As we all sit around lonely and bored certain songs on the radio begin to take on new meaning. We’re all looking for ways to quickly get on the other side of this virus when life returns to normal – whatever that will be? Being a Rip Van Winkle and sleeping through the whole ordeal seems appealing. Along those lines, I recently wrote about the song “Wake Me Up When September Ends.” (See Post #1268) What was intended to be lyrics about depression surrounding a father’s death could  now be rewritten about the time ahead when we can put the worries of Coronavirus behind us. The same can be said about the about the Cage the Elephant hit, Social Cues. “I’ll be in the back room, Tell me when it’s over.” We all just want a way to fast-forward to the end. 

I escaped reality yesterday by working on a jig-saw puzzle. It’s such a slow process that it might be a weapon in boring the virus to death. At this point, I’m not sure what may survive longer – the virus or the final piece of the puzzle? Otherwise, I just hide in the darkness of my office watching TV and working on the computer – “just tell me when it’s over.” Even a “homebody” like myself needs something more to do. My wife suggested a drive to the coast or the views from the Vista House, overlooking the Columbia River. Tonight, we’re at least going to take a long walk for some carry-out pizza. It’s amazing how much energy we have in the morning, but by late afternoon only a nap and left-overs sound good. My wife may at least get me out of the house. 

Despite a sense of depression, I haven’t really slept longer – certainly not for 20 years. My adult routine of in bed by ten and up by six has only changed by an hour in retirement. I now get up at seven, take Tally outside to do her business, and run 3.1 miles. Today was Day #4,125 of my consecutive running streak (11.29 years). I check my progress on the runeveryday.com website that lists me as #203, behind leader Jon Sutherland’s 18,587 (50.89 year) mark. I’m two to five days within moving into the top 200 should those in the pack ahead happen to miss a day. I wouldn’t wish that on any of them, who are just as disciplined as I am in getting out there every single day. I wonder if the Coronavirus has affected any of their routines? 

Running is the only thing that gets me out of the house for an extended period of time. It keeps me sane, even though others would argue that running every day is crazy! My legs were like concrete this morning as several people passed me on the Willamette River Park trail, the half-way point of my daily route. I’ve gained a few pounds through constant snacking, but I can’t imagine the impact on my body and mind without this exercise. It also helps me organize my writing thoughts for the day. My hair is definitely growing longer like Rip Van Winkle, but I’ve yet to sleep through a daily run. You snooze…you lose!