When Running Takes a Back Seat (And Why That’s Okay): An Open Letter

overlapcoaching
Nov 4
4 min read

As much as I love running — the freedom, the challenge, the routine, the community — sometimes it has to take a back seat.

Sometimes for work,

sometimes for health,

sometimes for family.

Life has seasons, and not all of them are built around splits, long runs, and training blocks. Some seasons require presence in other places — places that matter more than pace charts and Strava uploads.

Sometimes it’s hard to let running go, even a little.

Other times, it’s the easiest decision in the world.

The Fire Is Still There.

Motivation is still high.

The goals are still big.

The competitive spark hasn’t dimmed — it’s just simmering for now instead of roaring.

But right now, my time, energy, and heart are needed elsewhere. And the best part? I am absolutely okay with that.

Taking a step back isn’t quitting. It’s recalibrating.

It’s acknowledging that we are more than athletes — we’re parents, partners, friends, business owners, humans with full and meaningful lives.

Running, as much as I love it, isn't everything.

Rest Isn’t Weakness — It's Wisdom

I genuinely believe it’s important to take time away from running occasionally.

To remove the pressure.

To let the mind settle.

To allow the body to recover.

To rediscover the love.

To simply be instead of constantly perform.

You don’t lose who you are by easing off. In many ways, you reinforce it.

Running will always be there — and stepping back allows you to return stronger, healthier, and with a deeper appreciation for why you do it.

Adjusting, Not Stopping

I haven’t stopped completely. I’m just doing whatever I can, when I can.

A three-hour adventure in the bush might become a 20-minute loop around the block.

Six or seven days a week slides down to two or three.

And that’s fine.

Running evolves with life — it doesn’t disappear. It flexes, adapts, and waits patiently for you to come back ready.

Be water; fluid, adaptable, ever-flowing.

I love running, and I love what it gives me.

But nothing will ever outrank family.

The Reality Check

Img 1: Year-to-date mileage: up 14% vs the same time last year

This represents what my year has been like so far. +3000kms for the year and up 14% from the same period in 2024...It's been a great year of consistent training.

Img 2: Past 3 months: down 30% vs previous 3 months

This represents my more recent training. Note: the sharp dip, then peak, then dip again is due to a race. The Peak is Scottsdale Rail Trail 54km, with a taper and recovery week either side. Since then, training as diminished due to life circumstances.

Img 3: The past 4 weeks: a clear picture of reduced training. Typically, throughout the whole year, I run 6-7 days per week, having a rest day every 7-10 days depending on how I'm feeling. Lately, I'm just doing whatever I can whenever I can.

This is what balance looks like.

This is what priorities look like.

This is the quiet, honest side of endurance — not the finish lines, but the life lived in between them.

Right Now, My Season Looks Like…

Settling into life as a family of four...6 if you count the dog and cat.

Broken sleep and newborn cuddles.

4-year-old play fights, body slams, weekend arvo naps, and plenty of giggles.

Quality time at home.

Leaning into the chaos and the joy.

And appreciating every precious moment ❤️

The big training weeks will be back.

100km weeks, long trail missions, hours in the mountains or on the roads — they’ll return in their own time. And when they do, I’ll be ready.

I've got my first 100 mile trail race at UTA in May 2025, and I cannot wait to get stuck into training for it.

Thankfully, for me, given my years of consistent training, I'm at ease with taking a step back right now to enjoy the family life. Again, it's not a complete break. I'm not not running. It's just a reduction in volume and specificity.

I know that if I can get 4-5 months of solid training in before race day, I'll be more than ok.

You could say training for the Miler starts in January 2026, or you could say it started several years ago, before I even thought about running a miler.

For now, this is the training block I’m in — and it’s just as meaningful as any race prep.