pickupthepacepaul

It is going to be a long road for all of us, and I am seeing so much motivation and inspiration and motivation from so many. One thing we all have in common is we will get through this better together. With that being said, I want to hear from people to see how they are getting on during the Lockdown. For my first Lockdown Lowdown I bring you David Sinclair aka cardiff_dave.

What have you learnt about yourself during the Lockdown?

One thing I’ve learnt is that I care so much about my friends, but more than that people I care about aren’t only those people I speak to on a day to day basis. It probably sounds naff but I’ve started a little document which lists friends I need to stay in touch with because sadly life gets in the way – you realise it’s been a month or 6 months or however long and you haven’t even had a phone call. It’s no good and if it takes a stupid document to remind me so be it.

What are you doing to stay motivated?

Luckily I can run safely, let’s hope we can keep doing it. Though I’m a massive social runner luckily I’ve also always enjoyed running on my own as well.

I keep motivated by combining set days to run with figuring out varied routes. Saturday 5k. Sunday longer. Speed session in the week etc. Stick to the routine.

Sometimes I listen to amazing music – I don’t have as much time to listen to music as I used to so using a run to listen to some amazing tunes is really great.

I’ve got myself an awesome turbo trainer so I’m also doing lots of indoor cycling with zwift.

What are you most looking forward to when we get out of Lockdown?

I can’t wait to arrange a Sunday trail run in Brecon with friends. We have such a laugh when we have a morning out trail running. It’s not about speed but running together, looking at the scenery, taking breaks to chat, having food together afterwards with the endorphins still flowing. I can’t wait.

What rearranged event are you looking forward to doing and why?

We had to cancel our latest Big Social Run Cardiff as the whole c19 stuff was just kicking off. I can’t wait to rearrange it. The Big Social Runs are so fantastic and I’m privileaged to be involved in setting them up. I get a massive high when I see how much people enjoy them. I hated posting the announcement that it was postponed. Our next one will really be something special.

As well as that I am looking forward to doing the Vogum, a 40 mile coastal ultra from Porthcawl to Penarth, in South Wales. It’s not yet actually cancelled but it could well be. I was supposed to do it last year but was injured. The event is put on by Pegasus Ultra Running who are simply amazing. So so friendly and their ultras NEVER have a cut off time.

What challenges have you set yourself in lockdown, or for when you get out?

I’d like to really concentrate a bit on improving my speed over 10k and half and put in a decent show at Cardiff Half Marathon. I tend to sleepwalk to a sub 2hr but suddenly I’ve realised I’ve not even done a half for a long time – and it used to be my favourite event. A sub 1.50 would be lovely.

I also need to get back into my strength and agility stuff – I do it with a personal trainer at Intergated Fitness Training in Cardiff but because of c19 that had to stop – I need the accountability so will be signing up to his online programme ASAP.

What makes you #runhappy

Running with mates and running in scenery, so running somewhere new, maybe getting a bit lost even, running more hills than I’d like to admit I enjoy haha, getting to the top and taking in the view. Laughing at how hard that last hill was.

My biggest pleasure though is coaching my run club Moti Cardiff. Wonderful people who I count all as friends now. It gives me an amazing sense of fulfilment in life and our weekly session (including the pub after) is the highlight of my week. It makes me so happy I’m buzzing for hours after. We’ve started doing video calls as a virtual pub session, everyone with the drink of their choice (mine is hit chocolate lol) as a way to keep in touch. It’s great.

Our first session back after all this is going to be spectacular and I can’t wait.