It was not a
year of running I had expected. After vaccinations began in spring, I thought
an actual in-person race would be possible in the latter months of the year,
perhaps the Walnut Creek Half in California that I
almost always run in December. In May, I got so optimistic that I signed up for
the Parks Half Marathon in Maryland. But
Delta came along, so I decided to transfer my registration to 2022. Omicron
then followed. In-person races were being held, of course, including those
big-city marathons, with various modifications due to COVID. And, as far as I
know, no big outbreaks of infections have resulted. But, running an in-person
race is not an absolute necessity; I can wait.
Aside from
races, my running almost returned to the pre-pandemic schedule norm for periods
in between races. Two small adjustments were carrying a mask, just in case, and occasionally crossing the street to socially distance. Total mileage was
1365, not bad for a no-race and, thus, no-training year. Here are some
highlights from 2021:
1. Most memorable run, in freezing rain, during which my eyesight got progressively worse--until I realized that both sides of my glasses were iced over.
2. See-if-I-could-do-it run, at the local high school track, where I ran 50+ laps (13 mi) to get a sense of the mental aspect of such running. Or racing. Not quite Self-Transcendence 3100 or a 24-hour run. But, it was good to know that 50+ laps was not a problem—and certainly easier than on a treadmill!
3. Most aural run, on the way to Las Trampas Elderberry Trailhead near San Ramon, CA. It was my Sunday long run, and I underestimated the distance by about two miles. But, I was glad the 14-mile out-and-back run became 18 miles. Else, I'd have missed the bovine choir (with a canine guest solo)!
As we count down towards 2022, remember, “it’s not inevitable”! Stay safe, stay healthy, keep running!
