Keep Social Distancing in Mind to Prevent Spread of Covid-19
By Coach Greg
As AustinFit now enters its sixth week of summer training, the full marathon group will complete its first Saturday route in excess of five miles. With that, we will be having our first water stop.
Because of the ongoing challenges presented by the community spread of the virus that causes Covid-19, let’s take a moment to review how we will incorporate social distancing into our water stops.
This season water stops are “hands free” for coaches and team members. Water stops have an attendant who will wear a face covering and gloves to distribute water. No cups will be provided; so it’s critical that all participants needing water on the course have their own hydration bottle to carry water. We offer no exceptions to this policy. Please be mindful that mornings in Austin despite the early hour are still warm and humid. Use of personal hydration is strongly recommended.
Generally speaking, you should sip small amounts of water throughout the course and not wait until you feel a strong sense of thirst. Once thirsty, you are running a fluid deficit that is hard to recover while exercising. For more information about hydration, speak to your coach.
While it goes without saying to not share a sports bottle with your training partners, do not share other items like towels, salt tablets, gels, maps, etc. If consulting with someone on the route, speak to them from a safe distance. For example, do not look over their shoulder at their mobile phone. Better to let your coach know if you are having trouble tracking upcoming turns and changes in direction rather than speaking up close to multiple training partners.
Also, because face coverings are optional for runners and walkers, it’s vital that we follow the recommended 6 feet between each participant not only as we exercise, but especially as lines form at the water stop. Six feet is about two arms lengths.
Spreading out over a larger distance will require water stops to be in areas where sidewalks are available. As training distances increase this season, we will strive to keep water stops at consistent 5-mile intervals as best as possible.
Hand sanitizer will be offered at each water stop.