As we head into the second week of social distancing due to the Coronavirus, there are a few thoughts I would like to share. We all are navigating a brand new world. Let’s help each other with our shared wisdom.
Reward Good Behavior
The hubs and I planned to do a half marathon in Asheville, North Carolina this weekend on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate. We were supposed to travel with a friend who planned to run the full marathon.
The registration fees for this race were much more than I would typically pay for a half marathon ($155) but it was a special event and we wanted to support our friend.
We got an email from the race organizers a week ago stating the race was canceled and there would be no alternate date, no deferments to next year, and no refunds.
We could opt to run the race virtually and receive our T-shirts by mail.
I understand that the race organizers incurred some non-refundable expenses prior to race weekend but the proceeds from the race do not support a charity and certainly not all of the registration fees were spent before the event.
Apparently, runners complained to the race organizers. We did get a follow-up email saying we could expect to get a $23 refund.
Another race we registered for, the Eagleton Trail Challenge, (also canceled) is refunding 80% of our registration fees, which seems fair.
The Pittsburgh Marathon (and Half Marathon) is offering participants two options: to race virtually and receive their T-shirts and swag bags or receive a full refund.
Race organizers are hoping participants of the canceled race will come back and race with them in 2021.
Guess which race I will run next spring?
Yep. Steel City, here I come. This race has long been on my list of “want to”s. The kindness showed by the race organizers in the face of the pandemic just moved it to the very top.
Make a List
I am making a list of all the things I want to do after the Coronavirus pandemic is in the rearview mirror. Here are some of the items on my list:
- Have breakfast with my 89-year-old in-laws.
- Go McCleary’s Irish Pub with Bill. Sit at the bar. Order a beer and wings. Chat with the bartender while we eat and drink.
- Go to the playground with my grandchildren. Play on all the equipment. I may or may not embarrass them. Probably will.
- Join 50-60 of my closest running buddies for a group run. Hang out after the run for dinner and camaraderie. Talk about running and laugh a lot.
- Register for some fall races.
- Hug people more often. Give lots of high fives.
Optimism and Resilience Go Hand In Hand
Optimism allows us to believe in a better future. It is the trait that motivates us to keep on plugging when others may give up.
Optimism makes us believe a bad situation will get better, that a situation can improve, that positive self-talk can override negative thoughts.
Optimists are engaged in life. They are problem-solvers. They are resilient.
The best thing about optimism is that it can be developed. Yes, it’s true: an Eeyore can become a Tigger. Optimism is contagious.
Others (maybe our loved ones) are watching our reactions to the news and to the stress of social isolation. Let’s face the hardships with hope and optimism. Be a good role model. Help someone.
What are you doing to cope with the new reality dictated by the pandemic?
You can find the places I link up here.
Please click on the following link to read more funny or inspirational one-liners. One-Liner Wednesday.
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I love your list of things you plan to do after the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us. Looking ahead to the positive helps us navigate through these scary times.
I agree 100%, I’d be looking at the Pittsburgh Half for next year, too!
Have a great week and stay safe!
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Thanks, Debbie. My list grows every day. You stay safe too.
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There’s so much going on in the world today but it was good to read your words and to hear your optimism Laurie. Thanks for the reminders and take care 🙂
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Thank you, Debbie. You take care too!
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Laurie, this will be my first day working from home, which will seem strange for awhile. I’m not anxious, but wondering how it will feel after a week or two of this. During my off time, I’m hoping to get out and walk more, get on the bike for the first time, perhaps write or journal. I’m looking at this as time to be still and enjoy the time away from our usual busy-ness. When the pandemic has left us, I’m going to hug everyone I know and appreciate them more than I ever have before!
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I guess since my hubby and I are both retired, we had less of an adjustment than others. I hope you get outside in this wonderful spring weather to walk and bike. Hugging everyone you know is a good plan for after the pandemic.
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We are doing a lot of FaceTime with the grandchildren. They are the ones that have it most difficult. They are under three and don’t understand why things aren’t like they used to be.
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Yes. We do video calls too. My youngest is 4.
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Congrats for having a blog so popular you got 97 responses first off! I would have a cow if mine did that!!!
Good on you for seeing the positives in a bad situation. One question. Do your inlaws live out of town? Just wondering why you can’t have breakfast with them now. That is all, carry on! 🙂
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Thank you, Kim. My in-laws live only 20 minutes away but all the restaurants are closed due to the coronavirus and we are not supposed to visit older people for fear of passing the virus along to them.
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My situation is different, my dad depends on me to be his ears and voice. Nothing will keep me from helping him. 😊
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Wow, Laurie! These race organizers not refunding is crazy! But then again, I guess everything is a bit crazy right now! I’ve dusted off the old treadmill and instead of looking at it as an eyesore, as I have for quite some time, I now look at it as a blessing! You just never know. 🙂 One day an eyesore, the next day a blessing. Strange times!!!
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
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I was disappointed in the response of the race organizers. I admit, though, I don’t know their financial situation. Have fun on that treadmill, Patsy! Thank you for hosting.
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That’s a great list, Laurie. Hopefully you will be able to accomplish it sooner rather than later. 🙂 I went with my daughter for an outside run on Sunday. It was only about 1 1/2 miles and we didn’t go fast, but I did not stop once. I’ve never been able to do that before, so maybe pushing myself on the treadmill is working? And now I’ve committed to running outside with her once a week. So we’ll see how that goes …
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Thank you, Lois. I hope I can begin checking off items from the list very soon too but I’m not holding my breath. Nice run and you get bonus points for running with your daughter! How cool is that? I would say the treadmill is definitely working. Keep me posted on your progress! 🙂
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Great post, Laurie! Stay safe and be well! ❤
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Thank you, Anita. You stay safe too! 🙂
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I love the idea of making a list of things to you after the pandemic!!! I would like to make one too. Ugh, that is annoying that the most expensive race was not willing to refund any money at all or even offer a deferment. I will be getting a full refund for two of my races. I received a free entry for the race in Fargo and it has been postponed to August. I am not sure if I will make it in August.
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I add stuff to my list every day. Lots of things to look forward to! Wow! Full refund – that’s nice!
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Good to read your take. Our leaders in Australia are taking it all more seriously than a week or two ago but none of us feel confident in their words. We two retirees are doing what we can to stay safe..and as we already know how to live with each other (separate hobby and interest spaces) we are OK.
Take care…and your idea of seeing beyond the virus is a good one.
Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. Next week, the optional prompt, is for some, the (Easter) seasonally-based 13/51 Chocolate 30.3.2020. Hope to see you back linking up then too. Denyse.
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We feel the same way here in the US. NO confidence in our leaders to do the right thing. I think too that we retirees have much less of a learning curve under the new conditions than those still working! 🙂 Thank you for hosting.
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My hometown is Pittsburgh! It is a fantastic city and I think it is worth the wait! 🙂
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I love Pittsburgh! So many great restaurants, museums, outdoor spaces, etc.
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What a wonderful post! Thanks so much for sharing your optimism!
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Thank you, Kym!
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Oh, I think I’m going to make a list of things I want to do post quarantine. I’ve been so focused on trying to “live in the moment” or at least appreciate these days for what God offers me….but looking forward to the days ahead is exciting as well!
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Looking forward to better days is sometimes the best strategy. Before we go back to living in the moment! 🙂
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[…] is closed, so swimming, sliding, and sauna have all come to a screeching halt. They are all on my list of things I will do once social distancing comes to an […]
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[…] Three Things I Learned From the Coronavirus Pandemic […]
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Just to let you know that your post took the third spot in this week’s #senisal Roundup.
https://esmesalon.com/senisal-roundup-mar-23-27 Thank you so much for your participation
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Thank you, Esme. Good to know!
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Smog is clearing, streets and water is cleaner than they have been in years, and unusual animals are even returning to the cities due to their relative vacancy.
The smog along in China is estimated to save 40k lives this year. The death count due to polluted air is usually hundreds of thousands.
The virus is also fairly mild, death rate-wise. Past viruses were far worse 20-95% death rate. This is like a 1-2%.
The wake up call that was needed because the health organizations were beginning to be taken less seriously. America even shut down a pandemic preventing organization not too long ago.
Now these organizations will have more funding and attention in order to take the necessary precautions for the future.
We will be better prepared for when that real death-virus hits. The one that is far more than 2% fatality.
The species will at least survive, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
I’ve also shared my own take on psychological benefits this virus brings.
It serves as an analogy for hardship in general.
Might be worth checking out!
Very engaging post.
Thank you for sharing.
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Right now Laurie I am trying to stay focused on my children. They keep me motivated and busy during this worrying and stressful time. Seeing everything that has been taken away from them has made me far sadder than I could ever feel about myself. I live for the day that I can bring them to the playground again and watch them go back to school and play with their friends. There will be so much to be grateful for once we have overcome this battle! #globalblogging
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Focusing on someone else and their stress and pain is a good way to be selfless. I hope the day when you can take your kids to the playground is coming soon, Tracey. We all tend to take things for granted. Maybe there will be a lot more gratitude in the world when we return to normal.
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[…] in Motion and her post on ‘Three Things I Have Learned From The Corona Virus Pandemic https://meditationsinmotion.wordpress.com/2020/03/22/three-things-i-learned-from-the-coronavirus-pan… Right now I think we are all learning a lot from the corona virus outbreak – it has […]
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Like you, we had registered for 2 races. Little bitsy 5ks. One canceled the second there was mention of virus…back the first part of March. And it was scheduled for 04.18. It was a run for the fallen soldiers. They gave me a full refund.
The second one was called the wicked wine run and was scheduled for mid-May. They have supposedly postponed until September. No refund offered. It seems odd that the charitable runs were sweet and thoughtful to refund money and the fun runs are not willing to do so.
I am looking forward to hugs from my grands once this difficult time is behind us. Apparently we have 9 new cases since last night, so we are about to get some stricter guidelines.
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I hope you can do the wine run in September. The problem with rescheduling is that people already have a lot on their schedules. I think race directors should be flexible. Looking forward to time with my grandsons too! 🙂
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[…] Three Things I Learned From the Coronavirus Pandemic […]
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I really like your optimism and perspective. Thanks for this post.
By the way, it helps anyone out, I have a list of 101 Homeschooling Activities on my blog http://www.homeschoolguru.org
Take care and stay safe, everyone.
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Thank you!
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I really enjoyed reading your blog. I wrote a couple of blogs very recently on the same subject with pretty similar views! It would be great if you would give it a read and leave your feedback. 🙂
https://thelifestyleleader.wordpress.com/2020/03/29/what-lies-ahead/
https://thelifestyleleader.wordpress.com/2020/04/03/5-things-you-must-do-during-a-lockdown/
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I just did! 🙂
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You know what I seriously want to do? My own grocery shopping. Neighbors have been wonderful, I’ve managed to get a couple of (scarce) grocery delivery slots, and small local stores will deliver or allow people to pick up orders at the door. I’m grateful, and we’re not short of anything. But I really, seriously want to do my own grocery shopping, frivolous as that is.
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Our grocery store was so overwhelmed and understaffed that they discontinued ordering online. We have been grocery shopping once per week. I can understand wanting to do your own shopping!
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We’ve drawn the line at going into the supermarkets. My partner’s 80 and has asthma, and I’m not what you’d call young. The small stores are a smaller risk. They’ll take orders and let you pick them up at or near the door, and a few small stores are delivering. But oh, to wander the aisles. Who knew it meant so much to me?
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Beautiful post, even I wrote a similar topic!
Would be glad if you check out my site 🙂
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We need more optimism like yous! Maybe you’d be up to share it with others through our blog? 🙂
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I would be happy to. Thank you for the opportunity!
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We would love that 🙂 please take a look at our blog and follow the instructions in the “submit” page if you fancy taking part ☀️ let’s share together!
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One again, you have inspired me. I have been thinking in terms of what I might want to do differently after this is over, but not gotten around to making a list of fun things to do. Your list is life giving, don’t give up on it!
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Thank you! I have a few more things I want to add to the list now. It does give me hope!
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