Do You Miss ‘That One Thing’ Too?
Dear Reader,
Sunday mornings mean one thing - Weekly Carb-Loading! Your weekly dose of running and fitness inspiration curated from around the world, straight to your inbox.
This week we’ve been wondering how much the world will change when we emerge from this pandemic. Will habits enforced by the virus continue into the post-Covid era?
Fun home workouts have become de rigueur over the last month. Will we ever return to expensive gym memberships? Will ‘Work-from-Home’ remain the norm over large corporate offices? Will those who save an hour or two of daily commute, and have had to cut junk food completely from their diet, continue to invest in their health?
Do let us know what you think in the comments section below! You can also reach out to us with your opinions, suggestions and thoughts by simply replying to this email.
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3 - 2 - 1 - Let’s go!
What is it about daily routines that we enjoy so much?
The lock down has made our alarms redundant. Terrace runs, stair climbs and home workouts have switched the fitness routine to the evenings, out of courtesy for the neighbors.
We remember longing for the solitary rest day when we would sleep in. Now that every day presents such an option, why do we yearn to go back to the insanity?
I miss the 5 a.m. alarm, eyes unwilling to open, the body refusing to move. The street outside dark and silent, a far cry from the usual cacophony of traffic and honking.
I miss being awake, while the world sleeps. Being on the road, while the party-goers from last night head to bed.
Running has been a constant for us over the last few years. Set weekly routines and four-month training schedules leading up to a marathon. Like us, many of you have had your morning walk, swim, or gym session disrupted by Covid-19.
It is true what they say - we like something more when we can’t have it.
I miss the freedom, the roads to yourself, to roam as you choose and explore the town on foot. Dive into a lane, climb up a hill or circumvent it, dogs barking in each neighborhood as you pass, a stranger dressed in a full running kit.
I miss the solitude, the state of zen. Legs churning like the wheels of a well oiled machine, kilometre markers ticking by without realization, mind and thoughts far away from the road.
We as humans, are tuned to ‘look forward’ to things. As kids, we look forward to the evenings, the end of each school day. In college, to a well paying job. At work, to promotions, increments and a hefty bonus. Hope, anticipation, a desire to excel.
A workout, any workout, fills this void and keeps us in the present, rooted to reality. A small achievement to begin or end each day. On some days, a cruel reminder against taking it for granted, an ego-crusher between labored breath and tired body.
Eventually, incremental progress and a healthier body, week after week. The rewards echoing the time invested.
I miss the bonhomie on Sunday mornings, the familiar smile and thumbs-up from every runner you pass. All known faces shouting out words of encouragement, though very few known by name, or ever seen outside of the running kit.
I miss the trepidation before the race, the fear of the unknown. A long few hours on the road, having done everything to ensure they go well, but no guarantee of how the mind and body will fare, as the race progresses into late morning.
I miss the exhilaration at the end, the final few kilometres of push, absolute concentration, willing the body onward despite the fatigue and the heat, a state of numbness, step after step.
I miss the crowds, the cheers, the funny signboards, the high-fives! All those months of early mornings and 5 a.m. alarms flashing past, as you throw the bottle away, the finish line within sight, and sprint towards it.
We miss running. Do you miss it too?
Motivational Feature of the Week
South African ultra-runner Ryan Sandes ran 100 miles (160 km!) around his house and neighborhood, in a little over 26 hours, with 4,500 metres of vertical ascent. 1,463 laps is no mean feat! Talk about mental strength!
Home Workout for Beginners - Week 2
If you haven’t been working out at home through the Covid-19 lock-down, its never too late to get started and get fit!
Last week, we started with setting aside 30 minutes everyday and a simple schedule. This week, let’s continue the momentum!
Day 1 - Stair Climb: (1.25 x Week 1 floors)
This week, let’s try taking it up a notch. If you climbed 10 floors last week, lets try 12. If you did 20, go for 25! Step by step, incremental improvements! And always remember - take it easy on the way down, lest you take a tumble.
Day 2 - Standing Low Impact Beginner Workout with The Body Project
We love this channel and their up-tempo high-energy routines! It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner, or a runner, this quick 30 minute cardio session will get your pulse racing!
Day 3 - Full Body Stretch Routine with Tom Merrick
After two days of stair climbing and cardio, a stretching session to cure the aches!
Day 4, 5, 6 - Repeat
Day 7 - Rest Day
That’s a wrap from us at Team Weekly Carb-Loading this week.
Until next week, stay indoors, stay safe and stay fit! Cheers!
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In case you missed any of our past newsletters, or need more motivation to get started on your home workout, our most popular posts so far are:
Issue 7: The Halfway Mark
Issue 5: The Why - Part 2
Issue 4: The Why - Part 1
Great read again.
To answer one of your rhetorical questions, I do think gyms will still be relevant as there's some exercises that are just difficult to do at home - for anything back related, you need to have a pull up bar or a barbell with some heavy plates (especially for a deadlift). Having said that, I think sales of basic home gym equipment will go up so that people feel better prepared in case they have to work out from home again.