As we say goodbye to the first month of 2021 (which in my opinion has felt like an eternity!) I thought I would check in to the virtual world. It has not been the brightest start to the year in many respects, but the Covid-19 vaccination programme is giving us glimmers of hope that we might get back to some form of normality during 2021.

Normally I kick start the year with a marathon training programme looking ahead to a Spring race. This year it is very different, I have no idea when my next race will be, and one of the events I had transferred from May 2020 to May 2021 has already been cancelled. 2020 taught me that running matters just as much to me without races though, and thus running is still proving to be very important to my life (will it ever not be?)

I am completely ‘done’ with the work from home life now and getting out for miles each day gives me a break from my laptop screen, my house and my own head. Running practically remains my only concrete plan each week and meeting a friend for a run is a grand occasion! The only negative is it can be hard to rein in the running a little – I have found myself running six days a week recently (normally its five) and still doing strength and conditioning on rest days just to keep myself sane. Its something to be mindful of, but also slightly hard to keep track of, as I often have no concept of the days and weeks, it all just feels slightly repetitive at the moment!

The January Lockdown Challenge my Run Club has been running for our members has proved to be a fantastic way to keep us connected and focused through this difficult time though, and has meant I have enjoyed miles with lots of friends. It has also seen me scanning the hedgerows of Lincoln to try capture a photo of a Robin, learning about local defib locations, and completing a leg burning four minute wall sit. The challenge has furthermore motivated me to add a bit more variety into my running again, reintroducing some interval runs, hill sessions and longer miles. My weekly mileage has now crept back up to the 35-40 mile region.

Running aside, I am missing ‘normal’ life a lot at the moment. My opinions of home working are clear, it’s been nearly six months since I have been able to see my family, friends have had babies I am yet to meet, I miss the endorphin hit of lifting weights in the gym… I am sure we could all write a long list of things we are longing to get back to. I even found myself watching a programme on TV where two friends staggered into their house after a night out, high heels in hand, laughing and joking about the night’s antics – it’s quite rare I do this anymore Covid or not, but I actually felt jealous of these fictional people!

This weekend I did enjoy a Zoom call with some friends which went on until 3am just talking and laughing about random things. Getting up at 6am the following morning for a 10 mile run with a friend then felt so thrilling, and made me miss the often hectic nature of normality. I also met a friend and her son for a walk and we just were carefree for an hour or so, splashing in puddles, stomping through mud, and attempting to ride a child's bike which was much too small for me – things that I wish could just be a bit easier/normal without the knowledge of Covid rules hanging over us. 

So, the plan for next month – much of the same! Enjoy running, keep up with some longer runs so I can take on the virtual Ashby 20 in April, and hopefully enjoy some improved running weather (I hate the snow and ice!) and the lighter longer days. The even better news however is that February is only 28 days long...! ​

2021 – it already feels a lot like 2020 in many respects! The New Year has brought new restrictions, another lockdown and many of the same challenges. I am working from home – as I have been since March 2020 – only leaving the house once a day to run or walk, and seeing just a handful of people each week. However, perhaps unlike 2020, this way of life no longer seems a shock to the system; I know what it feels like and the things you must accept are part of living through a pandemic.

Thankfully, the Government’s recognition of the importance of being able to get out for daily exercise has remained into 2021. At present we can even buddy to exercise with one other person, which for someone like me who lives alone, is a huge bonus. I am not sure how long that will last, but it is something positive for now.

As this year has started, I have therefore enjoyed being able to get out and meet friends for some miles. As lockdown now means my Run Club cannot meet, we have also set a virtual challenge to our members with various points awarded for finding certain objects on runs, step counts, healthy food choices etc. It has given some focus and a distraction from the going’s on in the world – plus a bit of healthy competition!

In a wider running context, I have no real goals for this year – there are still longstanding running goals I want to achieve – but I see little point in pinning them down at this moment in time whilst Covid still remains rampant. Some races are on the calendar, mainly those which I transferred places from 2020 – but whether those due to take place in April/May will be possible, I will wait and see. I have entered the virtual Ashby 20 in April (mainly because I love the hoodies!) and hope this will give me some further focus and an extra reason to enjoy some longer weekend runs again.

​In the weeks ahead my plan is to therefore to continue just to enjoy running, keep a good base of fitness and mileage, and where possible relish running with friends. Simple goals, but realistic at the same time. I believe there is a brighter period ahead during 2021, but for now we just need to take each day at a time… and keep running!