I have, as you’ve probably seen if you’ve tuned into the YouTube channel, managed to do lots of running. I've basically had an awesome August where I actually managed to smash out over 29 runs in the month - so three runs over what I really needed for the challenge tick.

August was brilliant for the mind and the body - and I managed to cover covered around 150km for the month, so that’s about 40km a Week, which I think is pretty good for someone trying to squeeze this into everyday life.

Some other stats and for those nerds out there:

• I managed to run for over 13 hours for the month, pretty much corresponds to about 25 minutes per day if you average out across the month.
• The ascent wasn’t too great at only 1500 m climbed for the month.
• According to my Garmin, I did manage to burn 9,500+ thousand calories... which is quite a few slice of pizza!

But having gone through all the stats... I'm most proud of this one. It's pretty cool when you take a step back. In August, I managed to go out for my 200th run. I had to think about that for a moment. That’s 200 runs in the calendar year so far. And that's 200 in terms of total runs for the year and also 200 runs ticked off, in terms of those counting towards the 26 in 2026.

I do, however, consider myself to be a runner. And when you put it in context over last year, where I only ran about 240-250km for the whole of 2025... and zoom forward to today where I'm doing around 150km per month... I'm absolutely stoked and have absolutely smashed what I expecting my body to be able to do and achieve. It's pretty cool to know what you can do when you put your mind to something like this. It just shows how consistency compounds over time - just like earning compound interest. Yes it takes some physical effort (a lot!) but you can push through and consistency builds that muscle memory, builds that strength, builds that habit forming process in your brain.

So to some up August in nutshell I am stoked and September has started off with a bang. It’s the eighth day of the month and have run seven times so one behind in terms of days but plenty of sunshine hours ahead to smash out the challenge.

So, until next time,

Mā te wā

Mat

Anyhow...

This time around, I wanted to talk about the ups and downs that come with running, especially the mental side of running. Yes, yes, yes... there is ALWAYS a factor that has to take into account the classic trifecta of fitness, talent and physiology ...but a lot of it, I think, comes down to mental clarity and strength.

Here's what I mean about mental clarity...

When I go into a run with a positive attitude and focus on the outcome - I actually finish it and I enjoy it, or at least I get through to the next day without much friction.

But, on the other hand, when my head is cloudy, my energy is low, or I start the day already thinking negatively about the run, the odds drop pretty quickly.

Being mentally strong and also being both mentally and physically CONSISTENT (in a repetitive kind of way). Somehow, just keeping on going seems to be the key (for me at least!) and it's how I have the ability to 'just do it' for such a challenge. It even helps when the goal is simply just getting the miles or getting faster or just getting through the day...

...now don't take my word for it... as I don’t want to come across as some self-help guru. I just feel as though my journeys and physical activity have always benefited from happiness and positivity and that mental switch. A switch where I'm able to either 'turn off' from the day and switch into the running (or click into a different brain so I can see the outcome of the run i.e. I finished it), then I usually am able to either perform better or I can then just complete what I started.

This month has been tricky with all the cold weather, and I didn't think that I was going to push myself to run every day. So has there been something else that's excited me a bit more in August compared to a flat July?

I do feel as though documenting this has pushed me a little bit further. So it's probably that. Building things in public is tougher on you to quit, or to stop and so putting myself out there has actually changed my mindset and allow me to push through when some days I would’ve said "NO WAY" and probably not done a run.

So thank you to everyone who is following this and for those of you who have reached out, it really means a lot and it’s giving me a real positive mental attitude for the whole of this crazy 2026 challenge.

So onwards for the rest of the month, smashing each run out - one by one. Thanks for reading my rambles.

Let’s go!

Mā te wā

Mat

Roll on 24 hours later and it's snowing at sea level... I mean, who would have guessed it?

Trying to push to two runs today to get ahead of myself... we shall see!

Mā te wā

Mat

It still hits me that this is quite strange for the middle of Winter. The cold starts (-2C on Sunday) and then the clear and warm sun makes it feel like Spring every day. Today is much of the same with expected temperatures to reach 17C... quite an El Niño we're having this year! It's a little bit mad.

Anyway, I thought I'd turn it up a bit today as I was feeling fresh to start the work week... and that meant heading up to the top of the local volcano!

Onto the crater rim is a stunning run location. The sun was shining, ocean aquamarine blue and there wasn't a cold southerly breeze... yet. The volcanic crater always amazes me, and same with the views towards the Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. Stunningly white peaks after heavy rainfall over the weekend.

Anyway, stretch off those legs and keep working towards the 26 this month...

Mā te wā

Mat

Well, I'm always thinking about how to challenge myself whether it's from personal perspective, a work perspective, whether it's some sort of crazy challenge pushing my body, pushing my brain... and this year I decided, like I have done in the past with 52Peaks, is to do some activity that involved running again. But not the ordinary type of running.

As it was 2026 this year, it sounded like there was a nice ring to it. I also felt there was some kind of method to my madness or at least method to my thinking...

What if I could combine my running with getting fit again and make that something I'm going to do that's challenging, something that gets me out of the house, something that's actually in the "real world" rather than on a screen (considering my day job is typing on a keyboard and looking at digital things ALL DAY), and something sparks joy in my brain.

I did a quick calculation (as you do) and I realised that I could probably get away with running quite a lot every month. Now, having not run really consistently for a couple of years, I didn't really know what I was getting myself into...

So the 26in2026 challenge was born. I'd be running 26 times a month every month no matter how long or how short they were. I mean these had to be actual runs - so it wasn't as if I was running to the fridge, or running to check the mail... it was a real run getting my shoes on and being outside. Whether it being myself with friends, in a group, with the kids. A run was a run, and if I made it out, I was gonna log it.

And that is exactly what I've done.

There's been a few speed bumps along the way in March. I got sick and so actually didn't do my 26, but I have an extra runs in other months to try and keep on top of the total tally.

But "Why have I only just started putting it all online, Mat?" Well, you're totally right!

Firstly, I don't really like putting myself out online. But having learnt from my challenges like 52Peaks when I'd actually finished it and hadn't really told anyone about it... I felt like I could have gained more momentum and joy from it. I realised after doing things like that, that people were actually kind of interested in the journey, and you know it was fun and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Secondly, I wanted to be a bit accountable and make sure that I actually finish this thing.

Thirdly, I'm always creatively thinking about the Internet how to talk about things how to connect with people and I thought this was a really good way of doing it.

But, "Why am I doing it under the slightly more fun than doom scrolling banner?" I hear you say.

Well - on that, I think this kind of real world activity actually has legs, and I think that taking people out of their doomscrolling putting devices away and really connecting with humans gives us a better chance of winning this thing. Especially when it's all talk of these next few years being quite crazy in terms of AI, machine learning, the world, global landscapes etc. etc.

But enough of the doom and gloom. Really this is just supposed to be FUN! It's a fun challenge of fun project and I just wanna share the world so here you can enjoy the journey.

I'll be updating this website. I'll be going on videos and keeping track of what I'm doing. I'll be recording podcast and you can also keep track of all the stats and the nerdy stuff that I'm doing too.

With that all now said - go and enjoy it... and if you feel the need to go do it and it might hopefully be slightly more fun than doomscrolling!

Mā te wā

Mat