Friday Finds is a regular feature in which I collate and share interesting articles and posts on running/health/fitness which I’ve read recently. Some might be inspiring, some might be scientific, some might provoke debate. All are things I’ve found in some way thought-provoking.
I have DEFINITELY dropped the ball on Friday Finds recently. What with at least one sunny Friday (can’t waste those rare opportunities to spend the day reading outside) and visits from family, I just haven’t managed to fit it in – ironic, I know, in a time when my days are not exactly packed! But I’m back today with a roundup of a few Covid-related pieces from within the world of running. Let’s go…!
First, I think we were probably all aware that lockdowns and restrictions around the world led a lot of people to begin running as access to gyms and fitness classes disappeared. It was only when I saw this piece with some of the numbers around the Couch to 5k app that I realised just how big of an increase there had been. It wold be interesting to know how many of those downloads were converted to active C25K participants.
Also confirming my suspicions is this piece about virtual races. With so many races being cancelled this year, many have now shifted to being virtual events, while I suspect companies specialising in virtual events have probably seen a boost in registrations. I would imagine there are several reasons for this, including having a training focus, retaining a sense of community and injecting a bit of competition into runs. Are you taking part in any virtual races?
Next up, some interesting news for those of us wearing a fitness tracker, as it looks like a number of companies are turning their attention towards public health matters and the possibility of harnessing data to predict Covid-19. Something that is of concern to me is the idea of asymptomatic cases and/or those who might spread the virus before actually showing symptoms. With so many people using fitness trackers these days, perhaps some of the metrics measured might provide an early indication that the wearer should be tested. I will be watching with interest to see how this unfolds.
As things begin to open up, more and more people are wondering how long it might be before races return and, crucially, what those races might look like. Looking at the guidelines from UK Athletics (worth noting that the dates for various activities to resume here in Scotland – and presumably Northern Ireland and Wales – are different, but I would imagine Scottish Athletics will follow similar guidelines) I’m in no hurry to get back to mass participation racing, although fully acknowledge that the guidelines are necessary to protect public health. That said, it’s just not worth it for me right now as I continue to be super-cautious about everything.
And finally, we might not be heading to a marathon any time soon, but I’m pretty sure Sunday long runs are continuing. How many of these are things you have either heard or said? The one about food is definitely me!
Stay safe. Be kind. Wash your hands.
The Running Princess