Covid-19 has frozen my life. When this all started it was two weeks to flatten the curve and then life would return to normal. While almost a year later that two weeks never really ended. We are still battling the unseen enemy and my life probably like yours resembles nothing like it did. In February 2020 I ran my first Spartan Race of the year in Arizona. I had a whole slate of races planned for 2020. Not that I’m a great obstacle course racer. It is or was a great way to stay motivated to work out and stay in shape but also was a mechanism to take short vacations and see the country. I would arrive at a location usually the day before a race and then plan on spending 3-5 days after the race to enjoy and explore the area. This was my retirement jam. My jam was spoiled by the pandemic and my life has been on hold for almost a year since.
I decided to play it safe and stay quarantined as much as possible. My gym closed so I adapted. I bought some kettlebells, a concept 2 rower, ran outdoors on trails and swam laps at my local club. I was determined to wait out the pandemic as best I could. I examined the possibilities, risk verses reward and determined this was the smart play. While it might have been smart it was not easy and a year of isolation has me feeling that my time is running out. I turn 66 in a few months and I hear the clock ticking. Winter weather has me locked down even more so as ice and snow are not conducive for running.
Next I thought I would wait on the vaccine and once vaccinated I would be free to resume my life. Freedom, freedom, freedom has been my rallying cry. But, Pennsylvania much like other places has a limited supply with no clear infrastructure on distribution and implementation. To date I have been unable to schedule my first freedom shot. I am not willing to play it safe any longer. I can’t wait any longer for the reward. I am going to risk it and unfreeze my life. Freedom is mine along with a huge dose of sunshine.