Where are all the lockdown runners?

[Reallyimeanreally2022]

Just back from a beautiful run.

No wind
Light chill
Beautiful morning light

No one running. Not a single person! I ran through two beautiful parks and some road.

I’ve run for 15 years. Pre covid I’d always pass a handful
During lockdown it was like Piccadilly Circus. And bare in mind I run early!
Post lockdown…. Where have all the runners gone?

Didn’t you get the bug?!

For the last 15 yrs I’ve been under Dr’s orders not to run (knackered knee and trying to avoid surgery) so I took up swimming. During lockdown the pools were closed so I took up walking, but now pools are open again I’m swimming again, going this afternoon.

Our local parkrun starts at the leisure centre and before lockdown the car park was always rammed on Saturday morning, but since it restarted it hasn’t been anywhere near as busy. Don’t know the reason why but it makes parking for DD’s swimming lesson much easier.

@Hadenoughofbloodycovid

They’re all on the canal towpath near me along with all the cyclists.

and all the off-lead dogs with their owners somewhere around...

On a Saturday morning people will have been at parkrun. I have a race tomorrow so volunteered today.

Very sad to hear that Newbury council is still playing silly buggers, parkrun has been back for months now, what do they think is so risky about theirs compared with everyone else's? I have done that one, I can't think it's any more covid-infection-inducing than my local ones.

Ooh, well done you.

This one is back at the gym. I find running isn't for me. Too stressy on the knees and (for me) a bit tedious

I’m back at netball, which I find infinitely more enjoyable.

During lockdown, running (and walking) gave me a reason to get out the house, and away from my (lovely!!) toddler daughter after spending all day looking after her and working which I found hellish. It was my only option. Now I go to work, I go to netball, I meet friends and I go to choir. I rarely run! I used to run regularly years ago, but only enjoyed it when I was with a friend.

@Aimee1987

I got the running bug during lockdown. I did the couch to 5k and while I enjoyed it my knees were struggling. Now the gyms and pools are back open I go swimming 3 times a week instead. Good cardio without the impact on my knees. So in short yeah I was a lockdown runner who has disappeared

I wish I hadn't got the running bug as my knees are done now.

mint I'm gutted Newbury isn't back yet. I'd been planning to try it out. Exeter has been ruined too, the Uni won't let parkrun use their field anymore. Now it's just laps.

I'm still running OP! But now it's a couple of times a week whereas in lockdown I was running nearly every day. I had more time in lockdown due to lack of commute / school run / driving DC to their activities / social events.

Swimming pools are back open now so I've left the running for the time being. As PP have said, it was one of the only viable exercise options over the past 18 months. I hate it but it was better than doing nothing

If you run you need to do strength and conditioning as well. otherwise it will hurt your knees and everything else. But it is not bad for your knees per se. I find cycling hurts my knees more than running does.

@megletthesecond

mint I'm gutted Newbury isn't back yet. I'd been planning to try it out. Exeter has been ruined too, the Uni won't let parkrun use their field anymore. Now it's just laps.

Yes I saw that about Exeter :( Have you tried the new one at Cranbrook?

@berlinbabylon

If you run you need to do strength and conditioning as well. otherwise it will hurt your knees and everything else. But it is not bad for your knees per se. I find cycling hurts my knees more than running does.

Running is actually very good for your bones and a form of strength training