A MARCH OF HOPE

One year ago, the world was moving in a completely different story. March of last year was the start of lockdowns, the start of cancellations of major events including running races, and the fear of the unknown with COVID. While there were some highlights to last March with a time of special bonding with Kristin and Levi, and watching John Krasinski’s Some Good News

News Network for uplifting stories, it was also a very challenging time without too much hope for the near future. 

​This March is different. We’re now on the opposite side of the curve and things are improving. Absolutely incredible to think that not only have scientists created multiple successful COVID vaccinations, but that a good percentage of people are getting vaccinations and within the next 5 weeks it should be open to all people. We’re seeing races come back with modifications for COVID safety and fall marathons are now being put on calendars rather than removed. It’s truly a March filled with much more hope. In listening to The Morning Shakeout with Mario Fraoli interviewing Shalane Flanagan, she described the sense with her athletes as “hopes and dreams becoming more tangible now. Getting closer to thriving rather than surviving.”

While we’re not back to normal yet, there were some moments of normalcy in the last month. I competed in the Spring Equinox 4-Mile that happened in Fort Collins. There were many options for wave starts so I was able to select a wave start time that was after Levi’s nap so he and Kristin could come watch. It was so fun to be at an event, hear the band playing, go rip 4 miles as fast as I could and hug Kristin and Levi at the finish. I ended up running 18:37 for a course that was around 200m short of 4 miles, so close to 4:50/mi pace for 3.86 miles. A really great sign of solid fitness that’s improving each week.

The next month will be a blend of time trials, virtual running events and hopefully another in-person race. The first week of April I plan to do a one mile time-trial on the track to get out of my comfort zone and then plan to do a 10K time trial and hopefully another in-person local track meet towards the end of April. It’s hopeful and exciting to be back competing again! If you’re looking to help bridge the gap to in-.person racing, check out The Kauai Marathon’s “Stride for Kauai – 100 Mile Challenge.” It’s a fun virtual way to tour the island on foot between April 1st and July 31st and be inspired to get out and run!

​Hope you’re finding more hope and inspiration as we move into April with warmer days, more sunshine and races on the horizon!