Welcome
With the cancellation/postponement of most races, many people asked if I could write a newsletter on what to do when your race cancels.
To add: If we do not listen to the advice of medical professionals, fall races will be cancelled too.
Think of an injury: You begin feeling some localized pain. You can still run on it without much trouble, so you continue to run. Your doctor says it will only get better with rest, but you continue to run on it. Then one day, you reach the threshold and you find yourself with a more serious injury like a stress fracture. You can't run or workout at all. If you rested earlier, you would be out for two weeks. Since you didn't, you're now out for 8+ weeks.
Now think of the Coronavirus: Health Professionals advised us to use social distancing and stay at home as much as possible. We can still do "fun things" like running. But if we don't listen to the advice of Health Professionals, soon the entire United States could face complete shut down where you are only allowed to go out for emergencies, to work, and to grocery shop.
This could last weeks or even months. If you think "they could never stop me from exercising outdoors," that's what they've done in Spain. Anyone caught exercising outdoors is fined. If you think that way, you are also part of the problem. It applies to everyone, including you. The world is in crisis right now and just because you're healthy, doesn't mean you won't carry and transmit the Coronavirus to someone who is not.
So What Should you do Your Spring Race is Cancelled?
Control what you can control.
If you find out that your race is cancelled, take a few moments to get away, breathe, and react how your body wants too. It's okay to be sad and it’s okay to scream into a pillow. However, it's not okay to be rude to race officials or others around you. Have perspective and remember they aren't just canceling sports. Funerals, weddings, and even many nonessential military movements are postponed.
Remember, running is always there if you let it.
Does anyone want a cancelled race? No, it stinks and it's hard. Mentally, you put all of your hard work into one specific event, and then it's cancelled. We must put into perspective and remember that every race that ends up cancelling is doing it for the right reasons. The safety of runners, volunteers, and spectators is always most important.
As a runner, often we get tunnel vision. All we see is running, running, and more running.
The hardest part of a cancelled race is the mental part. It's easy to think, “Why train if I can't race?” Aren't races the most important part of running? They aren't. Just remember, some runners don't race at all. The beauty of running is you can run; however you want. Some runners never race, some runners race every weekend. It doesn't matter and everyone is still a runner.
Try not to let it "freak you out." It's easy to get sucked down a mental hole of wondering when you will race again, but that doesn't do you any favors.
Have a Backup Plan:
I hesitated to include this since any race is subject to cancellation. You might have three backups and they are all cancelled. None of your backups should be in the next eight weeks. Right now, races SHOULD BE cancelled. It is too dangerous to get multiple runners together. You might be coughing, and sneezing near each other and not realize it. Your backup plan should be in the fall.
Do a Time Trial:
Consider just doing a hard effort yourself. This is the best and safest way. It will never mirror a race perfectly, but it can be satisfying in its own way. Make yourself a medal; you'll probably remember the memory anyway.
Allow Yourself to Cry:
It's okay to be sad. You're allowed to be sad but also recognize that there is a public health crisis going on and it was the right call. However, no one can take your emotions away: It’s okay.
Remember Your Fitness is Not Wasted:
Even if a race is cancelled and you never get to "prove yourself," your fitness is still there. The majority of your running is training. Fitness isn't built in a single day, week, or month. You might not get to race this season, but the training and hard work doesn’t go away. You will reap the benefits the following season.
Train Differently:
Use the unexpected downtime to train differently. Perhaps take the time to work on strength training (at home) or even improving your form. You don't have to worry about "missing out" or FOMO because nothing is happening.
The Unknown:
Not knowing when our race will happen is scary! As runners, most of us like to have a goal. We train for X weeks before a race. When you’re deep into training and you don't know if the race will happen, it can cause anxiety.
Side with the Race Directors:
Race directors only want the best for runners. No race director says, "I hope we cancel the race." They want it to continue as badly as you do, but they also want the best for the health and safety of the runners. Safety is their primary concern.
For big events, race directors work for a year leading up to the race to ensure a great event. Look at it from their shoes: Imagine working on an event for a whole year, only to have it cancelled. No one wants this situation.
It's important to treat the race directors and employees with respect. Respect they made the difficult call. You can be sad. You should not be rude.
Take a Break:
Here me out…why would you take a break now? Either reduce your miles, long runs, or take a break. If you decide “now is the time to train hard,” you’ll get fit, but there is also the possibility that you will get burnt out or injured before races resume again. So you might train hard the next month, be in great shape by the end of April, and then find yourself with an overuse injury in May. If races start in May, you’ll be sidelined.
So while this might seem like a “great time” to go all in with running, make sure you are mindful so you don’t get injured before a goal race.
What is the Coronavirus? Why is it Shutting Down Big Events Help?
Finally, I wanted to share basic information on the Coronavirus and how it can relate to running. Information is taken from the WHO website. As someone with a health degree from college and took multiple courses in epidemiology, the information involving the spread fascinates me. As you can probably tell from my twitter.
What are the Symptoms of the Coronavirus?
Common signs include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Not only do races create shortness of breath, but they also help spread the disease.
Why Does Washing Your Hands with Soap Help with the Coronavirus (this is a great article explaining it)?
The Coronavirus is a self-assembled nanoparticle. What does that even mean? The nanoparticle is made up of three building blocks: ribonucleic acid, proteins and lipids (fats). The weakest link of the nanoparticle is the lipid bilayer. When you wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds, the soap dissolves the fat membrane. The virus falls apart like a house of cards and becomes inactive. Once inactive, it cannot spread.
Alcohol-based disinfectant products will similarly kill the viruses.
How Can You Stop the Spread?
Stop running with anyone. Seriously, stop. You might not "touch" anyone during your run, but that doesn't mean you can't be vectors and help spread the virus.
Have good personal hygiene. Wash your hands. Wash your hands more than you ever have.
Limit your exposure and stay 6 feet away from everyone. Staying home is boring, but soon it could be mandated.
Giveaway:
Finally, let's end of a fun note! Most people I've been using the Aftershokz XtrainerZ for swimming. (I've reviewed them here). You can hear music underwater (and I mean that). They are also great if you want to listen to something but don't want to carry music because you download all music/podcasts straight into the headphone! This week, I'm giving away a pair to you!
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So thank you and please stay safe and informed.
If you have any comments, you can email me at FueledbyLOLZ@gmail.com. All feedback is helpful!
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