Don't call it a come back... just in case I don't!

It’s been a while since I wrote some s**t down, and being stuck on a bus for five hours seemed like as good a time as any to pick this up.

I started writing a blog well over a year ago. The purpose was simple: a mental deload from my head—a basic form of therapy. And if it helped anyone else along the way, all the better. That’s exactly what this is.

My last post was August 2024. I don’t know why I stopped, to be honest. If I had to guess, it was probably a combination of crap prioritisation, a perceived lack of time, and the frustration of trying to get to the root of an ongoing injury… a literal pain in the arse.

That said, I’ve been pretty busy. In the last eight months, I’ve:

• Re-qualified as a fitness instructor

• Qualified as a personal trainer (something I should’ve done 20 years ago)

• Qualified as a sports masseur

• Qualified as a Scottish Athletics Level 3 Endurance Coach

• Coached more than 20 people toward their running goals

• Announced plans for a holistic running coaching business (@benwatson_coaching on Insta if you fancy a nosy)

• Trained for two marathons and 3 ultra marathons while injured and working full-time

Looking at that list, it’s no wonder the remaining hair—mostly on my face—is turning whiter than a Reform UK party conference. There’s the odd black one in there, but let’s be honest, it’s a statistical anomaly and will be replaced by a white one soon enough.

It’s an exciting time, but it’s bloody stressful. I’m approaching 40 in a year, and I’ve decided to start a coaching business. Possibly the shittest start to a midlife crisis on record. There’s always that fear of being out of my depth. Judging by social media, I probably should’ve invested in Gymshark kit, a Stanley cup, and got my arse out instead of going down the education route. Hey ho—we’ll call it a steep learning curve. And I’ll put you all on standby for gym-based, arse-out content if the educated and experienced method goes tits up.

Joking aside, the whole idea scares the crap out of me. It’s really pushing me out of my comfort zone.

On reflection, I think that fear comes from a bit of a regression in my mental health. I don’t mean I’ve been particularly unwell, but the ongoing chronic hamstring tendinopathy has held me back from progressing physically. That’s had a knock-on effect mentally—goal setting, confidence, commitment, habits… all slipping. Self-motivation has definitely been lacking.

It’s made both training and the business side feel like a slog. Training-wise, I’ve gone straight from a marathon block where I was running with my wife and friends, to an ultra-marathon block where I’m training solo most of the time. I’m due to run 100 miles in just over nine weeks. And I can feel the difference—where I am now versus where I was this time last year training for “The Wall” ultra in June.

So, writing this post is my first step in reintroducing some of the solid habits that helped me last year. Small, sustainable changes and all that jazz.

Anyway, only 90 minutes left until I’m off this bus and heading to see The Boss (that’s Springsteen… not Jen!).