Running in the time of COVID: pursuing the cure in body and mind.

Government restrictions closed gyms and forbade contact sports. Other measures imposed social distancing and only allowed for open-air meetings. The government also restricted the movement of citizens, restricting them to their own municipalities. Lives became stressful and limited in many ways.

What does one do to survive a pandemic? This? No. That? No. But what about this? Oh no! It’s too dangerous. What about what the things that people could do earlier? No. Now it’s forbidden.

But what about running?

Yes, it’s not a contact sport.

Yes, it is open-air.

Yes, we can keep our distance from one another.

Yes, one can stay inside one’s own city.

So, let’s get out at the same time and meet up!

Everybody in?

Yes.

Ok.

I’m in.

Thumbs up.

Great!

Let’s try.

 

Running in the time of a pandemic breaks the barrier between inside and outside and makes people feel alive.

Who is the leader tomorrow?

Bob.

@Bob? Are you connected?

Yes, everything is ready.

Where are we meeting up, Bob?

At the West Park.

 

Bob is a tall bearded quiet man. When he is running, he always muses on the dilemma of whether the length of his legs is an advantage or not for keeping a good pace. He hasn’t given a definitive answer yet. He leads the West Park’s run, which means 3k of running in the south west suburbs of the city, and another 3k that extends into the countryside, and a run inside the rural park of at least 8k; in total: 20k of running, counting the 3+3k to return. The running is challenged by the uneven soil, muddy passages, and a hint of adventure, as, for instance, a river crossing on a fallen tree.

 


 

At the peak of his reflection, Bob says that running is totally a moment to connect with his own secret self. The true self comes at the surface, and fearlessly connects with others. These connections mattered. Earlier Bob had to say goodbye without speaking to his loved one, staring through the cold glass which separates the intensive care from everything else. So, let’s run and defeat the lack of connection, the tragic experience of a forbidden farewell, in the pandemic.

@Elisabeth, would you like to be the leader this coming Sunday?

Me? Are you sure?

Yes, you are the best at choosing an itinerary for the city center.

Why the city center?

Because the last time we enjoyed nature. Sunday it would be great to enjoy the beauty of our city.

Yes! Great idea! Let’s have an architectural run.

Ok, guys! So, let’s meet up at the Old Southern Gate, and let’s go exploring the art-deco buildings downtown and the skyscraper area on the west side. A run of 18 km, back and forth, I guess.

Elisabeth is a good runner. Her pace takes advantage of her step which is short but frequent and really efficient. She is never tired and always smiling. A pleasure to meet up with her for a run. 

She was used to running for a long time alone, but during the shutdown, she suffered an abandonment experience. The loneliness was taking her over. However, she endured in running, and one day, encountering a friend, she understood that running is not just a way to perform or to keep oneself in a good shape. Running also makes community, one quickly feels very close to the others. Now she never runs alone. So, let’s run together and defeat the melancholy that leads to depression, in the pandemic. 

Who runs tomorrow?

Boys? Girls?

How many kilometers?

Not more than 25 not less than 20…who is in?

I’m in and I’m the leader.

@Germane, this statement is quite unexpected from you! Wow!

Great! Let’s follow Germane! The gentlest person in the world!

Where do we will cross our ways?

South Park, my favorite.

Two things should be known. First, south Park is a rural park that reaches from the southern suburbs of the city to a stunning twelfth-century Abbey in the countryside. Running there means getting out from the city through blocks full of mills from the past, now remodeled as fashion hubs (4k). The run goes ahead on the park’s paths along channels and paddies to the Abbey (8k). From the Abbey one crosses the country road and merges into the other side of the park which stretches out with soft hills until it reaches the railway (4k). From this point coming back home are other 6k. Not more of 25 not less than 20, right?

Secondly, Germane. She is a methodic runner who improved her training quite quickly without acknowledgment of the others. You know, she’s the type of person who remains behind for a while, following the others silently, and one day she emerges as the strongest one. Her voice is soft and drawling, her mind is sharp and refined.  Her mantra is: I didn’t think I would be able to do it. But she did! And with Germane everybody is happy to say: you got it! you are the number one! So, let’s run with her and forget the pandemic! We can do it!

Who is studying the itinerary for tomorrow?

@Adam, it’s up to you to be the boss this time.

Oh really?

Yes

Are you sure?

Yes.

Ok, so let me think. Let’s go to North Park passing along the street’s art paintings in the north side of the city, there and back 20 km.

Great, that means to visit the community centers and the artistic district.

Yes! And after let’s reach the North Park and merge in the nature.

Ok, I’m in.

Me too.

This time I’m also coming.

Wonderful! Everybody is coming: Bob, Germane, and @Elisabeth? What about you?

Yes. Of course, I’m in.

Adam is a handsome man. He is in a good shape and has a deep blue intense gaze that everybody likes. He led the group back and forth along the narrow streets of the art district to see every piece of graffiti. Sometimes they stop to better understand the images: is it an ape or a caricature of the prime minister? Are they flowers or drops of blood? They run at least 2k inside the district; 5k to arrive in this part of the city; 3 to reach the North Park; 2k inside the park and to go back home, other 8. Perfectly 20k as predicted.

 

 

 

 

What Adam couldn’t predict is how his wife reacted to the pandemic. She no longer got out of the house, and she has forbidden their only son to get out as well. A nightmare! Keeping a surgical mask on her face all the time, even into bed, she spoiled her beautiful facial skin. Washing her hands every moment, she got two rough red hands, always blazing. Back from this beautiful long artistic run with friends, Adam ventured that without running he couldn’t survive the pandemic.

For other Coronavirus Tales, see here. 

For sharing your own Coronavirus Tale, see here.