Who moved my serotonin?

In June of 2020, I was dealing with the constraints that came with the prolonged lockdown as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. I, by nature loved very long walks and was an off-and-on early morning jogger for staying active. The serotonin I once enjoyed was now a rare commodity. While restrictions were of different levels, most of the time running outside was permitted to encourage good health. the initial strict lock down had turned me in to a slug.

Me vs Procrastination

An advertisement kept showing up on my Facebook wall 'August 100 Mile running challenge'. The whole of June and almost half of July I scrolled by it dreaming of doing it some fine day.

Fraction of an Action

One sunny Sunday morning, a week before August, I though to myself "Enough is enough, what's the harm in simply enrolling. I can always drop out and cite creative reasons to garner sympathy should I give up". and so I pressed the magic button. I subscribed to the challenge. I took that small action.

The Return of Procrastination

I thought I would prep by doing some light stretching, healthy diet and moderate running. But all these put together was too much to ask for, and so I limited all of these good things to inside my mind.

Showing up-matters

Started groggy after almost cancelling the plan. I walked more than I ran. 5KM seemed never ending. yes, 5KM was all I could do and go home to get my pictures clicked having a sense of an epic accomplishment. That night I deeply contemplated on what I have gotten myself into. As I thought to myself that showing up on day 1 was the best thing I did and quitting would be next to sin, I simply fell asleep.

One day at a time

Initially, I only wanted to keep showing up to move the needle by a point at max till I found a rhythm and a comfortable track. On the 5th day I plotted my numbers on an excel sheet to see what it looks like. I used the free Endomondo version otherwise. Brisk walking in between to ensure continuity and stay on the edge. Through the Irish winds and rains I endured.

Self esteem is the best award

Visualizing my everyday progress on the graph was motivating me do better than yesterday. But on the last day my wife Lilian was around to see and film me finish the challenge in 21 days (PIC courtesy my wife - Lilian).

The real heroes

They silently stir the human spirit through pain. Their stories on the FB group supplied the necessary fuel to many like me.

My short tribute to them. (PIC below)

They are apparently everywhere... mostly unsung.