Sport

In the time pandemic, when external factors forced me to stay at home, I have appreciated the importance of exercising, physical movement and keeping fit. I believe socialising and sport are the two main activities that bring on endorphins. As the everyday part of the former, i.e. working in the office, had to be contained (and will sadly remain so), the deficiency of good vibes had to be made up for with the latter. At first I took long (5 – 10 kilometres) walks every day. With time and inspired by some people, I have decided to get my act to together and do more.

Firstly, I have stepped up cycling. I began the season in late March, with a 51-kilometre ride. On most weekends with moderate temperature (day-time high below +25C) I took trips longer than 50 kilometres. My lifetime one-day record is 95 kilometres (set in 2017) and I aim to beat it and ride 100 kilometres within one day. The trip will be split into 3 or 4 passages, with some breaks to a have a rest, including a lunch break at a bar for cyclists. If possible, I find company for cycling, but the record-beating ride will need to be a lonely one, so that I adjust the pace to my body. Besides, I have purchased a solid bicycle U-lock that will allow me to use the bike to take short (below 10 kilometres) trips which I used to take by public transport when I had a valid travelcard, but recently I had to cover them on foot or by car, if I was short of time to walk several kilometres (shame!).

Secondly, since the swimming pools opened, I go there more or less regularly. I have unfrozen my Multisport benefit card, which allows me to enter a swimming pool once a day free of charge and the renewal takes effect on 1 August. Since then, motivated by not having to pay 16 PLN for a single ticket (but paying a monthly surcharge of 40 PLN deducted from my salary), I aim to go there some three times a week (time and other obligations permitting). This resolution remains conditionally valid, until swimming pools are closed again*.

On Thursday I took up running. For starters, I bought a pair of running shoes. I ran again yesterday and plan to do it every second day. At the beginning, not to overstrain myself, I march one kilometre, then run one kilometre and do so in intervals (equipped my smartphone in an interval timer application) for over 20 minutes. From the next week I will run 2 minutes and march 1 minute, then run 3 minutes and march 1 minute, then keep on running for 20 minutes, then 25 minutes, then 30 minutes. Jogging at the beginning might be uphill (not literally), yet it gives me pleasure and satisfaction.

We might be in a for a return of restrictions on social life, the private life might not shape up well, though prospects are good at the moment, days will be getting shorter and colder soon. Many factors might get us down, but exercising has a healing effect on mental and physical health, comes rain or shine.

* After relaxing social distancing rules the number of new COVID-19 infections rises in several countries and I believe some restrictions will need to be imposed again to clamp down on number of new cases, but they will not be as harsh as in March or April 2020, as no economy can afford a second all-out lockdown. The coronavirus deserves a separate post anyway and I promise to write up one in August.

Monolog do anioła stróża

In recent days or even weeks I have repeatedly recalled my fictiona lconversation with a guardian angel, held in autumn of 2012. In fact, that post was a compilation of shorter or longer conversations that had lifted my spirits in heart-wrenching circumstances and had helped me get hold of myself. With hindsight, looking back at one of my most precious notes on this blog (pardon the absolute lack of modesty), I feel back then, aged 24, I was just a boy, today I have more makings of an adult.

2020 will be engraved in memories of most people as the time of pandemic, lockdown, uncertainty. For me, the pandemic would serve as a background and catalyst of several ups and downs in personal life which seemingly have so far led me nowhere, but along the way, all tribulations and emotional swings have made me much wiser, self-aware and mature. Stumbling and falling might be nasty and painful, but accompanying opportunities to get to know myself help make prudent choices.

The progress I have made since 2012 impacts where my guardian angel resides. Eight years ago I searched for him in other people. Today I can feel his presence inside myself. I no longer need a helping hand in coping with emotions, I handle them on my own, but need company to get off my chest what the guardian angels advises me.

The frequent dialogues with the (non-existent, symbolic) guardian angel been probably spurred by involuntary isolation, have been an opportunity to face myself, explore the darkest depths of my mind, travel to the past and seek its influence on the presence. I have recalled several moment from my life, happiness and misery and have asked myself several questions.

I wondered why all the good things I have experienced seemed just temporary, so vague? Why have I always caught those good moments to cherish them before they passed, but so seldom felt the happiness was about to persist?

Have I recently tried to escape the greyness of daily grind and loneliness? Have I been in need of more and more to break away from what has been burning me inside. Have I bordered on doing it at the expense of somebody?

Why have I never felt wholeheartedly comfortable in a relationship? What factors have never let me feel entirely safe and serene by a woman’s side? Will I ever be able to feel comfortable with a life companion? Should I put it down to not meeting a suitable person, or should I blame myself and seek professional help?

Why are males so weak in keeping up and fostering friendships between one another? Women are far superior to men in that realm. These days I strive to enjoy a company or fellow men as much as I can and make the most of them. I sadly cannot get enough.

I could write another post on my Tinder experiences, much more interesting and insightful than the previous ones, but I will hold off on this and wait until the ongoing story unfolds either way.

I yearn for a peaceful of mind, a restful sleep and feeling of security when I wake up. I am slowly drifting towards state of calmness, hope to get there in a while, with a little help from my guardian angel.

The run-off

The fortnight behind us was the period when the two candidates were attempting to attract electorate of their rival who had not made it to the second round and to convince those who dither or usually do not participate in the elections.

Mr Duda and Mr Trzaskowski were going neck in neck in opinion polls, with the former being indicated as odds-on favourite more likely. Despite the fierce rivalry, we went without truly dirty tricks, although henchmen of the incumbent president tried to build a story of the other candidate being an enemy of decent Poles.

This part of campaign should have been clinched by the number of scale of mistakes made by candidates. In fact, stalwart voters of both candidates could not have been dissuaded from voting for them, no matter what happened (the case of pardoning an ex-paedophile may serve as the best example).

The key to the victory was the mobilisation and one would not dare to estimate which candidate would benefit from higher turnout.

The exit-poll results point at slightly higher percentage of votes cast for the current president. The official results will probably be known on Tuesday morning. Hope dies the last, but has not died yet. Keep the faith.