Social distancing edition
The pandemic is here. But if we’re lucky enough to be healthy right now, we can still run.
Hello everyone,
I hope you’re all staying healthy and sane during this time. (Sorry to get earnest in your inbox, but here we go.) For the past few months, I’ve been training for Boston. Once the news of the postponement came out, it seemed like the only option other than a true cancellation. With so much more at stake right now than racing, I felt even less disappointed than I expected to. (I’m sure it will hit me later. Maybe on a 20-mile run in August.) This is a scary, strange time to live through. But as the news becomes more and more overwhelming—and as our daily lives continue to look dramatically different than they did just a few weeks ago—I’m feeling so lucky to still be able to run each day. We may not have races to train for, or be able to share our miles with others, but we still have the privilege of doing something that we love during a time when many people can’t. I’m trying not to forget that! Of course, if your race has been canceled or postponed and you’re feeling gutted about it, I understand. We’re allowed to be disappointed about the things we’re losing. I think it will come and go in waves. For now, I’m doing my best to remember why I do this sport, and to feel solidarity with the running community as we all experience the same frustrations and fears. I hope, if you’re able, you’ll do the same.
Running through the pandemic
In a piece I edited for Outside, Fritz Huber wrote about running for its own sake during this time. As he put it: “Fortunately, racing and running are not the same thing.” I also worked with Fritz on this piece about runners getting creative about the lack of races right now. Spoiler alert: it includes one guy’s decision to stage his own marathon time trial by running 15 loops of Prospect Park in Brooklyn. To each their own!
I also loved this piece about Des Linden in the New York Times, on how she’s adapting to the Boston postponement and the pandemic. Even if coronavirus hasn’t (yet) disrupted your racing plans, this is a great read. And yet another reminder that Des is in a league of her own.
The Times also published this great piece on the pandemic-induced running boom, written by Talya Minsberg: “Yes, you used to roll your eyes when we woke up before the sun rose or ran home from work or spent hours on the weekend logging double-digit miles only to fall asleep on the couch in the afternoon. But you get it now, right?”
When will they decide to postpone the Olympics?
For a few days, when the major sports cancellations first began, each one was met with surprise (and/or relief): No NCAA spring sports. No spring marathons. NBA season suspended. But once it became clear that everything needed to be canceled, it was more shocking that some things hadn’t yet been called off. Of course, the elephant in the room right now is the Olympics, which are supposed to begin on July 24 in Tokyo.
In recent days, the call from within the running world to postpone the Games has gotten much louder. USATF released a statement on Saturday advocating for the Games to be postponed, following a similar statement from USA Swimming on Friday. Also on Saturday, Jacob Riley (who finished second at this year’s Olympic Trials marathon) posted on Instagram that he’s in favor of a postponement, and Molly Seidel (the runner-up in the women’s marathon at the Trials) joined him with her own post. According to a letter to athletes today from the IOC president, the IOC is giving itself a four-week deadline before announcing whether the Games will be postponed. (They say cancellation is not on the table.) Hours after that statement, the president of World Athletics, running’s international governing body, wrote to the IOC and also called for the Games to be postponed. I can’t imagine how frustrating and nerve-wracking this must be for the athletes who are currently training, and I hope the IOC decides to postpone much sooner. The clock is ticking.
Listen up
Self-promotion feels weird right now (and always!) but several months ago I went on the Lane 9 Project’s podcast to talk about this newsletter, women’s sports narratives, eating disorders in the running world, and lots more. It’s been a while since we recorded, and a lot has happened! But it was a fun conversation, and if you want to give it a listen, the episode is here.
Quick hits
A few weeks ago, 26 alumni from the Wesleyan women’s cross-country team spoke out about a culture of disordered eating and injuries on their team. Their testimonials are powerful and heartbreaking, and I highly recommend reading them.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how the self-isolation and the pandemic are affecting people with or recovering from eating disorders. This Buzzfeed story gives a good window into the experiences of a few people in that position. (Not strictly running-related, but very relevant to many in the running community.)
ICYMI: Lauren Fleshman sold her book proposal! She’s launching a virtual book club (email list) where you can sign up for updates and participate in some of her research. I signed up for the list immediately.
Jeanne Mack on the letdown she’s feeling after the Trials.
Here are five places in Oakland where you can run with social distance.
What happened when Molly Seidel stopped trying to be perfect.
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Drop me a line
I want to hear from you! Tell me about what you like here, what I missed, and what’s going on in your running life. (You can also follow the Kick on Twitter, and on Instagram.) Thanks for reading, and enjoy your miles.
Molly