Running is a great activity and exercise at any time but especially when we need “social distance” from each other to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Here are some strategies and ideas for running safely in the current pandemic.
· Running solo is best, not in groups.
· Avoid the popular, populous running routes in the city such as Green Lake, Seward Park and the Burke-Gilman Trail.
· If you do run with another person, follow the familiar rules: stay at least 6 feet apart and don’t run if you feel sick. Some experts say running side by side is better than one behind another to avoid coming into contact with bodily fluids.
· Choose a time of day or day of the week that is less traveled by others.
· Move through parks rather than staying in a park. One idea: See how many nearby parks you can “touch” on your run. Seattle has more than 400 parks!
· Try not to spit, cough or blow mucus out of your nose while running; this could alarm (or endanger) nearby runners or pedestrians.
· If you’re so inclined, share your favorite neighborhood running route in the comments here on our Facebook page, or on Twitter!
For those itching for a little competition, check out virtual running races being organized in Seattle by Googling “virtual races Seattle.”
Finally, here is a good general resource for running during the pandemic: https://www.runnersworld.com/coronavirus/