COVID Part 1 (Not sure how many parts if this nonsense continues)Well it is easing off a lot tbf:)
COVID-19
Hey guys. Seems like I’ve been away for the whole summer. Well, in a future blog I will explain. Good news story though:)
So back in 2020 I was recovering well…..and then the Corona Virus threw in the curve ball of all curve balls! But as with most things in life it has brought both positives and negatives.
The part time job options I was looking at at the time were no more for now. So, I had to rethink and principally not put any pressure on myself. The focus was on my brain recovering and exploring areas where I can make a positive difference. I was increasingly exploring all things health and wellbeing and perhaps using what I’ve been through in some way. There are certainly going to be lots of issues around mental health on the back of Covid-19. Who knew? Not surprisingly I’m still thinking along those lines. The world certainly seemed to have slowed down and paused for the first time in probably 200 years. It will be interesting to see what develops as the engine cranks up again. And perhaps change it getting quicker 2 years on. People certainly seemed to have become more aware of the people that are important in their lives, the importance of the food they eat and where it comes from, the amazing places they have on their doorstep, the importance of being outside and active, and the list goes on.
Bizarrely, having spent the best part of 2 years in my own self isolation due to the accident and my world changing overnight, I was ahead of the curve. All the key skills people were having to adopt such as having a routine at home, staying active, possibly learning new skills, having projects to focus on when you can’t get out and about as per normal, eating healthily etc I had spent the best part of 2 years developing. I just didn’t expect them to be required in a global pandemic. Strangely, I had totally got my triathlon bug back in lockdown. And now totally have having completed Solo Point Five this year and the Traigh Standard in Mallaig in 2022. It was coming anyway with the half marathon, but I was spending lots of time on the Turbo trainer getting my bike fitness back, riding out with Andrew loads, as he had got the road cycling bug after not being able to be on his MTB, and doing loads of Open Water swimming. I’ve probably not been this excited about Triathlon, swimming in particular, in a long time. My thoughts are jumping ahead to trying some Iron Man races again. I’ve entered the Swansea Half IM in 2023 and hoping to get into the Celtman for 2023 too. Fingers crossed in the ballot!
Sadly, the one huge negative of Covod-19 was that Kerry and I decided to Consciously Uncouple. She is one amazing lady and we had an amazing few months together. The timing of the pandemic after only being together since the end of September in 2018 was not ideal (to put it mildly). Kerry only got the last flight back from Mallorca as lock down was coming into effect. And as mentioned above, people have reassessed their priorities in life on the back of the pandemic. She has 2 elderly parents to look after in Bristol, her brother lives around the corner in Weston with 2 small kids to help out with, her flat mate was out of work and her own fledgling marketing/copywriting business had huge challenges ahead. Making a new relationship work from either end of the country was going to be a challenge before Covid-19….
A remarkable lady and she gave me another injection of positivity in life which I will never forget. Or the laugh ;)
And so here I was in July 2020. 2 years after the accident. I went for a 2km Open water swim with Darren and Martin in Loch Moy on the anniversary. Which is fast becoming one of my favourite places :) Another memorable and thought-provoking day. So many people to thank.
It had been an amazing 2 years when you write it down. Lots of highs, lots of lows but overall the trajectory had most certainly been up. I can honestly say I was now looking forward and feeling positive about what life might hold for me. Most importantly spending time and becoming great friends with my amazing kids, spending time with friends and family connecting and doing cool things and primarily trying to do my best and being as positive a person as I can be.
And if you’ve made it this far through the blog, a huge well done to you :) The plan was/is to make it more of a regular blog to record my continuing progress. I am completely confident (and still am) the brain will keep getting better and that my taste and smell will come back! And as I mentioned above, I am aiming to keep getting fitter and doing more races so lots to blog about as the journey continues.
