The COVID-19 pandemic has put a stop to almost every event and gathering around the world.
This includes sports tournaments, concerts, and races. If you’re a runner who trains year-round for races, this can be a huge blow to morale.
But even if your race is canceled, that doesn’t mean you need to give up hope. If you’ve had a race canceled by COVID-19, here’s what you should do.
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Why Is My Race Canceled?
When COVID-19 first began to spread in late 2019, the world wasn’t sure what to do. Precautions were taken, but they weren’t enough to stop the spread. Now, with infection and death rates steadily increasing, further measures have been implemented.
The CDC has put a halt to any gathering of more than 50 people. Unfortunately, this includes most races.
Even if there are under 50 racers in an event, the crowds would make up 50 or more people. To take it a step further, racing involves a lot of sweat and closeness. It’s hard to be socially distant when you have to stand side-by-side with other people and run.
Canceled races are unfortunate, but they’re entirely necessary. It may be frustrating, but it’s the right thing to do for the future of our planet. If there’s ever a time to put safety first, it’s now.
Train Harder, Train Longer
There may not be any races coming up in the near future, but that doesn’t mean you should stop training.
A dedicated runner will never stop training for anything. How you see the situation is up to you. You could take this as a sign to stop, or you could see it as an opportunity to squeeze in a little more training time.
COVID-19 has left a lot of people temporarily out of work. If you’re one of those people, you’ll need something to fill that time. Why not run?
It can be hard to balance running with work, even with a big race coming up. It’s easy to make running the number-one priority when work should be, and vice versa. Now is the time to make running priority one without guilt.
If you’re a busy person, maybe you could only fit in an hour run each day. Now is your chance to run for longer than ever before. You have the opportunity to push yourself and try running under new conditions.
You’ve got nothing but time, so it’s time to run.
Train in New Terrain
The great thing about running is you can train for it anywhere.
If you have a treadmill, running indoors might be the safest bet. You can really mix up your regular running routine this way. Do some incline, try different speeds — this will help prepare you for any racing conditions.
Even without a treadmill, you can still perform running and leg exercises. You could even consider investing in a recumbent bike and some fitness equipment. Get that home gym that you’ve always dreamed about!
You can run laps around your home, in your backyard, or around your block. If you’re living in the city, you might not want to take to the street, though. Doing this runs you the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19.
But in more rural areas where you can be socially distant, there’s no reason not to go for a run around the block.
You should definitely avoid going to public tracks and gyms to stay socially distant. Most of these are probably closed anyway, but that doesn’t stop people from trying. Don’t be that person.
Train for the Health Benefits
Running is good for the heart, good for the muscles, and good for the mind. If you stop, you won’t be reaping any of these benefits anymore. In a stressful situation like this, stopping could be detrimental to your health.
It’s important to keep your mind away from the negative in situations like this. It’s easy to let it wander to horrific what-if scenarios. The best way to fend off stress, anxiety, and depression due to COVID-19 fears is by practicing a hobby.
Running improves your physical and mental health, and also boosts your immune system. In that way, it could help keep you safe from the virus!
Running has anti-inflammatory effects, and decreases your risk of illness overall. If you’ve been running even for a short while, you’re reaping these benefits by the session.
Keep up your routine, and even increase it so it’s just as easy to get back into after the pandemic. Now might even be a good time to try out some additional supplements, like the ones from Alpha Male. To get a rundown on what this natural supplement can do for you, see this list.
A self-quarantine is a great excuse to be lazy and watch Netflix. Don’t let yourself fall into unhealthy patterns. You’re already on a good track, so why mess it all up now?
Train Just in Case
When talking about the end of COVID-19, we have nothing but rough estimates to go by. Some people are saying weeks, and some are saying months.
We don’t know when it will be safe to continue our regular schedules. But if it happens sooner than later, event cancellations could be lifted. The big race you’ve been waiting for might end up going after all!
If that’s the case, you don’t want to be caught in an untrained state. You can cram for a test, but you can’t cram for a race. No matter how unlikely it seems, you might as well be prepared just in case.
Never Stop Running
You’ve had your race canceled, but they can’t cancel your running. Now is the time to double-down and get in all the running practice you always dreamed of. If for no other reason, do it to keep your mind positive and bright.
By the time this all blows over — and it will — you’ll be a better runner than ever.
For more on physical and mental wellness, check out the rest of our blog. Contact us with any comments or questions.
