
EP44: Andy's 7-Year Soberversary: No itch - The gift that still keeps giving
From Clean Break Chats by Andy Delderfield and Richard Casement
February 28, 2026 · 1h 13m · Episode 44
About this episode
Andy celebrates his 7-year sobriety milestone and discusses the positive changes in his life as a midlife runner.
This week’s episode is a personal one. Andy hits 7 years alcohol-free , and we unpack what’s changed - and what keeps getting better even this far down the road. We talk honestly about the midlife runner’s reality: the hidden negotiations, the “badge of honour” hangover runs, and the way running can become both a coping mechanism and a doorway to real change. You’ll hear why 100 days is often the point where the real identity shift begins, why clarity is a double-edged sword , and how learning to process grief and emotion (instead of numbing it) becomes a superpower. We also share some race-week energy - Tokyo Marathon shout-outs, training markers, and why consistency beats intensity every time when life is busy and you’re trying to build something sustainable. If you’re a midlife runner who feels stuck, misaligned, or caught in the weekday discipline / weekend sabotage loop - this one will land. In this episode: The 7-year “soberversary” (and why there’s no itch to go back) The badge-of-honour trap: “I can still run after drinking…” Running away vs running towards: the identity shift Grief, gratitude, and feeling life in full colour Why 100 days is a real data point (not just a…
People in this episode
Hosts: Andy, Richard Casement
Topics covered
- sobriety
- midlife running
- identity shift
- grief and emotion
- consistency in training
- race preparation
Keywords
- soberversary
- alcohol-free
- running
- midlife
- identity shift
- grief
- consistency
- Tokyo Marathon
More episodes of Clean Break Chats
- EP57: Guest Episode – Jacko Jackson (The Breath Running Coach) | From a Seizure on the Pitch to 200 Marathons in 100 Days · June 6, 2026 · 53 min
- EP56: Into the Unknown | Andy's Amazon Eve, Fear, Grief & Why He's Doing This · May 30, 2026 · 1h 2m
- EP55: Guest Episode – Gab Stone | The Double Life, the Fall & Running Back to Life · May 23, 2026 · 1h 33m
- EP54: The Ripple Effect | Marathons, Mental Health & the Moment Everything Changed · May 16, 2026 · 1h 24m
- EP53: Guest Episode – Louisa Evans (Stepping Into Sobriety) | Grey Area, Busy Brain & the Life She Didn't See Coming · May 9, 2026 · 1h 11m
- EP52: Tragic Optimism, Sub-Two Hours & Why Gratitude Isn't Toxic Positivity · May 2, 2026 · 1h 19m
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