Guest Post: To Run or Not to Run ...by Pat Walsh

 ** To Run or Not to Run ** 🥰

Hi Folks, nothing major this week but just an observation about running in Ireland at the moment and where it is for us. I’m writing this for the ‘ordinary’ runner in Ireland.
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Most restrictions are lifted and we are free to travel, free to meet up and race but numbers attending do not match what many thought would be an expected surge in people to get back racing.
Road Running in Ireland had gone through a boom phase last 10 years, with the majority of numbers in the fun / social / bit of exercise category. ‘The gang at the back’
These made up the numbers at any large race and for them it was a social occasion, a reason to train for few weeks coming up to it and it provided a weekly get out of the house option to meet some friends and have a cuppa.

This was lost for 19 months now and many turned to other forms of exercise. People for a long time could only meet family or travel somewhere close to home, so the routine was lost and replaced with another option that more suited lifestyles. For me, a warm jacket and a cuppa from the boot of the car after a few miles kept the sanity. For many others it was time to look elsewhere and walking, cycling and sea swimming attracted huge numbers. New habits were formed that will not be dropped instantly.
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This is all understandable. Clubs and running groups, despite their best efforts, struggled to keep people motivated and training. Hard to go on your own when the reason you started was to meet other people.
Then the question you asked, why I’m doing this when there is nothing to train for?  All races were cancelled.

The good club runners and the elite were used to training solo at times and had better ways of fixing goals and targets on an on-going basis.
Virtual races lost their gloss a while ago for me anyway.
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I am not pessimistic just pragmatic. 
What lies ahead will be slow and gradual.
Races prices have increased to cover lower numbers. The post-race cuppa is gone for the foreseeable future. Breaking everyone up into starting pods and moving everyone on at the finish line means you may not even meet some of your buddies.
So if you have not been training regularly and not shooting for a PB, then races do not have the draw they once had.
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This will get better in time as we learn to live again. Clubs and group numbers will pick up when there are firm goals and races to run. A big race like DCM would draw many back to the roads for the months leading up to it. 
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All I am doing with this post is outlining the reason why many fell off the running wagon or struggled to stay on board. It was understandable and no need to beat yourself up over it.
Life was turned upside down and we adapted. 
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It will turn again in time. Fashions, fads and other reasons come into play.
Maybe a sea swim in the depths of January, or a cold 2 hour cycle on a wet road always mindful of traffic could be difficult. It might make a handy 5 mile run and an indoor cup of coffee afterwards sound more attractive.
Groups will get back together and offer the support and fun they always did. Races will find better ways of attracting runners. 
Whatever you do, exercise, get out in the fresh air and stay chatting to people.
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Any respectful opinions welcomed but no criticisms of anyone or any groups please. Be positive.
Charleville Half Marathon for me this weekend and I’m looking forward to a nice easy run with company.
#pwr #KeeptheFaith #KeeponRunning
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