Live with Intention: Reclaim Your Focus

This year, I found myself in a bit of a rut—both in my running and in other parts of life. I’ve always been someone who likes to push myself, especially when it comes to my training. But looking back now, I realise I’ve been going through the motions without a clear sense of purpose, and that lack of direction has seeped into more than just my runs.

Running Without a Goal: The Problem with Junk Miles

If I’m honest, I’ve let my running slide. Don’t get me wrong—I’m still getting out there, logging around 40 kilometers a week, but that’s down from the 50 kilometers I was hitting last year. On paper, 40 kilometers sounds like a decent effort, right? But the reality is, my speed and endurance have dropped noticeably. I used to aim for a sub-1:50 finish in half marathons, but now I’m just hoping to break two hours.

What hit me was that just running isn’t enough. Without a clear goal or structure, those kilometers turn into what runners call “junk miles”—distance for the sake of distance, without making real progress. It’s easy to get stuck in that trap, thinking that showing up is enough. But it’s not. I’ve been missing the bigger picture—without a plan, my training lost its edge, and my performance suffered as a result.

Time Slips Away: The Digital Junk Miles

The same thing has been happening with my time. I don’t know about you, but it’s so easy to get sucked into the endless scroll—whether it’s Reddit, YouTube, or even the “old classics” like Instagram or Facebook. You dive in, thinking you’ll just check a few updates, and suddenly an hour is gone. Sure, I’ve picked up bits of information here and there, but looking back, was any of it really worth the time I spent?

It’s like the junk miles in running. You think you’re doing something productive because you’re “active” searching for something (potentially) important, but when you reflect on it, you realize that much of that time was aimless. It didn’t add real value to my day or enrich my life in any meaningful way, or not to the extend of the time spent. I’ve realized I need to be more mindful of how I spend my time—especially online.

Comfort Food and Stress Eating: Another Form of Junk

And then there’s food. Working from home has been a blessing in many ways, but it also has its downsides—mainly, how close I am to the kitchen all day. With back-to-back meetings and constant pressure, I found myself turning to comfort food more often than I’d like to admit. A quick snack here, a sweet treat there—it all adds up. The fridge is just too tempting when I’m stressed or low on energy.

It’s a cycle: I’d finish a tough workday, feel drained, and then reach for something sugary to give myself a boost. But of course, that’s not really the answer. I’ve been using food as a way to cope with stress, and that’s a habit I need to break. It’s another form of junk—like those wasted miles or lost time online. It feels good in the moment, but in the long run, it doesn’t really help.

My Quest for the Next Gadget: Rekindling Passion Through Tech

Alongside my reflections on running and life, I’ve been in a constant quest to reignite my passion with something new. I’ve found myself regularly looking for the next exciting gadget—whether it’s a new release from Garmin, Apple, or Suunto—to make my data-driven passion come alive again. There’s something about fresh tech that seems to promise a new spark, a renewed sense of excitement in my sporting activities.

True story—I haven’t added anything (yet) to my gadget list this year. Actually, I bought and returned a Suunto Vertical because, at the time, I didn’t think it brought enough value. Now, with the release of Suunto’s ZoneSense, I’m contemplating buying it back. On top of that, the Garmin Enduro 3 and Suunto Vertical are battling it out in my mind for my budget. It’s funny how these decisions can linger, but it’s clear to me that a new gadget alone isn’t enough. It’s about the purpose behind it.

Finding Purpose Again

Reflecting on all this, I’ve realized how important it is to live with intention. It’s not just about how many miles I run or how many hours I stay busy—it’s about having a clear sense of direction and purpose. When I look back at this year, I see too many wasted miles, too much time lost to screens, and too many unhealthy snacks. But I’m also starting to see the way forward.

I need to set real goals again, both in my running and in how I spend my time and energy. It’s not about perfection—it’s about purpose. Whether it’s training for a specific race, cutting down on mindless scrolling, or being more mindful about what I eat, the goal is to be more intentional with every part of my life. And, yes, if that new gadget can help me refocus and add some excitement, then it’s just one more tool in my journey toward a more intentional and purpose-driven life.

With that, I’ll come back after the half marathon 3 weeks from now .. with a better tonus!