Not going to lie, when I signed up for my May half marathon I was pumped. That quickly turned into feeling not so pumped…sick, run down, and injured. Running was going nowhere and I kinda dreaded it.

After being in isolation for seven weeks now, I’m running more than I have in about 2 years! What changed? I don’t know, everything!

With spring races cancelled, that left little hope of my training. Working full time at home…day after day….with two school kids at home had me run down. So what did I do? I started running more. It started off as unplanned runs with my dog which later turned into a routine of morning runs. That lead to a few long runs on the weekend.

It’s been since October 2018 since I’ve done a long run and that was the PEI half marathon. A week ago, Nova Scotia had a major life changing event for 22 people and shook us all to our core. I was out running that morning but didn’t know anything until I returned (about 2 hours away from where we live). Nova Scotia was a sad place that day and since. So many wonderful people are hurting, it was a hard week to focus on anything.

I kept running. Oh and walking. Good lord, I signed up for a Strava Walking challenge of 15 hours in April. Why, I don’t know and I likely won’t do that again in May. I don’t love walking but my dog needs walks and my kids need to bike/scooter. I’m 11 hours into my walking challenge and unsure if I’ll meet the 15 hours on time. We’ll see.

This past weekend I had THE BEST long run in years! I stayed closed to home, brought some Nuun Endurnace (first time) and my Endurnace Tap (Male syrup) and hit the roads. Mostly subdivision running followed by a BIG hill to a dirt road then back to the subdivision and sidewalk running.

I felt really good, even on the BIG hill and all the other hills too. A few weeks ago, I would have given up and walked those hills and inclines but not this time. I’m getting stronger. I’m feeling good. I’m loving running again and it feels good.

Now, not every run is going to feel like that but I’ll take what I can get right now and embrace it. The days are stressful, busy, full, exhausting and something we are trying to embrace. I don’t have much down time for watching hours of Netflix’s. That just doesn’t even happen these days, if fact I barely watch TV anymore!

I’m missing seeing family, friends and colleagues in person. Zoom meetings just aren’t cutting it anymore. I’m loving seeing neighbours on our walks and our kids friends as we pass by their houses. Trying to embrace the little things lately and long runs are one of those!

What’s keeping you busy these days?

Morning, afternoon or evening runner?

What’s one thing you miss before Covid-19 hit?