Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 130, May 2020 | Page 14

A Runner’s
As the COVID-19 Lockdown in South Africa continues, runners are
seeing still more races cancelled as they wait in hope for a return
to normal life and normal running. We once again asked medical
doctor and avid runner Caroline Lee to shed some light on the
latest situation surrounding the pandemic, and running in these
difficult times.
From the time COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health
Organisation (WHO) in March 2020, the virus has ravaged through almost
all the countries and territories in the world, with Lesotho being one of the
very last to report a positive case, on 13 May 2020. By now, 4.8 million people are
reported positive around the world, of which 2.6 million are still currently active.
With the peak in spread seemingly over in Asia, Europe and the US, many countries
are in the process of relaxing lockdown and re-opening businesses and travel.
That does not mean the pandemic has ended. The number of new cases is still
increasing by over 80 000 per day, and new deaths by around 5000 per day.
In South Africa, the first case was reported on 6 March, seven weeks behind Asia
and five weeks behind Europe. Level 5 lockdown was instituted early, and the
country closed down completely. Now five weeks of Level 5 and two weeks of
Level 4 lockdown later, we ask ourselves, has lockdown made a difference?
The doubling rate of
infections in SA has
changed from doubling
every two days to
doubling every 12 days.
So yes, lockdown has
made a significant
difference. But at what
expense? Severe
lockdown has resulted
in immense economic
hardship, and extreme
uncertainty about our
work, our children’s
education, the future of our businesses and our very own livelihood. Social
distancing, avoidance of public gatherings and human interactions have led to
feelings of isolation, depression, anger and distress. Thus mental health issues are
amplified.
And for runners, it was definitely severe cabin fever, in spite of all those round and
round the house efforts to keep fit. So 1 May was like picking up a “Get out of
jail free” card in Monopoly. Suddenly, between 6am and 9am, it seemed half the
country was out on the road. To the dismay of the authorities, the Promenades on
the Durban beachfront and at Sea Point in Cape Town overflowed with runners,
walkers, cyclists and dogs, all eager to be out and about for the first time in weeks.
After weeks of being housebound, it is completely understandable that people
wanted to be let out, but it certainly defeated the aim of the lockdown and the
authorities clamped down quite severely.
Reason for Level 4 Rules
Let’s take a closer look at some of the rules of Level 4, explained for runners.
• Distance: 5km radius – The 5 km radius is to limit the density of people on
the road at any one point. There are only so many people living within a 5km
radius. If there is no limit, then most runners would converge on the favourite
running spots and some places would be overflowing with people, like what
we saw on the promenades.
• Time: 6am to 9am – This rule is controversial, and is being discussed at
length, with a view to extend it in Level 3. The time frame was originally
decided presumably to make it easier to police, and to make sure that only
essential workers are moving around during normal working hours.
• Masks: Compulsory in public – The wearing of a cloth face mask in public
has been another controversial issue. The WHO initially recommended
wearing of a face mask only for people that have tested positive for
COVID-19 and are sick with symptoms. However, mounting evidence
prompted the Centre for Disease Control to recommend wearing of a cloth
face covering when in public, especially in areas of significant communitybased
transmissions. There are many people who are asymptomatic –
carrying the virus, without falling ill or showing signs of infection – and studies
have shown that the universal wearing of face masks helps reduce the spread
of the virus in a public setting.
Running and Face Masks
Runners often complain that they can’t breathe when running with a mask. There
is one very important thing that needs to be said: These are not normal times. We
are in the middle of a pandemic, so you cannot expect to be training as normal,
and you cannot expect to be running the same speed and distance as you normally
would. When you are wearing a mask, you need to adjust your effort and your
speed according to what you are feeling. Slow down if you feel short of breath. This
is not the time to be pushing yourself and to break records. You can go back to
normal training and push PBs once the pandemic is over.
There are no serious dangers related to breathing while wearing a face mask. If you
think you are experiencing hypoxia (low oxygen) or hypercapnia (too much carbon
dioxide), you may need to change your face mask. Shop around for a face mask
that fits comfortably around your face, is secured with ties or ear loops, is not too
tight over the nose and mouth, allows you to breathe without restriction, and can
be washed without changing shape.
There are some simple rules to remember in terms of mask etiquette when running:
• You need to cover your mouth and nose when you are running close to other
people.
• You can use an adapted covering, such as buffs and other more breathable
material when you are running. The three-layer cloth mask recommended
while in public spaces may be quite limiting while you are exercising and is
therefore not recommended for running.
• Masks that fit snuggly over the nose and mouth are harder to breathe
through. Try using pleated masks that allow more space to breathe when you
run. The more space there is between the material and your nose and mouth,
the easier it is to breathe.
• If there is no one around, especially when you run early in the morning and as
winter sets in, you may lower your buff and run without a face covering – as
long as you remember to cover your face when you run past someone else.
Images: iStock, Pexels, Tobias Ginsberg & courtesy Caroline Lee & Comrades Marathon Association
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ISSUE 130 MAY 2020 / www.modernathlete.co.za