runningwithfaith

Yet another month has zipped by in what many are thinking of as the new normal. Legitimate as those thoughts might be, I’ve been spending a lot of time staying physically active in lieu of polarizing thoughts of when will things get back to “normal.” Maybe normal is overrated for what does it mean anyway. Perspective really is everything and I’ve been informing and forming my perspective so that I’ll remain healthy and in a sound mind. A sound mind is not overrated.

True to form, April has been everywhere on the weather map and that has led to some chaos in my running and gym workouts. I’ve been all over the place – from running in the mornings, sometimes just to gym and back at a tempo pace to more medium mid afternoons and early evening runs. Wherever, whenever, however it works out I’m in the game and staying active. So with running ( shorter runs) and being in the gym at least five days a week – my new “normal,” you’d be right to think there isn’t a lot of time left. Between work, working out, running, and these endless on-line events, I’m about ready to have a fit, and the first casualty will be my computer I’m almost sure of it. Because the truth is I’m exhausted with all this online activity. I’m over-ready to get into a real room, not a zoom room, with real people, and have real conversations, that effects tangible change and have tangible, spur-of-the- moment results. Face-to-face conversation/ communication is so not overrated.

The best part about 2021 so far has been getting back in the gym! That, my friends, is not overrated either. The classes, comradery, competition, stories, even the sweating and complaining, it’s all good, healthy, and fun stuff. I’m having the time of my life after a year hiatus brought on by Covid. I kid you not that working out and exercise have literally saved lives this past year – obviously that’s true for always – but particularly in the past year because it provided a mental release/ outlet from all the stress and general fallout from the pandemic that has been associated with health, economic, social, and physical changes to our cities, country, and world. Effects that we’re still dealing with both individually and collectively. The gym is my safe haven. So what if it’s a bit different with less people and with having to make sure to reserve a spot and wear a mask and sanitize hands as well as wipe down all the material used. These are mere extras, not inconveniences – aside from the mask-wearing, as they’re actual healthy practices that should remain permanently in my opinion. Sorry, not sorry, that this virus has brought out the germophobe in me. I’m sure you understand though, this is all of us to some degree now – and well cleanliness cannot be overrated either. I cannot, in good conscience, say that I’m not looking forward to a world with no virus but with all the health and safety measures hammered in place. Don’t worry, it’s for our good.

With everything this past year, and like a lot of people, I’ve had to switch gyms and landed at a location that’s not-quite-the-box but so good nonetheless. And while this means I haven’t been lifting as much as I did when I was at the other place, I have the opportunity to dabble in other things that crossfit has set the premise for while still getting to practice my lifts, which I do twice a week now. All other times it’s a mix of EMOMs and AMRAPs (crossfit terminology and styled workouts involving consecutive one minutes of work). The focus of these workouts is conditioning for either upper or lower body depending on the day. If I’m being honest, it’s been a nice change and a lot of focus on core and balance..core work was a daily practice of mine last year for around 20 minutes, six days per week so I’m happy to be continuing in that vien. Some other interesting things going on at this new facility are battle ropes, trx suspension training, sled push/pull, sand bags and a lot of Tabatha incorporated into the workouts. Oh and we still use the rowers! Rowers overrated? Never.

April and gym takeaways? Stay thankful. Stay running. And stay strong. At the new gym, there’s a little something for everyone (as in every part of me) LoL: some home (crossfit) comforts and a fresh influx of challenges to overcome, and, I still get to practice my lifts – only now I go solo. Can’t honestly say that I don’t miss the good ole days of full classes, heavy lifting, in-house competitions, and lots of targeted training. It’ll be a while before that dust settles but I’m here for it. If nothing else, 2020-21 has taught me to appreciate the here and now. So I’ll just go right on appreciating my way into getting stronger everyday. Here’s to May flowers and many hours – of running and gym power.