By Aliza Lapierre
The pandemic has influenced activity behaviors worldwide. It was just a year ago that Vermont went into lockdown, requiring everyone to don facemasks, carry hand sanitizer, and learn the six foot rule. Restrictions became tighter, and my husband and I both started working from home. Our dining room became a makeshift office, and exercising with anyone from outside your household was forbidden. This was an issue as George is a biker whose behaviors when running often reflect those of a child. Are we there yet? How much further? This is so boring, did you bring snacks? I knew I could train on my own for races; that wasn't an issue, but then races got canceled, and my plans got put into a holding pattern.
With each day, restrictions seemed to get tighter, my world was getting smaller, but I kept running. It all gave me time to reflect on my why. I run for many reasons: the benefits of physical and mental health, for exploration and interaction with nature, and to challenge myself against a clock and others.
“It all gave me time to reflect on my why.”
As days, weeks, and months passed, I watched CDC guidelines, state guidelines, and followed which races were canceled, which had moved to virtual and which ones were still being held in person. Personally, I wanted to race but was not willing to risk the health of those that I would come into contact with while I was gone or those that I came into contact with when returning home.
In all honesty, I love training, so I was content with exploring on my own but also missed the running community and the challenges that come with toeing the line. As the months passed, opportunities arose where races happened that I could have attended, but I still did not personally feel comfortable. I see it as a judgment call for each individual on when, how, and if they return to racing.
On May 1st, I will attend my first in person race in over a year. I felt exhilaration as I clicked the "register" button on UltraSignup, although as the race becomes increasingly closer, I find myself questioning my decision. I've done the training to prepare for the 100K distance, but there is no doubt that with a year of pandemic mode under my belt, I have become accustomed to a new way of life. The one where you stay close to home, wear a mask, only run with a few people that you trust, and remain vigilant. It's all become so habitual, and now at the end of the month, I am going against much of that.
I find myself asking the question, "If not now, then when?" I feel very fortunate to have received the vaccine. Travel restrictions and group size restrictions have loosened, yet there is still much anxiety and fear about my return to racing. I wonder if there are others that miss toeing the line but are at the same time hesitant to return. I wonder if I will still be able to feel the blissful joy that I usually do running against others as we challenge ourselves and each other. With all this wonder also comes hope. I hope we all remain safe, I hope we all remember why we love our sport, and I hope we all take the lessons we have learned over this past year to better ourselves and our running community.
About the Author
Aliza Lapierre was born, raised, and now continues to reside in the Green Mountain State of Vermont with her husband, George, and dog, Twig. Aliza began running after college and, over a few years, tried everything from 5K's to the marathon distance, and then she found her true distance of choice, ultras. She works for UnTapped Nutrition, a maple based endurance fuel company, and runs for Salomon.
