Great to see you approaching recovery with such intention and self-awareness. That injury check run sounds like the perfect way to test the waters without forcing anything, and the fact that you could run 5 km at close to marathon pace with no pain is a huge green light. Blisters and mild soreness are just souvenirs from a tough effort deeper tissue being silent is what really matters. Also, experiencing sun, rain, and wind all in one 40-minute run? That’s not just typical Dutch weather; that’s character building. Moments like that remind us why we love this sport it’s raw, unpredictable, and always rewarding if you show up.

And those 2026 goals? Sub-40 for 10K, sub-1:30 for the half, sub-3 for the full that’s a beautiful ladder to climb. You’ve already checked sub-20 for 5K, so the momentum is real. Adding a weekly hill session and a hard interval session shows you’re serious about building both strength and speed. Jungfrau will demand climbing power, but those tempo goals will make you a more complete runner. Keep trusting the process, listen to your body like you did today, and don’t underestimate the value of a good shoe rotation your legs will thank you.