Today marked my longest run since completing the Dublin Marathon over eight years ago. I started the run with a healthy dose of apprehension, but the early hour left little time for second-guessing. I had fueled up with a hearty serving of porridge and jam on toast and packed some Kendal Mint energy gels for the journey ahead.

I took my first gel just over a third of the way through (around 5.5 miles) and split the second gel into two halves – one with 10 km remaining and the other with 5km to go. This careful fueling strategy kept my energy levels steady, helping me maintain both physical stamina and mental focus throughout the run.

To further enhance my performance, I added insoles to my running shoes. They not only absorbed much of the impact but also provided a bit of extra energy return. Together, these tweaks made a significant difference, allowing me to finish the run at a pace that’s only slightly shy of my marathon goal.

This run was a huge confidence boost – not only do I feel my stamina improving, but I can also sense my mental resilience getting stronger.

25.75km (16miles) in 2:28:03 on the treadmill.

Todays film quote:

“More efficient use of fuel against time.”

John Sullivan (Robert Stack) – The High and the Mighty (1954)