Yes, I love Green Day and Wake me up when September ends is one of my favourite Green Day songs. It reminds me of a failed skydive attempt – it was too windy – in New Zealand. From what I remember, it was a case of third time (and location) lucky.
I don’t want to be accused of trying to speed up time, but right now, I wish I could fast-forward to the end of September. I hope and pray that by the end of September, life has returned to something resembling some form of normality.
At the moment, life is anything but normal, and without sounding like a self-pitying muppet, I don’t like it. I’ve never been great at dealing with uncertainty and change. I mean let’s face it life has completely changed for a lot of people.
I live alone, don’t have many friends and I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve found the last week incredibly difficult. I have to keep reminding myself that by staying at home I’m keeping others and myself safe but it’s frustrating when people are continuing to take no notice of the guidance.
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I last travelled to the office two weeks ago, since then I’ve been trying to work from home and feeling guilty because I haven’t been as productive as I’d like. A temporary set of guidelines have limited how much time we can spend connected to the work network and when we can access the work network. Hopefully, these temporary guidelines are temporary. I need to get some sort of routine back in my life.
Colleagues have told me that I’m quite fortunate as I don’t have the distraction of trying to work from home and look after children. I don’t personally think this makes me lucky. Right now, I’d give anything to have some company. FaceTime and Zoom etc are brilliant but not the same. If I get through the next few months then I’ll be sure to make more effort to spend time with my friends.
In between working, I’ve been doing my best to keep myself busy. After making myself feel extremely anxious, I’ve limited the amount of time I spend on social media and watching the news. I made the fatal error of sharing this BBC link on a local Facebook group and was called a killer. I’ll be staying away from these groups until life returns to normal.
I’ve spent a little bit too much time deciphering and transcribing old rainfall records. As a hydrologist, I’ve found the Rainfall Rescue project and the old rainfall records and associated notes fascinating.
I’m not ashamed to admit that one of my Saturday highlights was transcribing data for a rainfall site located in Sutton Park.
I’ve been limiting my TV viewing to a couple of hours an evening. I’ve been working my way through Our Girl, and for a couple of hours have been able to temporarily forget about what’s happening.
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As I’ve decided that I need a break from watching Our Girl and that we are in a marathon and not a sprint, I’m looking forward to watching this feature film about the Western States 100 this evening.
All of the reviews I’ve seen online have been positive and I do love watching films and documentaries about running.
Oh yes, running. I mean this is meant to be a running blog. Let’s just say I’ve completely lost my running mojo, again. A genuine fear of spending too much time outside my house probably isn’t helping. So, I haven’t been for a run for a couple of weeks.
I’m pleased to report that it’s not all doom and gloom on the exercise front as I have been spending more time on my exercise bike. Last week, I managed to complete four 30-minute sessions on my bike. I like to think that the fact I end these sessions looking like a beetroot and feeling shattered is a good sign.
I could also use all of the extra time I’ve got at home to improve my photography skills 😉
Hopefully, my running mojo will make an appearance at some point. I’m not forcing myself out of the front door.
This week, I’m aiming to spend 30-minutes a day either on my exercise bike, walking on the spot – this is harder than it sounds – or outside in the garden. I’ve so far ignored all the links to free yoga and Pilates classes I’ve been sent as I don’t want to end up with a random injury.
I’m also aiming to spend read some of the books that have been gathering dust on my bookshelf. I ordered myself a couple of 1000 piece jigsaws yesterday. My eyesight isn’t that great so get ready for jigsaw related rants on twitter.
And finally, what will happen to this blog? I was a little reluctant to publish this post as I’m aware that it’s even more random than usual. I’m also aware that I’m incredibly fortunate compared to a lot of people. I have a job (for now), I think I’m reasonably healthy, I have food and I have nine rolls of toilet paper.
I also have several posts waiting to be published but I’m not sure I should publish them until life returns to normal.
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Hi Emma, I’m pleased you published the post. At these uncertain and challenging times, we could all do with a bit more randomness! I have work to do on my running blog – wouldn’t you know it, after months of not wanting to run i have got my mojo back?! This is also an opportunity for me to work on my self-help website – just been doing a bit of tinkering there.
I think that trying to continue as though life is normal is a good strategy, because in time your behaviour will be aligned with the new reality. Meanwhile, keep safe and well.
Thanks Derek, I wasn’t sure publishing such a random post was a good idea but a few people have contacted me to say they appreciated my honesty. I’m pleased you’ve got your running mojo back! I predict that the second we get told we can’t leave the house at all, I’ll suddenly get my running mojo back. I’m not the most observant person on the planet, but I didn’t realise you have a self-help website. I’ll have to check it out. I’ve just heard that the network limitations we’ve had at work have been resolved so I’ll be able to go back to working 7-3 from Monday which will help. I’m definitely someone who needs structure and at least some certainty in their life. I’ll do my best to keep safe and well, please do the same.
Emma, please carry on publishing your posts, and maybe try going outside for walks, if not runs. Fresh air and communing with nature is essential. Bird song will cheer one’s heart. “Hold on to that vision”, as the song says, and keep well and happy.
Thanks for taking the time to comment on my waffle, I really do appreciate it. Yes, I will carry on publishing my posts, I’ve got a few reviews and other bits and pieces people will hopefully find useful. I do spend time in my back garden and have tasked myself will cleaning out my pond over the weekend. I have noticed more birds, bees and butterflies than usual which is great. I must confess I haven’t been out for daily walks but have been spending 30 minutes each evening on my exercise bike.
I can’t believe people had a go at you about that article- some people can’t get delivery slots so they still have to go to a shop.
Living on your own will be a big challenge during the weeks ahead so perhaps posting the blog will help you stay more connected to others too?
I’ve limited my Farcebook time to 30 mins each evening and feel a lot better. I‘ve realised that some people seem determined to share every single bad news story they can find. Others seem determined to have a go at people who don’t stay at home 100% of the time. I’ve still not been able to get a delivery slot so I had no choice but to leave the house. I’ve got some very overdue posts which have been 80% completed for several months. Now I have more time I haven’t really got an excuse not to get them finished. Blogging does make me stay more connected to others.
I like reading your posts. At the moment they’re not as full of “running” as they are at other times. It’s fine with me. You’re the one I’m subscribed to, not your runs.
It’s difficult at the moment to let yourself feel self-pity. After all, there are so many people worse off than you… Yes, but you have your problems too. Don’t let everyone dismiss them. That’s not fair either. I would hate to be alone at the moment. I seem to have got stuck 300 miles away from home, but I’m with my mum, who is also my best friend. Because we’re disabled, we were already on government benefits and so don’t have a job to worry about. I’ve mentioned that so that you can let yourself feel self-pity without feeling bad No, seriously. No sarcasm intended.
I don’t know about you, but I reckon there’s enough talk about Covid-19 around. If you have some different things ready to blog about, then please do. For me at least, it’ll be a welcome distraction.
From one Emma to another:
Keep moving x x
Thanks Emma, what’s running? 😉 I’m sorry you are stuck such a long way from home but it sounds like you and your mum will look out for each other. Apologies for the terrible English, it’s been a long old week but I hopefully know what I‘m trying to say.
There is far too much talk about Covid-19 and if I read another ‘How to run alone’ blog I think I’m going to scream. I don’t understand why some people find running on their own such a difficult concept. I’m such a loner, I find running with other people more challenging.
If I survive eating the chilli con carne I’ve just made, I’m sure people will be pleased to know the two jigsaws I bought last weekend have arrived. Watch out for a weekend review featuring gardening, a virtual pub session and jigsaw puzzles.
Look after yourself and stay safe x
Thanks Emma, I hope you are managing ok today. It’s hard in these times when everyone is posting at home work outs and long runs not to feel like you’re not doing enough- thank you for highlighting that sometimes it’s ok if that’s not possible- we’re all just getting through this. The ‘no children’ comment hit me hard too- my colleagues said the same- yet they don’t know that I’d desperately love children and would give anything to have one right now.
Hey, thanks for taking the time to comment on my waffle. I must admit that my running mojo is yet to reappear. I just can’t be bothered at the moment and that’s fine. My trainers will still be there in a few months time.
The no children thing really annoys me as, like you, I’d love children. I’ve had to endure quite a few baby photos this week which has made it harder. I do wish people would sometimes stop and think before they post photos and make comments. I finally told my team (via WhatsApp) that I’m finding being alone difficult so at least they know now. Please look after yourself and stay safe x