# Energise My Life

> Make running a habit


## Posts

- [How to Get into Running](https://energisemylife.com/how-to-get-into-running/): Most people who want to get into running aren’t stopped by their fitness. They’re stopped by fears, and almost all of them disappear when you understand them. I should know. I was a stop-start runner for fifteen years. I’d get going, talk myself out of it, and start again months later. What changed was how I thought about it. These days I run every single day, I’ve finished the New York and London marathons, and I’m a Scottish Athletics qualified coach. Not because I’m built for it. Because I worked out what was getting in my way. So, let’s deal with […]
- [How to Adapt to Running in the Heat](https://energisemylife.com/how-to-adapt-to-running-in-the-heat/): All winter you look forward to running in the heat. You’re sick of the cold. You want to feel the warm air on your skin, shed the layers, and enjoy being outdoors again. But that first run feels like you’ve stepped back in time. You tire easily, legs feel heavy, you can’t maintain your pace. You feel awful and think you’ve lost fitness. There’s no need to panic. The science Your body is doing more work. Your muscles and skin are fighting over blood. To keep your legs moving, your muscles need oxygen-rich blood. But to keep you from overheating, your […]
- [How Running Taught Me to Get Things Done](https://energisemylife.com/how-running-taught-me-to-get-things-done/): I wasn’t good at getting things done until running taught me where I was going wrong. I started running in my late twenties. Within a year I’d signed up for a marathon. But my early enthusiasm didn’t last, and for the next fourteen years I stopped and started more times than I can count. When I finally stopped to reflect on why, it took me less than fifteen minutes to see what I’d been doing wrong. Fifteen years of frustration, fifteen minutes of realisation. Fifteen years of waiting I thought the problem was fitness and that I lacked motivation and ability. […]
- [What Makes a Running Habit Stick?](https://energisemylife.com/what-makes-a-running-habit-stick/): I spent 15 years trying to work out what makes a running habit stick. Each time I stopped being a little more frustrating than the time before. I was doing so many things wrong. In fact, I was doing very little right. Why my running habit didn’t stick The most overquoted concept in Atomic Habits by James Clear is ‘You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.’ Whilst this may be true, I think there are more useful ideas in the book. A training plan for an event would be a […]
- [How to do a Run Streak](https://energisemylife.com/how-to-do-a-run-streak/): Run streaks often get bad press. I get it. I know why. But streaking changed my life and once you know how to do a run streak, it could change yours too. What is a run streak? A run streak is a commitment to run every day without a break. No days off. An official streak is defined as a minimum of a mile. Your streak continues as long as you run at least a mile every day. The longest active streaks have been going for decades. Before streaking I was a stop-start, frustrated runner. I’d sign up for a race, […]
- [Getting Back to Running after a Break](https://energisemylife.com/getting-back-to-running-after-a-break/): I was a stop-start runner for 15 years and the hardest part was always starting. I had hundreds of reasons for stopping. That was easy. But, getting back to running after a break was the hardest thing to do. Even now, after over 5 years of daily running, I still find post-injury running the hardest. I understand it better, and the fact I never fully stopped definitely helps. Why is starting running after a break the hardest thing? After years, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not fitness. Yes, that’s a factor. You lose your fitness when you are injured […]
- [How to Build Mental Strength in Running](https://energisemylife.com/mental-strength-running/): Mental strength in running isn’t discipline or gritting your teeth through mile 20. It’s consistency. It’s running when you don’t feel like it, when the easy option is to stay on the sofa. The weather is bad, but you run anyway. That is how you build mental strength, and it’s also how you use it. You hear about mental strength mostly in the context of long distances. Marathons, ultras, the kind of running where the miles stack up and the legs start to argue. But everything in running is relative. If you’re running your first 5K, there will be a moment, […]
- [The Highs and Lows of a Run Streak](https://energisemylife.com/highs-and-lows-of-a-run-streak/): I love my run streak. It keeps me going through the winter and keeps me running consistently. One of the main things is the regular milestones, I like to hit these to stay motivated, and I like to see things build and grow. Milestones and challenges On 12 January I hit my 1800-day milestone and last week was day 1900. It wasn’t an easy 100 days. It started with the pain in my foot. I’d been managing it since early November, but it wasn’t getting any worse, so I kept running 5K each day. At the beginning of February, I ran […]
- [When Is the Best Time to Run](https://energisemylife.com/when-is-the-best-time-to-run/): The short answer is whenever works best for you. The longer answer depends on your lifestyle, your commitments, how you sleep, and when you eat. But I think it’s simpler than that. The best time to run is the time you’ll do it consistently. What the science says Your body has natural rhythms, circadian rhythms, that affect how well you perform at different times of day. Body temperature, lung capacity and muscle function all peak in the mid- to late-afternoon, which is why science points to that window as optimal for athletic performance. Your muscles are warmer, your lung capacity can […]
- [Why I Run Every Day](https://energisemylife.com/why-i-run-every-day/): I came across run streaking by accident. I was looking for a new challenge, had no idea what I was getting into, and it ended up being life changing. Not to be dramatic about it. But I went from 15 years of stop-start running to running every day. The official definition is simple: run a minimum of one mile every day, no days off. What I didn’t expect was the scale of it. Search run streak or run daily on social channels and you’ll find people all over the world who have been doing this for years, some for decades. There’s […]
- [Running With a Busy Schedule](https://energisemylife.com/running-with-a-busy-schedule/): Someone told me once that if I wasn’t running, it just wasn’t a priority for me. I pushed back. I argued that I genuinely wanted to run, that I just didn’t have the time. They weren’t convinced, and eventually I realised they were right. Running with a busy schedule isn’t about time. Running wasn’t a priority. That’s why I kept struggling to fit it in. The advice sounded harsh, but it was useful. Making running a priority made the difference for me. It wasn’t about finding more time; it was about prioritising and timing. The practical side I run at 5am. […]
- [Running in a Rut](https://energisemylife.com/running-in-a-rut/): Just because something is a habit doesn’t mean you have to do it the same way all the time. Changing it a bit doesn’t break it. I love my run streak. It’s the backbone of my running and I have no intention of stopping it. But there are periods where I’m just getting it done. No training plan, no race on the horizon, just ticking off the miles. And after a while, that starts to feel like I’m running in a rut. I haven’t fallen out of love with running. I just need to mix it up. Why habits go stale […]
- [The Psychological Benefits of Running](https://energisemylife.com/psychological-benefits-of-running/): You already know running is good for you. The physical benefits are obvious. The psychological ones are the part that fascinates me, particularly as they relate to habits, consistency and mindset. Having studied psychology and trained as a coach, this is where I tend to spend most of my thinking. Mood Running is one of the best ways I know to manage my mood. Whether I’m stressed, overwhelmed or just had a long day, a run always makes me feel better. Getting away from my routine makes it easier to think things through from a different angle. Sometimes I let my […]
- [Running Motivation: Setting a New Challenge](https://energisemylife.com/motivation-to-run-setting-new-challenge/): I love running. I love how it makes me feel, the health benefits, the sense of achievement. But I’ve found it isn’t enough. I need additional motivation to do something I love, and I don’t know why. I think it’s just the way my head works. When I want to learn something, I do much better in formal learning situations than reading alone. Structure is essential to how I achieve things. Running is no different. Without a challenge I run aimlessly. No structure, no plan, and I quickly fall out of the habit. I’m an all-or-nothing person. The problem with that […]
- [Run Consistently: What Made the Difference](https://energisemylife.com/run-consistently-what-made-the-difference/): For years I wanted to run consistently. I struggled with motivation and became a master at excuses until eventually even I realised how silly they were and stopped making excuses. I discovered it was really about priorities, mindset and identity. Priorities Years ago, there was a gym at my work and my desk was right in the path of everyone going to the gym. I noticed a few people who went every day. The consistency impressed me, but it also didn’t make sense to me. How were they doing it? I asked them. One said it was a priority for them. […]
- [Running Habits: Stick to the Plan](https://energisemylife.com/running-habits-stick-plan/): I was a stop-start, intermittent runner for 15 years. I’d start a training programme and stop a few weeks later having missed most of my sessions. Or I’d sign up for a run and overtrain. Or not train at all. The pattern was consistent in its inconsistency. Building a running habit felt impossible. I was exhausted with never completing what I set out to do. Each time I promised myself it would be different. It wasn’t. It was exactly the same. Missed goals aren’t character flaws. There’s zero benefit in blaming your personality. Goals get abandoned, moments feel like they’ve passed, […]
- [Knowing the Risks and Doing it Anyway](https://energisemylife.com/knowing-the-risks-and-doing-it-anyway/): When you’re the only one who knows. You know the moment when you say something and are made to feel crazy, or stupid. You feel misunderstood. But, even worse, the assumption is frustrating. You know the arguments because you’ve heard them before. More than that, you’ve done your research and you know without being told. Even if you’re confident and sure in what you’re doing, the doubts niggle for a while. You question and challenge yourself. But ultimately, you keep doing what you’re doing. I run every day. No days off. For over 5 years. On the rare occasion I talk […]
- [How to Stop Pushing Things to Tomorrow](https://energisemylife.com/how-to-stop-pushing-things-to-tomorrow/): Continually saying ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’ is exhausting. Right? It’s a familiar cycle. You tell yourself, ‘This time I’ll do it’. You clear your desk. Make a plan. Your motivation feels like it’s going to deliver. Then life happens. Work is busy. You’re exhausted. You tell yourself, ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’. That’s the ‘putting it off cycle’. It is followed by the ‘blame cycle’. The one where you blame yourself. Tell yourself you need to try harder. Question your commitment. Look for more willpower. But that’s not the solution. In fact, the blame cycle feeds the putting it off cycle. Round […]
- [Nothing Sticks when You're Exhausted](https://energisemylife.com/nothing-sticks-when-exhausted/): Systems work. Until they don’t. I love a fresh start. A blank page in a new notebook. Mondays. The 1st of the month. I feel optimistic. Motivated. This time whatever grand plan I have is going to work. My fresh start is usually inspired by some productivity method. Something I’ve come across that sounds good. Usually I’ve given up by Thursday (on a good week). Giving up leads to finding a reason. Someone or something to blame. And there’s only ever one place I look. At myself. I’m not disciplined enough. My motivation wasn’t high enough. I lack willpower. I’m too […]
- [Why I Was More Exhausted when I Became Self-Employed](https://energisemylife.com/self-employed-exhaustion/): I left full-time employment to escape exhaustion. Four months later, I was self-employed and more exhausted than ever. January was my fourth month of self-employment. In October I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Finally, I was ‘free’. My days were mine. By mid-January I was still self-employed but I was more exhausted than I had been in full-time work. I finally admitted that ‘free to do whatever I want’ doesn’t create energy. It creates chaos. So, what went wrong? Yes. Wrong. I know people say it’s a journey, you’re learning, don’t be too hard on yourself. And they are right. […]
- [What Running Taught Me about Building a Business](https://energisemylife.com/what-running-taught-me-about-building-business/): My 2026 plan has already fallen by the wayside. It was inevitable. A month into 2026 and I’ve already adjusted my plans. But I’m not worried. There’s plenty of the year left. Good news. That means that there’s also plenty of time for things to go right. And wrong. Last year I had to abandon all my running goals because I got injured. Goals that didn’t happen because life got in the way? Sound familiar? This year I had a plan and already it’s fallen by the wayside. I can’t even remember why. But I know I wasn’t committed to it. […]
- [7 Things I Learned Going from Side Hustle Procrastination to Full-Time](https://energisemylife.com/side-hustle-procrastination/): I procrastinated on my side hustle for years. Sound familiar? Every week looked the same. On Mondays I was excited, the week was going to be different. Some Mondays I even made progress. Wednesday, frustration was creeping in. Thursday I’d given up and started looking to the weekend. Friday, I ‘needed’ a break. Saturday I occasionally got something done first thing. Sunday was a little better. But nothing was happening that resembled business building. The progress was all in my head. The more the pattern repeated, the more frustrated I got. I read all the self-development books. I loved Atomic Habits […]
- [What Is a System: A Simple Explanation](https://energisemylife.com/what-is-a-system-simple-explanation/): Everyone talks about building systems. Get a system. You need systems. Systems are the answer. But what is a system? I think I know what it means, then I see it used and it makes me question what I know. Sometimes I see it and it makes no sense. I think it’s becoming one of those words that is used so much it’s meaning is getting lost. Like ‘discipline’ feels negative and smug, ‘system’ feels complicated and technical. They both feel like something other people have figured out and make you feel less for not ‘getting it’. A system is not […]
- [What Is a Goal and Why Should You Care?](https://energisemylife.com/how-to-set-goals/): Goals goals goals. It’s all anyone talks about. But do they know how to set goals? You’re not sure the word means anything anymore. People say it like it’s a secret code. Something they know that you don’t. They suggest they’re better, superior, because they’ve got it cracked. But do they? The first problem can be the word itself. It’s become meaningless. That’s OK. Some people prefer target. Or milestone. Or destination. Pick whatever works for you. But it’s not really about the word. Is it? A goal without a plan is just a dream This is the problem I see […]
- [What Happens when Your Streak Meets Your Stubborn Refusal to Plan Realistically](https://energisemylife.com/streak-meets-stubborn-planning/): I blame the weather. Seriously. I do. I love to run outside. So much that I hadn’t run on a treadmill for a couple of years. But we moved back to Scotland, and I had to accept the need for a treadmill or risk my streak ending due to ice and hellish weather. Little did I know, the weather wasn’t the biggest risk to my streak. I was. But this isn’t about the weather. It’s about how I’ve been sabotaging my running for years by refusing to plan realistically. Let me show you exactly how a 1625-day streak nearly ended. Not […]
- [6 Steps to Taking Time Off so You Enjoy it](https://energisemylife.com/6-steps-to-taking-time-off-so-you-enjoy-it/): Taking time off from your own business is scary, but planning can make it feel better. As a small business owner or side hustler, you face different challenges with taking time off. There’s the obvious financial factor. You are unlikely to be earning if you aren’t working. But there’s more to it than that. If you work on your own, then there is no one answering emails or handling enquiries. Your business effectively stops. Lost clients. Missed opportunities. Real consequences. You fear the line between ‘time off’ and ‘business collapse’ is terrifyingly thin. You’ve probably never taken proper time off and […]
- [6 Things to Stop Doing in 2026 (Because They Didn't Work in 2025)](https://energisemylife.com/6-patterns-killing-side-hustle-2026/): What if the problem isn’t what you’re doing? It’s almost the end of the year. You’re exhausted. You had plans for 2025. Some happened. Most didn’t. You’re ending the year in roughly the same place you started it, wondering where all the time went. Before you write off the whole year as a failure, stop. Take half an hour to reflect. What went well? What kept going wrong? Can you spot patterns? Because the same obstacles probably showed up month after month. The same habits derailed you without you even noticing. Take the time to spot them so they don’t repeat […]
- [5 Reasons December Matters More than January](https://energisemylife.com/december-matters-more-than-january/): Stop waiting for the perfect moment – you’ve got time left right now. Normally I hit December and mentally write it off, start planning for January. Push any task I can down the road to deal with later. It’s effectively a month off, right? There’s not really enough time to focus on something new. The year is all but over, may as well embrace it and look to the new year. That’s what I told myself. What a load of rubbish. This year I’m seeing December differently. And I’m loving it. It’s exciting to see what I can still get done. […]
- [3 Questions to Find the System You Already Have](https://energisemylife.com/side-hustle-systems/): What if the system you need is already working somewhere in your life? You already have systems that work. You just haven’t spotted them yet. Think of a system as a routine. It’s something you put into action without much thought. That doesn’t mean you don’t think about what you are doing, just that the system takes you through. Your morning routine, for example, is a system that takes you from waking to arriving at work. It happens. Every day. If you are struggling with your side hustle or making progress with your business, it is unlikely that you need to […]
- [6 Energy Drains Killing Your Side Hustle (and How to Fix Them)](https://energisemylife.com/fix-side-hustle-energy-drains/): You had a good day at work today. Meetings done. Deadlines met. Decisions made. Now it’s evening. You’ve got an hour for your side hustle. And somehow you can’t make yourself do anything. You’re exhausted before you even begin. Not from the work ahead, from everything that came before it. Here are 6 energy drains that kill your side hustle before you even begin, and how to fix them: 1. Decision fatigue from your day job The drain: You’ve made hundreds of decisions at work. By evening, your brain is done. Every choice, even small ones, feels impossibly hard. What happens: […]
- [Why Your Side Hustle Drains Your Energy (It's Not Lack of Discipline)](https://energisemylife.com/side-hustle-drains-energy/): You sit down to work on your side hustle. You’ve got an hour. You know what you need to do. But you can’t make yourself start. You scroll your phone. Make another cup of tea. Rearrange your desk. Tell yourself you’ll start after you check just one thing for work. The hour’s gone. You’ve done nothing. Again. You blame yourself. Not disciplined enough. Not motivated enough. Not serious enough about building this thing. But what if that’s not the problem? This was my life for months. Years maybe. Some evenings I might get something done. But mostly, nothing. It was exhausting. […]
- [4 Ways Employee Systems Don’t Build Businesses](https://energisemylife.com/employee-systems-dont-build-businesses/): What if you aren’t stuck? What if you just need different scaffolding. You’ve been working for other people for years. Now you want something different. You want a side hustle. Or maybe you want to start your own full-time business. You’ve taken the first steps. You’ve got a plan. A domain. Social handles. You’ve even done some work. But, then things slowed down. And now you’re finding it difficult to move forward. It doesn’t make sense. You are great at your job. You also know you could be great at building a business. So, why isn’t it happening? You blame yourself. […]
- [7 Reasons Your Side Hustle Still Hasn’t Started (When You’re So Good at Your Job)](https://energisemylife.com/why-side-hustle-stuck/): What would happen if you stopped blaming yourself and started looking at your system? You’ve got a brilliant idea for a side hustle. You’ve bought the domain, secured the social handles, told the world it’s coming. Then nothing. It’s not that you aren’t excited about the idea. You’ve always wanted to run your own business. A side hustle feels like a solid plan to get there. Still, nothing. It makes no sense. You have no problem getting things done at work. Even hard things. That presentation? Done. The problem no-one else could solve? Sorted. Your boss is impressed. Your colleagues come […]
- [7 Reasons You're a Better Runner than You Think](https://energisemylife.com/running-imposter-syndrome/): Running imposter syndrome is lying to you. Stop believing it. I ran my first marathon after a year of running. Sort of running. I’d done the Great North Run with vague training, run sporadically over the year, and had no real clue what I was doing. No coach. No run group. Just a Runner’s World subscription. When I started my 16-week training plan, I couldn’t run 3 miles. That was the shortest distance on my plan. I set a goal of running the whole way but had no time expectation. That’s what I did. I set a goal, I stuck to […]
- [5 Tiny Actions for Energy (That Make Your Days Feel like Yours)](https://energisemylife.com/tiny-actions-for-energy/): You’ve spotted the pattern, identified the advice. Now what? Put it into action. Take the patterns you spotted in the Exhaustion Test and the advice you’re shaping to fit your life. Now change something. We are sticking to small, tiny actions. The ones that feel so simple they can’t possibly work. But which compound over time and can make an incredible difference. Tiny actions, done consistently, create change. Not because they’re impressive. Because they’re sustainable. Think about it. You don’t work on your side hustle because you don’t have 2 hours available. Or you don’t have the energy to focus for […]
- [Make Productivity Advice Work: 8 Ways to Adapt it for You](https://energisemylife.com/make-productivity-advice-work-for-you/): You’ve followed every piece of productivity advice out there. Workspace? Optimised. Calendar? Time blocked and colour coded. Notifications? Off. There’s no advice you haven’t taken. Followed to the letter, in fact. You’ve got a standing desk. You take walks. Shine a natural light lamp on your face. The Pomodoro method rules your day. So, why are you exhausted? Completely depleted. You don’t get it. It doesn’t make any sense. There’s a niggling voice in the back of your head asking if planning your plans at the start of every day is really the best use of your time. It wants to […]
- [The Exhaustion Test: 10 Signs Your Version of Success Isn't Yours](https://energisemylife.com/exhaustion-test-version-of-success/): Your life looks great on paper. Job title – check. Salary – decent. Busy calendar – impressively full. You’re ticking all the boxes. So why does it feel like you’re running on empty? Because those aren’t your boxes. You’re chasing someone else’s version of success and wondering why it’s so exhausting. That’s what this exhaustion test will help you figure out. When success is designed by committee, not by you, you’re following a script written by people who don’t know what lights you up, what drains you, or what you actually want from your life. But how do you know if […]
- [My Biggest Energy Mistakes: 7 Ways Running Exposed Them](https://energisemylife.com/running-exposed-energy-mistakes/): What would happen if you stopped making the same energy mistakes and started working with your natural rhythm? Picture that moment when you stop trying to outrun your exhaustion. Now imagine that moment is now. Running exposed my biggest energy mistakes before I even knew I was making them. I used to think running was about pushing harder. Grit your teeth, ignore the discomfort, force yourself through another mile. Basically, treat your body like a machine that just needed more willpower to function properly. Turns out, these same energy mistakes were draining me everywhere else. The patterns that left me struggling […]
- [6 Ways You're Chasing Success that are Draining Your Energy](https://energisemylife.com/chasing-success-draining-energy/): What if the success you’ve been chasing is actually draining your energy and leading you away from what you want? You’re ticking all the boxes, following all the rules, doing everything ‘right’ – so why do you feel so tired? You wake up on Sunday morning and think about the week ahead. Monday’s packed with meetings, Tuesday you’ve got that presentation, Wednesday there’s drinks with colleagues after work. Your calendar looks impressively busy. Your salary’s decent. You’ve got the flat, the car, the lifestyle that looks right from the outside. So why does it feel like you’re running on a treadmill […]
- [Why Productivity Advice is Making You Exhausted](https://energisemylife.com/why-productivity-advice-making-you-exhausted/): What would happen if you stopped chasing productivity advice and hacks and started getting stuff done? Picture that moment when you realise being ‘productive’ is making you exhausted. Imagine that moment is now. 1. Delay your morning caffeine shot Terrifying? I know. I used to think I couldn’t start my day without my adaptogen-powered energy shot (basically fancy caffeine with impressive-sounding ingredients). Turns out I was just masking how drained I actually felt. Now I drink a full glass of water first, then caffeine. But, most days I forget about the caffeine because I’m already awake. Those are my best mornings. […]
- [What the Great North Run Taught Me about Mindset](https://energisemylife.com/great-north-run-mindset-lessons/): How a chaotic first half-marathon taught me that mindset, not willpower, changes everything, not just how I run. Today, for the first time, I’m watching the Great North Run from the sidelines. As I write this, thousands of runners are making final preparations for their run. I should be among them, but injury has other plans. Instead, I’ll be spectating. Something I’ve never done before. My other half will be running alone for his first time too, making it feel even stranger to be in Newcastle but not running on GNR day. And as I think about watching others experience what […]
- [Running Consistency: How Energy Fixed my Problem](https://energisemylife.com/how-energy-not-discipline-fixed-running-consistency/): Why 15 years of failed training plans led to 1,650+ consecutive days of running consistency (and what this means for any goal you can’t stick to). I used to be the runner who collected training plans like other people collect coffee mugs. Marathon plans, half-marathon plans, 10K and 5K plans, advanced plans, beginner plans. I had folders full of perfectly structured 12-week programs that promised to transform me into the runner I wanted to be. The problem? I never made it past week 3. Sound familiar? For over fifteen years, I lived in this cycle: Get excited about running → Download […]
- [Foot Striking: Heel vs Forefoot](https://energisemylife.com/foot-striking-heel-vs-forefoot/): When I started running I didn’t know anything about foot striking. I just ran. It turned out I was a natural heel striker and I overpronated. At the time there was a trend for running shoes which ‘corrected’ you. Then, I got a pair fitted and it felt like they overcorrected me, resulting in discomfort on the outside of my knee and lower leg. Coincidentally, I was reading one of my favourite running books Adharanand Finn’s Running With The Kenyans which talked about neutral running. And, Vibram Five Fingers had not long launched, which I believe was the start of the […]
- [First Marathon Lessons: 7 Things I Learned in New York](https://energisemylife.com/lessons-from-first-new-york-marathon/): Marathon season is here. There are lots of lessons to be learned, whether its your first or your twenty-first marathon. Today’s Medal Monday celebrates everyone who took part in the London and Manchester marathons yesterday. Seeing all the stories took me back to my first 26.2 miles in New York. Here’s what that journey taught me. 1. You start where you are, not where you wish you were I couldn’t run three miles when I began training. My solution? I mapped a three-mile loop with one rule: no coming home until I finished it. Walk, run, or crawl – didn’t matter. […]
- [15 Steps to get Marathon Ready: Your Complete Guide](https://energisemylife.com/15-step-marathon-ready-guide/): Manage your marathon countdown with this 15 step checklist to guide you and make sure you are marathon ready. With race day approaching, you will need both physical and mental preparation to perform your best. In fact, being organised with your gear, fuelling and logistics creates the mental space you need to focus on performance. To help you prepare effectively, follow this guide with your complete marathon ready preparation checklist to build confidence to cross the finish line: Physical Preparation Essentials 1. Select and test your marathon day kit 2. Nail your nutrition strategy 3. Plan your transport 4. Prepare for […]
- [Marathon Training Slump: 7 Powerful Mental Tools to Overcome it](https://energisemylife.com/marathon-training-slump/): What is a marathon training slump? Halfway through marathon training, everything suddenly feels harder. Much harder. Your legs are heavy, you don’t feel motivated, tiredness never seems to leave you, and the finish line seems impossibly far away. Self-doubt, lack of belief and negative thoughts plague you. This is normal. Completely, totally normal. And, not without hope. Everyone who crosses the finish line experiences a mid-training slump. Don’t worry, there are things you can do to get through this training slump. The marathon training slump: why it happens Understanding the mental challenge This is when you realise a marathon isn’t just […]
- [How to Make Running a Habit: Your Breakthrough System](https://energisemylife.com/make-running-a-habit/): It takes more than motivation to make running a habit. Motivation comes and goes, but a solid system remains even when your motivation fades. As James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, explains: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” A system gives you structure, removes guesswork, and makes running feel like a non-negotiable part of your day. It’s the key to building consistency and transforming running from something you have to do into something you just do. If you want to make running a habit, this guide will take you […]
- [5 Proven Mindset Techniques to Transform Your Running](https://energisemylife.com/transform-your-running/): Mental training is the secret weapon that can truly transform your running, yet it’s frequently overlooked in favor of physical training. This makes sense because your legs carry you through training. However, it’s your mind that gets you to the finish line. Experienced and elite runners understand this critical balance between physical and mental preparation, but many newer runners focus solely on the miles and neglect the mindset. I trained religiously for my first marathon. I was committed to my training plan and I worked hard. On marathon day I started strong and was confident in my physical ability (note: ability […]
- [Making Time to Run: 6 Tried and Tested Strategies](https://energisemylife.com/making-time-to-run/): The biggest challenge in marathon training isn’t the running itself – it’s finding time to run. As your long runs grow, fitting training into your already-busy life catches many first-time marathoners by surprise. Unfortunately, there’s no magic wand to wave. Consistency is key, and your “WHY” is your most powerful tool. When you’re clear on your marathon goals, you’ll be able to prioritise runs and life more effectively. Read on for practical strategies to help you find your run-life balance. 1. Understanding the time commitment to run a marathon Training for a marathon has its ups and downs. At the start, […]
- [Miles of Smiles: How to Make Running Consistent and Fun](https://energisemylife.com/miles-of-smiles-consistent-fun-running/): Make running consistent and fun – it’s not just about finishing a race or hitting a new personal best. To fall in love with running and make it a lasting habit, focus on two things: building consistency and finding fun in every step. Whether you’re training for your first marathon, rekindling your love for running, or just starting out, this guide offers practical tips to make running a consistent and fun part of your life. Here’s how to make running consistent and fun while creating your own miles of smiles every time you hit the road. 1. Get inspired: Explore new […]
- [Motivated to Run Your First Marathon: 8 Tips for Beginners](https://energisemylife.com/motivated-to-run-your-first-marathon-8-tips-for-beginners/): Training for your first marathon, you thought it would be easy to feel motivated to run. And, it is exciting, but it’s also overwhelming, and – let’s be honest – hard. But the hardest part? Staying motivated. Whether you’re just lacing up your shoes for the first time or well into your training, this guide offers 8 practical tips to keep you consistent, confident, and moving forward – from day one to the finish line. 1. Know your motivation style Understanding WHY you run is key to staying motivated. It’s all about setting the right goals, understanding where your motivation comes […]
- [Winter Running Gear: How to Layer Effectively](https://energisemylife.com/ultimate-guide-to-winter-running-gear-how-to-layer-effectively/): Running in the winter can feel daunting, but with the best cold-weather running gear and a few simple tips, it can be transformed into an enjoyable – and surprisingly motivating – experience. Crisp air, peaceful calm and the crunching sound underfoot make winter runs unique. And, the sense of achievement from braving the cold can inspire you to keep going and motivate you for your next run. Running in cold weather isn’t without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is staying warm without overheating, but layering is only part of the equation. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need […]
- [Your First Long Run: How to Confidently get it Done](https://energisemylife.com/your-first-long-run/): How to confidently complete your first long run If you’ve signed up for your first marathon this Spring, the it is likely that this weekend, you’re heading out for your first long run. And, also likely, this will be the furthest you’ve ever run. Overwhelmed? Daunted? Of course it is. Some of the fears occupying your mind are: You’re not alone. Every first-time marathoner has faced the same fears. But, remember, this is the first run of many. It is a stepping stone, a building block, the first step in a 16 week. But, it’s an important milestone and, without some […]
- [Achieve Your Running Goals: How to Make this Your Year](https://energisemylife.com/achieve-your-running-goals/): In Part 1, we explored how to set running goals and why they often fail – from vague dreams and a lack of emotional connection to the absence of a proper plan. Now, we will explore how to set a plan so you can achieve your running goals. This is a step-by-step guide, it includes tips to handle challenges, and a clear plan so you can make this your year. Step 1: Build a plan to achieve your running goals A goal without a plan is just a dream, or a wish. To achieve your running goals, you need a clear […]
- [How to set Running Goals You Can Actually Achieve](https://energisemylife.com/set-running-goals/): Goals are tricky. They’re easy to set and give an instant hit of motivation, but they often fade and are forgotten—especially running goals. But, you can break that cycle. This guide will help you set running goals for 2025 you’ll actually achieve. I’ve set so many running goals over the years and failed to achieve most of them. Even when I set SMART running goals, they didn’t work. But SMART doesn’t resonate with me. Over the past year, while training to be a coach, I started to understand why. It wasn’t because I lacked motivation or ambition. When I set those goals, […]
- [How to Redefine Your Running Experience: 5 Tips](https://energisemylife.com/redefine-your-running-experience-5-tips/): Think you don’t fit the mould of a ‘real’ runner? You’re not alone. But what if you could redefine your running experience? What if I told you that being a runner has nothing to do with how fast you go or what you look like? Running is more than just a race to the finish line; it’s a personal journey that can be reshaped at any time. Whether you are new to running or have been running for years, redefining your running experience starts with a mindset shift. Here are 5 ways to change your mindset and find the happiness in […]
- [Guide to Run Coaching: How It Helps You Run Better](https://energisemylife.com/guide-to-run-coaching/): In this guide to run coaching we will explore this powerful tool and how helps you get from where you are in your running journey to where you want to be. Whether you’re just starting out, working to build a consistent running habit, or aiming to hit a new personal best, coaching provides the support and structure to reach your goals. In coaching, the focus is on you and your unique journey. Together with your coach, you’ll explore where you are right now, what might be holding you back, and the steps you can take to progress. With a series of […]

## Pages

- [Book](https://energisemylife.com/book/): Book a free introductory call You’d love to take up running, run further or improve your time over your favourite distance. Alongside your training I can help you to build your running mindset. This is important if you struggle with consistency or lack confidence in your running ability. Book a free call to find out how I can help you.
- [Beginners Guide to Running](https://energisemylife.com/beginners-guide-to-running/): DOWNLOAD Beginners Guide to Running To download your copy of the guide, please enter your name and email below. You will receive a link to download your guide.
- [Beginners Guide](https://energisemylife.com/beginners-guide-running/): DOWNLOAD Beginners Guide to Running To download your copy of the guide, please enter your name and email below. You will receive a link to download your guide.
- [Collagen](https://energisemylife.com/collagen/): Visible results in 4 weeks Indulge in this little bottle of amazing that will have you glowing from the inside out. What’s in the bottle? 5g of sustainably sourced Marine Collagen peptides Vitamin C, zine and biotin Ancient beauty blend of botanicals including goji berry, acerola berry, aloe vera and chamomile Nourishing goji Zero added sugars, sweetened with wild berry No fishy taste
- [Thank You](https://energisemylife.com/thank-you/): THANK YOU Thank you for booking an introductory call with me. I’m looking forward to meeting you and finding out about your running journey. Ahead of our call, it would be helpful if you could have a think about why you are interested in coaching and what you want it to achieve for you. Don’t worry if you aren’t sure, I’m here to guide you through the call and help you share useful information. For the call, you will need access to a laptop or phone – something where you can reliably access Zoom. Please be in a quiet place where […]
- [Marathon](https://energisemylife.com/marathon/)
- [Terms and Conditions](https://energisemylife.com/terms-and-conditions/): Introduction These terms and conditions apply between you, the User of this Website (including any sub-domains, unless expressly excluded by their own terms and conditions), and  Fiona  Spence,  the owner and operator of this Website. Please read these terms and conditions carefully, as they affect your legal rights. Your agreement to comply with and be bound by these terms and conditions is deemed to occur upon your first use of the Website. If you do not agree to be bound by these terms and conditions, you should stop using the Website immediately. In these terms and conditions, User or Users means any third party that accesses the […]
- [FAQs](https://energisemylife.com/faqs/): FAQs What do you do? I write bespoke running programmes and coach runners who want to build consistency. That means working out what you need, writing a plan that fits your life, and helping you deal with the things that get in the way of sticking to it. Who is this for? Runners who keep stopping and starting. People who’ve done races but never trained properly for them. Anyone who wants to run consistently and hasn’t worked out how yet. You don’t need to be fast or experienced; you need to want to make it stick. What does a programme include? […]
- [Newsletter](https://energisemylife.com/newsletter/)
- [Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice](https://energisemylife.com/privacypolicy/): Energise My Life (we/us/the Company) are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This policy (together with our Website Terms and Condition) sets out the basis on which any personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us, will be processed by us. Please read the following carefully to understand our views and practices regarding your personal data and how we will treat it. By visiting energisemylife.com (the Site) you are accepting and consenting to the practices described in this policy. For the purpose of the General Data Protection Regulation (the Regulation), the data controller is Energise My Life. 1. Information we may […]
- [Contact](https://energisemylife.com/contact/): CONTACT
- [About Me](https://energisemylife.com/certified-coach-and-runner/): I’m Fiona, a Scottish Athletics qualified run coach and runner. I’ve been running for over twenty years, badly for most of them. Now I run every day, I’ve finished the New York and London marathons and I coach people who are where I was. As a coach. I coach runners who want to build consistency, not just finish a race. My approach combines run coaching with habit and mindset work, because the physical side is only half of it. The runners who struggle aren’t usually unfit; they’re caught in the same patterns I was in for fifteen years. Getting out of […]

## Optional

- [Agent (MCP protocol)](websites-agents.hostinger.com/energisemylife.com/mcp)

[comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)