Such a year

What a year 2020 has been! Glad to see the back of it, but at the same time we are heading into a new year of more of the same. We are back in lockdown here, non- essential retail closed, no household visits,  have to stay within 5k of home. I was so annoyed yesterday when it was announced; I really felt we had squandered our advantage from last summer, when we emerged from the first lockdown with a handful of cases. At least we have hope now for a way out. No point falling at the last hurdle. 

My blog suffered this year so will try and remedy that in 2021. So before the year is out, I wanted to put my marathon on the record.

I did the Dublin virtual marathon on a beautiful autumn day in October with my running buddy Aine. We had hoped there would be a bigger gang, but we went into lockdown in October just before the marathon, and Aine and I were the only ones who could travel to our chosen destination. And I am glad she did – I don’t think I could have done it by myself. 

We did 7 laps of a 6k route and it worked out well – bit windy in spots but we ran into shelter eventually. We both had our very low moments but pulled each other along. It was a glorious feeling to have achieved it in such a weird year, not to mention the structure the training provided in our lives. 

Got a nice medal too. I really wanted to earn medals in 2020, just for the year that’s in it, thinking it would be a once-off! Looks like the 2021 medals will be special as well so that will give me a focus. I earned 8 or 9 medals this year, and kept my sanity. 

I hope that 2021 will be a better year for all of us, and that we make it to the end with our health and families intact. Onwards and upwards!