Choosing Joy Over the Starting Line: Reimagining My 2026 Trail Season
Hey fellow joy seekers,
If you’ve been following along for a while, whether it’s here or on my YouTube channel, you know that the last few years have been a rollercoaster of injuries and sideline time. Most recently, I’ve been navigating a return-to-run phase after a femoral shaft stress reaction. I was finally starting to feel that familiar spark again, but lately, my body has been sending some subtle, but clear, signals.
Right now, I’m feeling a pinchy, tight sensation on the outside of my left knee, right in that IT band and LCL area. It’s not terrible, and it’s not explicit pain, but it’s definitely there. I know myself, and I know my body: if I push it right now, that "generic tightness" could easily turn into something that sidelines me all over again. And honestly? I am tired of being sidelined.
With the Pikes Peak Ascent on my calendar for September, this hitch in my giddy-up has definitely made me pause. I have until the end of July to defer my entry, and for the first time in a long time, I’m seriously considering taking that step back. I am so worried about rushing my healing process just to force myself to a starting line I’m not truly ready for.
If I'm being completely vulnerable with you all, I’ve signed up for too many races in the past thinking, “Oh, I’ll heal in time. I’ll get the training done.” Then, race day rolls around, and I have to DNS (Did Not Start). That feeling is heavy. It makes me feel unaccomplished, like I’ve somehow failed, and I absolutely hate that feeling. The next time I stand at a starting line, I want to feel completely healed, confident, and ready to roar.
Lately, a new vision for this year has been weighing on my mind. I want to spend my summer exploring the trails without the crushing pressure of race training. I might not be ready to run the big peaks right now, but I can hike them. Hiking is something my body can handle, and trying to balance heavy hiking, running, and high-altitude training right now feels like a recipe for burnout.
What if 2026 became my intentional Year of Healing, so that 2027 can be my Year of Racing?
If I give myself permission to reset, my 2027 lineup is already looking incredibly fun, imagine kicking things off with the runDisney Springtime Surprise in the winter/spring, and then returning to conquer the Pikes Peak Ascent in September. To do that right, I want a full training cycle. I want to build gracefully from registration day in March all the way to race day in September, feeling strong every single week.
Choosing a year of healing doesn’t mean I won't run at all. It just means running won't be the main focus. It means running when I feel like it, walking when I don't, and focusing entirely on falling back in love with movement.
But love and healing also require a little bit of discipline, and I have to keep it real with myself. Since summer break started, I’ve allowed myself to fall off my strength training and yoga routine, and my knee is absolutely throwing a tantrum because of it. Deep down, I know that strength and mobility are exactly what keep that pinching sensation away.
I know the Myrtl routine is sitting there waiting for me, but I keep playing the "I'll do it later" game and avoiding it. I know I need to consistently work on my core, which I don’t even mind doing, I’ve just been lazy! When I look back at the longest injury-free stretches of my running life, it was because I was diligent about the little things: the strength, the hips, the core, the yoga. I just need to get my butt in gear and build a routine that actually sticks.
So, here is the plan for now: I am going to enjoy my summer and keep my mind open. I’m going to listen to my body during this return-to-run phase, lean into beautiful mountain hikes, rebuild my strength routine, and make a final decision about deferring Pikes Peak by mid-July.
Right now, success looks like a summer of joy, zero pressure, and finding my way back to feeling good in my own skin.
Thanks for being on this journey with me. How are you choosing joy in your movement this week?
Keep seeking the joy,
Janey
