How to Run Safely During the Quarantine
Exercise is medicine, and we all know that running improves mental and emotional well-being. Running also provides a break from life. But if you are scared and don’t want to be confined to closed walls, you are not alone. Being able to run during the quarantine may seem very hard, but it does not have to be.
For now, running can prove to be the only touch-free and solo activity you can enjoy while the world deals with the global pandemic.
But how can you run safely during these circumstances? Here are some tips put together to help you stay healthy and hopefully put your mind at ease during the isolation period.
How can I run during quarantine?
As gyms are closed, running can help you feel more energized. Taking to the streets for a secluded run is worth giving a shot. You can use the energy of your body in all-new ways. During this time, it is recommended to run at odd hours when there are few people around. Respect the people who are on the roads rejuvenating their minds as well. Respect the social distancing of at least from 6 ft. to 15 ft. when out running or riding a bike. Do not run if you are quarantined. Do not run if you are not well. Consult a doctor and stay home to stay safe.
Where should I run?
If you have a backyard, do laps there. If you stay in an apartment, choose the less crowded street and time. An open roof with a good enough running distance and little to no obstruction is an excellent place to run with plenty of fresh air.
You can also look at other routes on running apps like Strava, Garmin Connect, or Mypalfitness to check where others are running. Running within your neighborhood is fine, as long as you’re not running where most people are walking.
Most of your usual routes should be fine. Again, continue to practice social distancing but add a little more distance between you and other runners.
Can I be infected with coronavirus disease while running?
There has not been any evidence that the coronavirus can be transmitted airborne. Surfaces can be risky as it stays for a long time on metals. So use a tissue to touch metal. Keep your mobile phones and earphones in a zipper bag. Keep a bunch of tissues in it, too, if you need to wipe the sweat off your face. Throw the used tissue in a closed garbage bin. Avoid touching your face directly. Do not go to public bathrooms as those are the prime hot spots for the skulking virus. Stay away from congested areas.
Should I run with a mask on?
I don’t recommend using one. Covering your mouth with a mask during the run can be daunting. But you do not have to wear them all the time. Put it on when there are more people around. Your breathing can be a problem with a mask, slow down your pace to catch your breath.
What should I do when returning from a run?
Try to stay clean throughout the run. Wash your hands. Sanitize everything you had got with you on the run–towel, mobile phone, earphones, water bottle, socks, and even shoes with disinfectant wipes or spray. Go straight for a shower. Put all the clothes and mask to wash.
Don’t allow this pandemic to deter you from lacing up and running. Stay motivated
Running is key to maintaining good mental and physical health. It is an excellent reason to get out and breathe fresh oxygen rather than sitting at home and worrying. It is tough to win over the mental slog. The roads or the parks can be empty, but don’t get overwhelmed. The streets may look stripped, but burning a few calories can fuel your health. Spending a little time outdoors is one of the best things you can do during this time to enlighten your mood — it is an essential stress reliever right now. Your immunity needs Vitamin D to function, and the sunlight is the primary source. Get out and run.
Remind yourself that this, too, shall pass. As quarantining can be a challenge, having a small run can be a valuable tool. & this too shall pass.
