Community and Covid-19
To the alpenflo Community -
This is a scary and uncertain time. We’ve never experienced anything like this in our lives, and we're all trying to figure out how to deal. It’s ok to be afraid, and it’s ok if you don’t know what to do. I'm right there with you.
I do know that now is when community really matters. We have the chance to make choices that benefit our broader community, and a chance to think about others before ourselves. Now’s a good time to ask about how you can help other people, and if you need help, ask. I bet you’ll be surprised at how willing people are to lend a hand, we're all in this together.
We all want to connect at a time like this. However, due to the danger of spreading Covid-19 in our community, alpenflo Community Runs have been cancelled for the foreseeable future. This is the right thing to do for our community, but it still sucks.
As a replacement, I offer you a virtual happy hour. The first one will be Monday March 23rd, 2020 from 7:30-8:30 pm. We’ll have a slightly modified format to our normal alpenflo runs. Instead of a group run, I encourage you to get out for a run on your own before we meet. See this as a chance to connect with yourself, get some space, and slow things down. When we meet online, I’ll introduce a topic and we’ll take some time to get to know each other as we discuss it. After that we’ll share a drink and talk for a while. This’ll be a bit different, but I’m excited to try out a new format with you all.
I want alpenflo to be a resource for you as we all navigate this pandemic. If you have ideas for ways that alpenflo can support our community, please send me an email and let me know.
I hope you’re finding the community and support you need as we all learn how to navigate this.
Be well,
-JT
PS - I thought I’d include three resources for you, I hope you’ll find them useful:
When dealing with uncertainty, meditation is a great way to recenter yourself. I’ve found the Waking Up app to be very well done, and in addition to meditations, Sam Harris (the creator of Waking Up) offers some excellent short lessons. Try it free for a month with the link above.
2. An idea from ‘Digital Minimalism’ by Cal Newport
Cal offers some thoughtful tips on using digital tools to facilitate real connection. I like his idea of ‘conversation centric communication’ - prioritizing tools that allow direct dialog, like phone and video calls, over social media posts and text messaging. Dialog allows a richer connection that gets us closer to the in-person conversation we’re all craving. Play around with different forms of communication and see what helps you feel most connected to the people that matter to you.
3. A couple of journal prompts for all this new solo time:
If you’ve had space open up from cancelled races and events: What’s one thing I’ve been too busy to do, but would like to prioritize now that I have the time for it?
If you’re struggling to adapt to working from home: What’s a healthy routine I can establish to ground my daily work and provide some structure?