The Middle Miles
Not at the Start. Nowhere Near Finished.
I started running to get in better shape. Somewhere along the way, it became about more than miles. This is where I document the running and walking activities, recovery, nutrition, setbacks, and any kind of progress that is happening in between.
Latest Posts
When Running Moved Down the List
Between twelve-hour shifts, night work, my master’s degree, and the kids’ activities, running has moved down the list. With surgery approaching and the darker months ahead, I’m figuring out how to make room for myself in a life full of things I care about.
First Week Back: Running Into Production
Coming home from Japan meant more than getting back to running. Between jet lag, terrible sleep, a new role in Production, and confirmation that shoulder surgery was ahead, my first week back became a lesson in adjusting to several changes at once.
Japan: So Much for the Routine
After five weeks of building a running routine, I left for Japan and did not run for almost two weeks. Between Tokyo, family in Nagoya, Hamamatsu, sushi go-rounds, and a lot of walking, I realized the bigger change was that I actually missed running.
Why The Middle Miles?
Starting is exciting. Finishing feels great. The middle is where it gets hard. It is where the motivation wears off, progress can feel slow, and you have to decide whether you are going to keep moving.
That is what The Middle Miles means to me. It is the part of the run, and this stage of life, where consistency matters more than excitement. I am not at the beginning anymore, but I am nowhere near finished.
What I’m Working On
Building endurance, improving consistency, learning how my body responds to training, and seeing where the miles take me.
Sleep, mobility, rest, soreness, and learning that getting better is about more than what happens during the workout.
Figuring out how food, hydration, protein, supplements, and normal life fit into better performance and recovery.
The numbers, the setbacks, the small wins, and the occasional reminder that improvement rarely happens in a straight line.
Meet Dustin
I’m Dustin. I’m a husband, dad, and active-duty Air Force member who has spent more than a decade working in aircraft maintenance. The military has shaped a huge part of my adult life, from the places I have lived to the people I have worked alongside, but it has also taught me a lot about discipline, consistency, and showing up when things are not easy.
In my 30s, I decided it was time to take my fitness more seriously. I started with a simple jog and walk program because I wanted to improve my endurance and feel better overall. Since then, I have found myself paying more attention to the entire process. Running, walking, recovery, nutrition, sleep, strength, and all the small decisions that add up over time.
Outside of work and training, most of my time revolves around my family, traveling when we get the opportunity, and life at home with our two cats. I am not an elite runner or a fitness expert. I am just trying to become healthier, stronger, and more consistent while figuring things out along the way. That is what The Middle Miles is about.
Follow the Journey
I’m figuring this out one run, one lesson, and one mile at a time. If you want to follow along, subscribe and I’ll share new posts as The Middle Miles continues.
