Sundays from spring to fall are reserved for bicycling. It’s been a tradition between my mum and my aunt for the longest time that they circle a lake nearby together, then sit on a bench and have coffee and sometimes prosecco they brought along. At some point I joined them without circling the lake as I usually lived further away and had enough to work from home to the lake and back. In exchange, the coffee and prosecco break was extended to a full blown breakfast.
When to begin with only my dad and my uncle joined us for for the coffee part after a while the visitors – mostly family – that joined us for a coffee by the lakeside grew and changed: sometimes my cousin with her four kids would join, now it’s still my dad and uncle but also my brother with his twins. In the meantime they often accompany my mum on their bikes which offers a nice change to the hours spent gaming.
I immensely enjoy those family Sundays and the cross training it offers me. I hope there are many more to come!!
So Saturday night I bit off my freshly polished nails. Still, Sunday came and with it a glorious day with many friends and family cheering my dear runner buddy and I on and an unforgettable, long-suffering (17km of stomach pain and cramps…) 42.195km later I was accomplished: I am unofficially but beknownst to my closest people a marathoner.
I’m terribly tired from the lack of sleep the night before the race and of course from the exertion, but also proud, exhilarated, thankful, certainly stronger and – accomplished.
A big shout-out to all dear ones who have supported us by cheering and providing us with sustenance. I certainly couldn’t have done it without you!!
I love all the animals I see when on runs or hikes. I cherish the young cows that are out on the pasture for the first time, curiously following hikers along the fence.
Same with horses, ponies and rabbits.
And then there are the chickens. We have lots of very lucky and undoubtedly happy chickens around here. They are allowed to roam large grassy areas, sometimes studded with bushes and trees. The chickens get moved around in a chicken-mobile so they can explore various surroundings.
For about a month now they have been in a field with low bushes in a tree nursery and when it last rained a puddle formed in one of the empty holes where a l bush had been dug out and the chickens used it as a bath. So precious, the sight was simply too sweet!
Not only is there pollen dust in the air that covers everything and gets into every crack, in addition there’s apparently Sahara dust in the air and the bone-dry north-easterly wind blows up billowing dust clouds. So don’t be surprised if you find yourself sand-blasted to the bones after a long jog.
On my 35k run last weekend I run one of my older running shoes into the ground (I felt like the ball of my foot and my big toe were running naked on the pavement) so it was time for some new ones. With the shops closed I had to fall back on my trusty brand that always works so I could order them online.
Now it’s one retired pair and two newly promoted pairs of running shoes in the app.
Thank you to my trusty retired shoes for their fantastic duty, you served me well and offered me many an inspiring hour outside under the blue, gray, wet, hot, cold… skies.
The coronavirus undoubtedly is a dangerous, even fatal disease. But with people stuck at home and splendid weather outside and one of the few reasons to leave the house being exercising (alone) it seems a lot of people take to running these days. I guess it’s the closed gyms and many unclaimed resolves to finally start running. Now with home office and the dropped commute times it’s as if lots and lots of folks use the gained hours to go out for a run. At least today I saw more runners out there than on many an ordinary weekend day. Everybody and their mamma seemed to be chasing that finish line.
I say let’s hail all these athletes! Let’s celebrate one of the great things the shelter in place order has caused! A hurray on all you runners showing the world that you’re pulling through. Including the safe distance! I applaud you!!
While we’re sheltering in place most of the time these days the sunny yet breezy weather is drawing the health conscious and outdoorsy ones out. While I’m currently discovering all kinds of new skills such as having a very precise phone conversation in order to get work done efficiently by avoiding misunderstandings – you’d think that’s child’s play but not for everyone my friend – I’m also falling in love with old habits and make them a regular part of my week. Apart from my ever present running and yoga I re-introduced regular walking and hiking into the weekly routine. It offers me a clear end to my work day, fresh air, cross-training and gleeful conversations held at a safe distance if I’m inclined to walk with a friend.
Social distancing might suck but we’re discovering long lost ways to really talk to and be close to each other. And to slow down and reflect when we no longer can rush around and get caught up in all our social events and obligations.
Stay healthy and safe out there. And try to enjoy a walk or two once in a while. You’ll most certainly discover new, less obscured views.
Monday saw some torrential rain around where I live but – being my own hero and all – that didn’t keep me from going out for an hour long run… while my cats, the frog and the ball in the drawing, decided to stay put on the cozy warm DRY bed…
Now isn’t that some real kickass determination I showed on a public holiday??!? 😀
samstarbucks 