In it for the Long Run - Structure

The first blog of a New Year - week eight for me, so very nearly half way. I ran 20 miles on Sunday, which if you'd asked me seven weeks ago how far I thought I could run, it would be nowhere near that. I have the bit between my teeth now. The only thing that may change things is if Boris changes the exercise rule to 1 hour, I may look at doing a little bit more sooner.

One thing I have learnt across the past 2 months or so is the importance of the structure of the plan has been crucial, not necessarily what I am doing as I have written about previously, but the fact that this is Week X, Day Y. I noticed this the most in the week between Christmas and New Year. Normally, it is a timeless haze of leftovers and various family gettogethers.

This year I stuck to my plan, still had my fill of Turkey sandwiches, whilst keeping the momentum. I've come back still feeling relaxed, probably more so than other years and continued at speed rather than starting a new 2021 one all together.

One week down of 2021 I am taking the new restrictions in my stride as much as possible. In some ways having a home school timetable for my son is easier than the first lockdown (for my wife) as it gives him definition in his day.

The business plan is on my desk and very much underway. Not the coffee catch ups I was hoping for, but with structure 'the what' doesn't change, it's the flexible, moveable details that do. Even in lockdown, I find using my exercise time as an anchor for my day. Even if that's not your style, plan and build your structure big or small; "On this day I will", "This week's focus is on."

We are in for at least six weeks of this, so what will your structure be in this time? This time last year we were looking at the foundations of our house being built and here I am sat today, in a fully formed and furnished family home.