As we continue to get more and more data on the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be changes to the 2020 Summer Games including the postponement of the USA Masters Games to 2021 and the cancellation of Opening Ceremony. We are still planning on holding the 2020 Summer Games and are hopeful the events can still take place at the end of June.
By: Ed Kornoelje DO
Metro Health-University of Michigan Health Sports Medicine
OK—if you are a fan of Disney animation you will certainly recognize the title as one of the songs (and sayings) from Frozen II (yes—my wife and daughter and I just finished watching it—one of the benefits of staying home a bit more). It reminded me of a book I read (and wrote about) several years ago: The Runner’s Rule Book by Mark Remy. It has many “rules” for running—actually light-hearted tips to make running more fun—I highly recommend picking up a copy. Here are a few that seem to be appropriate to discuss during this COVID-19 outbreak—and help us with the next right thing. First the rules, and then how they may help in this time of uncertainty. And you may see this article pop up on a variety of platforms—we really want to get the information out!
Rule 1.11: Signing up for a race equals instant motivation. Remy notes “…registering for an event 6 or 10 or 26 weeks down the road remains the single most foolproof way to motivate yourself to get out there and run day after day.”
Rule 1.12: Do not tempt fate. “Keep your wits about you. Live to run another day.”
Rule 1.17: Look before you expel. “…please make a good-faith effort to make sure the area immediately around you—experts call this the Loogie Radius—is reasonably clear of other before you spit, blow, or hawk.”
Rule 2.27: Run the mile you’re in. “…it can be tempting to dwell on the total distance or on how far you are from the finish line. Try not to. Instead, focus on the mile you’re running at that particular moment. Be mindful of the full distance, of course; mentally and physically, you should be aware of how far you’ve got to go. Primarily, though, keep your head in the here and now.”
And finally the Frozen II Rule: Do the next right thing.
Let’s take a look at of these in isolation and then put them all together for a great COVID-19 plan. In regards to Rule 1.11 one question is why sign up for a race when all of the early spring races (and likely more) have been canceled and who knows when your next race will be? For many of us having a schedule to follow helps us get outside (if able and allowed—and in most states right now even with many things shut down getting outside in a socially distant manner is OK) or on a treadmill to run. Even if your race has been canceled or postponed, keep training to stay motivated, in shape and healthy—which really is the main goal. If training all out for a race that is on the schedule seems a bit much consider the following tweaks—cut back duration and/or intensity of plan by 20%, add more cross training, or work on building base miles in anticipation of starting fall race training in a few months.
Rule 1.12 (tempting fate) in this environment pertains to social distancing and non-group running—please don’t go out in groups and run right now! It may seem a little dramatic to suggest that running in a group, even a small one, right now is “tempting fate,” but it is—either yours or someone you interact with. We know that COVID-19 is extremely contagious and even small groups of people can become infected (sometimes without knowing it) and pass it on to others they come in contact with—think family. So run alone or in pairs (three people max—six feet apart), and when done wash your clothes and body.
Rule 1.17 is pretty self-explanatory particularly in light of the contagious nature of COVID-19 and the fact that it is spread by respiratory droplets. It is never good to spit on anyone, but for sure not now. And fortunately the Loogie Radius and social distancing are both about six feet.
Finally Rule 2.27 (and its corollary Frozen II) reminds us to run the mile we are in. While it is a great idea to keep in mind all of the time, it seems particularly important right now. No matter where you are living there is some sort of restriction in place, and most of us don’t know when it will end. We know the end is out there somewhere, but looking for it can be a little daunting—figuring out what to do day by day often helps. And applying the Frozen II Rule (do the next right thing) in this rapidly changing environment helps is discern the correct long-term plan by figuring out what to do next—a bunch of small right things in a row will lead to big right things!
So when we put this all together: Exercise as if training for a race, but not in a large group or too close (Loogie Radius), stay in the moment, and as always do the next right thing!
At Metro Health-University of Michigan Health Sports Medicine we are following the state and federal COVID-19 directives. To that end we are currently not seeing patients in the office, but have e-visits, phone visits, and soon (week of March 30) tele-visits. If you are in need of our services call 252-1500 or 252-7778 and we will get something set up. As soon as we are able we will be open for in-person visits. For sports medicine and COVID-19 information go to www.metrohealth.net . We will all get through this together—keep your social distance and wash hands!
Be active (and well)!
The Meijer State Games of Michigan is monitoring the ongoing concerns regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). We are committed to the health and well-being of our constituents and will be taking the necessary steps to help prevent the spread of this virus and keep everyone safe during the Meijer State Games of Michigan events.
Online registration still open; onsite registration available
Grand Rapids, Mich., Feb. 11, 2020 ─ The main weekend of the Meijer State Games of Michigan — Winter Games will take place Feb. 14-16. The sports featured this weekend are: indoor archery, ninja, fencing, cross country skiing (freestyle and nordic), karate, disc golf, shooting sports and wrestling.
Online registration as well as onsite registration is still available for some main weekend sports. For more information about onsite registration, times, locations and entry fees for events, please visit https://www.stategamesofmichigan.com/winter-games-sports-lineup. Registration information is located on each sport’s page.
The main weekend will begin with an athlete celebration hosted by the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday, Feb. 14 at the Van Andel Arena. Athletes, who have purchased tickets, will have the opportunity to high-five the Griffins starters inside the “High-Five Alley” before they take the ice. A special in-game recognition of all Meijer State Games athletes will take place during the first period.
Prior to the Griffins Game, the Meijer State Games will present the 2019 Athletes of the Year awards to: Noah Iobe - Mendon, MI (youth male / wrestling), Catherine Vandergriff – Spring Lake, MI (youth female / speedskating), Noah Zomberg – Grand Rapids, MI (adult male / rugby) and Anastasia Schutte - Holland, MI (adult female / archery 3D).
The 2020 Volunteer(s) of the Year, presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union, will also be awarded to Gary Wilfong Sr. and Gary Wilfong Jr. of Grand Rapids, MI. The father and son duo have been involved with the Meijer State Games of Michigan basketball tournaments for over eight years as a volunteer and/or tournament director.
For more information on the athlete celebration, please visit https://www.stategamesofmichigan.com/athlete-celebration.
The Meijer State Games of Michigan held the first sporting event of the Winter Games, fatbike, on Feb. 1. Results for the Winter Games sporting events are now available at: https://www.stategamesofmichigan.com/winter-games-results/.
The Meijer State Games of Michigan sponsors include: Meijer, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Metro Health, Fox Motors, Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Care Network of Michigan, Peppino’s, Lacks Enterprises Inc., SIBSCO, LIFE EMS Ambulance, The GR Shop, Experience Grand Rapids, Heglund-Sova Realty, and Michigan Fitness Foundation.
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About the Meijer State Games of Michigan:
The Meijer State Games of Michigan is an Olympic-style, multi-sport event(s) that welcomes athletes regardless of age or ability level. The games embody the values of participation, sportsmanship, and healthy living among the residents of Michigan. Since 2010, Meijer State Games of Michigan has hosted over 65,000+ athletes. The Meijer State Games of Michigan has also contributed over $25 million in estimated economic impact to cities throughout Michigan.
