It was Sunday evening, 9:16pm.
The kind of quiet where the week finally settles in your body.
My legs were tired, but in a good way. Not the sharp, scary tired I remember from injury days. This was different. Warm. Earned. I had cycled 40km that morning. Nothing wild. Nothing to brag about. But enough to remind me that I am back.
And honestly, that feeling alone made the whole week feel like a win.
This past week wasn’t about chasing numbers or proving anything. It was about showing up. Again and again. For my training, my recovery, my work, and the people I love. And somewhere between long runs, gym sessions, and late nights of planning, I realized something simple but powerful.
Coming back is not dramatic.
It’s quiet, steady, and deeply personal.
A Week of Small Wins That Felt Huge
If you looked at my training log, it might not look impressive to anyone else.
But to me, it meant everything.
I completed 100 percent of my running sessions. Three runs. One tempo. One sprint session. And a long run on Saturday, 15km, fully in Zone 2. Calm breathing. Steady heart rate. No panic. No pushing.
That long run felt especially sweet.
After injury, running carries a lot of emotion. Doubt. Fear. Restraint. So staying patient, staying easy, and trusting my body felt like a quiet breakthrough.
On the bike, I completed three cycling sessions too. Again, nothing crazy. That 40km ride on Sunday morning was minimal compared to what I used to do. But I didn’t compare. I enjoyed the movement. The rhythm. The fact that my legs could turn over without complaint.
Swimming didn’t happen this week.
And that’s okay.
Work was intense. Coming back from two weeks of holiday, the workload hit hard. Meetings, planning, technical learning, project management. The kind of week where your brain works overtime.
So I let swimming go. Without guilt.
Strength Training, Sauna, and Taking Care of the Body
One thing I am really proud of this week is that I made time for strength training.
Just one session. But it mattered.
I love being back in the gym. Lifting heavy. Feeling grounded. Strength training gives me a sense of calm that’s hard to explain. It reminds me that my body is capable, resilient, and adaptable.
After the gym, I sat in the sauna and let the heat sink in. No phone. No rush. Just breathing.
On top of that, I did two rehab sessions. Massage. Hot stone acupuncture. Letting someone else take care of the tight spots I usually ignore.
I’ve learned this the hard way. When you work hard, your body needs attention. Ignoring recovery doesn’t make you tough. It makes you fragile.
This week, I listened.
Sleep Is Not a Luxury, It’s a Requirement
One honest realization this week was about sleep.
I tried to keep things balanced. But seven hours isn’t enough for me right now. With the training load increasing and work being demanding, my body is asking for more.
So on Sunday night, I made a decision.
Go to bed early. No pushing. No scrolling.
If you’re training hard or building something meaningful in your life, this is worth remembering. Progress doesn’t only happen when you’re moving. It also happens when you’re resting.
A Weekly Rhythm That Grounds Me
I love structure. Not rigid structure, but a rhythm that holds me.
My weeks usually look like this:
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Monday: Off. Full rest.
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Tuesday & Thursday: Morning cycling, evening swimming.
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Wednesday & Friday: Morning run, evening gym.
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Saturday: Long run.
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Sunday: Long ride.
Having this rhythm keeps me sane. It gives my days shape, even when work gets chaotic.
And recently, I can really feel the difference strength training is making. My legs feel stronger. More stable. When things get tough, I can push through instead of breaking down.
That feeling is addictive, in the healthiest way.
Learning to Fuel My Body Again
One of my favorite wins this week has nothing to do with distance or pace.
I finally fueled my legs properly.
After injury, it took me a while to get back into the habit of eating enough for training. This week, something clicked. I ate before sessions. I refueled after. And my body responded.
Energy felt steadier. Recovery felt smoother. Mood felt lighter.
It’s funny how often we forget that food is not the enemy. It’s the support system.
When Training Mirrors Work and Life
What really struck me this week was how similar training feels to my work life right now.
There are a lot of exciting projects happening. But also a lot of responsibility. Planning. Technical learning. Managing moving pieces. Some days feel heavy.
But just like training, I feel pushed in a good way.
I’m learning. Growing. Building something meaningful. And I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to be in this season, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Have you ever noticed how growth rarely feels calm while it’s happening?
Going Home, Training, and Letting Go of Perfection
Another thing on my mind lately is going home for Lunar New Year.
In a few weeks, I’ll see my parents again. I’ve been trying to call them more often. I miss them. I love them. And I can’t wait to be home for three full weeks.
My little brother is flying back from London too. Just thinking about all of us being together makes my heart feel full.
Training-wise, it won’t be perfect.
I won’t have my bike with me. Flying with it isn’t an option. So cycling will move to the gym. Not ideal, but better than nothing.
Swimming, though, will be lovely. Warm pools in my hometown. Long, relaxed sessions. Less pressure.
And honestly, that feels right.
Life doesn’t pause for training. Training adapts to life.
What This Week Taught Me
This week reminded me of a few things I want to carry forward:
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Consistency beats intensity, especially when coming back from injury.
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Rest is part of the work, not a reward after it.
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Fueling your body is an act of respect, not indulgence.
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Progress doesn’t need to be loud to be real.
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Gratitude makes effort feel lighter.
If you’re in a season of rebuilding, whether physically, professionally, or emotionally, I hope this resonates.