It’s hard to believe how long we have now been living in the world of COVID-19. 2020 started out like any other year, and then everything spiraled out of control. It’s weird to think that life has been this way for almost 4 months already, but also it’s hard to even remember what life was like before all of this started. In some ways I feel like COVID-19 forced me to change my running habits. My mindset is different, my training looks different, and my recovery looks different. Some of these changes are good and some are not. Here are some of my running lessons learned during COVID-19.
I am going to be sharing these are a part of the monthly Runfessions link-up!
Running Lessons Learned During COVID-19
You don’t need a race to be able to train
Even though I haven’t trained for a race, I’ve certainly kept things interesting with my running! During most of this I’ve had some sort of a goal in mind each week, whether it was a virtual race or a recovery week or working on strength. Right now I am focusing on building mileage for the Race Across Maryland. There are many ways we can stay focused and work towards a goal even when we are not actually training for anything.
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Virtual races can be fun and motivating
Before all this I had never really considered doing virtual races. I may have done 1 or 2 in the past to support various causes, but they weren’t to push myself or to see how fast I could run. When I stopped training for my half in March I was not really motivated to do hard workouts. However, running a virtual 5k, 10k, or half-marathon somehow felt like a good challenge!
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I run better alone than in a “real” race
I actually learned that I race pretty well without the pressure of a race environment. It seems like most people have not had this same experience. I think I get too caught up in the pressure of race day, whereas when I am racing alone I don’t hold back as much.
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It is possible to overdo it even when you’re not “training”
There have definitely been weeks when I have had to make sure I cut back intentionally. It actually seems like it may be easier to overtrain when you’re not training because you don’t necessarily have those cutback weeks built in. Also, when you are “racing” more often you need to be aware of recovering properly between those hard efforts. Without a schedule to follow I needed to be more careful about planning my workouts.
I enjoy stroller runs more than I thought
I’ve been running with Grayson in the stroller much more, and it’s actually been fun! Ok, pushing him is not necessarily “fun” but I like being able to run with him. I can strength training early in the morning and then run when he wakes up. It gives us something to do. It gets him outside. If we are going to go out for a walk anyway, we might as well run, right?
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I can get by without seeing a chiropractor
I used to go to the chiropractor at least once a month, even if I was feeling pretty good. I’ve believed that I needed regular adjustments to be able to prevent injuries. While I do think that adjustments can help. I’ve managed to do ok without them. There have been times when I wished I could pop in for a visit. Instead I do some mobility, stretching, foam rolling, and prehab work which has seemed to help me get by for this long.
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Working from home is good for runners
I’ve really enjoyed the flexibility of working from home. I like not having to commute and being able to wear leggings everyday. If I’m not in a meeting I can sit on the floor with my laptop and do some stretching while Grayson plays. We get out for walks at lunchtime. I can stop and do a plank in the middle of the work day if I feel like I need a quick break. Most of all I’m not sitting in an office chair for 9 hours straight.
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I’m grateful for the running community on social media
Staying connected with others is pretty important right now. Could you imagine what it would have been like if this happened 15+ years ago? Would we be using AIM to chat with our friends and family? While Facebook has started to drive me a little crazy, it’s been generally helpful to stay connected on Instagram and through blogging. It gives me a sense of what is going on for others in different parts of the country (and world). When I get to read about others’ experiences, it helps me to get a sense of what is actually going on for them personally. I think it’s more helpful than hearing the media’s version of what is happening.
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As life starts to somewhat transition back to normal (or our ‘new normal”) I hope I can take these running lessons learned during COVID-19 and use them to make progress as we move forward. This experience has certainly given me a new perspective on running and life in many ways.
[Tweet “Over the past few months I have learned a lot abot my running! Here are some of the running lessons I’ve learned during COVID-19. @milebymilerun #runfessions”]
What running lessons have you learned during COVID-19?
Have you found that working from home has been good or bad for your running?
Do you feel like you’ve continued “training” without real races on your schedule?
Although COVID-19 threw all of us for a big (unexpected) loop, I think it’s been a good learning experience…for everyone. It’s definitely brought out the ugly in some, but I have seen a lot of positive as well. My workouts really haven’t changed much, but I definitely miss all the live races. It’s been refreshing to step back and appreciate the little things we may have taken for granted before…more time with immediate family, making do with the food/supplies we already have (instead of quick trips to the store), and being self-reliant in terms of working out without a trainer/coach/class in person.
You are so right! It’s definitely given us a different perspective on things.
I’m definitely running more since I don’t have to commute (so have time to run a bit farther) and am not going to fitness classes (so more days of running) but I am still sitting for too long once I do start my work day. It’s such a hard habit to break! Your stroller mile lessons sound similar to my Scooby miles, but I do not push myself running alone. I push hard during races.
The siting is tough. And when I do sit in a chair to work at home I find that my posture is particularly bad.
I’ve learned a lot during the pandemic, including a lot about some of my friends. It’s been hard to see what this has brought out in certain people, that is for sure! Running has been the one constant for me and has kept me sane. I am grateful to have a race to train for–altho who knows if it will take place!
Yep, I’v been so happy to have running during this time. It’s really shocking to see/hear what some people have said lately.
I have learned a lot during covid about so many things. Yes, you can definitely over do it when you are not training for something. Have done it many times and looking back probably did that in April and May. Finding new routines has been challenging but some positives have come out of it for me
I think alot of us got really into some of the virtual races and challenges when this all started. I know I also thought it would only last a few weeks or a month initially, so I figured I could run more than usual and it would be fine. But I can’t maintain those tough workouts for months.
I’ll admit that now I’m a little over the virtual races but they were a huge motivator for me when stay-at-home orders first started.
One thing I have found encouraging is that there are so many great ways to workout at home. While I missed OTF, I still feel like I was able to keep up my fitness levels doing workouts at home.
Yes! It was really nice that so many fitness apps gave free trials and deals, at least early on. It definitely gave people options and ways to keep active.
The pandemic has brought out the best and worst in people. I’ve always worked from home (since the kids were born) so that’s not different for me. What can be a challenge though is my ability to focus with everyone home. I like to get as much as possible done in the morning because there are so many distractions later in the day.
I bet its hard when you’re used to not having everyone home with you! I’ve definitely had to learn how to work with distractions, lol.
Well, what “working” I do is from home. And before that I worked from home for many years. It’s not for everyone, but I liked the flexibility, too.
I definitely do MUCH better in a real race than on my own.
I used to go to the chiro every other month unless something was going on, and I haven’t been since last year. Now, I do firmly believe going every other months is really helpful, and they are open, still . . .
Yea, my chiro has been open but I haven’t felt comfortable going. I know they are taking all the precautions buts it not worth it to me, especially since I’ve been feeling pretty good.
WFH has been GREAT for running! Before the pandemic I could only run on the TM b/c it was dark outside, but once WFH started I could just wait until sunrise and run outside. I can just chill after my runs instead of rushing to be somewhere. Overall being at home is just so much less stressful, so that’s great for running as well. I had zero interest in virtual races before but once they became the only option I went all in and got PR’s that I didn’t think I could get. The pandemic definitely has a lot of silver linings and lemonade for runners.
Totally agree! I think its easy to get caught up in the negatives (because there are alot of those too) but there are silver linings as well. It also depends on whats important to you. I can live without races, and I’d rather have more time to run on my own, so for me this setup isn’t all that bad.
These have truly been interesting times!
Interesting that you do better racing on your own – even though I get nervous I really need that race environment. I think that’s why I’ve lost steam for all of these virtual races.
I’ve worked from home since the birth of my oldest son and I love the flexibility it provides. My biggest challenge when COVID hit was getting used to having everyone home with me 🙂
I think its really common for runners to do better in a racing environment! I am also kind of over the virtual races for the most part, especially now that its so hot out.
It’s definitely hard to work from home with other people around!
It’s been interesting times that’s for sure… I am surprised how much I actually like working from home (even though I have a short commute!) and how much it has “slowed down” my daily routine. I used to head to the gym early in the morning, now I can run outside before starting work. It’s nice to get home, take a shower and plop down in front of the computer without having to put on real pants 🙂
I had a few races that I had on my calendar and since they were canceled, I pretty much threw my training plan out the window. I have been sticking to a regular routine but running without any “goals” has actually lead to some unexpected “triumphs” for me over the last few weeks… which is really nice to see that when the pressure is off, improvements still happen! 🙂
I actually miss running with my double BOB! I think it made me stronger pushing my kids because when I ran without the stroller, I was totally flying! Plus I enjoyed the time I spent with them. I signed up for a few virtual races, purely for the cute medals (did you see the one with the coronavirus and hand sanitizer?). They do keep me motivated but I find that I am less concerned with time when I run by myself so I tend to be slower than my race pace. I totally agree with you about needing a running tribe! I miss my group runs so much!
That’s so impressive that you ran with a double stroller! I really can’t imagine how hard that must be. But I’m sure it made you really strong and made those solo runs feel much easier!