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During this lockdown period, regular or occasional athletes seen running in the streets are causing a stir, and are even sometimes singled out and accused of being selfish and potentially contributing to the spread of the virus. Rightly or wrongly? What are the reasons that push athletes not to be content with exercising at home?
By Jean-François Tatard and the editorial staff – Photos: Pixnio.com, PxHere.com, CC0 Public Domain, JFT / DR
Are all these experienced runners, as well as those temporarily initiated, who walk the sidewalks to be blamed? And let’s not even talk about cycling, the practice of which is even “forbidden” by the French Cycling Federation. A surprising decision that motivates the fines sometimes issued by law enforcement, under the pretext of this “prohibition”. A prohibition that is not a decree of law, let us remember, and which causes the FFC to also be singled out by all cyclists who do not identify as licensed.
An example here with the open letter from writer and long-distance cycling enthusiast Thierry Crouzet.
Let’s specify that in France, there are approximately 3.6 million regular sports cyclists (at least once a week, not counting utility cycling), and that 92% of these cyclists practice cycling independently, without a club and without being licensed. The FFC represents only about 115,000 licensees.
More details can be found here: sportdenature.gouv.fr
The FFC’s directive is therefore only a recommendation, and except in departments where prefects have made clear decisions to that effect, a bike ride within a one-kilometer radius of home and for a maximum duration of one hour, as for other outdoor activities, is not prohibited.
Of course, there is still the option of riding on an indoor trainer, even if the practice is not always satisfactory.
Running in question
Did you know that in normal times, almost 1 in 4 French people run? Yes, that’s almost 14 million more or less regular joggers or runners, while others swim, play soccer, hit a racket, cycle, lift weights, and a whole host of other sports activities that occupy leisure time and fuel a need to exercise.
Due to the lockdown, swimming pools, gyms, team sports fields, stadiums, and tennis courts are closed. Near large cities, undergrowth, promenades, and dirt paths are also closed and inaccessible.
In France, 34 million people over 15 years old declared practicing a physical or sports activity at least once a week in 2010 (Source: crdla-sport.franceolympique.com). During lockdown, when only running is clearly permitted (along with walking), and always within a one-kilometer radius of home and within a one-hour limit, how do you think half of French people can maintain a minimum level of fitness, even as they are mocked by the other half, more accustomed to a chips-beer-Netflix diet than to a healthy lifestyle? These people, who strictly respect (!) the lockdown, are quick to criticize and accuse athletes’ selfishness as a potential source of virus spread.
In this very particular period, this problem should not be taken lightly. Exercising and going for a run outside is not just a selfish act. Experts recommend it, because a sedentary lifestyle is one of the main scourges of our society, far more so than Covid-19 to date. Physical activity is recommended by cardiologists, and even by most doctors who consider that there are always more advantages than disadvantages to being active, even at high doses. Moreover, the WHO itself recommends occasional jogging or, for the more experienced, continuing to practice a sport even if it requires greater intensity. Without going as far as problems related to exercise addiction, we must not deny the inequalities faced during lockdown.
It’s a break that is not experienced in the same way when you live in a house in the countryside with 2000 m2 of land, or in a 12 m2 maid’s room under the roofs of Paris, or even five people in an apartment in a 15-story tower in Saint-Denis. For many, the daily one-hour outing to sweat a little is essential for maintaining good mental health, quite simply.
Specialists and new vocations
Apparently, the period is sparking vocations on the spur of the moment. We even saw runners in jeans and Stan Smiths trying to jog on the quays in Paris. Undeniably, there’s a sudden increase in people trying out running. How many are running now? Hard to count… At the same time, some champions or athletes had taken the opportunity to anticipate the break. Without imagining it would last two months (or even more perhaps). So there inevitably comes a time when they too go back out. In short, all runners, experts or apprentices, remain firm in their position and continue to run, until things sometimes go wrong, with insults flying from those who can no longer stand staying at home.
The image of the runner and the athlete in general is shaken, and their actions at least misunderstood!
The image of the runner and the athlete in general is shaken, and their actions at least misunderstood! Many associate this behavior with a selfish and irresponsible act. A cacophony maintained by the decisions of certain prefects, who had the brilliant idea of prohibiting individual sports activities from 10 am to 7 pm, in Paris, but also in several other departments, with the aim of discouraging opportunistic runners. A decision that had no other effect than to cause traffic jams of runners in the streets in the evening, and which has since been abandoned, except in the Capital.
Run (just) disciplined
A few days ago we offered an article on exercise addiction. If we are honest with ourselves, we all know that we are sports addicts. Addicted to endurance sports, cycling, running, or triathlon. Tobacco shops – which supply other addicts whose health is more threatened than that of athletes – are not closed.
So, let’s keep it simple, let’s do what we’re allowed to do and just keep running but by respecting the guidelines: no more than one hour within a one-kilometer radius of your home, respecting #socialdistancing and not forgetting to bring the famous attestation with you. We’ll also avoid overdoing it, and stick to maintenance.
And as my grandfather used to say: “When you open the jam jar, it attracts wasps.” So, whatever you do, don’t be clever by synchronizing your GPS in a network or posting your exploits there. Play it low-key.
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