Remember back in January, when the calendar mercifully flipped from 2020 to 2021 and everyone set New Year’s resolutions to make 2021 the best year ever? Admittedly, the first six months of 2021 have been an improvement from 2020, but rather than the big step forward many of us were hoping for, it’s been more a series of baby steps. So in that context, I think it’s far too long to wait six more months to make resolutions. In this year of baby steps, I think it’s time for 2021 midyear resolutions.
Here are my three running-related resolutions for the second half of 2021:
Keep it Simple
Many of us have stumbled into the world from a year-long COVID-19 pandemic fog, and it has been difficult to stay focused. New information regarding the pandemic continues to bombard us, and life just seems so darn complicated. As a result, I find myself longing for ways to simplify my life. Running is one such way. For the second half of 2021, I resolve to keep my running simple. Shoes, running shorts, water bottle, and an attitude of hope is all I really need. For the rest of the year, I want to try to strip away distractions and just run, gently and peacefully, toward a more promising tomorrow.
Stay Consistent
How many of us have struggled to find a routine amidst the uncertainty of the past 18 months? If you’re like me, just when you’ve managed to find a rhythm in running and life, something comes along to knock you off your game: in 2020, it was the pandemic. Running has always grounded me, it is an activity I can stick to, often with mind-numbing consistency. This can be surprisingly reassuring, especially in the midst of seemingly endless change. For the second part of 2021, I resolve to find and maintain consistency once again.
Make it Fun
There is no doubt that the pandemic put a halt to many things, and fun took a backseat to just getting through the day. But running… running should be a source of fun. Whether with a small group of friends on your weekly Tuesday evening run or the long solo effort high in the mountains: our running should bring us joy. I’ll admit, during the first half of 2021, I’ve slogged through a fair number of my runs, and they weren’t necessarily fun. As I look ahead to the next six months, I resolve to find the fun in my daily run and bring joy back to this thing I love to do so much.
So, there you have it! These are my midyear resolutions in this semi-maybe-sort-of-post-pandemic year. I’ll be sure to give you all an update on these goals in December.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s Beer of the Week comes from Straub Brewery in St. Marys, Pennsylvania. Deep in the Pennsylvania wilds, Straub has been making beer since 1872. Their flagship Straub American Lager is still distributed to this day in 16-ounce returnable bottles. A classic American lager, Straub is crisp and clean with 4.1% ABV and just a hint of maltiness.
Call for Comments
- What are your midyear resolutions?
- Are there any you set at the beginning of the year you’ve already achieved, or have had or wanted to change?
AJW recently moved to and is running in Millville, Pennsylvania. All photos: AJW
AJW is welcomed to town and to his new job as Headmaster at Greenwood Friends School which is under the care of Millville Friends Meeting.
