Lock Ups and Downs...

Another lockdown week passes - although it feels far longer than a week to me! This is however my third week of 'abnormality' with my work having closed normal operation a week ahead of the UK, so maybe that's partly why. Although I am adapting in many senses, there are still days or moments within days when I literally just lose that forward thinking/positivity for a moment. It feels tougher and especially the inability to be able to count down the exact amount of time we will be in this situation - the unknown. I think what I miss most at the moment is waking up and truly looking forward to my day; I was in a lucky position before where I was actually able to say this was the case, but now its more a case of getting through the day, sometimes wishing hours away. It still also remains challenging being alone and the lack of 'real life' human interaction - but through my virtual networks we continue to check in with one another, and this is support which will never not help. 

Running has been helping me keep that consistent routine and I feel much more ready to face a day after some morning miles. That moment when I get home from a run and soak in the post run endorphins is probably when I feel most like my usual self at the moment. I am not really following any plan with my running, although I am trying not to over do things, as it could be very easy too, especially with the amount of home workouts being thrown in my face every time I log onto my phone! It almost makes you feel like you need to be doing tricep dips on the bottom of your stairs every spare minute of the day! I guess I am simply just doing what I want and at whatever pace I feel like on the day. I am doing some home based stuff to try and keep my strength up, although realistically nothing I can achieve at home will replicate my usual weights class at the gym (that first class back is going to hurt!)

MONDAY: home exercise classes from 'Run Your Marks' - I am still enjoying the fact these are streamed live and therefore gives a structure in my day and a feeling of being in a class with others. It helps get the week off to a good start. 

TUESDAY: a lovely 10k run where I went out with no pace in mind, but found myself getting progressively quicker and enjoying that sense of pushing my body a little.

WEDNESDAY: I planned a 7 mile loop today and as soon as I started I could feel my legs were a little weary, so I kept it comfortable, enjoying being outside and the fresh air and freedom!

THURSDAY: this week we should have been on the track at Run Club, but we shared the planned session anyway and I tried to replicate it on the streets. I got out early when I knew the river path near me would be virtually empty and logged 10 x 200m reps up and down. After my first 200m sprint along the path I did think to myself that this was going to be quite an easy session - by the 7th I had other thoughts! My splits were really consistent though which I was pleased with despite the dramatic change in perceived effort, and it was certainly not a run I would have attempted without the virtual Run Club motivation. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day 

SATURDAY: I tried something different for this week's 'not Lincoln parkrun' and incorporated my run into doing some shopping for a lady called Hilary who I had been connected to through the Run Your Marks Community Champs scheme. It felt so rewarding to do something for someone else, and also quite entertaining wandering around a supermarket trying to locate items on a list - like I was in some very strange gameshow! Utilising running miles to help others during this time is a great idea and something I was very keen to sign up to - a bit of parkrun community spirit channelled into my Saturday morning!

SUNDAY: the weather was glorious today; blue skies, sunshine and a warmth we have not felt in months. Tough during a lockdown really, but even more reason to celebrate a run. I mapped out another half marathon route, and whilst I enjoyed the Spring like sounds as ran a little more rurally - I am definitely not used to warmer weather for running yet! I found it much tougher even at a comfortable pace and was dying for a drink for the final 4 miles! It should have been Manchester Marathon today and I had planned to go and watch friends take on the race - I kept thinking as I ran it would have been perfect spectating weather, but I was pleased it was not the day for my planned marathon - too warm (how did we all run that London Marathon in 2018?!) I also spent a lot of my run hoping people were adhering to the Government guidelines despite the weather - I live in a terrace house with a backyard just about big enough for a small table and chair (not even sure if when I sit there I am actually 2 metres away from my neighbour over the fence doing the same!!) and whilst I would have loved to be enjoying the wonderful weather out with friends - there are much bigger things at play now, which infuriates me that some people still cannot see. 

As we enter another week I do not expect it to be straightforward and I am sure some challenges will present; everyone out there probably has their own different battle depending on their circumstance. Try and keep as positive as you can - I do not think it is possible 100% of the time, but do not let those moments when you feel a bit lost with it all overwhelm you, that is what I am trying to do.