Next month will mark a year since Ireland went into the first coronavirus lockdown. The country is presently going through a third national lockdown which has prompted people to stay at home, restricted social interaction and has resulted in a government campaign to keep people well and suggest ways to look after their mental health and wellbeing.
At the start of the lockdown restrictions last March I was very much challenged about how I would manage to stay at home other than for essential grocery shopping and exercise within a two kilometres radius of my home. I was fortunate that I was in the final year of a Masters programme at university, so the focus of the study was a welcome distraction which gave routine to my day to day activities, but looking back now, I can concretely acknowledge that it was the gift of my running days that truly kept me persevering and striving to survive these lockdown limitations and to keep believing that this too will pass.
As I look back I’m prompted to be in gratitude for my running year. I feel blessed that I competed in three track races when the restrictions were eased last summer, as well as the memorable individual time trials I entered in virtual collaboration with my club mates from my athletics club. I cherish the memories of each of those outings and remember my training too, not least the many track sessions I undertook on the cinder running track in my local park one mile from my home. Being immersed in nature while running and enjoying the sunny weather of last Spring was a welcome consolation and source of interior peace.
As I approach my next birthday I am conscious that it will mark thirty years since I was introduced to the sport of athletics. I am grateful for the very many moments of celebration and joy that my running days have gifted me with. There were significantly less days of competition in the last year, but it has made me realise that I will never again take the gift of running for granted, and that I will cherish every future event that I may be privileged to experience.
