Running Through The Great Pandemic

[mrrun]

Having recovered from the hot/cold, sweats and being lightheaded and generally unwell for a week, today l hit the roads again. I wasn't coronaed, it was a seasonal cold that normally hits me once every few years or so.

I wouldn't normally run through central London, let alone Hyde Park on a Saturday because of an utter chaos ruling around there. Shoppers, cars, noise, cacophony of sounds.....mess.

Not today mate. Today was dead. None of the above. Shops closed. Occasional empty bus or a cab. A group of pedestrians, some wearing masks and surgical gloves. Unusual, eerie calm. Sunshine. 10 degrees. Light wind. P.E.R.F.E.C.T. running conditions, couldn't ask for more, never expected better.

I never run 'discreet' and today even less so, wearing a Wilt Chamberlain 1960's top (my wife said l looked like a budgie) but l couldn't give a damn and managed to enjoy a near private run in one of the world's busiest areas.

In fairness, l wish that this corona business finishes soon though, and people return to health and work. I wish that they also stop marauding the shops in demented frenzy and selfish hysteria, forgetting that there are others who are in need as well.

Oh well. That's where today's run helped me and took me to different places mentally. A brief journey to sanity and away from chaos.

Stay well everyone and don't over shop!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I wish CP was like that today, I’m not going there again for a while, large groups of people strolling together. Queuing for a coffee at the cafe with no distance between them, it has been so different all week. Glad you had a great run and your feeling better, I know what you mean about seasonal, I get hay fever this time of year. Take care. Rfc s

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Yeah, some people lost all logic, some picked up all senses. Take care!

[Hidden]

I know that all is well with the world when mrrun is running and posting. Let us all enjoy what is meaningful and good. I understand that in shopping, people are trying to take control because they are scared. But hey, for us going for a run fulfills the same function...and wow, running in empty London. Keep on mrrun, even if you do look like a budgie

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Haha, l do NOT look like a budgie, that was just my wife's assessment. Once she didn't like one of my black tops coz that made me look like 'an assassin'. Some people are hard to please. Stay well, Helen!

[Aspire24 Graduate]

Oohhh that sounds like a fab run. I ran past our local park which has lakes in today and it was packed. Ran in the road to avoid peeps 👀. WFH and missing London so blow it a kiss from me

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Aspire24]

My local south London park was full. People were throwing frisbees and letting the germs travel freely. Nice one.

With Hyde Park area all was different. Humble domiciles from that poor London parish, which shelters all strugglers from Belgravia, Knightsbridge and Mayfair, normally vacate it at times of concern or boredom and take their troubles to their country retreats, home and abroad. And if a crisis prevents the tourists from flocking in and closes Harvey Nichols and Sloane Avenue's corner shops, that liberates swathes of parking spaces for the likes of me who can run alone as if I owned that entire surreal estate.

Surreal and yet very real. I'll do it tomorrow again, what the hell.

[Aspire24 Graduate in reply to mrrun]

Lord of the manor😂. Enjoy and 🤞 we’ll be back to normal but think will be a while. So pleased to hear they’re going to let the homeless into the hotels now👍. I’m upping to running every day I think so don’t get lardy arse 😂

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Glad to hear you're back on your feet. 👏

While we're talking about stockpiling, can I make a plea for food bank donations. I'm going to be the only volunteer left at mine soon - everyone else is over 70! But it doesn't really matter because there's no food left to pack 😔

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Speedy60]

Hey thank you!

Look, l get all this. People are freaking out, scared to bits, my friend bought 6 bottles of whiskey (what in the name of Lord?!?.......), and there's a complete absence of logic around (what better time to take up running, eh?)

However. How-ever. This is where l draw the line. With a cattle prod. I drove to a Turkish shop where the owners make sure all is available, all is sold is single or smaller quantities, genuinely good people who care about their customers. The queue was visible as l was parking (good man, good for business) but the mob emptied his divine crate reserved for the best pomegranates on the planet. I'm a pomegranate junkie, I travel to find my stash, and I'm loyal to my dealer..

Today, my friend, l am grieving. It will take a long hard run tomorrow to clear my anger and sorrow...

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Nice job... and your shirt reminds me, did you ever sort out that green 33 guy? 🤣

[mrrun Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Never seen again. I was on the lookout. Never. Seen. Again. He's probably as freaked out as l was.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to mrrun]

That’s good... that town may not be big enough for the both of you!

[Granspeed Graduate]

Sounds good, mrrun. One way and another, we are getting some memorable experiences these days. That run goes on the good side of the balance. (Glad something does.) And very with you on the shopping theme.

[mrrun Graduate]

Thankfully, my ultra marathon training has slotted in at hardly the better time. I need distraction from this distraction. Today's 13k needs to be followed up by tomorrow's 25k. Once I'm through with my first 50k l hope somebody will tell me that we are through with all this.

On a lighter note, the importance of physical activity, any physical activity, in times of distress is crucial. Body keeps active, mind stays alert, sleep comes naturally. All of us here are, in a way, a privileged group. Most of us will appreciate it even more in times to come.