KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON TRAINING

IN LIGHT OF THE CORONAVIRUS, MATT LONG ENCOURAGES YOU TO IMPROVISE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY WHILE JOHN SHEPHERD PROVIDES SOME FURTHER THOUGHTS AND PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS

- JOHN SHEPHERD

FORMER Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli once said: “There is no education like adversity.” Almost 140 years after his passing, these words spoken in a political context may resonate with us as athletes and coaches and of course outside of the ‘track bubble’ more than ever.

The position of the governing bodies

In response to government advice concerning non-essential travel and contact, on March 17 the home country athetics federations advised that all face-to-face activity, such as club training sessions, events, competitions, club committee and face-to-face meetings, athlete camps, running groups and social events be suspended until at least the end of April.

This advice, of course, is subject to monitoring and review.

The statement went on to advise that where possible “athletes and runners at all levels are encouraged to maintain their own personal fitness and keep active during this time” while continuing to follow revised government guidelines about safe distance and safe exercise environments.

Social distancing

Public Health England has defined measures pertaining to social distancing as spending more than 15 minutes and within a two-metre distance talking to someone. So, adherence to this guidance makes normal group training or competition impossible. This means that as athletes you will have to work alone which may be a challenge motivationally.