2025
2025 was a tremendous bounce back from 2024‘s awful showing. In fact, it was better than 2023. Highlights of the year:
- Most ever days active – 273/365 days (~75%). This was due to my pivot this year towards keeping active, and ignoring mileage and time targets. I kept to that for most of the year, only taking breaks due to travel or illness. It was a sound strategy but I took it a tad far. At one point I had a continuous 2+ months of non-stop activity, and realised I was doing more for the streak than anything. For example, I started timing my activities close to midnight so I could clock back to back within an hour (2330-0000 and 0001 to 0030). This was beginning to make workouts less meaningful. I tapered down at the end of the year and kept to a few days a week.
- Returned outdoors. 5x 10km runs is a massive improvement from my single 10km run in 2024. Also, finally got a round island (RI) done on the bike – a first for nearly two years. It was memorable. I tried for the first time and got a flat at Changi Coastal (construction debris everywhere). Discontinued the ride as my replacement inner tube had too short a valve. Tried again 3 days later and got a flat at Changi Coastal again. This time my CO2 canister failed but my wife rescued the ride by driving over a track pump. Finished the RI (100km) and felt good. Was somewhat worried that my lack of high volume cycling work would be an issue but didn’t feel much of a fitness drop. Guess the micro daily activities were adequately effective. (Also, no longer using CO2 canisters, swapping to a small electric pump.)
- Actually made gains on strength work. I went from 0 proper pushups to 120 in a day (30 per set). This means little to most but I have a very weak upper body and it is significant for me.
- Started intermittent fasting. 8pm-12pm blackout has been rather doable for me.
Overall, a much improved year. Very thankful to my wife and kids for their support. Helps a lot that my toddlers are now a little more independent.
2026
2026 will have its challenges. as work responsibilities continue to grow. But I can commit to a few things and have a cycling trip to look forward to!
- Recalibrate daily exercises. Focus on strength work (which is rather time efficient), and space out running and cycling. Looking at 3-4 days of strength and the remaining 2-3 days on running and cycling. Will also calibrate some weeks to only be half active.
- Get into some volume work. Get back to 1x 100km cycling and 1x 10km running per month. The RI ride made me recollect what a boost a long distance ride does.
- Back to Italy! My Italian cycling trip (part 1, part 2) remains my foreign cycling highlight, and I will be returning to a different part the country with a less hilly ride. Having an event to train towards to certainly helps.
Happy holidays and looking forward to the near year!
