Run safety during Covid-19
Run safety seems like a random topic, but at this time of social isolation and lock-down, it really isn’t that crazy when you think about it. Read on to hear how our resident ultra-marathon runner and coach Trevor considers run safety at this present time.
COVID-19 seems to be the start of almost every conversation at the moment. Before I get into the topic of run safety, I would like to say I wish everyone well during this time. May we all get through these unfamiliar times and come back ready to pick up on the things we love doing again.
These comments are my thoughts and not official information in any way. Please consider what is said and use the ideas to guide you on your outdoor exercise plans. Since the start of writing this, the government and NHS spokespersons has strengthened its call for people to stay indoors. On the other hand, some have been suggesting that getting out is vital towards maintaining some level of sanity, in what is likely to become a claustrophobic and stressful period.
Why would I talk about run safety at a time like this? Why is it any different now than at any other time? What are the things we can do or think about to make it safer for ourselves and others?
Firstly, we are being asked to stay indoors in order to protect ourselves and others. Yes, we have been told that leaving the home to exercise is acceptable. The question I ask is: ‘If you have the facilities at home to exercise why go outdoors?’
Let’s look at the words ‘exercising’ and ‘training’. They do not mean the same thing. Exercise will help to maintain your general health and keep you fit. Training will push you to the limits of fatigue and potentially render you vulnerable to infections and illness. Coach Alan Ward wrote this very good blog on the immune system. It is well worth a read. Now is not the time to take chances but it is time to take responsibility. Keep your distance no matter what. If that means staying indoors that is what you should do. However, getting out of the house may be the best thing to alleviate the tension and stress of cabin fever. If you are going to get out for a run think about these few things:
The route you will take: Ask yourself is the route safe from the point of view of the underfoot conditions. The last thing you want is an uneven surface that could cause falls or twists and sprains. Avoid running at night or make sure it is in a well light area. Our NHS needs our support by way of staying away from hospitals. We don’t need to be adding to their workload simply because we are determined to follow our regular routines and routes. With the roads being a lot quieter there could be a tendency to drop your guard and be less observant. The same could be said about drivers not expecting others to be out. Make sure you don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation if you must run on the roads. Expect a car around every corner. You may have to do the thinking for others to stay safe.
Your start point: If you need to drive to a start point then you should not be doing that run. Furthermore, if a car park is open then it is most likely other people will be going to the same place. Don’t place yourself in this potentially volatile situation. If all the reports are accurate, we are some weeks away from the peak of the infection. It is highly likely that muster points like an open car park will become hotspots for infection transfer. It is also likely that the law will start to come down a bit harder as this develops. The more we are ‘over-cautious’ the sooner we will get on top of this pandemic. If starting your run from your front door results in you being amongst people then consider the time you run so that you can get out and back before most people start to move about. Personally, I have found that running in areas that are accessible mainly from car parks, where the car parks are closed, are the areas with fewer people about. It is appreciated that not everyone has this opportunity due to geography, but to be fair to everyone the rules need to be different for everyone. An inner-city resident may not be able to step out the door and be free of others moving about yet a person living rurally could walk out to go for the run and not cross paths with anyone else. The dangers posed to each person is vastly different, the inner city runner may be able to run using streetlights whereas the rural runner doesn’t have the luxury of time.
Running partner: If from the same house then it is okay to run with them. Don’t be tempted to meet up with a friend. That’s what Strava’s for right now (joke). If you run with your dog, and your dog has a tendency to run up to other dogs and people then subsequently requires your intervention to retrieve it, then it may be prudent to leave the pooch at home with a juicy bone. This would be you doing your bit for others.
One final comment: if you can stay home, do just that. If you need to get out, plan well. In time to come, we may not be able to get out so either make the most of it now or get accustomed to training indoors. My pain cave was a bit depressing to start with but now I’m starting to look forward to the next session.
Saying that – a treadmill is calling.
Keep safe.
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