So here were are in September already. It’s hard to think that this COVID thing, along with the new way of life that has come with it, has been around since March. As we begin to transition into fall, I’ve been thinking about how running in the age of COVID-19 has been different this year.
In the past, I have used races as my motivation to keep up with my running training plans. I almost always had a race on my schedule that I was training for (except when I was pregnant). This kept me committed to a goal and gave me a reason to run.
This year has been a lot different since we don’t have any in-person races right now. I have tried doing a virtual race, but to be honest it just wasn’t the same. I love races for many reasons, but one of the main reasons is for the big crowds, the excitement, and the crowd cheering. There’s something about that environment that gives me chills. That’s what I miss the most. This year though, that is just not possible. It makes me think that once this pandemic is over (which hopefully there is an end to it someday), I will appreciate in person races so much more. When I participate in races in the future, I will always remember that year when none of us could gather together and run a race. I will never take that for granted again.
Finding Blessings in Unexpected Places
I think there are a lot of hidden blessings in 2020. For me, it’s been the ability to spend a lot more time with my family since I no longer have to commute into the city. I have had time to focus on creating this blog since my schedule isn’t nearly as full as it was previously. I’ve had time to focus on my mental health. 2020 has taught me to dig deeper and find motivation to run in places other than races. This year has made me appreciate the little things.
Have you found any hidden blessings in 2020?
