Runners around the world have been hurting because of the issues surrounding COVID-19. Even those of us who haven’t had to be worried about being adequately motivated for any run are facing significant hurdles and not the kind you’d find on a track. The CBC mentions that many people lack motivation and therefore are far less productive during lockdown they used to be. Now that these shelter-in-place orders are starting to lift, many runners have found new excuses to avoid lacing up and using the trail. In this article, we’ll explore the pitfalls that isolation and demotivation create for runners and how to avoid them to bring joy in running.
Problem #1: Too Stressed
Anxiety has been skyrocketing lately because of the quantity of uncertainty. This anxiety has spilled over to runners who have been stuck home for any month or more. Usually, running is a way to release some of that stress, but when you’re too stressed even to start running, what’s the solution? The best way to tackle this problem and produce joy in running would be to phone a friend. Discussing your anxiety helps to lessen it, and all you really need is to drop it to some extent where you’re not anxious to go out the door and start your run. Since everyone’s in a similar situation these days, you don’t need to bother about judgment.
Problem #2: The Temperature Outside is Unbearable
We’ve gone through spring, and that means summer is ready to start sending temperatures over the top. There are a few ways to tackle this hurdle. Trail Runner Magazine suggests that if you’re running in hot weather, you should cut your pace back just a little. It would be best if you still wore a mask while running, and slowing your speed will make it easier to manage your breathing. You should also carry a supply of water that you can get easy access to. Consider getting something having a straw that can slip under your mask for easy consumption.
Problem #3: That Mask is Annoying
While you can’t take away the mask, you can deal with how annoying it's. As we mentioned before, slowing your pace will help you breathe better, but you also needs to consider getting a moisture-wicking mask. The majority of the discomfort you’ll get from wearing a mask can come from the sweat that having something pressing on your skin is likely to cause. The summer heat is only going to exacerbate the problem, so obtaining a moisture wicking mask will keep your face sweat-free and make wearing the mask a little more bearable.
Problem #4: The News is Depressing
Finding the Joy That’s Already There
While the world has changed due to COVID, running itself hasn’t. You may have to go through a few more precautions to achieve your goal to bring joy in running, but the wonder of lacing up and hitting the trail is still there. Don’t let the worry and anxiety that’s got you concerned take that joy from you. If it does, then COVID has won, and you’ve lost. Runners don’t lose. They just get better.
