Collected Item: “Running in the pandemic”
What type of object are you contributing?
Document/File
Provide a brief title for the object you are contributing.
Running in the pandemic
Provide us with a brief description of this object and, if it is not obvious, how it connects with the Chippewa Valley. For example, if this object is an image describe for us what the image displays and why it is significant.
Reflection
Running has always been a constant in my life that keeps me moving. While parts of it have been negated, I have kept moving forward, finally seeing some normalcy. Before COVID-19 hit I was set to run the Eau Claire Marathon, compete in a triathlon (1/3rd running so it counts), and later in the fall the Chicago marathon. All of this was a culmination of hard work and endurance. Being able to say you have done these things is an accomplishment. Everything seemed so clear almost a year ago.
When COVID-19 hit and really rammed up with case numbers rising all my races were canceled. While this was devastating for me it made sense. But all my training seemed to be going to waste. My efforts decreased and a sense of dread overcame me. Yet during the pandemic running and physical exercise has increased significantly. Mentions of Pelotons or buying more work out clothes has become more frequent. Many of my friends have asked for tips and advice on running.
Yet for someone who enjoys competition and comradery, it has been hard. Competition is something I have always enjoy. I think people perform best when they have the right amount of pressure. So, when I heard from my club advisor that there was an in-person race in Eau Claire I signed up. Training for the race felt much more motivating.
The race (bridge 2 bridge) was sectioned into two-, five-, and ten-mile races set over the weekend of May 1st and 2nd. I ran the ten-mile race. Runners had different waves and were started two at a time. My race started around 8:25 AM and I finished the race over an hour (7:18 per mile). It was great finally being able to pace with people and feel the adrenaline rush of seeing the finish line.
Yet something researchers can see from this is the increase in running. Apps like Strava have seen an increase in users and activities. Looking at my race award and data you can look at overarching data. COVID-19 has given people lots of free time to do other things. Health is usually something that people give up when they work a lot or have less time. This especially makes sense for cardiovascular exercises as a lot of people would rather lift for muscle. Yet with gyms having been closed during the start of the pandemic many turned to run.
Some will continue to stick with running, and some will drop off. Dr. Evans (my club advisor) at the start of the race was getting everyone to calm their nerves and told a story. Someone who had started running over the pandemic had never done a race before and this was going to be their first in-person race. For me personally, I have the grandma’s marathon this summer in person to which I am looking forward to. Although my training makes increases and decrease, I can say for me personally I will keep on moving.
Running has always been a constant in my life that keeps me moving. While parts of it have been negated, I have kept moving forward, finally seeing some normalcy. Before COVID-19 hit I was set to run the Eau Claire Marathon, compete in a triathlon (1/3rd running so it counts), and later in the fall the Chicago marathon. All of this was a culmination of hard work and endurance. Being able to say you have done these things is an accomplishment. Everything seemed so clear almost a year ago.
When COVID-19 hit and really rammed up with case numbers rising all my races were canceled. While this was devastating for me it made sense. But all my training seemed to be going to waste. My efforts decreased and a sense of dread overcame me. Yet during the pandemic running and physical exercise has increased significantly. Mentions of Pelotons or buying more work out clothes has become more frequent. Many of my friends have asked for tips and advice on running.
Yet for someone who enjoys competition and comradery, it has been hard. Competition is something I have always enjoy. I think people perform best when they have the right amount of pressure. So, when I heard from my club advisor that there was an in-person race in Eau Claire I signed up. Training for the race felt much more motivating.
The race (bridge 2 bridge) was sectioned into two-, five-, and ten-mile races set over the weekend of May 1st and 2nd. I ran the ten-mile race. Runners had different waves and were started two at a time. My race started around 8:25 AM and I finished the race over an hour (7:18 per mile). It was great finally being able to pace with people and feel the adrenaline rush of seeing the finish line.
Yet something researchers can see from this is the increase in running. Apps like Strava have seen an increase in users and activities. Looking at my race award and data you can look at overarching data. COVID-19 has given people lots of free time to do other things. Health is usually something that people give up when they work a lot or have less time. This especially makes sense for cardiovascular exercises as a lot of people would rather lift for muscle. Yet with gyms having been closed during the start of the pandemic many turned to run.
Some will continue to stick with running, and some will drop off. Dr. Evans (my club advisor) at the start of the race was getting everyone to calm their nerves and told a story. Someone who had started running over the pandemic had never done a race before and this was going to be their first in-person race. For me personally, I have the grandma’s marathon this summer in person to which I am looking forward to. Although my training makes increases and decrease, I can say for me personally I will keep on moving.
When was this item created? Please use a "month day, year" format, for example, "April 10, 2020."
5/5/2020
Share with us the geographic location where this item was created. Please include, if possible, a ZIP code and an address or cross streets to help us map this location. For example, "Rice Lake, Wis., 54868, intersection of Main and Knapp."
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Who created this object?
Jack Stewart
Tell us who is contributing this object to the Covid-19 archive. For example, "John Smith."
#UWECHIST172
Help us identify a category for this item by selecting one option from this list that best fits the item you are contributing.
Education
(Optional) If there is another category that this item also fits please select it from the list.
Health and medicine
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about this object? Feel free to add relevant hashtags or a course hashtag if applicable.
#UWECHIST172
Your name.
[private]
I have read and agree to the terms and conditions associated with contributing objects to this project.
Yes