Stay motivated, be mindful of good hygiene and keep running with your mates.
Runners do not like to have their running stopped!!!
With the coronavirus pandemic and the cancellation or postponement of some of our favourite marathons cancelled (Paris & Boston) a new pandemic could begin… Runners Angst!!
You will all know what Runners Angst is…
It’s the one that makes you grumpy from missed running routines, changing goals and being cooped up indoors. You know you must always warn your family of your inner grumpy runner if you catch a cold, and heaven forbid… miss a session or two!
While we are presented with the threat of the virus you need to keep your running routines and your running company.
This virus is not particularly bad for healthy people like runners. However if it is widespread throughout the community then it could be devastating for anyone with compromised immunity or health status. The real problem with this virus is the very long incubation period and the number of people with the virus who have no symptoms but are able to pass it on to others.
Let’s take action and keep the peace.
As a community and as individuals we can do our part to minimise the risk of the coronavirus spreading. This won’t be hard because as runners we are already pretty particular about not getting sick.
Following good hygiene habits like washing hands frequently and avoiding unnecessary physical contact with other people will help to contain the spread. While there is no need to overreact and go into isolation it is important to get tested if you feel sick, particularly after overseas travel. Symptoms range from a mild cough, fever to pneumonia. Another symptom could be shortness of breath and as runners you may be able to identify this earlier than the average person.
There is no reason to stop training or coming to the intraining sessions unless you feel sick or have been instructed by your health practitioner not to. However we will be suggesting some changes at training to minimise the chance of any cross contamination and will be keeping a close eye on the Australian Government’s Health Updates in relation to this virus.
The bonus for you, is that with these added measures you are likely to reduce your chance of catching anything at all this season!!
Our new policies at training until the pandemic settles are:
- Coaches to sign each person in.
- Bring your own drink bottles – preferably clearly marked – try not to drink out of a bottle if you are not sure it’s yours.
- Take care drinking off the water bubblers and avoid them if you can – just don’t end up with dehydration!!
- Carry hand sanitiser in your cars – if you can find any
- Avoid communal food: fruit, lollies, etc until all settled
- If you have symptoms of the virus and have been travelling overseas seek medical advice, and abstain from attending training sessions until cleared
- Bring your own towels
- Keep cheering and supporting each other with our “Go intraining” cheer
- Keep running unless unwell
- Stay connected with your groups
In the meantime, continue your training as if nothing has changed besides a slight inconvenience to how you maintain your camaraderie in the community. With time this will pass. You all know how powerful running with your mates is for mental and physical health. Keep coming to training and implement those good and slightly more obsessive hygiene routines like it’s the week before your major marathon.
Stay healthy. Stay connected. Keep running
Thanks. Steve
P.S. If you haven’t yet run a marathon and gone through the pre-race week OCD hygiene routine, talk to our runners who have. You will understand why a bottle of pine-o-clean spray might be sitting on someone’s desk at work!!