I’d Say Running Kept Me Sane But It’s Driving Me Crazy

Joely Black
Pandemic Diaries
Published in
5 min readJan 18, 2021

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Sunday is runday. T went cycling Saturday to pick up a new pair of wellingtons, and had a bit too much whisky during a Zoom quiz, so it’s me on my own.

I love running solo. As much as I love running with T, which is a challenge for speed and focus, once I got used to it, I started to enjoy being alone out there, listening to music or a podcast, shutting out the world. I was training for a half marathon this time last year, and doing really well.

I do get anxious going out on my own, but at the same time, I get to set the pace, I go where I want, when I want, and as far as I want. It’s peaceful out there by myself. After having surgery to remove the metalwork in my ankle, I trained by myself. I’d run a long trail that was something of a local secret, along a river, through a wood, by a canal. It was bliss being out there alone. Every time I felt stressed, I could strap on my shoes and get out there.

Then lockdown happened. The rules stated we were allowed to go out once a day for exercise. The weather was glorious, and suddenly, everybody was out. A few people took up running, but most were walking. It wasn’t long before a local equestrian centre set up an outdoor café, and soon the river walk was crowded: bikes, walkers, horses, runners, dogs.

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There will be dragons. Academic and fantasy writer in love with Egypt, cats and rats. For more dragons, fantasy, and magic: https://www.amnar.org.uk/