What Has 2020 Taught Me?

It’s so hot, that squirrels are playing dead in the shade. This is about the 3rd or 4th time we’ve seen this little rodent playing dead here but I finally got a photo. Squirrels are crazy…there is a good video on Youtube showing just how gnarly they are. Google “Squirrel obstacle course” and you will find it.

What’s up with the world right now? I feel like we are on borrowed time. We’re still in the middle of a panedemic, our country is politically divided, Death Valley got to 130°F today (highest possibly ever), there are tornados in California, the Bay Area is having some crazy storms and the list goes on. 2020 is absolutely the craziest year in my existence.

I’ve decided to just have fun. I’m going to do things that I love. Obviously I have to work but when I’m not doing that I am trying to enjoy every moment I have. I have been playing with the kids a lot, filming them a ton, listening to music way more than usual, editing photos and of course running. How I run has taken on a new form since reading UltraMarathon Man. I like racing and I’m decently fast but I don’t think I will ever be elite. That doesn’t mean I won’t race anymore, I’m as competitive as anyone and I love to be challenged. However, I am enjoying setting my own challenges now.

The “Idea” run was the first one of these. While I haven’t done that one yet it will happen soon. Yesterday’s Backyard 50k was the second one I’ve come up with. A ridiculously silly challenge. Not only physically but mentally. Running in a circle for almost 5 hours can wear you down. That is the kind of thing that I am looking forward to doing from now on though. Just challenging yet fun stuff. Stuff other people wouldn’t think of doing.

Putting this all together in my mind, I think 2020 has really made me realize that life is short and it can change at any moment. We hear this thousands of times throughout our lives but never do anything about it because we just keep on cruising. Going with the status quo. I’m done with that. Hopefully this year has made you realize the same thing as me and you are actively trying to enjoy the time that you have on this planet. LIFE IS SHORT. Make the most of it.