Moving the Goal Posts

Happy March, I’m feeling optimistic this month. We had a weekend of beautiful spring weather, the daffodils and snowdrops are flowering and lockdown might be easing.

My aim for February was to run a total of 100km to test my knee out. I completed this on the 20th, with 8 days to spare. Did I relax and take some time off? No, I did something that I feel a lot of us are guilty of, I moved the goal posts….. I decided that I could do 150Km in total!!

Why is it that we are never satisfied with what we achieve? I have spoken to a few friends about this so I’m pretty sure its not just me. We all confessed to doing the same thing with climbing, completing a project and then very quickly looking towards what’s next. We fail to appreciate what we have achieved. It seems to spread though all of life, always working towards something ‘bigger and better’. Looking for the next thing to make us feel more fulfilled, happier, successful.

With this in mind a I have taken the first week of March as a rest week to appreciate the things I achieved in February. I went from not being allowed to run to running 150Km (I am hoping my surgeon doesn’t see this, I was taking it easy, honest ….). I climbed some easy trad routes. I have explored some new areas of Sheffield. Watched the parakeets in the park and most importantly, cuddled the kitten.

As February ended the weather perked up and we got a weekend of bluebird skies and high temperatures. Perfect time to reintroduce myself to the joy of climbing low grade grit routes. Just enjoying the movement on the rock and the peace and quiet of the crags. Those of you wanting to learn to lead, these are some of the loveliest routes I’ve done.

My thoughts have turned towards spring and trad routes. The rack has been fetched from the cupboard and looked over and the ropes have been untangled. It is the time of new beginnings, time to shake off the winter layers and see the sunshine. Hopefully this month will start to see an easing to lockdown and by mid April we can all fully enjoy the outdoors.

For now, it’s stay local and stay safe.

Becca LoundsMarch 2, 2021