How to run with uncertainty
Try to focus on what you can control and plan your training around different possibilities
The spread of COVID-19 across Canada in the past month has seen cases around the country rise exponentially. This issue has presented many Canadian runners with a lot of uncertainty surrounding winter and spring races. BC Athletics announced before Christmas that they have postponed indoor events until mid-February, while Ontario and Quebec are amid a provincial lockdown with most indoor events cancelled or severely limited in numbers.
These cancellations come at a difficult time for runners, who were allowed to race in the late summer and fall of 2021, before Omicron. Although there has been no announcement on the postponement of spring races from race directors, many are faced with the difficult decision to wait, cancel or postpone their events for the third year in a row.
Uncertainty is difficult for runners, as it makes it hard to figure out what direction to go with your training, and challenging to find motivation during the coldest months of the year.
Even though it is hard to stay the course, you can try these tips to deal with uncertainty.
Replace expectations with plans
When you establish expectations, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. You can make yourself better for tomorrow, but you can’t control the outcome or distractions. If you go into your training runs expecting the worst, you won’t get much out of it, but if you keep a positive mindset, you’ll often get something good out of it.
Instead of wrapping your training around one race or one date, try building towards a training goal. For example, running five days a week or adding more mileage to your long run. This strategy erases expectations and puts a plan in place for future success if your goal race ends up happening.
Train for different possibilities
The most difficult part of uncertainty is the incapability to plan and feel in control of your goals. If your goal is to run a fall marathon in 2022 or break 20 minutes for 5K – train for the possibility, so when in-person races arise, you are in the best position to tackle your goals.
Focus on what you can control
Runners often overlook the little things to make life easier, while obsessing over the big things. If your run, race or trip is cancelled because of the pandemic, do not get frustrated because it’s beyond your control.
Two things you can control are your mindset and your training. Going into your training with a positive mindset to not get hung up on the setbacks can create a recipe for success.
Be confident about your coping and adapting skills
This isn’t expecting the worst. It’s more about assuring yourself that you can handle any unforeseen difficulty that might arise. Stay the course and simply ask yourself — what’s the best and worst-case scenario? And how can you set yourself up to handle both scenarios? This is a great strategy to manage stress and anxiety that has built up around training.
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