Part 3: Running Through the Pandemic – Alternatives to Running
For the third installation of Running Through the Pandemic, I want to share what I’ve done through the pandemic as alternatives to running.
As we move into our 4th quarter of battling Covid-19, many of us find ourselves in need of alternatives to running.
In my last two posts, I shared How I Dealt with Bar Air Quality during the fires in the Northwestern part of the U.S. and my Recovery from Injury #2 after my knee surgery in July.
For this next edition, I want to discuss some other hobbies I’ve picked up through these uncertain times. I realize that many of us our back in social restrictions as the virus conditions to disrupt our normal lives and adversely affect so many people. Additionally, many will now enter the most restrictive winter season without access to gyms and normal workout locations. So here’s what I’ve done (potentially not all positive) in lieu of physical activity.
In April, I started fishing more at Coyote Pt. a City Park in San Mateo. The serenity of the water and the surroundings have always been good for my soul. Still it is the randomness of the potential and unexpected timing of the reward that drives me the most. This past spring the San Francisco Bay had one of the best California Halibut runs ever. My fishing partner/daughter, Riley and I were able to catch this 24” beauty which rendered some wonderful ceviche’ (email me for the recipe’;-).
I also went back to my youth and taught my older daughter, Olivia how to play my favorite childhood game = Battleship. As is often the case my 3-0 perfect record soon evaporated an the pupil has now overtaken the teacher. She leads the series 8-4.
I also started an online game of Hearts with my mother in western Pennsylvania and my in-laws here in the area. That has given us time to connect and of course compete during the restrictions. An online Zoom Christmas Scavenger Hunt with my niece, Elise in Philadelphia was a success (at least in my mind) and Zoom connections have been meaningful throughout.
Additionally, I started to play in an online poker game with friends and friends of friends from the East Coast. This was quite the lesson as I’ve always considered myself a good poker player until I met these guys. Now I feel like I’ve taken a Master Class in Texas Hold ‘Em and gained what I believe are meaningful insights into playing the hand you’ve been dealt and using the information at your disposal to make good decisions. Not sure I can entirely recommend this but I wanted to share nonetheless.
While I’ve tried meditation throughout the pandemic, the most impactful solace this year was my work with a life coach. She provides insightful perspective and is an invaluable sounding board as I continue to navigate these choppy waters.
Lastly, I’ve enjoyed nights with my wife. We set use Netflix & Amazon as our before bed hobby and have enjoyed The Boys (not my wife’s favorite), The Social Dillemma (a must see for all of us that look at our phones too often), and especially Schitt’s Creek based on a family that found themselves in crisis long before the pandemic.
That’s pretty rosy picture I’ve painted, but the truth of this journey is somewhere in between. I’ve been moody, anxious and nearly unbearable when not exercising. I’m sure if you asked my family and those closest to me they would tell a different story of how I’ve been throughout the year, but I keep trying and encourage you all to do the same. I have also stopped taking calls on my way home from work – it is a terrible habit and I’m happy to be rid of it.
If you’ve gotten this far – thank for reading. I’d love to hear about your alternatives to running and physical activity through the pandemic.
Coach Tom’s Top-3 List for Alternatives to Running Through the Pandemic
- Double down on all the non-physical activities that bring you joy such as reading, playing cards, watching a TV series, writing, painting, meditation, etc.
- Try something new that you wouldn’t normally do. See my recommendations above.
- Stay the course and use this time for resilient self-care and a path forward when things do return to “normal”