The power of Connection

a blue Monday message

Photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash

Following on from last week, and the power of connection this week, I will tell you about my weekend.

Last year I was nominated unbeknown to myself to be a coach on a couch to 5K module by the best project manager I know, Mr. John Boland.

Now John is one of these people who makes stuff happen, once he has an idea he puts it into place and just gets it done (with the help of the people he assigns roles to).

Now might I add, I hate running, never enjoyed it, and would rather wait for the next bus than run for one that is coming.

But I would be generally fit-ish and would have probably been able to do 5k.

So why me?

well as I said I could probably manage a 5k, John knows I would be down at the beach every Saturday regardless, and I have some coaching experience, plus he knows I am thick-skinned, so the banter flying towards me would be welcomed, and would boost morale.

So with the guidance of a plan given to us by another friend Ken the running coach, it would be pretty straightforward to do.

Anyway, it proved a success with nearly 20 people or more jumping on on alternative weeks and we held a charity 5k at the end for an amazing cause.

Fast forward to December and I was asked again if would I be doing it as people wanted to join last time but held back but of course the New Year new me feeling was there so a few wanted to join up.

January came and the first week there indeed were about 15 people and it was wonderful, along with that there were 6 or 7 cant make it texts, but we soldiered on and got it done, recorded some of it, and stuck it up on socials.

Saturday 13th, week 2, over 40 people showed up, it was magical, some just popped down for a walk, some just came along for a nose, and I can't make it from the previous week all showed up.

Some had never run before, one just was at the beach and said they would give it a go, some had their kids and dogs with them, and there were many more reasons why they decided to show up, but they did and everyone of them felt amazing afterward (not so sure how their bodies are today)

One story that got me though was of one who has been homeless for quite some time, living between friends but mostly sitting and living in their car, while waiting on their name to get up that never ending housing list.

Spending hours and hours in a car, restrictive movement and yet decided to get up, get out and get moving, and they smashed it, smiling every bit of the 2 minute jogs and in the rest time of 3 minutes chatted and laughing with everyone, and who knows for that few minutes interacting hopefully forgot what was ahead once it was over.

We recorded it again and the response again has been fantastic with so many reaching out wanting to be a part of it one of the weeks, and others asking if could they still jump on board, which is truly amazing, but that hug and thanks I received from that amazing soul is something I will cherish and remember every week we show up, even if the numbers are not big or the weather is poor, its that power of connection and what it can bring someone.

So today, apparently Blue Monday (the most depressing day of the year) I am hoping this brings some joy and maybe allows you to think of the connections you can make today and this week.

As always, thanks for reading.

Be kind to yourself and others,

Marcus