Running in 2026
Running in 2026
When I was in college, I had a boyfriend who loved to run. So I decided to give running a try to have a common hobby with him (it was either running or playing LoL). Back in the day, I used to run X minutes 3 times a week and swim on the other 2 days. I never felt so healthy (read healthy, not happy. I was, in fact, a little bit depressed). After I finished college, I also ended that relationship, but I kept running since I actually started to like it.
I liked it not only because it was accessible to a fresh out of college student, but also because of the peace of mind that I get when I’m at it. But unfortunately, the pandemic struck, and I had to put that on hold, as many other things that I had going. I completely forgot about running, and in the subsequent years, I did at-home pilates. Gave up, gained weight, started to work out at a local gym, got muscular, and then proceeded to gain weight again. ( *︾▽︾)
In 2025, I started to appear on the YouTube algorithm alongside a number of running influencers and decided to give running a try again. I won a lottery at work for a 5k run and, just like that, went out to run my first run in 5 years. I made it in 35 minutes, which was so much better than I expected. From then on, I decided to start running again. I started my comeback by training for a 10k run in my own city. I received a 2-month free PDF plan from Nike Running Club, and since then, I haven’t stopped.
I ran another 5k with my dog Bonie, and was able to get my time down to 33. minutes. I also discovered that she loves bananas as an after-run treat, and just like that, 2025 became the year I was going to start to run “for good”. You see, in my university years, I didn’t run with a purpose; my only goal was to stay lean and not get insane! So when in 2025 I decided to run the famous street run from São Paulo called São Silvestre, I was on fire! q(≧▽≦q)
Since that was the main goal, I took a bunch of smaller street run tests to get prepared. I even ran in Germany, where the prize was a medal and not bananas, but beer! Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, I was not able to get my registration through, and my goal for the year was kaput. Instead of giving up, I decided to double down and set 2026 as the year I was going to run a half-marathon. I set my goal for the local run in my city, easy, close, no brainer. Lucky me, after I registered for it, the event was canceled. (❁´◡`❁)
While training for the half-marathon, I noticed that running long distances gives you so much time to think and think, and think again. So to keep my spirits up, I decided to run an event every month, to collect all the 12 medals during the year, posting on my socials, and finally achieve some sort of collective recognition (?)
As a fact, I just want to have something to look forward to every month; otherwise, I think I would go nuts. Although my money and my sleep will be sacrificed in the process ( I refuse to wake up at 5 am to go out for a run).
So far, I have run 2 street runs: one in January, hosted in Sao Paulo’s city anniversary (10k, completed in 1 hour and 13 minutes), and another one in February for a 6k distance, where I set my PR for the 5k in 31 minutes and 50 seconds.
I started to ponder travelling to get to more running events, but I think that I’ll stick to the ones that are close to me and easy to access. Running has become a part of my day-to-day life. Between my work as a Software Engineer at Nubank, taking care of my 7 pets, and all the things happening around the globe, I feel like I have no time for myself, either to think or not think at all.
I also have a degenerative disease that will slowly eat out my knees, so I also want to do as much as I can while I still have time. Over the years, I developed a bunch of small lesions in both knees, both cartilage and ligaments. The clock is ticking, and I want to make the most out of it.
I also have the luck to have a team that really supports me at work. Last year, I only shared my run pics in the WhatsApp work group, and their support really helped me to get going. I even have a colegue that keeps me accountable for the runs that I take. I never expected so much support for my work, hahaha.
This upcoming Sunday, I’ll run a 10k organized by a clothing brand called Track & Field. I’m more excited about the T-shirt and the freebies than the fact that I’ll have to wake up at 4h45 on a Sunday. (/▿＼ )
But, as a motivator to all this 2026 cycle of running here and there, I’m participating in a challenge with Garmin (my very tenacious smart watch) that requires me to run a total of 300km in every quarter. That averages to 100km per month.
At the start, I didn’t consider this very simple calculation, but now that I’m closing in on it, I’m feeling incredibly motivated. Will I be a better runner at the end of this quarter? Probably no. But if I get the badge for the whole year, I’ll be so pumped to the point of being annoying.
Can you imagine? Run 1200km in a year? Last year, I was super happy that I ran 365 km, so I can’t imagine how hyped I’ll be at the last 100km by the end of the year. Actually, the whole idea of running a half-marathon already makes me scared and excited.
I really don’t believe that a full marathon is possible with my current state, but maybe next year’s? Anyway, 2026 is still at its beginning, so I have a lot to look forward to, to work on, and to enjoy. I hope that this year I get to do a lot of fun things and make the most of my free time doing things that make me feel alive, you know?
These are the medals I’ve got so far
I can’t wait to show you all the collection at the end of the year!
2026 here I go!
Todaloo o/