When contemplating a background image for this quarter’s blog post, I went back and forth on a couple ideas. The first idea, which as you can see I opted to move forward with, was an image of a sunrise. I cannot think of a better, more natural example of a routine. The sun rises every day, and it sets every day. While the specific time of sunrise and sunset adjusts throughout the year, and there are even cloudy and rainy days when the sun is not visible, we can rest assured it is always there. Each and every day the sun will rise and the sun will set.
The other idea I considered was that of a couch potato, being prodded by a stick. Yes, that’s right! For without a daily routine, I think we all have a tendency to become couch potatoes, especially this past year! Albeit I would likely need to commission an artist to find what I was picturing, it would be quite an entertaining artwork. 🙂
As I blogged last quarter, 2020 was a terrible year with great learning opportunity. Aside from all the terrible stuff that happened, for me personally and from a fitness perspective 2020 felt like it had it’s ups and downs. As I gave it more thought, I think the reason is fairly obvious – The disruption of routine caused by the pandemic. I was no longer taking the T every morning, being in an office building certain hours, going to the gym and recreational activities, playing indoor and outdoor basketball, going to stores. All of that stuff literally stopped, and myself and everyone else in the same boat needed to adapt. To find a new routine, new habits, to adjust and be flexible with the new reality, in order to keep ourselves and others safe and healthy.
After doing absolutely nothing the first month of the pandemic (aside from working remotely), I decided to shake myself out of it and establish a routine. One of the fitness routines I established during the Spring was running 3x times a week, 4 mi. per run. Once I had committed to this routine, nothing stopped me. Not the amount of work I had to do, family needs, personal well-being, weather conditions like heat and rain, nothing. (For the record, I think I did a good job of balancing everything). The point I would like to make is that once I committed to a routine, it was 100% considered a done deal.
I posted all of my runs on FB. I dislike FB (loathe would probably be a better word) however at least it is a platform for engaging with others, which makes tedious things like running much more fun, motivating, and competitive. Here are all the posts (minus the map images and times), i.e. My running log for that period:
4/100
#It’sABeginning (March 24, 2020)
8/100
Great to see so many people out getting some fresh air (at a safe distance) in this new environment. General observations:
Elderly people walking who always give the warmest smile and wave ; Other runners who give a brief wave as a professional courtesy or acknowledging mutual exhaustion ; High school kids who are too cool to make eye contact . Hahaha I am just kidding of course…
12/100
16/100
Pattern
20/100
24/100
28/100
32/100 mi. – One of the reasons I am running so often nowadays (aside from not currently having 2 hrs daily commute), is to bring awareness to the unseen fear and anxiety which many are experiencing from cvd-19. I felt it myself the first couple weeks and basically worked countless hours or read the constant terrible news headlines, I can only imagine what others were feeling. Then I decided that is not the way, and it’s time to adapt and be flexible and be strong. So if you’re reading this and still feeling anxious, don’t, it will only hold you back. Go for a walk or run (while practicing social distancing) in a non-crowded neighborhood, boost your immunity and defense by exercising and strengthening daily, eat right, and make sure to get some fresh air any chance you can. Even when it’s raining the sun is surely hiding just behind the clouds. 
36/100
40/100
44/100
48/100mi.
52/100mi – This is a great time to set a health and fitness goal, and to establish a routine. Once you have those things, ordinary obstacles like cold or hot weather will be easily overcome
56/100 – Let the masked running chronicles begin!
60/100
64/100
68/100
72/100 mi.
76/100 – My pollen allergies were out of control all morning, so I went on my usual run and now problem solved. It’s amazing what a bit of extra oxygen circulating will do. 
84/100 – Some days are easy, others are hard, choose to be strong (at least 6 out of 7 days of the week) 
88/100
92/100mi. – Nearing completion of goal, need to remind myself why/how I did this: High-level purpose: Improve overall health and fitness; Bring awareness and inspiration to those suffering from anxiety and stress due to cvd-19, encourage fresh air and sunlight while continuing physical distancing; Establish a routine in this new environment. High-level goal: Run 100 miles. Mid-level goal: Run 4 miles at a time. Granular goal: Run 2-3x per week. Almost done 
96/100 mi.
100/100 mi. (May 21, 2020)
Had a crazy thought, run 100 miles.Wasn’t so crazy after all.During this time, I think it’s especially important to remain open-minded, have a broad perspective, and be flexible and open to change.Think positively, be safe and strong!
What a journey it was. Looking back, I am honestly surprised it was only about 2 months or so. I remember thinking at the beginning of my first run that maybe the pandemic would end by the time I completed the 100 miles. Quite naive. Anyhow, it was a great routine and I can honestly say that I felt very optimistic during the time. Strong and resilient, determined. Minimal anxiety, and also lots of energy. It was like the more I ran the more energy I had throughout the week (for the most part).
For the few months following, I kept up a decent fitness routine, not as much running (my joints needed rest), however other activities. At some point it fell apart though – I began working longer and longer hours at the computer, less exercise, less determined, and to be honest more anxiety. The pandemic was still raging and what could I do about it? I didn’t want to commit to another running goal, and so I succumbed to just working crazy hours, and putting that ahead of fitness. Without the running routine, consequently I wasn’t outdoors as often, getting natural vitamin D. So that’s the ups and downs I was referring to… spring/summer good… summer/fall not as fun.
In talking with friends the last months of 2020, there were a couple comments that really stuck with me. One is that we ‘should be in the best shapes of our lives’ – No commute, minimal obligations outside of work and home, now is a very rare opportunity to focus and spend more time on fitness goals. It is so true. There is no reason not to be maximizing this opportunity. The other comment was that once you do something, anything, for 21 days, it becomes a habit. That can be good, in the case of a fitness routine, or bad, in the case of becoming a couch potato. The habit will form based upon your consistent actions, whatever they may be.
To wrap up this rather lengthy monologue, I am happy to say that I have established my 2021 routine. I kicked it off on Jan 2nd and aside from a few minor adjustments, have been following it since. Might as well share it here, to keep myself accountable:
Mon – Forms
Tue – WL KF
Wed – Forms
Thur – rest
Fri – 5k
Sat – TMX boxing / intense workout
Sun – rest
Now that I’m committed, I am finding the time for these activities, and it is working itself out. Couple more weeks and it will be a habit. 🙂 By the Spring, will adapt and include more outdoor activities. If the CVD vaccine rollout is completed this year, then watch out world, going back full force to basketball. :]
I recommend to each and everyone to give some real thought to what your ideal routine looks like. Once you have a picture of it, write it down, and go. Surely as the sunrise and sunset, the power of routine which will bring you much happiness and health.
Cheers,
zeR0
Add your first comment to this post