Let’s not waste any time getting back to running and training
The lockdown is in the process of being lifted and in many instances the effects of some of the harsher restrictions are unravelling throughout the country. This is giving hope to athletes of all sporting codes that we might “play” again sooner rather than the perceived later.
The economic consequences of the past 10 weeks will reverberate throughout society for many months to come and sport will be affected in many spheres.
Earlier this week I was privileged to attend a Zoom meeting addressed by a markets analyst and commentator, author of Make your Money Work for You, Anthea Gardner, along with an actuary, Nick Hudson, specialising in pandemics and data analytics. Both were excellent in their presentations. Hudson absolutely called a spade the proverbial shovel. From both perspectives it was eye-opening, concerning and inspirational at the same time.
Inspirational because the fear-mongering has possibly been unnecessary, and Hudson forcefully, but at the same time eloquently, explained that Covid-19 has been exaggerated, with the original forecast of 375,000 expected mortalities in SA now dropped to 40,000, which he and others say is still too high.
What I found more encouraging is the call for schools to return soonest. From a sporting point of view I believe that school without sport is no school at all and we have to hope and, indeed, encourage the education departments and our schools to return to the sporting fields as soon as is deemed possible.
The children of our townships have been the worst hit by the lockdown, although there is “rumour” that the running fraternity have supported the youngsters and others as best possible, with some of our most revered athletes having taken juniors out on runs.
If that is indeed so, it is now in the past, and the youngsters can from here on get out and train, laugh, be inspired and plan ahead.
Reflecting on years of running and edging towards those big races on a personal year calendar, be it Buffs, Two Oceans, SA Track and Field Championships, Cross Country or Comrades there were always “infected” runners with influenza-like symptoms that we would try and stay away from.
Upon arriving at a weekend club run, should someone cough or sneeze, there would be an immediate dispersing of the crowd. This would be followed by much laughter, though with the intent to remain aloof and safe.
Is the situation that runners face today really that different in a community of generally healthy people?
The time has arrived to put the fear behind us, to find solutions to competition and not be overloaded with political rhetoric. Let us live life to the full, though safeguarding the elderly and the infirm.
I despise smoking, but the smokers are big enough to look after themselves. The biggest danger in all things healthwise is diabetes. Sugar and grains are the most dangerous products on the planet and they are destroying our youth. Leaders, if indeed you are leaders, please save our children.