Last November I committed to the challenge of running 70 miles along the Grand Union Canal. The date I'd planned to do that run (and have my 60th birthday party) is just 9 weeks away. At that time, there's a very strong chance that none of us will be congregating for social events.
My life is full of plans of one type or another. Work plans. Gig plans. Fitness plans. And party plans. I'd planned a party for the evening of the last day of the run. Visited potential venues. Booked one. Invited friends. Some of whom have booked hotel rooms and babysitters in order to be able to help me celebrate. One of whom, my cousin Jan, has booked a flight from the US in order to be here.
I'd imagined the four days. Me, Gill and Linda (my support vehicles!) having a fabulous time together as we worked our way south along the canal from Northampton to Ealing. I'd imagined the last day with the three friends who were joining me for the morning run. I'd imagined the afternoon when more friends would turn up for lunch and the final 5 mile walk. I'd imagined the party. And how it would be having so many of the great friends I've made over the last 60 years in one room.
I'm not alone in having planned and imagined how the months ahead would be. In buying tickets. Booking holidays. Inviting people to events. Some of these will be important plans. Weddings. Once-in-a-lifetime family holidays. Then there are business plans. The gym I train at, The Commando Temple in Deptford, is a family run affair. They've just spent a lot of money on a refit. And like many businesses, they had great plans for 2020.
At this point in time it's looking highly unlikely that any of our plans for the months ahead will happen. Or certainly not in the form or at the time we'd planned or imagined them.
But already people are coming up with all kinds of innovative ideas. Ideas for holding events - like the virtual clubbing all-nighters that many of London clubs are holding tonight. Ideas for keeping businesses afloat - like customers prepaying for products or services they will use in the future. Ideas for continuing to socialise - like our bookclub, which, as of this week, is going virtual. And going for a walk with friends, which has become the new going for a drink - I did two five milers yesterday!
Already, I can feel the disappointment and helplessness being replaced by creativity and positivity. As human beings, we're good at adapting, looking for new solutions. This will force us - as individuals and businesses - to stop doing it like it's always been done. And find new ways forward.
Will I still do my run? Yes of course I will. Lockdown advice permitting, I will continue training for it now. My thought at the moment is do it on the appointed dates. But alone and along the local section of the canal, returning home every night. But I may have to adapt again. Or postpone the whole thing until next year. Who knows? But I'll fnd a way. It just won't be the way I was expecting.