New chapter

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas, even if different due to the lockdown restrictions.  Perhaps these restrictions might make us view life differently, appreciate simple things more like meeting a friend for a coffee or taking time out to check in with the beauty that surrounds us.
Since my last blog we have successfully moved into our new "forever home".  The peace and quite surrounding me is amazing.  I keep stopping to listen for noise and there is really next to none.  The weeks and months ahead will be emptying boxes from our old house and doing another de-clutter as we wonder why on earth we packed that item?  We're also discovering how to operate lots of new gadgets/technology which has been challenging and frustrating - technology isn't my strong point!
In many ways it's a new chapter in our lives.  I have a country park less that 0.5 km away and have been exploring the many routes through the trees and the amazing views over my home city of Glasgow.
Training is ticking over as my turbo isn't set up, wifi issues, and my gym is currently in storage.  However I'm building up my running slowly, very slowly.  At the start of each year we focus on my heart rate and it usually takes up to a month to get it where my coach wants it.  I've to run very slow and get the rate low.  This isn't helped by the reduced training and the increase in rich food and wine over the festive period but I know it will settle down in time. But I'm also taking this period to rest, when not lifting boxes, so that when I return to normal training in January I'll be fresh and ready to go.
My "A race", postponed from 2020, is still the Ultra Race Romania on 9 August for 7 days and getting ready for that will take a lot of focused effort.  I can't wait to get back racing properly and hope you have similar plans even if it's going from "couch to 5 km" - that's a fantastic achievement and also a new chapter for you.
You will know I don't believe in new years resolutions as so many of them have failed before January is completed.  My next blog in Jan 2021 will talk about how to achieve your goals, I have a 5 step plan which is simple and works.  There will be plenty on telly/internet about reflecting on what happened in 2020 and that may inspire you to greater things in 2021.  But looking forward is the key and as 2020 draws to a close, it's time to turn the page and start a new chapter in 2021 which you are the author of.