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This weekend is a big one for long-distance triathlon and ultrarunning in the UK. In the tri world, we have both the Outlaw in Nottingham and Ironman UK in Leeds. Meanwhile, in the world of trail and endurance running, athletes are toeing the line at the Lakeland 50 and 100.

No doubt, many of those racing will cross the finish line, take a deep breath, and—just a few days later—start hunting for the next challenge. I know that pattern well. It’s one I followed for years. That chase for the next finish line, the next dopamine hit, the next big goal. It gave me focus and purpose, but I now wonder if it's part of the reason my body is starting to creak a bit as I move through my 60s.

For years, I threw myself into Ironman and other long-distance events with relentless dedication. I never really took a year off. Even during life’s more stressful moments—work pressure, family commitments—I kept the training volume high. On paper, my weekly training hours don’t look much different today, but back then I paid far less attention to recovery. Sleep, nutrition, mobility… those were optional extras, not priorities.

But what if the smarter strategy is to pause, not push?

Let’s borrow a lesson from agriculture.

Farmers have long practised “fallowing”—leaving a field uncultivated for a season to allow the soil to rest and recover. In the traditional three-field rotation system, each field would lie fallow every third year. It’s a principle rooted not just in good farming, but in ancient wisdom too: “But during the seventh year the land shall have a sabbath rest… then the land will yield its produce, so that you can eat your fill and live securely on it.”

Fallowing is still a valuable tool for sustainable agriculture. And for athletes? It might be just as powerful.

A fallow year doesn’t mean abandoning movement or giving up fitness. It means stepping away from the pressure of constant racing. It’s an invitation to rediscover other joys—walks with family, mountain bike rides with no Garmin in sight, weekends unburdened by long bricks or 5am alarms. It’s space to reconnect with what you love, without the clock ticking.

Most importantly, it’s a chance to rebuild from the ground up. To focus on sleep quality. To refine your nutrition. To develop a daily mobility routine. To become the athlete who not only trains hard—but recovers smart.

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I now realise that one of the best things I could have done for my longevity in sport would have been to take a true “fallow” year. Not as a break, but as a strategy. A time to explore different ways of training, to let go of the identity wrapped up in racing, and to prepare the ground for the next chapter.

If we want our bodies—and our minds—to carry us well into our 60s, 70s, and beyond, then maybe we all need to consider stepping back now and then. Not because we’re broken, but because we’re invested in staying whole.

Let the field lie fallow. It will grow stronger for it. And so will you.

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I really appreciate you being part of my tribe and I look forward to helping you achieve better health and better performance. Simon

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Please check out these podcasts and articles

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ARTICLE: 3 SIMPLE proven recovery strategies to help supercharge your health and fitness Recovery involves multiple body systems—muscular, hormonal, neural, and more—each recovering at different rates. Just because your muscles feel fine doesn’t mean you're fully recovered. Invisible systems like the endocrine and immune systems are often overlooked, yet they play a crucial role and may still be under significant stress. Learn more (3 min read)