A: Grange, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland | E: info@mullingarharriers.com

It’s looking like we’re in for a long haul on restrictions (11th Apr)

 

Gerard Brady, Eddie Newman, Pauric Brady – Leinster 10 Mile, Easter Monday 2018, master men 1st team

 

It’s looking like we’re in for a long haul on restrictions

As we approach the end of five weeks of restrictions on movements due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it’s looking like we’re in for the long haul and are still a long way off a return to normal. The restrictions have now been extended to after the May bank holiday, but even if loosened then, it will not mean a return to competition or even necessarily training in groups again for quite some time. A sudden lifting of restrictions would in all likelihood cause a second wave of infections, undoing all the good work achieved to date. The leaving certificate exams are rescheduled to late July or early August, and allowing for the call by teachers to have students back in the classrooms at least two weeks before the exams, marks mid July as a date to watch. Is this an indicator of how the health authorities view any possibility of a lifting of restrictions? If so, May and June could be wiped off the fixture list, and possibly July too? All we can do is keep watching for updates.

Unlike team sports, where interaction with others in training is vital, at least athletes can train alone, as long as it’s not too far from home at the moment and not for too long either. There is also plenty that can be done indoors or in gardens, so check the club and the Athletics Ireland website or Facebook pages for ideas on exercise routines, strength and conditioning exercises etc. If training outdoors, remember that you must keep within 2km of home, train alone (unless with other household members) and please remember to respect the social distancing guidelines and keep well apart from other walkers or runners you might meet on your run, at least two metres but more if possible, as research shows that when running hard, breathing out is faster and stronger and droplets travel further.

The club grounds and clubhouse remain closed until we hear that we can relax controls and life can begin to get back to normal again. Our website www.mullingarharriers.com and Facebook page will have updates. For now, we need to continue to do what is asked of all us all to keep our communities safe. Stay home, stay safe.