My Mid-Month Lock-Down Adventure
By: Marguerite Faure
Tags: Self Improvement, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Life Lessons, Self

My Mid-Month Lock-Down Adventure

Finding a Fun-filled mindset in the Midst of Quarantine

Image Source: Marguerite Faure

The “New Normal” took a giant leap forward when we were suddenly allowed to start exercising outdoors again after experiencing 2 months of stringent lockdown restrictions.

After spending months inside, where the only exercise I participated in was running up and down our five-story apartment block staircase and doing the odd YouTube yoga session, I doubted that I would be able to participate in my original goal for the year: The Comrades Marathon.

The original 56-mile race (90km) was meant to be run on the 14th of June, in sunny South Africa.

I believe that you have to find ways to make moments and create fun, even when your original plans change, or your goals get canceled.

This means that I was going to achieve my goal, even if it meant changing things up a little.

Image Source: Marguerite Faure

The Plan

The first plan was to run/walk the full ultra marathon in 24 hours on the original day of the race: 14 June.

My husband laughed it off, as he reminded me of how untrained our bodies had become. And, that we are not spring-chickens anymore- injuries are on the other side of reckless running.

So, after tweaking my idea somewhat. I asked my husband if he would be so kind as to join me in aiming to run the ultra marathon over 9 days… After work and on weekends.

He agreed, after reasoning with himself that it allowed eight more days than we had previously planned to complete it.

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I’m not writing this to boast in how far I can run over nine days. Believe me, I walked a lot!

And, the first two days were hell. My quads were fired up and kept me awake at night. Also, the underneath of my feet ached. That was a new sensation.

Why I am writing this is to share how great this challenge was for me mentally.

The lessons I learned, are lessons worth sharing.

The first being…

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Create your own narrative.

I remember once reading that if you want to have something to write about, you have to have a life outside of your writing.

When the odds are against you, and you are forced to live your life within confined boundaries like the walls that surround you inside your home, you may even start to carry this limiting mindset with you, even when you head outdoors.

The mental shift of saying, “Let’s create our own adventure,” broke down its own set of mental barriers.

If you had plans for this time of year that you had to cancel, there is a way to see your plans through, even if it means that you have to change your approach.

Learning that was powerful.

I also learned that you should…

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Dance like no one is watching.

Because no one usually is…

If you have gained weight and you can’t run as fast, or push yourself as hard, as you could have before the pandemic, ask yourself how a child would react.

Kids skip and dance, it seems, all the time.

Moving my mindset to incorporate a child-like spirit gave me joy that saw me dancing in the empty streets.

I felt so alive.

Nature has a way of creating its own music. Opening myself up to hearing it, and embracing it, ignited my soul.

Also…

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Chase the sun.

As the weather changed, the sun moved. We jumped in the car and moved with it.

Jim Collins famously said, “Good is the enemy of great.”

We get stuck-in-a-rut and settle for good.

But, by introducing an additional small speck of effort, or a 20min drive, you may find yourself experiencing the great outdoors and running on roads that you have not set foot on before.

We parked our car where it was still sunny and just went for it. It was an exhilarating sea-side run that would have never happened otherwise.

But from a relationship perspective…

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I learned that the origin story is better than the sequel.

What I mean is that going to the place you fell in love, can be more romantic than a five-star hotel visit. Which currently, is not allowed.

It was our four-year wedding anniversary and running through the empty university, and making a new memory, at the place where it all began, proved to be twice as special as what a trip to the spa could have been.

Revisiting the feelings of what draws you to that someone special, or what you used to laugh at and that electricity that ignited your conversation, roots you in where you come from.

Apart from the rain around us, the moment rejuvenated our thinking of how much more room we have for growth and what we can focus on to always try to maintain a blossoming relationship.

Finally…

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There is a wonderland of adventure available for you- for free.

Your work, your friendships, even drama with your parents can create a shadow over the moments that could bring you deep joy.

Reality has a way of making your dreams stay in dreamland.

If you do not create your own adventure, work and relationships have a way of dictating your priorities.

There is rest in knowing that there is the capacity for you to focus on more than what is making the most noise in your life right now.

Honestly, there was no incentive to put our bodies through this challenge. I guess that’s why the time outdoors birthed its own kind of meaning.

We have different challenges that shape us, grow us, and challenge us to truly live.

I hope, that by me sharing this, you will feel somewhat inspired to get out there and chase your own adventures - be it big or small.