Running Etiquette during the Pandemic
During the pandemic there has been a surge in people getting outside for exercise. Parks and sidewalks are becoming crowded and it can be tough to keep that 6ft or 2m gap between ourselves and other pedestrians.
Seen on Instagram. Luckily, outside is still open.
Used with permission.
I feel fortunate I can still go outside to run because some cities and countries have banned outdoor exercise in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. Running outside is a privilege, and it’s one I hold lightly right now because if we aren’t careful, we might lose it. Runners can make a lot of adjustments to help protect the privilege of running outside.
Be Inconvenienced
Lately the weather in my area has been absolutely beautiful. I would love to be out for a run during the best hours of the day - in fact, I used to schedule my runs and workouts based on the hourly forecast. Now I’m doing the opposite. Tony and I have started to plan our weekend runs earlier in the day when it’s still cold out, and before a lot of people are out. During weekdays we run at “lunch hour” instead of after normal work hours when it’s warmer and more people are able to get out.
Be Flexible
We runners often have a purpose for our runs and workouts. Maybe there are splits we want to hit, or a steady rhythm we want to lock in. Stopping and dodging people in our path will interfere with the plan, but that’s okay. In fact, we should expect to go out of our way and accommodate others. No matter what the purpose of the training day is, our top priority should be maintaining distance from any other person we encounter.
Go Above and Beyond
Distancing recommendations have been set at about 6ft or 2meters, but why aim for the minimum? If there is someone up ahead that you’re about to pass during a run, consider crossing to the other side of the street. New research is coming out that shows 6ft may not be enough , especially since runners are breathing more heavily than other pedestrians.
Find New Routes
We all have our favourite routes, parks, and trails for running, but if your preferred routes are crowded these days, it might be time to leave them for a while. Our top priority as runners out exercising should be staying as far away from other people as possible. Ideally, we won’t even need to come into contact with them. Our mindset shouldn’t be “is this far enough?” but instead “how much space can I give others?” Consider running on side streets, in empty parking lots, or even driving somewhere less populated if you can. Safety is more important than convenience.
Be Friendly from Afar
I think sometimes we hesitate to make eye contact or greet others because it may be interpreted as and invitation to approach, or alternatively it may make others think we’re going to approach them. My personal opinion is the best way to interact with others while running is to offer a friendly smile and hello after making it obvious I am moving away from them and am actively increasing the distance between us.
Consider a Face Covering
Masks are now being widely recommended, as studies have shown they stop some of the particles coming from our mouth and nose. People are wearing them to the grocery store and to their essential jobs. But should you be covering your face for a run? Masks make breathing more difficult while working out, but anyone living in cold climates knows it’s definitely possible to breathe through a face mask while running.
The question we need to ask ourselves is this: Will I be anywhere close to other people on my run? If you run outside in wide open areas, and never approach anyone else, a mask seems about as necessary as it would be inside your own home - not necessary.
Personally, I would rather make extra effort to run in secluded areas so I don’t have to cover my face while running. This is added incentive to run in poor weather or “off-peak” times in order to avoid getting close to anyone else. But we can’t have it both ways. If your running routes are swarmed with other people, it’s probably time to don the face covering.
No Meet Ups
This is a big one. A group of runners, even if they’re spread out to maintain distance, are drawing a lot of negative attention to themselves. It isn’t safe. We really don’t want runners to be perceived as part of the problem, especially since we are so fortunate that our preferred sport or hobby hasn’t been taken away from us. Think of all the team sport athletes who can no longer do their sport because it literally requires other people to play. Solo running, or running only with our living partners is the only acceptable option right now.
Running outside is a privilege so let’s do everything we can to keep it!
Nicole Sifuentes is a former professional runner and 2-time Olympian, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and full-time Running Coach for adults of all ages and abilities. Read more about her services, and schedule your free coaching consultation.