On 11-26-20 19:49, Adept wrote to paulie420 <=-
And I have lots to be thankful for, even if 2020 has taken its pound of flesh, too.
I may not be American, but this is a good time to reflect, while you celebrate your Thanksgiving. For me, the last 12 months, from November 2019 to now has been a very different 12 months to anything else I've ever experienced.
This period started with a major loss - the death of one of my closest friends every - the only closer people in my life were my partners - one of whom passed away in 2005, the other I'm happily married to. His loss was comparable to the loss of a partner. Today, I visited his grave with a mutual friend from Melbourne. We left some flowers and shared memories by his grave.
The summer saw the first of the see sawing cycle of frustration and highs that would characterise 2020.
- Missed the 2019 State Relays, due to a teammate becoming injured at the last minute and no replacements for him being available.
- Had a good December, but injured myself after Christmas, putting me out for the Australian Masters decathlon (a week later!)
- Recovered quickly to take a good medal haul at the Vic Countries. And later discovered that the 4 x 100m relay broke our residential record. Later, would also receive certificates for local 4 x 200m and 4 x 400m records!
- Also managed to make the Midsumma carnival and some social events in Melbourne in January.
- February continued good form with significant improvements in my 200m - the first time I ran consistently below 27 seconds for a month. Was also in great form with the fire brigade, outrunning much younger guys there. And more social and family events in Melbourne, while taking out the Melbourne Frontrunners 3.8k Pride Run (much to my surprise, 3.8k isn't my distance!).
- March started positive with my first pro style race at the Bendigo Madison. But that would be my last event, with everything else since cancelled until this month. But adter years of a permanent clash, I did attend the ChillOut festival for the first time and enjoyed it.
- April - May saw me rekindle my interest in ham radio to counter the isolating effects of increasing restrictions. This has been one of the highlights of the year, with significant equipment and infrastructure upgrades taking place. I also became creative with my training, taking advantage of my location on the side of a hill to improve my fitness. But May also was the time of my COVID test, which had me in isolation for a week, awaiting results, including through my birthday and our wedding anniversary.
- in June, changes to supperanuation laws eased our financial situatin considerably (though the issue actually wasn't COVID related). I hired a specialised PT for my strength deveopment and haven't looked back. He's a specialist in training Masters athletes and also a sprinter, so a perfect fit for my needs! In addition, I will be racing him later this season, and I have the upper hand (no kids here! ;) ). Previous head to head results (before we knew each other) stand at 1 all, with him beating me in the 100m (I had a crap run), and me beating him with my PB 60m the next day at the 2019 Victorian Masters. :)
- July - August training continued well in the face of increasing restrictions.
My trainer was doing really well with my programs in these changing times. And we started the process of buying a house, as it was confirmed that my friend had left us a considerable sum of money, which we decided to put towards a new house. Paid the deposit on our land, but now in a waiting game for it to be ready.
- September, we received our inheritance and all was well until the last week, when I strained my Achilles with too many plyometric exercises. :(
- October, screwed up my right shoulder in a training mishap. October also saw the end of my first NDIS plan, and that has represented an opportunity never before possible.
- November, competition started, but because of my Achilles, I've had to take things easier. But despite being well below my maximum capabilities, I'm running good times, not too far off last year. Definitely stronger. People are noticing the difference too. :) Despite my injuries, I am otherwise the fittest I've ever been.
So, a year on from my upheaval, it's been a challenging year, but one with a lot of highs. Financially, COVID restrictions resulted in a modest net gain, because our income is fixed, and expenses fell slightly during the peak of restrictions. I did lose my job at the end of last year, but that wasn't COVID related. Personally, I have continued to learn more about myself, and there's things I want to record (possibly in the form of a book or series of books), for the benefit of the world. Turns out I have knowledge and insights that are rarely available alsewhere, and there's other aspects of me that the leading edge of neuroscience and neuropsychology would be challenged by.
Overall, while challenging, the past 12 months have been "better than average", because they do reflect considerable personal growth and some new opportunities, never before seen.
So I'll join my American friends here and give thanks to the new opportunities and for the knowledge and insights that the past year has given me. No turkey here, but I'm with you in spirit.
... "Bother!" said Pooh, as he sent another AreaFix message.
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