I am running monthly challenges in 2021 to fundraise for the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI)
Not being able to run is probably a runner’s biggest challenge. This December brought me one of those challenges once again. I framed is positively and seasonably as: Slow down, sleep more, eat more – a runner’s December challenge.
Slow Down, Sleep More
I have to confess that this challenge was easier than expected.
Life has many layers and rhythms. Trail running has helped to tune into these more and more over the last number of years. I tried to articulate this in something I wrote called ‘Earth’.
Over the last number of years I also developed a yoga practice. This has added hugely to my ability to tune in. It has brought me a lot of body awareness, which in turn helps me to move better. In addition, there is once again the tuning into the layers and rhythms of life itself.
Sleeping more proved to be the biggest challenge of all! I guess it is a symptom of my advancing age. Today is my 49th birthday. The cake will be baked once the blog has been written.
Mid winter
December is dark and cold in the Northern Hemisphere. It is midwinter. It is a time when all of nature retreats and rests. As a natural, biological being, I have simply done the same this winter. It has been rather marvellous.
Long runs became long hikes. I spent evenings on my yoga mat rather than digging on my allotment.
I went to bed early and watched movies in the morning, before getting out of bed.
A few pictures from a few hikes:
Eat more – no challenge at all!
Towards the end of November I started running with some girlfriends on Monday mornings. We call it ‘Magic Mondays’. This was the perfect opportunity and motivation to rekindle my love of baking!
Even though Magic Mondays were scarce in December, the baking continued through the festive season.
December also brings us Christmas, of course. As someone who grew up in the Southern hemisphere, I grew up perplexed and confused by midwinter traditions that travelled into midsummer as an accompaniment to religion and commerce. Thusly, my only tradition is to not have tradition. This year we had Sushi and Yorkshire puddings on Christmas eve. Christmas lunch is different every year in our house. We just make whatever happens to be our favourite foods at the time. This year is was roast chicken, deep fried chips, Yorkshire puddings, broccoli and Ben and Jerry’s Karamel Sutra ice cream for dessert.
A few good runs
Scarcity can lead to increased appreciation. This is most certainly true of each and every run I ran in December. There were not many. I often paid with a painful, swollen right knee.
I made an effort to compensate for the lack of photos on my November blog. Gower peninsula is stunning all year round. I don’t think I will ever tire of the views or the weather. Instead, I continue to be filled with immense gratitude for living right here right now.
Here I have access to open spaces, green spaces and even some wild spaces. It is good for the soul and the body to move through these spaces. The need and desire to travel far is much reduced when I keep getting into the glorious outdoors regularly.
Midwinter longings
However, midwinter brings a longing for family and friends who are far away. For me, there are many loved and dear ones in South Africa: my mom, siblings, nieces and nephews, aunt and uncles and cousins for example. There are also many childhood friendships that have endured till now.
Many families live across borders. Certain passports travel more easily than others. This creates inequality in the world.
The privileged often equate travel with leisure. However, there is much ‘travel’ in the world that involves unimaginable hardship and heartache. Hardship and heartache is also created by borders that does not allow passage. This reality separates families. It also leads to death and despair.
My fundraising buddy Lauren Tormey, summarised UK immigrations stories every month as part of her fundraiser. Click here for her December summary.
Borders are particularly hostile to those who travel out of the necessity to survive. Hostility of the UK border regime has steadily increased over the last decade. Who will be excluded and how as history continues to unfold?
Migrants’ rights
Migrants are people. People move. This is why I support the work of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. Here is an overview of their work this last year: 2021 – year in review.
It has been an incredible journey to fundraise for them and to have their support in raising awareness of border issues.
I will keep my fundraising page open till the end of January, for those who would like to support their work as we go into 2022.
Thank you
Once again, thank you to all my supporters for every pound donated. Hope and help for those who need it literally saves lives.
