How Do We Make The Most of This
Dear reader,
Your Sunday morning dose of fitness and motivation is back!
Weekly Carb-Loading was born as a simple idea - to inspire as many as possible to exercise on a regular basis and lead a healthier life.
Before we dive in this week, if you like this post do let us know in the comments section below, and make sure you share it with friends who would benefit from the inspiration and energy. Consider it your good deed for the day!
We’re also live on Twitter @carbweekly with small servings of carbs throughout the week!
So, get those slippers off, put your feet up, and let’s get cracking!
How Do We Make The Most Of This
The last two months have been life changing for all of us. Strange, uncertain and unique.
Some parts of the regular, everyday life that we usually took for granted, were snatched away. Like the freedom to enjoy a run in the morning, or a walk in the neighborhood park, while watching the sunset. Like the freedom to travel home and meet your loved ones, for those working away from family.
Along the way, we woke up to a new normal. New daily routines to manage work from home as well as household chores. Orderly queues and longer wait-times for essentials like fruits and vegetables. Birthday celebrations and regular catch-ups via video conference, with family and friends across the world.
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So, how do we make the most of this?
Some of the world’s most successful startups, like Whatsapp, Uber, Airbnb and Slack were founded in the recession following the global financial crisis of 2008-09.
The downturn provided an opportunity for entrepreneurs to cater to new trends and behaviors emerging around the world, using technology to offer a better (and cheaper) way to message and connect, get around a city, and travel to other countries whilst staying in local homes.
The economic uncertainty and scarcity of funding prompted the most efficient use and allocation of available capital, within new companies.
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Times of uncertainty allow us, rather force us, to innovate and adapt, to discover new habits and routines. A forceful push out of our comfort zone prompts, in reaction, a change in behavior. Some of these endure.
The inability to eat out has us experimenting in the kitchen. Anyone who relied on a cook has had a steep learning curve, to survive. Eating habits across the world may have taken a healthier turn.
Quarantined within the house, many have taken to home workouts, zumba and yoga to stay fit. We’re sure the stronger core and flexibility will result in lower injuries over the course of next season, whatever be your sport. The complete break has also given the body time to overcome niggles from the previous season.
Gyms, trainers and fitness brands have pivoted online - live sessions and events, virtual training, and webcasts with athletes. The pandemic has in one go freed them from location constraints, and allowed them to reach a wider audience.
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We will all come out of this situation eventually, and in retaining our new healthy habits formed through the lock-down, in ‘keeping at it’, we can have them pay-off deep into our lifetime. Patience and persistence, in equal measure.
In being our most productive selves through the lock-down, choosing wisely what we invest our time in; and in being our most positive and empathetic in all interactions with others - online, at stores, and with essential workers; we can leave a lasting impression.
Together, we can turn this pandemic into an opportunity. Together, we all come out of this as winners.
The Search for Balance
Life, is about finding balance.
A balance between time and mind-space dedicated to work; and time with family, friends, and loved ones.
A balance between the daily grind and the to-do list; and some ‘me-time’, to improve our health.
A balance between earning money; and spending it wisely on meaningful experiences.
Running, is about finding balance.
A balance between pushing; and taking it easy.
A balance between intensity, of both mind and body; and relaxation.
A balance between tempo runs and intervals for pace; interspersed with long-slow- runs for distance.
A balance between a healthy diet and an early morning routine; while sacrificing a few late nights on weekends with friends.
A balance between hydration and replenishment; and a few minutes in the port-a-loo.
A balance between a faster pace up front; and conserving energy for a strong finish.
A balance between a number of races in a year; and time off for rest and recovery.
A balance in judging that delicate moment in a race, when its time to push. Too early, and you risk running out of steam much before the finish, your energy and pace petering out to a slow crawl. Too late, and you leave a few minutes in the bank, out on the road, having conserved too much for too long.
Fun Feature of the Week - A New World Record!
Zach Bitter has set the new world record for running 100 miles on a treadmill, clocking the distance in 12:09:15. Impressive and inspirational!
What We’re Reading
An inspiring book for amateur runners, on how Amit Sheth, an ordinary guy in his late 30’s, started running after facing health issues. A story about grit, determination and overcoming challenges.
Amit is well known around the running circuit in India, and has also been a pacer at the Tata Mumbai Marathon. He was the first Indian to finish the Comrades Marathon (89 km) in South Africa, the world’s oldest annual ultra-marathon.
Unsuccessful in his first attempt (Comrades runners have to reach specific checkpoints within the cut-off) he gave the grueling 12-hour run another shot.
His book is a collection of essays written over five years, a motivational and inspiring journey, on the path to becoming a marathon and ultra-marathon runner.
Weekly Carb-Loading Archives
Today, we turn two! Two months and ten newsletters old!
To celebrate, we have a small gift for you - an easier way to navigate and read through all of our previous posts and workout links.
A compendium sorted chronologically and topic-wise, which will be updated every week. Presenting, the Weekly Carb-Loading Archives!
That’s a wrap from us at Team Weekly Carb-Loading.
Until next week, stay indoors, stay safe and stay fit! Cheers!
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This post can also be read on our website: WeeklyCarbLoading.substack.com