Distancing Diaries

It’s in the name. We’re built to endure. 

Self-care and risk minimisation has, and remains, our priority. 

But, as we do in every situation, we ask ourselves one simple question: how can we make this work for us? 

Notwithstanding the widespread suffering – physical, psychological and financial – we must support each other, our neighbours and ourselves. 

The distance we place between one another will, in time, stop the invisible enemy that is currently wreaking havoc within global communities. For now, though, it is the overwhelming sense of connectedness that warms our hearts and sustains our undeterred faith that we will win this battle. 

And this connectedness stems from the fact that Covid-19 is everyone’s business. It is a virus that doesn’t discriminate based on age, gender or religion; we really are all in this together. 

But it’s also our chance to be a superhero. Every single one of us has an opportunity, and a duty, to help save the world. Our superpower is our willpower. The ability to stay away. No matter what you feel, or how great the urge, to simply not do something.  

It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? But achieving most things in life is simple as long as you’re deliberate with your actions and eliminate any excess ruthlessly. 

So, this is our chance. And while it may feel wrong to look beyond the suffering we must, in times of crisis, seek solace in the opportunities each situation presents, even those beyond our control. 

The opportunity we find ourselves with now is as uncomplicated as it is complex: to live deliberately. 

• It means paying attention to, and being aware of, your actions

• It means embracing the breadth of life’s emotions – the love, pain, joy, sorrow, wonder, beauty and fear – the whole mess

• It means interacting with people on a human level

• It means understanding and accepting life’s natural ebbs and flows

• It means finding meaning in striving and not just achieving. 

Surely, in the current global climate, to be anything but deliberate when we’re moving forward would be to contribute to the suffering which is already so widespread? 

‘a deadly pandemic that is killing people in its thousands every day can make us all feel vulnerable. To counter this, we train to feel strong, build a sense of strength that we can’t succumb to it (rational or not).’

At RÁS, our purpose has always been to use endurance sport as a catalyst to reconnect people with themselves, their loved ones and the environment. To make daily conscious decisions based on two key narratives; the feelings they want to experience and the goals they want to achieve. 

The environments we operate within and the routines we establish are fundamental to both experiencing those feelings and achieving our ambitions. 

But things are different now. This unique situation is forcing us into new routines and we are operating in environments that don’t feel as they once did. 

In times of uncertainty, our habits can ground us. Whenever we’re faced with a big environmental change, it follows that your behaviour will change too. We’re encouraging each of our athletes to be agile in their approach to daily living but to stick to a routine wherever they can; when the world seems uncontrollable, focus on what you can control. 

One of our keyworker athletes worded it perfectly: 

‘I’ve been telling staff we need to stick to our routines – gotta practice what you preach!’

Our approach to training, and programming, in particular, has always been adaptive. But at this time, with goals having changed, we’ve removed overreaching blocks and stripped it back to basics: improving movement competency and foundational strength throughout key muscle groups. 

We’re aware that this is the beginning of a long journey and enduring has not yet started. We can, within the guidelines, still go outside for exercise. The game changes yet again if that’s taken away.  

Nevertheless, we’ve got you covered for when you’re at the bottom of the motivational curve. 

‘There’s a world that exists after this. I want to be better when that world arrives than I was when this shit started’

For now, let’s appreciate some of the simple joys in life. Be grateful that, by reading this, you’ve proved you’re someone who can endure even the darkest of days. 

This is an opportunity to rethink assumptions and become better prepared for the next crisis, whether personal or global. 

Be kind. 

Be patient.

Be positive.

Be present, emotionally but not physically. 

Be a superhero.