The human body is not designed for our lifestyle. We’re born to run barefoot to be happy and healthy and boost our immune systems. And that’s crucial, since prevention is the free, safe and most effective solution to many diseases and pandemics, including obesity and COVID-19.

The 2020 Absurdistan Running Series (ARS)

Coping with runnerphobia in Authoritarian Absurdistan: I ran 3 ultramarathons, 72 marathons and 12 half marathons in 2020 not despite, but thanks to runnerphobia in Authoritarian Absurdistan and worldwide race cancellations for COVID-19.

I call liberation marathons and liberation ultramarathons the 63 GPS documented non-official races I ran between the first two COVID-19 lockdowns in Absurdistan, aka France, in 2020. The races I did afterwards under the same circumstances in Absurdistan make up the Absurdistan Running Series (ARS).

The Humans' Book - Un livre pour les humains

This book is about my experience of the transition from sedentary lifestyle to barefoot running, my understanding of the vital importance of long-distance running for humans and why the COVID-19 pandemic is a wake-up call to act before it’s too late. Find out more.

First SQY to Absurdistan Capital Marathon
Absurdistan Marathon # 6
Date: December 30, 2020
Time: 5:13:21
I did the race with my son featured on the first photo which was taken some years ago on the Henty Dunes in Tasmania. We ran from Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (SQY) to the Champs-Elysées Avenue where we saw the beautiful Christmas lights on what the French call, “the world’s most beautiful avenue.”

Absurdistan Half Marathon # 12
Date: December 29, 2020
Time: 2:18:50

2020 Absurdistan Boxing Day Marathon
Absurdistan Marathon # 5
Date: December 26, 2020
Time: 4:14:44

Absurdistan Marathon # 4
Date: December 20, 2020
Time: 4:43:38

Absurdistan Marathon # 3
Date: December 17, 2020
Time: 5:11:43

Absurdistan Marathon # 2
Date: December 16, 2020
Time: 4:46:08

Absurdistan Marathon # 1
Date: December 15, 2020
Time: 5:08:55

Absurdistan Half Marathon # 11
Date: December 13, 2020
Time: 2:49:33

Absurdistan Half Marathon # 10
Date: December 10, 2020
Time: 2:20:34

Absurdistan Half Marathon # 9
Date: December 9, 2020
Time: 2:17:33

Absurdistan Half Marathon # 8
Date: December 8, 2020
Time: 2:25:45

Absurdistan Half Marathon # 7
Date: December 7, 2020
Time: 2:20:35

I started the race in the cold, from Jamaica Place, in Absurdistan also known as France. I was exactly one year ago in a beautiful tropical resort in Negril, Jamaica, for the 2019 Reggae Marathon which I did barefoot on December 8.

Absurdistan Half Marathon # 6
Date: December 5, 2020
Time: 2:25:56

Absurdistan Half Marathon # 5
Date: December 4, 2020
Time: 2:28:13

Absurdistan Half Marathon # 4
Date: December 2, 2020
Time: 2:41:23

I went back to Misery Crossroads (see Absurdistan Half Marathon # 3) and ran on all Misery Roads.

Absurdistan Half Marathon # 3
Date: December 1, 2020
Time: 2:37:57

I kept exploring the forest and saw from many directions a white cross in the middle of a crossroads. When I got closer, I discovered that it was actually a sign that indicates eight directions, and one of them is Valley of Misery Road (Route de la Vallée de la Misère). Given the current situation in Absurdistan, the other seven directions could also rightfully be renamed “Misery Roads.”

Absurdistan Half Marathon # 2
Date: November 30, 2020
Time: 2:34:23

Absurdistan Half Marathon # 1
Date: November 28, 2020
Time: 2:42:18

Whereas during lockdowns in Authoritarian Absurdistan, there has never been any limit for those who want to purchase and enjoy the risk factors for chronic diseases, i.e. the COVID-19 comorbidities, runners are subject to a time and distance limit. Unless you are a member of the Government--the Home Secretary was seen breaking the rules he is ruthlessly enforcing on runners—if you exceed one limit once, you are fined 135 euros; if you exceed three times in a month, you are fined 3,750 euros (over 4,500 dollars) and sentenced to six months in jail.

During the hard lockdowns in Authoritarian Absurdistan, retailers who sell toys and runners who venture beyond 1 km from their homes, or who jog over 60 minutes a day, become offenders, whereas there’s no time or distance limit for people who want to purchase alcohol, tobacco, psychotropic drugs, excess of food, etc., hence the aggravation of chronic diseases, i.e. the COVID-19 comorbidities, including overweight, obesity and especially mental illnesses.

State of play in Authoritarian Absurdistan as of December 15, 2020
There’s a new curfew between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.—including on New Year’s Eve—; I did  on December 15 my first Absurdistan Marathon, as we are temporarily free to run, except during the curfew; the ban on organized running events remains in force; we’ve entered the coldest season; the mental and physical health of the citizens keeps worsening, etc. May rationality and liberty prevail in Absurdistan and throughout the world in 2021.