A new month is here, and we've got two months left of 2026. I want to challenge you to make these next few weeks count. Not by suddenly doubling your mileage or trying to transform your fitness overnight. But by focusing on the small things that make a difference over time. Maybe that's: - Running consistently three times a week. - Adding a weekly strength session. - Building your long run gradually. - Getting better at running your easy runs easily. - Improving your recovery. - Simply getting back into a routine. - You don't need to do everything. You just need to start somewhere. And if you're preparing for a spring marathon, this is a great opportunity to build some momentum before your main training block begins. So here's your November check-in: 1. What's your main running goal for November? 2. What's ONE habit you're going to focus on improving? Drop your answers below. Let's make November a productive month! John

Every year, I see runners make the same decision. “I’ll start properly in January.” I’ll get more consistent. I’ll sort my training out. I’ll start doing some strength work. I’ll take my running more seriously. And look, I understand why. January feels like a fresh start. But here’s the thing. You don’t need a new year to start making progress. If you’re running a marathon in spring 2027, the next couple of months could be incredibly valuable. Not because you need to start doing 20-mile runs. But because you can establish the habits that will support you when your marathon training gets more demanding. Run consistently. Build your aerobic fitness. Get stronger. Take your recovery seriously. And find a routine that fits around your actual life. Imagine arriving in January already feeling fitter, stronger and more consistent. That’s a much better position than having to start everything from scratch. And it’s not just about your next marathon. It’s about becoming someone who trains consistently and keeps challenging themselves as they get older. So here’s my challenge. What ONE thing could you improve about your running over the next 60 days? And if you’re over 35, preparing for your first marathon or chasing a PB, and want structured coaching and accountability along the way: Comment 26.2 and I’ll send you the details of my 12 Months to Marathon coaching programme.

I love seeing runners set ambitious targets. Sub-4. Sub-3:30. Sub-3. Whatever the goal, something is exciting about pushing yourself to achieve something you've never done before. But here's something I think is important. There's a difference between setting an ambitious goal and simply picking a time you like the sound of. Before committing to your next marathon target, ask yourself three questions. 1. What does my current fitness tell me? Look at your recent race performances, your training, and your consistency. 2. Can I realistically commit to the training required? Because a training plan that looks brilliant on paper is useless if it doesn't fit your life. 3. What specifically needs to improve? Is it endurance? Pacing? Fuelling? Consistency? Because once you understand what's holding you back, you can start doing something about it. Now, I'm not suggesting you should lower your ambitions. Quite the opposite. I'm 49, and I've run two sub-three-hour marathons since turning 45. I certainly don't believe getting older means you should stop setting challenging goals. But ambition needs to be supported by preparation. And that's where having the right structure and guidance can make a difference. If you're over 35 and preparing for your first marathon or chasing a personal best, I'd love to hear about your goal. Comment 26.2, and I'll send you the details of my coaching programme.

One thing I've learnt from coaching runners over 35 is that having a training plan doesn't necessarily mean you've got everything figured out. Sometimes the plan is the easy part! The real challenges can be: 1. Consistency — Finding the time to train around work and family. 2. Knowing when to push — Understanding when to train harder and when to recover. 3. Confidence — Wondering whether you're actually capable of achieving your goal. 4. Race preparation — Getting your pacing, fuelling and strategy right. 5. Accountability — Having somebody to keep you focused when motivation disappears. These are all things we address through my 12 Months to Marathon coaching programme, alongside structured running plans, strength work and ongoing support. But I'm interested in hearing from you. If you could get help with ONE thing in your running right now, what would it be? Drop your answer below. I'll jump into the comments and offer some advice where I can. John

Here’s something I’d love you to think about today. We spend months preparing for a marathon. We follow the plan, complete the long runs and work towards that finish line. But what happens afterwards? Of course, you need time to recover. But once you’ve recovered, what’s next? Another marathon? A faster half marathon? Improving your 5K time? Or simply maintaining the fitness and consistency you’ve worked so hard to build? I’ve completed 16 marathons since turning 35, and one thing I’ve come to appreciate is that running is about so much more than one race. It’s about staying fit, strong and capable as we get older. It’s about having goals that challenge us. And it’s about building something sustainable. So here’s my question for you today: Forget your next race for a moment. Where would you love your running to be in five years? Would you like to be faster? Running longer distances? Still running consistently into your 50s, 60s or beyond? I’d love to hear your thoughts. John