The 7 kinds of social distancing runners

The different ways that runners are coping with their new normal

Madeleine Kelly April 13, 2020

As runners adjust to their new normal, everyone is coping differently. Some runners are increasing their mileage, some are switching sports and others are taking a break entirely. Here are the seven ways runners are approaching running during this time of uncertainty.

The “I do triples now” runner

Is anyone doing anything crazy in training due to the circumstances? I mean stuff like super high mileage, all miles fast, or maybe doing triples? I’d love to hear the craziest thing that isn’t @TheRealMerb doing big boy mileage.

— Rory Linkletter (@ThePapaLinks) April 12, 2020

This category is alternatively titled: ‘marathoners without a race date’ or ‘5,000m runners who accidentally became marathoners.’

Some runners have used their extra time to significantly increase their mileage. And we don’t mean increase by a kilometre or two, we mean adding an additional run to their day. Major kudos to the old and new mileage junkies.

The “I haven’t run since high school” runner

Trying to run consistently for the first time since high school cross country and as you can imagine it’s not going well…

— Chris Landolfi (@ChrisLandolfi) April 10, 2020

There are a lot of runners coming out of retirement during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re one of them, welcome back to the running club. Our one piece of advice? Please order new shoes, maybe even from your local run speciality store.

The “I can’t believer I’m a runner” runner

I’m a runner, that’s what I am, I run now….

— Rich⚡️ (@hype_killa_) April 6, 2020

These are the new runners who weren’t even runners in high school. These people have always been into other things, but they’re now finding themselves doing the one activity they never expected: jogging.

The “I choose not to run” runner

I stopped running? Rathee than pushing and pushing, mileage is currently zero which is CRAZY , but I’m healing my injuries properly for once and for all which would be CRAZY- GOOD!

— Jessica O'Connell (@jess__oconnell) April 13, 2020

Like Jerry Seinfeld once did, there are some avid runners who are choosing not to run right now–for several reasons. There are those who are lacking motivation (totally normal), those who are taking the time to properly heal an injury (Jess O’Connell, among others) and those who might not be able to for public health reasons. Whatever your reason, we’ll be ready and waiting when you make your running return.

The “I think I’m a cyclist now” runner

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9hc3Y4H5wo/

If you’re a runner dealing with an injury, chances are you’ve taken up cycling, one of the easiest forms of cross-training to do in your basement. Canadian marathon champion Dayna Pidhoresky is clocking major hours on the bike, and in classic runner fashion, she’s getting good at it.

The “stay the course” runner

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-en32_nCnI/

This is the runner whose marathon hasn’t been cancelled (yet). While it’s unlikely that any summer marathons go ahead, some people are taking comfort in sticking to their routines. If your routine included training for a marathon, why not keep it that way? Everything builds on itself, so the good work you put in now won’t go to waste–even if there isn’t a start line in the immediate horizon.

The “races might be cancelled but you can’t cancel Strava segments” runner

Just because track season is cancelled doesn’t mean I can’t have goals. My goal to shatter the record for all the strava segments back home ?

— Jan Figueroa (@janfigueroa07) April 6, 2020

This is the runner who lives for the competition. This runner might not have any start lines in their future, but they do have every CR in their neighbourhood.