honest. Garmin has me down for a threshold run this afternoon, and I will happily take the advice.

What has changed is the why:

Running for health, not ego

Cycling for adventure, not metrics

Bikepacking trips in 2026 will be part of the plan – both on the Brompton and on the gravel bike. Training with a story attached always works better.

The Numbers That Matter (and the Ones I Will Track)

If I am serious about this, I need to measure what matters – calmly, not obsessively.

So each month I will track:

Weight

Waist

Chest

Biceps

Not daily. Not emotionally. Just enough to see trends and make sensible adjustments.

The goal is simple:

Leaner

Stronger

More capable

Better energy

Why This Matters:

By May 2026, I want to be standing at my daughter’s wedding feeling:

Fit

Comfortable in my body

Confident in how I look

Proud of the work I have put in

Not perfect. Just well.

Health, for me, is the foundation. When that is right, everything else – work, family, adventure – becomes easier, lighter, and more enjoyable.

This is not about chasing a past version of myself.

It is about building the next one – deliberately.

VO2 Max set (Garmin Suggested Workout)

I decided that an outside run was calling me today... thanks to Garmin's suggested workout of a VO2 session 5x 2mins at 4:45 pace (or better).

Fortunately, not too difficult and completed as planned, along Brighton seafront. Made most of the time and picked up a small Christmas present on way back to office.

I am monitoring new 'Training Readiness' data on Fenix 7X, within the morning report, for what it is worth.

Just arrived home after last (full) day in the office prior to Christmas and New Year - still got some work over next few days but tapering down. 

Received a Garmin mount for the Brompton (to install) and hoping Santa brings me the toolkit for Christmas.

Also a good session with ChatGPT and setting my goals for 2026.

Over and out!

New watch day: Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar

You know I love my toys...

Well, please meet my new Garmin 7X Pro Solar - a small upgrade on my Fenix 6, but not crazy. The main attraction was the bigger screen (my eyes are not getting any better and I need to see the numbers), built in flashlight and longer battery, helped by solar.

I opted for the same screen design so little change to 'look and feel'. Fortunately, the deal was attractive - Vitality discount + Black Friday discount + Garmin (old stock) sale.

Today, I ran my 6km local loop (nice to be outside rather on treadmill) to ensure I got some proper data to kick off the (enhanced) metrics.

Plan to hit the gym this evening for a strength set, prior to jumping into sauna and cold plunge.

Also been thinking more about my Brompton bikepacking trip in the New Year with a follow up email to the company for the possibility of a P, or T line loan bike - worth a try! 😁

Thinking about next steps

My body is feeling a bit better (recovered) after my trail run on Saturday morning - it was a bit of an eye opener, in that I used to always think I could do a half-marathon with no training, considering my general fitness and general broad base (many years of endurance events under my belt). However, at the grand old age of 57, I don't think I can wing it anymore. I am certainly not hanging up my boots but I need to be realistic - any event (2 hours plus) requires greater thought, and ideally more specific training beforehand.

So what next...

Well, my weight is still heading in the wrong direction and I need to prioritise losing a few kilos, getting stronger but keeping flexible, whilst having some fun along the way.

I have no events planned for 2026, although my greatest interest is a solo bikepacking trip to Brussels (circa. 400km over 5 days). Over the coming weeks and with the heavier (literally) festive days ahead I believe keeping my diet in check and committing to a minimum of 3x strength sets should be top priority. Then throw in some run + cycle workouts in for good measure (and good for the soul) on top, whether outside or on the treadmill / Peloton. My sleep and stress levels have fortunately always been good, so less work needed there, just more of the same.

Over recent months my eyesight has got a little worse, although still fantastic over long distances. That is my excuse for upgrading my Fenix 6 46mm smartwatch for the next level Fenix 7X Pro 51mm - I hope it is not too big. Should get it in the next few days - exciting.

Plan is to hit the gym tonight for at least a 30 min strength set. Will next research best Peloton set, so I am ready to go.

Race result - Race Rebel half-marathon trail run

Feeling a bit tired after my morning effort slip-sliding away on the South Downs. 21km half-marathon distance trail run after 1-2 weeks of heavy rain. Conditions were not great, although rain held off until we finished the race, posting 2:25 on the clock, and a position of 283 (out of 467) - far from a good performance, although what can I expect with little to no training. I say 'we' because I ran with my good friend, and neighbour, Rob Burgess. Rob's training had been a bit more structured than mine and he came a bit more race prepared. He ran fasted (respect), kept within his heart rate zones (walking at points to bring it down), and even checked his ketone levels when we finished.

The pace was relatively easy, however the mud and elevation made everything more difficult and hard going. Running down one of the steeper tracks was also hard work and for some reason I got a stitch about 3km from the finish. Luckily a little walk and I could get back to running.

When I got home Lucy and I spent some time constructing a new table and putting up the Christmas tree, all a bit of an effort - the race took more out of me than I thought.

A nice recovery day planned for tomorrow.

Doing Hard Things (Starts With a Dog Walk)

Every weekday morning, without fail, I get up at exactly the same time, pull on the same walking gear (always in the same place), give Wilfy a quick cuddle, and head straight out the door. Rain or shine, cold or mild, I do not think about it. I just go.

It is almost robotic – I do not negotiate with myself, I do not question the weather, and I do not wonder whether I feel like it. By the time I am down the road, I am already doing the thing. Momentum has taken over.

What has surprised me over the years is how this tiny daily ritual has taught me something much bigger: most hard things become easier the moment you start.

If I allowed myself to think too much about early dog walks, tough runs, long rides, strength sessions, or anything slightly uncomfortable, I would find excuses. Anyone would. But by building one automatic habit into my mornings – a simple walk with the dog – I have strengthened the muscle that says, “Just begin.”

That small act has helped me tackle the things that seem hard, boring or inconvenient. Not because I am more disciplined, but because I have removed the decision.

You start, and the motivation follows.

And Tomorrow… the South Downs Half Marathon

All of this talk about doing hard things is timely, because tomorrow I am lining up for a half-marathon trail run on the South Downs, starting from Plumpton Racecourse. The weather forecast is dreadful. It has rained solidly for a week. The course is going to be a complete mud-fest.

And my specific training? Let us just say that a handful of 30-minute HIIT treadmill sessions are unlikely to be the magic formula I was hoping for. Not ideal. Not clever. But it is where I am.

So tomorrow will be hard. It will be sloppy underfoot, exposed to the wind, and probably uncomfortable from very early on. But that is OK. It is part of the point.

Just like the dog walks, once I start moving, the momentum will take over. The challenge becomes the teacher. The day becomes the story.

I will report back afterwards – whatever the outcome – and log another entry in this long, slightly chaotic training journey that started way back in 2007.