I have never thought twice about the freedom of movement until UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s address last night
In December, I will celebrate my 12th year of living in South East London (hopefully with a pint of IPA in the pub around the corner). Among my many comforts here during these years, I have enjoyed a run around the local park at least once a week.
These runs have ranged in effort, from a gazelle-like glide to a post-hangover plod. While all of them have culminated in me feeling energised, none of them has stood out as being particularly special. That was until last night, when UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Britons to stay at home to help curb the spread of the corona virus and imparted strict instructions to stay at home and only leave the house in a limited set of circumstances, including to exercise.
Until the PM’s seminal message, I was already about a week into a new home working routine that involved a morning run each day. So hearing my favourite past time getting called out as one of the permissible forms of outdoor activity, along with running and cycling, motivated me in ways I had never experienced before. With things getting quieter out there, it prompted me to explore a new style of running, that is without music and instead tuning in to what’s going on around me.
So with an early start this morning, I set off for my first lock down run, leaving the phone and music at home. The park looked different. This morning, in particular, it was like an Oasis of calm, staying open for groups of no more than two people to enjoy at a time. People walked two-metres part from each other, observing the social distancing rules, some with either dogs or push chairs.
The giant pathway running lengthways through the park opened itself up, with overhanging trees on either side heralding a quiet, wide open route for morning runners.
During my ascent along the pathway, I passed a few other runners. Each of us observed the new rules but stilled smiled encouragingly and politely as we passed each other. The uphill became tougher, as I began to feel the effects of a somewhat sedentary life style that I had grown accustomed to during a few days of staycationing.
Don’t lose your head while self-isolating
But with some planning I resolved to make running a first on my list of daily tasks, after a strong coffee and a quick meditation exercise, closely followed by some spring cleaning, blogging and a discovery of new recipes for seafood and casseroles. Admittedly not all activities in this new routine have been ticked off but I’m glad that I at least got the run in.
As I plateaued out at the top of the park– after a somewhat sluggish trek– I began my descent downhill towards home. The downhills are always easier and with each foot strike, I paid more attention to the inhales and exhales, and how good it is to be able to run at least once a day.
As an activity that I had somewhat taken for granted, running is now a key ingredient of my daily routine. With a new appreciation for the form of exercise, highlighted by the unprecedented times in which we live, I am becoming more curious about the mechanical motion of the legs propelling the body forward, like a finely tuned engine, if a little rusty at times. Listening to the breath as it fuels the engine and works in unison with the body can be equally interesting.
Ok, it feels a tad weird without the music but hopefully tomorrow’s run will become a little easier, and I’ll be a little bit faster, more curious and more appreciative of the mechanics at play between body and mind.
But enough about me. I’d like to hear how you’re keeping the self-isolation gremlins at bay, whether it’s with a new obsession (ever tried Onesie Olympics?) or something you’ve practiced for a while which you now especially appreciate.