Social distance training

With huge excitement, I went off to run some trails this week, with a much treasured work colleague. Unbelievable to be out, after all these weeks of constriction. More unbelievable to my legs : the shock of attempting a proper hill again left them grumbling with aches and pains.


We managed quire successfully to practice social distancing, more due to the fact that I could hardly keep up with the girl while she was on her bike. Within two meters of her? Lucky to be able to spot her on the horizon more like.



We sat for our stops and biscuits and chat. Gazing at the freedom around us felt like seeing some kind of paradise. Oh, to be out on the trails. Breathe. Love it.

Yoga time!

My gym has started live streaming a few classes, before a hopeful reopening next month. Such a joy to see some regular teachers, although they cannot hear my comments shouted back to them through the lesson.

Relieved to have the opportunity to start training properly again. A version of returning to a routine, kind of.

Good to see, also, that the lockdown hasn't altered my inflexibility or lack of coordination. Some things really never change.

Yay!!!!

Well, good news occurring, for some at least...... We can exercise as long as we want outside from tomorrow.  I'm planning my first long run later in the week, after eight weeks of short-trying-to-keep-to-an-hour sessions. The prospect of bumbling along for longer, has made me hugely happy.

I am not sure when /if  we will race again this year : that does not bother me : it was the restrictions on everyday training that was making me feel claustrophobic. But this has been nothing, compared to the awful experiences many families have lived through, in the last few weeks.

I am sorry that the limits are still imposed  on major sporting fixtures for the foreseeable future, and am hoping that ways around this will be found. It will make a lot of people very happy to see their football / cricket / rugby clubs back in action again,

Hopefully somehow, soon.

The intensity of dealing with some of the consequences of this pandemic, have exhausted me.

Roll on the long run. Keep going.

Keep going, keep going, keep going

I think next week we will start to see changes announced to what has become one of the biggest endurance events many of us will experience.
The Uk's death rates have been huge, the victims and families at the forefront of our minds always.

Please keep going. For us, lucky enough not to be personally affected by this virus : we are nearly there. The pressure will start to relieve soon. Life will be hugely different, but we will do this.

Missing a few races is nothing, compared to what some people are experiencing. Changing our daily habits , is a small price to pay. We can do this. And there is light on the horizon.

Two things have made me unbearably proud throughout this : working for the NHS on the 'frontline', and watching two small people in my life become the most resilient, uncomplaining, accepting individuals I have ever come across. So impressed, so proud with it all.

We're nearly there. Keep going, keep going, keep going.

Essential running dreams

I just wanted to say hello, and to anyone out there : I sincerely hope you are surviving this lock down.  I have allowed myself a maximum of one meltdown /cry a day, and it seems to help : I swear, the kids are coping better with this than I am.

Luckily for all of us, we are still allowed to run outside:.... in many countries in Europe, this has been disallowed completely.

Although I've not seen a hilly trail in weeks, I've managed to develop a couple of interesting little routes locally. My favourite being the completey empty cinema car park nearby, and trying to sprint between parking bays (sprint???? Really????  Maybe not that fast).

Please keep going. It is at this time that we need to plan and dream the most, whether that's a new autumn race or shopping trip to look forward to. I really, really, need my dreams right now.

I'm convinced this will be over soon. We will be affected by this forever, and the people who have lost their lives to this virus will never be forgotten by anyone.

Stay safe, keep dreaming for the
 future.

Covid-19

So, tragically, the world is on hold. We have to isolate as much as practically possible: for our own protection and that of others. Huge numbers of people are losing their lives, this situation is unprecedented and overwhelming.

As runners, trying to maintain fitness is our best defence. However it is possible. I am hoping to still run either outside, if it is still allowed, or on the treadmill (always a bit yuk, but certainly better than not running).  It is still a welcome avenue of escape. Unfortunately, cross training for me will take a hit, until more normal times resume.

Guys, all I can say is, please keep going in these hideous times. Try and do at least one thing a day which makes you really happy. Stay safe, stay sane, see you on the other side.