Sitting down to my breakfast putting the final touches on this month’s newsletter 5 days late (what’s new?) and I find myself moved by the articles you all have submitted. I’ve been dealing with a nagging left hip since last fall when I quickly switched from post-50 mile race recovery to just showing up for TNT and putting all my energy into speed workouts. Of course injury came on quickly. Now with COVID-19 killing all of my social motivation, I’ve all but stopped running. Since I’m so involved with UVRC (Board Member, Social Chair, Newsletter Editor, Web Developer…) this has left me feeling somewhat like a fraud. I find myself asking “Where did the runner from 6 months ago who was mid way through a 50 mile race go?” I’ve started to wonder if this, like so many of my passions, was just a phase.

But no! Reading what you all have written has inspired me to re-prioritize running. Running is such a joy and a real tool for getting through stressful times. I trained for my first 5k after graduating college while trying to figure out which direction to start my life. My first half marathon was during a very intense 3 month “coding camp”. I ran my first 50k was 2 weeks after my big wedding.

Re-starting is hard, but not as hard as starting in the first place. I already have my community (though distant) and quite a collection of race medals to show that I can get there again… someday. I’m inspired by my neighbor who’s starting a couch-to-5k style running program for the first time pushing a toddler. I’m inspired by RJ (profiled above) who I didn’t know only recently started running and is crushing it! I’m inspired by the Gonnermans finding motivation locally running all the roads in Hanover at 75+.

So, this week I’ll give the Lone Runner Challenge a go. I’ll follow Jim’s advice and just get one foot out the door. I’ll be easy with myself and prioritize stretching and rolling out to get my hip back in shape. Thanks to all of you for writing and keep it coming — it really helps to feel connected during this time.