Injuries happen, something Eilish McColgan knows better than most. After battling a grisly toe fracture to finish first British woman at the 2026 London Marathon, she came back to win the London Big Half less than five months later. Taking notes?
Coming back from injury isn’t just about getting fit again. It’s about knowing when to push, when to hold back and when to admit you’re just not ready yet. Eilish made the difficult decision to withdraw from Glasgow 2026, where she had been due to defend her Commonwealth 10,000m title, in July. “The good news is I’m back running. The bad news is I’ve simply run out of time to get myself, and my toe, back into spikes,” she said at the time.
Rebuild, don’t rush
Whenever you’re returning from a break, there’s a temptation to make up for lost time. Resist it. Your cardiovascular fitness can return faster than your body’s tissues are ready for, so build gradually and let your body – not your old training plan – guide your progress.
Eilish took a complete break from running after the London Marathon. “I’ve not been able to do my normal running at all,” she said at the time. “Everything has had to be on the cross trainer – and a lot of the focus has been on rehabbing and getting stronger in the gym.”
Cycling, swimming and aqua jogging can help you maintain fitness while allowing the injury to heal. When you do return to training, remember to start with manageable sessions, increase volume before intensity, and leave room for rest.
“I haven’t even run 13 miles in training,” Eilish revealed after her Big Half victory. “I had fear over the broken toe, I eased into it because of nerves and could really attack in the second half.”
Embrace the sweat
Self-care is critical. Yoga, breathwork and meditation can build mental resilience, while the right skin and body care products can support your body’s natural processes, keeping everything working in harmony as you ease back into sweaty workouts. Bionsen deodorants are designed to keep you fresh while allowing the body to sweat and supporting the natural skin barrier. As brand ambassador, Eilish says she loves working with a brand that truly “gets it.”
“As athletes, we’re taught to embrace the sweat because sweat means effort, progress and growth,” she explains. “We’re aligned in the belief that it’s GOOD to sweat… and even better when you’ve got products that work with your skin, not against it.”
Because a strong comeback isn’t about fighting your body. It’s about listening to it, giving it time to adapt and recover – and, when you’re ready, embracing the sweat.
Eilish McColgan is a brand ambassador for Bionsen. Discover the Bionsen range and connect on Instagram
