Power Failure: A Lesson in Resilience

Yesterday marked the first Monday of January, a day that signalled the end of holiday festivities and the start of my new fitness routine. I had my running gear laid out the night before, and I was up and ready to go by 6:30 a.m. to tackle a 6-mile run. The day before had brought a fresh layer of snow, and the temperature had plummeted overnight. Rather than risk slipping on ice, I made the decision to head to the gym and hit the treadmill.

But when I arrived at the gym, I was met with an unexpected sight—the building was dark, and the car park was nearly empty. Apparently, there had been a power failure. I felt annoyed and headed home, planning to work for a while, before returning to the gym later in the day.

The day unfolded with its usual demands. I had to visit a client, so I quickly changed into work gear, then headed back home to get changed again in preparation for my gym session. But when I arrived at the gym, it was still closed, and now it was starting to get dark. In the past, I would have thrown in the towel, letting the series of setbacks derail my plans for the day.

But the new me—armed with a fresh mindset for 2025—decided not to give up. I chose to do my run outside, even though it was dark and freezing. The snow had mostly melted, leaving just a few piles of melted snowmen scattered around, and thankfully the footpaths weren’t icy.

So, I laced up my shoes and ran laps around the block. It was a bit repetitive, but it got the job done! It wasn’t the workout I had originally planned, but it was a reminder that sometimes things don’t go as expected—and that’s okay. The key is in how we adapt and keep pushing forward, even when the circumstances aren’t perfect.

In the end, this “Power Failure” wasn’t just about a gym losing electricity. It was about powering through challenges and finding alternative solutions to stay on track with your goals. The obstacles will always come, but it's up to us whether we let them stop us or find a way around them.

The moral of the story? Even when things don't go as planned, there's always an option to push forward. And sometimes, the run outside in the cold is the one that feels the most rewarding.

#snowmen #icy #gym #powerfailure #challenges #obstacles

Running Out Of Steam

By the end of 2024, I definitely ran out of steam. I had a short break in the Lakes at the end of November, with plans to do the Keswick Parkrun, but unfortunately, it got cancelled due to Storm Bert. I didn’t let the weather stop me completely—I did get out for some hill walking, even though the winds were pretty strong. Living in Doncaster, I don’t get the chance to walk in the hills as much as I used to, so I made the most of it.

After my trip, though, I just couldn’t seem to find my motivation. Then I caught a cold and have been feeling drained for the past three weeks, which led to a serious dip in my training. I did manage some therapeutic walks, but that was about it. I had to cancel a few Christmas events too, not wanting to spread the cold around.

Now, as we ring in the New Year—I’m not quite back to full strength, but I’m slowly getting back on track with my training plan. I can definitely feel the lack of activity in my body, though, as I’m now sore after a session at the gym. But I’m determined to keep going and get back on track!

#runningoutofsteam #december #newyear