#47 Approaching the end of the pandemic
Wearing a mask is no longer obligatory and how that's going to affect my running.
Wearing a face mask has been a big burden for many tourists from overseas since the pandemic started, and was even one big factor in deciding not to visit Japan for many months. Finally, the time will come next week on the 13th of March when the decision to wear a mask or not will be fully on us. This shift is one of the transitional periods towards the 8th of May when Covid-19 will be categorized as “5”, the same as seasonal flu and other types of flu. This week, I’ll write about how running changed my recent life during the pandemic, and what change we’ll expect after the transitional period of the pandemic measures.
Ome Road Race, a wake-up call for better physical health
I ran the 55th Ome Road Race two weeks ago, where we can choose to run either 30km or 10km. It was a long-awaited running event in Tokyo after three years due to the pandemic. I’ve been too lazy to prepare for 30km, and I didn’t want to push myself so hard to avoid DNF (did not finish), so this time I went for the 10km. I was so happy to be back on the track throwing my face mask away and running on the road. But three years of the pandemic was long enough for my body to weaken and I really felt it during the race. In the past three years, I lost my running posture, oxygen intake capacity, and muscle strength. On top of that, I felt the physical signs of aging. I used to play tennis from time to time, but the occasional aerobic exercise wasn’t going to be enough to keep up my shape. After the Ome Road Race, I strongly felt the necessity to change my lifestyle.
Setting an unavoidable goal
The easiest way to motivate myself was to set an unavoidable goal by picturing myself in 10, and even 20 years time. My goal was to continue to be able to do things I do now even in 10 or 20 years. I began to prioritize what I needed to keep my body as healthy and active as it is today: Playing tennis, climbing mountains, cycling etc. There are lots of sports that I’d like to still engage in after ten, even twenty years.
One of the answers was running regularly, but the biggest question was how. I have always tried to find reasons to skip a routine I am supposed to do weekly. No matter how strongly you commit yourself, it can be difficult to keep doing the same thing as a routine for a long time, even if it is once a week. Even attempts at regular jogging near my house have often ended in failure. But if there is a weekly regular running event, preferably near your home, potentially with friends, they will push you, and you’ll end up running no matter how lazy you are.
As we get older, our old friends may pass away, and we may find ourselves increasingly alone. We may become less and less connected to society if we are not working, and as a result, we may become more and more isolated. You may say I am overthinking this, but I think this is what it means to grow old. For me, one community event became an answer to these concerns.
Finding a community: Parkrun
You may have heard of “parkrun” which originated in the UK and is expanding rapidly worldwide. Parkrun is a collection of 5-kilometer (3.1 mi) events for walkers, runners, and volunteers that take place every Saturday morning at more than 2,000 locations in 22 countries across six continents. I found park run for the first time when I was in London in 2007. Parkrun is operated by volunteers, and it is free. You just have to register and obtain your bar code. Then you are ready to run every Saturday morning.
In Japan, parkrun isn’t still yet well known, but I’m sure it will start picking up people and increasing the number of venues shortly. Your time will be recorded automatically when you finish; you don’t have to keep track of your own database. You’ll find all of your records when you go to their website. You can attend different venues, even abroad. Another great news! — Parkrun Japan was awarded the top prize at the 2nd Sport in Life Awards, organized by the Sports Agency for its outstanding initiatives that contribute to the expansion of the sports population.
My go-to venue is Tamagawa Chuo Koen located in Fussa City Tokyo. Around 25 runners attend every week, and it is more like a big family gathering. Everybody knows each other, and after running a couple of times, you are a part of the family. I think parkrun isn’t the only running event, but you sometimes feel it is the place to be.
I went to parkrun this weekend and people still wore face masks, but they were anticipating the 13th of March to come when we can decide if we wear them or not. So do you think that people will stop wearing face masks wherever they are allowed to take off? I think some people will take off face masks at places where they can, but the majority of people will keep the same manner wearing masks even outside for a while. Japanese society has strong peer pressure and Japanese people tend to avoid standing out in a group. Therefore, they are very cautious about suddenly removing their masks, even if the rules allow it.
The "Wear a Mask" Policy from March 13 to May 7(In Tokyo)
For visitors, the situation may appear to stay the same, which might be puzzling for some visitors. The Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health re-released the guideline for the period from the 13th of March to the 7th of May.
The individual's decision to wear a mask, whether indoors or outdoors, will be respected.
there are occasions when the wearing of masks is recommended to prevent infection among the elderly and others at high risk of serious illness.
Situations in which wearing a mask is recommended
When visiting a medical institution
When visiting facilities for the elderly, etc.
Riding crowded trains and buses.
When you are asked to wear a mask at a facility or event
I think it is important to understand the new measure to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding. A difficult decision is required for travelers, but for the time being, the response should be to carry a mask and then make a decision to wear a mask depending on the situation at the time. I hope this information will be a bit of help for those who are visiting.
Have you taken on a new physical activity since the pandemic started? Have you joined a community that keeps you motivated? If you’re looking for a specific event or community of your interest, let me know in the comments and I’ll be happy to do some research for you!
ONE STOP/Cherry blossoms forecast
Around my home, plum blossoms are in full bloom here and there, and the cherry trees should finally be quietly and slowly getting ready. March is expected to be very warm, and the bloom forecast is even earlier than previously predicted.
Fukuoka: 14th of March (-5)
Tokyo: 18th of March (-4)
Nagoya: 19th of March (-4)
Osaka: 21st of March (-4)
Kyoto: 22nd of March (-3)
Aomori:14th of April: (-5)
Sapporo: 26th of April: (-3)
*Projections are as of the 4th of March by JWA.
*Numbers after each day is the comparison with the 16th of Feb.
Ever since the pandemic I have not been a member of a gym; I used to go every day to do cardio, weight lifting, and yoga. My children are athletes so I was driving them to swim practice, it was very convenient. But they graduated from high school in 2020 and I have not been to a gym ever since. My husband signed up for a personal trainer last summer and he keeps encouraging me to also sign up. I think you are 100% correct that if we want to keep enjoying the same level of health as we get older, we have to motivate ourselves somehow. Otherwise when I finally get to Japan I will be too exhausted to climb all the stairs at all the beautiful temples!