5 Things I've Learned about Running During a Year of the Pandemic

Can you believe it has been one year since the pandemic started? A year of masks. A year of social distancing. A year of fear. A year of race cancellations. A year of disappointments.

Think back to where you were a year ago when the rug was pulled out from under us. I was in Florida visiting my parents and getting ready to run a trail race in the Everglades. My trip was cut short and I DNS'd my race when I returned home to care for my son after a snowboarding accident in Wisconsin. The following week, we were locked down. It was, to say the least, a shocking turn of events.

It's been a tough year in so many ways. As it always has been for me, running was a gift and a bright spot in a year that was filled with turmoil. I want to share the 5 things I've learned about running over the past year. I've learned a lot of other things as well. Some good, some bad. But I'd rather focus on the good and running was all that for me.

I keep hearing the phrase: "I just want to go back to normal." But was normal always good? I like to think that maybe the downtime of the past year has given us all time to step back and reflect on what is really important in our lives. Hopefully, we've all made some positive changes in our lives. Running changed for me this year and I'm really pleased with how things evolved.

On the Way Up

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After hitting the skids in February, I can say that things are definitely looking brighter! Once again, this week we were gifted with a lot of sunshine and the snow is gone. The trees have leaf buds on the branches. I spotted robins on my runs. My daffodils are even poking through the dirt. I know it's too soon to put away my winter coat, but it sure felt good to not have to layer up for my runs this week. In fact, I even got to wear shorts one day. 

Off the road, life has been pretty uneventful. My sister had her surgery last week and everything went well. The pathology report came back clear, meaning she is cancer free! This is all such good news! Today we're having lunch and going for a walk. We're even talking about planning our sister trip for the fall. Things are definitely looking up!

Book Review: A Runner's High by Dean Karnazes

 Disclaimer: I received a prerelease copy of A Runner's High from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  This book is due to be released on April 20, 2021.

"To me, running is a grand adventure, an intrepid outward exploration of the landscape and a revealing inward journey of the self."~ Dean Karnazes, A Runner's High

When long distance running legend Dean Karnazes gets an opportunity to run Western States, a 100 mile race that he's run over 10 times, he admits to feeling 'terrified'. He says the last time he ran it, 9 years previously, he DNF'd. He says his body was 'wrecked', something that has happened to him many times in his running career. That last DNF, though, broke his spirit. He had unfinished business with Western States and entered the lottery, just like a mere mortal. When he learned that he was moving up the list, he decided he better start training for it. 

A Slow Return to Normal and Mini Book Review of I Hate Running and You Can Too

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Is it just me or does it feel like things are starting to get better? At least with regards to opening back up, that is. I'm not talking about dropping the mask mandate--it's a little too soon for that. With the approval of the J&J vaccine this week, I'm starting to feel much more optimistic. Even better---this week, I found out that my favorite race, the Lakefront 10 Miler, is going to take place on April 17. Live. On the actual course!! In Chicago!!!

Can you even believe it?

Of course, I signed up. With a guaranteed refund if the race is canceled, I saw no downside to jumping right in. Fingers crossed that I get to cross that start line! 

The sun is shining, the snow is melting...I can just smell the optimism! 

Coffee Talk and February's Book Reviews

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Let's sit down and catch up over a cup of coffee! I love our monthly coffee date--it's the one time of the month where we all share what's going on in our lives off the road. While I love to run, I do have other things to talk about. I'm drinking my usual Dunkin' with a splash of half and half and a scoop of GLG collagen. What's in your mug?

The Big Thaw

It's been a warm week, at least by February standards, and the snow is melting! At one point, we had 28 inches on the ground so the melt is a process, but patches of grass are peeking through the snow. My neighbor spied some green popping through the dirt and realized it was her daffodils! After such a cold and snowy month, this is a welcome sight. The people I saw wearing shorts and tank tops? Well, you can't blame them for a little wishful thinking. And yes, it's a great time to be a runner!

Runfessions: February

It's the end of February and I could not be happier. It's been a long, cold month, the pandemic rages on, and really, doesn't every day right now feel like groundhog day? I almost considered not runfessing this month, you know, same old, same old, but my soles are heavy and in need of absolution. I haven't missed a monthly runfession session yet. Thank goodness Marcia opens the runfessional on the last Friday of every month. And here we go...