Coronavirus has suddenly changed the way we go about our everyday lives. While social distancing may be a new practice, it doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors for the foreseeable future. In fact, to stay healthy and happy during this unprecedented moment, everyone from medical professionals to elected officials such as
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo are encouraging people to get outside and connect with nature.
Is it safe to run outdoors right now?
YES! According to the
Los Angeles Times, medical experts say “individuals should take part in any outdoor activity they feel healthy enough to do while practicing social distancing recommendations. Of course, if you’re feeling sick and have a cough, don’t go out and do any activity.”
Right now, most parks remain open, with facilities like restrooms closed in some areas. Residents are being encouraged to get outside and explore these special places. If park closures do occur, I’ll post a note on the site. If you find yourself on a crowded trail, keep a considerable distance from others; the suggested distance is 6 feet. As always, keep your group sizes small on the trail and avoid trails during high-use times, like the weekends. Indoors or out, everyone should be aware of—and follow—the latest guidance of the
CDC.
Can you recommend a run near me?
Sure. So that we don’t have huge crowds on the runs, I’ll be spacing out the meeting times for a while and offering different courses. But if you’d like to run somewhere else, pick a map, download a PDF, print it and start running. With over 200 maps on the site now, you should be able to find something fun near you.
What do I need to know before running?
Using good hygiene will help protect the land you love—and other hikers. Pack out all trash including food wrappers and tissues. And for the love of trails, don’t leave your toilet paper on the side of the trail; practice either carrying out your TP or burying it using a cat hole technique. Carry hand sanitizer with you and avoid contact with others. Avoid touching your face.
With a few simple steps, we’ll get through these trying times in a healthy manner.
