'21 done!

[rich_jacko]

2021 managed to clear the very low bar set by 2020 (Hey, the only new scar I have this year is a physical one...). We may not quite be back to normal yet - cancelled parties this week have sadly proven that - but we've collectively come a long way and this was the year life began to resume.

I've enjoyed regular meet-ups with friends again, trips to the seaside, a birthday picnic and meal out, the return of parkrun, two big family events/celebrations, my sister/nieces' visit to Sheffield, a trio of major running events, my first holiday away in two years, and a much freer Christmas than last year.

All the best to you all, however you're seeing in the New Year, and may you have a fantastic 2022!

Comments

[rich_jacko]

Yes, I agree people could be more spaced out at the start of parkrun, and I stand at the edge of that crowd, but I'm broadly comfortable with how it goes overall. Parkrun have commissioned a lot of research on the risks of transmission outdoors, and their Covid framework recognises that physical distancing isn't practical for everyone to do in the space available at the start and finish. All that stuff predates Omicron, but it also predates most people getting fully vaccinated.

I try to give a metre space when overtaking, but it doesn't concern me too much. You would have to be spectacularly, staggeringly unlucky to catch Covid from someone passing by briefly during overtaking, however close they were. Following in the same person's slipstream for several minutes is more likely. I stand clear of the masses at the start, make sure I recover my breath at the end so I'm not breathing heavily at any of the volunteers, but beyond that I just have to rely on the benefits of being outdoors and trust to an extent that people won't turn up if they have (or think they might have) Covid.

With shops, I've noticed a big increase in the proportion of people wearing masks since they became mandatory again. There's usually one or two who aren't, but that's been the case throughout the pandemic. I try not to let it bother me. I'll only be around them briefly, keep my distance (as I do with all other shoppers, regardless of whether they're masked) and do my best to ignore them.