One is the concept of the Reset Button - "What if you could do it all over?" In other words, if you personally could go back to March 2020, before all of this happened, would you do it? (740,000+ US deaths aside) What did you lose that you'll never get back in the same way? An office job, work travel, where you lived, friendships, parts of your health - especially mental health. Are we permanently scarred from the trauma and damage of 2020 into 2021?
From a fitness perspective, what was lost for me? A stable routine, the races leading up to the marathon entry, the NYC marathon itself, part of a thriving and inspiring fitness community of likeminded people, access to a CrossFit box.
The other concept is The One Way Door - "What behaviors or learnings have you gained that you would never go back to the way things were?" Have you revaluated certain relationships? Have you seen true colors? Have you changed the way you budget your time, energy, and resources? The way you actually do your work? The easy example here is 'work from home' (which doesn't apply to everyone).
From a fitness perspective, some of my organic experiences have been lost. I need to plan more now, even though I have increased flexibility. It's bizarre. I think the 'one way door' for me is never going back to a full commute. It was literally taking years off my life health wise. I think it's never sitting 9-5 at a desk again. I think it's prioritizing my work schedule around my family and kids vs. squeezing them into whatever spare time I have left at the end of the day - where "work is king".
Somehow by doing all of these things, I've finally reached a point of balance (for now). I get all my work done (actually a lot more than pre-pandemic if you quantify it). I'm more efficient with my time. I'm saving money in some ways since "going out" now is very defined moments vs. organically (which is also sad in some ways - less spontaneous).
So since both concepts are opposing ideas - which would I pick? I think if I'm answering honestly today, it would be the Reset Button. I think that's a crappy answer when trying to move forward, progress, evolve, and improve through life. But sometimes it's all just too hard.
Am I physically healthier than pre-pandemic? No, I don't think so. I've gained weight, slower pace and loss strength. Am I happier? No, probably not. But I need to let this new state of balance play out. And I think this is where healing starts to comes into play - and maybe that will be the theme and goal, the concept of 2022.
So what have I been up to?
A few fitness accomplishments! Coming off an injury, I successfully ran a Half Marathon back in May running a 10:56 average pace, with a total time of 02:23:15. Slower than my Half from 2017, but it felt great to get another one under my belt. Specific distances and events become mentally less daunting each time.
I'm about half way through earning NYC marathon entry (New York Road runners 9+1 program). As a reminder, I already have entry - but I deferred to 2022. I'm looking to "re-earn" another entry to give myself future options 2023 and beyond.
And lastly, I finally joined a local CrossFit box back in June. Well actually, end of May - because why not continue my pattern of dropping into CF boxes as a stranger for Murph! (yes, I've done this before). At least I was not pregnant this time.
My current routine:
5 mile Run
3 mile Run
4 mile Run
CrossFit
5 mile Run
13-16 mile Bicycle outdoors
Sometimes I swap one of the shorter runs for a lifting day at home. And Sundays are usually active recovery with the family (walk, hike, casual bike).
A nod to healing in 2022.
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| Murph May 2021 |
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| Waltham bicycle adventures |
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| Family hike |
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| Boston Run in August |
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