Running - the third episode

If the current episode is the third one, it is worthwhile to remind the first started in July 2020 and lasted until the end of serious covid restrictions in May 2021, while the second kicked off in spring 2023 and lasted until my lumbar spine immobilised me.

While pulling through from spine-related maladies, it was clear running would be one of the last activities I could return to (of those not prohibited forever). I had three of four attempts in 2025 and with the ominous pain in the wake of each of them I knew it was not yet the moment. 

After a few months more of muscle strengthening and stretching, particularly intensive in winter months, I had a try in March 2026 and this time happily the spine did not make itself felt. I actually was brought on by a friend who just set about running, hence on that occasion I've come by a running companion (together somehow one gets tired slowly).

Just as in previous episodes, I have not grown fond of it, but I realise this is the most efficient (least time- and money-consuming) intensive physical exercise.

After the problems with lumbar spine, I began to worry about how fit I would be, when growing old, with apprehensions additionally spurred by looking at my parents, currently in their 70s, who except for long walks, have not done any sport regularly and... are paying a price for this. Since being on the mend in autumn 2024, I have become fixated in staying fit, mentally and physically, as long as possible (especially with a serious risk there will be nobody might look after me at that stage of my life).

With hereditary propensity to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (my mother had it diagnosed at the age of 72, not reached by most patients with that heart disorder), I need to get a medical check-up every three years to find out if my heart is still in proper order. As of now it seems the only risk factor is stressful life and moderate physical exercise should only do me good, but knowing stories of several people whose lifestyle was extraordinarily healthy (note the example of Jacek Magiera, 49-year-old football coach who died suddenly from a cardiac arrest after routine morning running in a park).

Running or getting tired with physical exercise is one if the healthiest methods of venting frustration, getting rid of anger and ventilating the brain after a stressful day. In the world of individualism honed to the limits, millions of people choose to do sports to fill the void. It is definitely better than alcohol, drugs, gambling, video games, porn or other addictions, its effect on the brain is more sustainable and not destructive (does not apply to fight games), yet it only defers the moment humans get confronted with the void. Just like with travels, the bout of endorphins is temporary, yet not confined to a time frame of doing sport. Tiredness past a physical effort also detracts the brain from facing up to penury of one's existence and extends the episode of self-delusion.

Off to the mountains for 10 days next weekend (can't wait to set myself free from the corporate treadmill for a fortnight), hence the next post (with proper coverage of the trip) due on 7 June.

On cycling and conspiracy theories

The sudden departure of lower-house deputy and charity activist Łukasz Litewka brought shock and grief on many, including me. Of all actors of the Polish political arena, no other had brought in more benevolence to the disadvantaged, terminally ill and animals. The tragic twist of fate have chosen him to pass away as a fatality in a traffic accident. 

A noble, young man suddenly departs, leaving a question why. Just like a Smolensk air crash, the accident looms as so improbable that it goes beyond comprehension of many.

The likelihood of being run over in a head-on collision with a car on a road in a middle of a forest is tiny, yet not equal to zero and with a large dose of bad luck, it materialised. Had he left home half a minute earlier or later, he would have escaped death. Most of us, including me, have averted a major accident more than once by dint of being a few seconds earlier or later in a deadly spot.

The theories of an alleged assassination began to sprout very shortly after his tragic death. Their authors claim Mr Litewka was inconvenient to many by speaking openly of paedophiles and zoophiles in Kłodzko or by messing with owners of crummy animal shelters. Frankly speaking, I do not buy it.

Facebook with its nefarious algorithms has suggested me a group (I deliberately leave out its name and will not link to it) whose members strive to call into question the official version of what we know about the accident or (less often) try to come up with alternative explanations. Out of pure curiosity, I tried to go through some of the postings, most of which do not hold water altogether, defy the common sense and basic laws of physics. Not to mention in this country of seasonal, yet not seasoned expert, thousands of skilled specialists in traffic accidents involving cyclists have mushroom within last two weeks. On top there are people who post provocative notes soaking with crass stupidity, while other group members fall for their twaddle. I do not commend this, a this a slap on the face of the deceased's nearest and dearest. Overall, I look at the group with disdain, but would not favour censorship here, as any attempts to close their mouths would trigger siege mentality.

The tragic accident ought to bring about a discussion on cyclists' safety. At the scene there was no cycling path, no pavement, no roadside, no separation of vulnerable traffic participants from motor vehicles. Mr Litewka did not wear a helmet, which that time would not have helped him, but in many cases helmets saved lives or prevented serious injuries.

Last Sunday I cycled 102.51 kilometres thus have beaten my record of 100.00 kilometres set on 7 June 2021. On the last day of the long weekend several people went for recreational bike rides. On the 90th kilometre of my journey, having coasted through Bulwary Wiślane chock full of people I was approaching Most Łazienkowski and nearly had a head-on collision with a fellow cyclist. I quickly skimmed on the rear brake and then on the front on and then gently swerved. The fellow speeding cyclist had far less reason and skill and ended up somersaulting over the handlebar. She had a helmet and luckily the only injuries were bruises and a swollen knee with a bleeding wound. Hearteningly, most people around stopped by to check if she needed medical aid. I waited half an hour until the culprit was picked up from the scene by her relatives.

Given the level of thoughtlessness among cyclists, an incident was just a matter of time. Unless you collide with a car, cycling gives much less room for serious injuries compared to travelling by car. Yet, sins of cyclists overlap those of motorists. Speeding, aggressive overtaking, not looking back ahead of overtaking, not signalling an intention to turn, abrupt braking, stopping for no reason and blocking infrastructure are those I see most often. There are several cases of cyclists not minding pedestrians, or less experienced cycling path users (elderly people, families with children), the plague are food delivery bandits on electric bikes doing at 40 kmph on cycling paths. 

I advocate cycling, moving around and commuting by bike and building infrastructure for muscle-propelled vehicles, but we also need education and enforcement of traffic rules on cycling paths. An aggressive bike rider would definitely do less harm than a speeding idiot behind a wheel of a motor vehicle, but cycling paths, except for where they cross roads, should be a safe place. At least I wish they were safer than they are now. I cycle a lot and if the traffic is dense and fellow cyclist not considerate, it can be stressful.

Two months, same weather

The long early-May weekend marks the first moments this year, when temperatures rise markedly above +20C (today’s high expected to hit above +25C), bringing the first intimations of summer. The weather thus has partly broken out of awful early-spring stability in which it was stuck for two months.

Let's take a look at weather stats for Warsaw for the past two months.

Average temperature in March stood at +7.8C, while in April at +8.6C This was the lowest amplitude between the two months ever measured (in 1977 it was 1.0 Celsius degree with mean temperature in March of +5.4C and +6.4C in April).

The charts below present highs, low and daily means for each day over the last two months. Some volatility is visible, but trend lines are only gently upward, proving the observation of weather getting stuck in early spring mode. The trend line showing day-time high has moved upward by a mere 1 Celsius degree over two months (both in transitional period between winter and summer).

 

For grumblers - the spells of best weather were observed on:
- 14 - 15 March (Saturday and Sunday, highs of +18C and +19C, plenty of sunshine),
- 5 April (Easter Sunday, full sunshine, high of +21C),
- 18 - 19 April (Saturday and Sunday, highs of +18C and +20C, partly sunny).

Sadly, there has been an awful deficiency of rainfall. Total precipitation in both months reached only 9.3 millimetres, which makes it the driest March & April period in Warsaw since records began.

Now make the use of the clement weather before it cools down and then hope shortfall of precipitation will be made up for and that summer will not bring deadly heat waves.