My Story

My name is Dan, and I’m in my forties. Over recent years, I’ve had a tough time with my health, which forced me to cut back dramatically on my activity levels. As a keen runner, that’s been especially hard – the photo of me here is from one of the last organised races I managed to complete.

Recently, I’ve slowly been able to build running back into my life. I’m not fully recovered, and everything feels more difficult than before. My mind is eager to get going, but my body sometimes has other ideas. It’s been a real turning point: do I accept that I can’t do as much as I used to, or do I find new ways to keep moving forward? Running has always helped me balance both body and mind, so I’ve chosen the second path – reshaping my expectations rather than limiting them.

I know a lot of people who were once very active but have stepped away from exercise due to illness, injury, or simply the passage of time. Now that I’ve been in that position myself, I understand how easy it is to let fitness slip away. Putting on those trainers can feel like a big ask. But I’ve realised that success isn’t about getting back to where I once was – it’s about making steady progress, however small.

For me, that means aiming for manageable goals, reconnecting with running friends for encouragement, and simply enjoying being outdoors again. It also means looking at other parts of my lifestyle. I’ve recognised that my diet has become a bit one-dimensional, often paired with a drink or two. Making small adjustments here will not only help my running but also my overall wellbeing.

Step by step, I’m finding that little changes really do add up. They’re helping me feel healthier, more active, and more positive about the future.