After heart issues derailed the start of my year, I needed a different way to approach building toward Vätternrundan 2026. Here’s how PacePartner changed the way I think about training when the stakes feel higher and the margin for error feels smaller.

February was less about progression and more about cautiously finding consistency again. After the heart issues earlier in the year, I was finally able to return to slightly more regular training in the second half of the month, even as work travel kept disrupting routines and the first version of PacePartner took shape.

A personal look at why I built PacePartner, how it connects with Intervals.icu, and the gap it is trying to close for self-coached athletes.

After two months of forced rest due to heart irritation post-flu, I’m mapping out a cautious return to training—and recalibrating my 2026 goals to prioritize health, durability, and long-term progress.

December was a complete write-off in terms of training, as the flu took hold and forced a necessary, albeit frustrating, break. With almost zero activity, the focus shifted entirely to recovery, family, and reflecting on the year’s journey, ending the year with a lesson in patience.

November was a frustrating month of trying to get back on track, only to be knocked down by lingering fatigue and illness. The data shows a month of low volume and inconsistency, but a late return to some structure offers a glimmer of hope for December.

Illness disrupted most of October, leading to reduced volume and an adjusted outlook. A look at what training I managed, how I’m refocusing for November, and keeping perspective during setbacks.

As I sit down to reflect on my journey towards the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2027, I realize how important it is to set realistic and sustainable goals. When I first started this journey, my aim was to finish in the top 100 at the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2027. However, as I’ve progressed and learned more about my body and the demands of training, I’ve come to understand that my focus needs to shift.

September came with a headwind of real life: work turned hectic, both me and my wife took turns traveling which meant solo-parenting shifts, and we kicked off a much‑needed home decluttering project. Add a nagging cold that seemed to loiter for days, and the month became a lesson in adjusting expectations and keeping the wheels turning—sometimes literally, sometimes not.

August has come and gone in a blur of changing routines, steady base training, and some memorable family milestones. As summer draws to a close, I’ve found myself in that familiar transitional space—part reflection, part preparation—balancing training blocks, personal life, and a slow shift toward autumn.

After struggling with knee pain during the final stretch of Vätternrundan 2025, I took a hard look at my training routine and realized I had neglected strength work. In this post, I share how I’ve rebuilt my approach with a two-part strength training program designed to support both endurance cycling and military readiness—blending science, experience, and practical strategies for integrating strength into a busy endurance schedule.

July has been a month of transitions—a gentle ramp down from a busy training block into a period of recovery, a ten-day adventure in the hills combined with team-lead training, and finally a gradual return to structured workouts. On top of that, I’ve just started my last month of parental leave, which means mornings of bike rides with the kids, afternoons at the playground.

After a busy stretch, this week was about pulling back—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. The arrival of a new baby has shifted a lot of routines, and it’s been hard to find one-on-one time with my older son. This week, with my wife and the baby away at camp, I had a rare window to focus just on him.

A post-Vätternrundan recovery trip that turned into a quiet lesson in pacing, history, and hydration—plus this week’s recovery metrics and next week’s return to motion.

Returning to blogging with a three-year mission to qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2027. Here’s the structured plan and the mindset behind it.

Despite starting the week with flu symptoms, this year’s Vätternrundan became a meaningful ride focused on family, resilience, and key lessons for future improvement.

A detailed look at my gear and nutrition plan for Vätternrundan 2025, building on lessons learned from last year’s ride.

The last few weeks have been all about fine-tuning the engine and dialling in the race plan for Vätternrundan. With the big day right around the corner, here’s a quick recap of the final training block and a deep dive into the fuelling plan that will carry me through 315 kilometers around Lake Vättern.