I Asked Runners: How Has COVID-19 Impacted Your Running?
This is what they said.
The current pandemic has effected everyone in different ways. Even though running is something you can safely do while social distancing, that doesn't mean it is exactly how it was before the coronavirus struck.
Races have been canceled, track seasons have been canceled, tracks are closed, trails are closed, no more group runs, and masks are encouraged.
So I was curious how it has impacted runners.
I went to Instagram to find out. I posted on my running related Instagram account, although I do want to point out that a lot of my followers are high school and college aged.
There is definitely a common theme about lack of motivation.
This is what they said when I asked: How has COVID-19 impacted your running?
“I haven’t run at all. I feel so lazy but COVID has destroyed all motivation for me.”
“I’ve learned to enjoy training runs and hard workouts much more and I look forward to it.”
“No more running with the team :(“
“I’ve felt way less motivation to run without knowing when my next race will be.”
“It’s given me a chance to get better, but it’s been hard to get out the door.”
“No specific training regimen from coaches and no runs with teammates.”
“Low key got faster.”
“Made me really lazy and unmotivated. Having a hard time getting back into running.”
“I ran way too much at the start of quarantine so now I’m injured and can’t run for months.”
“I actually was motivated to run more because I needed an escape from my house.”
“I have to wear a mask when running even when it’s super hot.”
“I have to run alone.”
“I’ve had time to get the best base running of my life.”
“Running alone is hard, makes me appreciate my team. It’s made me reassess why I do what I do.”
“Made me a lot slower.”
“I trained too hard because I was stressed out, now learning to have balance with running.”
“I’m training so much more than if I would of had a track season, many more miles.”
“Canceled senior track season.”
“Scared to push cross walk buttons or use water fountains.”
“For high school practice, my team has to run our practices in 7 different groups and wear a certain color shirt based on what group we are in. We also have to stay 20 feet away from other groups at all times and 10 feet away from our own group when running.”
“Not really at all and my training has still been the same.”
“I’m not allowed to leave the house, so my hour runs are in my backyard.”
“My last xc season was canceled.”
I love hearing from other runners what their perspectives and experiences have been like. If you enjoyed this, I have a couple of other articles that are similar.
