Unbreakable, Unpredictable, and Still Running

February already. Somehow. A month that always nudges me into reflection mode, taking stock of where I’ve been, where I’m going, and what on earth I’m doing in between. It’s also birthday month, which means another year older and another reminder that running now requires a bit more thought, planning, training, advice… and warming up. Lots of warming up.

As the years tick by, running isn’t just about throwing on trainers and heading out the door. It’s about being smarter, listening more closely, and accepting that recovery is now a thing.

February is a month of reflection and planning

If you’ve followed my journey for any amount of time, you’ll know the cancer backstory. Testicular cancer diagnosis in 2021. Surgery. Chemotherapy. And the emotional realisation that despite a healthy diet and an active lifestyle, my body was never going to be quite the same again. I lost part of my body, but also part of my identity. That took some navigating.

Finding a new purpose became a key part of recovery. And every February, I look back over the last twelve months and forward to the next, checking in with myself and asking, Right then… what’s next?

2025, as it turns out, was incredible.

Along the way I met amazing people and found myself presented with opportunities I never saw coming. I ran an ultra to Jeremy Clarkson’s farm to thank him for saving my life (yes, really, there’s a blog on that if you fancy a read). July brought the Ultra Challenge North Downs 50 on a blazing hot summer’s day in the Surrey Hills , pretty much the perfect ultra, if you enjoy heat, hills, and questioning your life choices.

August saw me back in Chamonix for the Tour du Mont Blanc: 160km with over 10,000m of elevation. I spread it over 4.5 days so I can soak up the atmosphere, stop for chats, and properly take in views that are, frankly, heartbreakingly beautiful. Being interviewed at the finish by Loyd from the Run4Adventure YouTube channel was a complete surprise, and a very cool moment.

2025 was an incredible year of running

My planned November ultra, UTMB Mallorca, didn’t happen. Half-term flights and eye-watering prices put paid to that idea. So instead, I did what any sensible person would do… and rang Krispy Kreme.

I asked if I could run a self-designed ultra around 20 of their London stores. To my delight, they came back with a very quick and very enthusiastic yes. I’d done something similar the year before, but this time we planned it properly with the Krispy Kreme team , and it was an absolute blast.

In December, I was invited to their national conference to talk about recovery, resilience, and running. Live on stage they asked if I’d do a doughnut-fuelled run again in 2026. Obviously, I said yes. They also donated £10,000 to one of the charities I support, having already contributed over £2,500 to my main fundraising. Not bad for a conversation that started with “this might sound a bit mad…”

Cancer and running have opened doors I never expected, and introduced me to people I’ll always be grateful for.

Heading into 2026, I thought I had a fairly clear picture of the year ahead: Arc of Attrition in January, the doughnut run in May or June, an Ultra Challenge in August, and then 10 days in Chamonix for UTMB week. A solid plan.

What I didn’t realise was how much that plan would change in just the first six weeks of the year.

 Writing this in early February, I’ve been asked to become a formal ambassador for an incredible brand, something I’m genuinely buzzing about. More on that very soon. And then there’s this…

I’ve released my first single. Yes. An actual record.

UNBREAKABLE - Single - Click to Listen

UNBREAKABLE charts my cancer journey, from diagnosis to recovery and finding purpose, told through a country-rock track I wrote and produced. It received its first radio play on February 4th, World Cancer Day, which still feels a bit surreal. Music has always been a big part of my life; it’s where I feel energy and emotion most strongly. Writing this song felt like a natural extension of that, and all proceeds from streaming and downloads go directly to cancer charity ChemoHero.

In hindsight, maybe I should have called it UNPREDICTABLE, because that pretty much sums up how this year feels already. And honestly? I love that.

One thing that hasn’t changed in my running world is how I train. Huge thanks to the team at Runna for their brilliant coaching app. Without the structured plans, and the relentlessly cheerful voice in my ear telling me to speed up or slow down, I’m not convinced I’d make it to half the start lines I stand on. It keeps me focused, accountable, and just uncomfortable enough to improve.

If you fancy giving it a go, you can try the app free for two weeks with full access. Download it from your app store and use the code below:

2-week FREE Runna trial code — RUNNA20PQR9E

So when I update this blog later in the year, who knows where I’ll have been or who I’ll have met. But one thing’s certain, there are some very exciting months ahead.