I asked six Run with Raj athletes from around the world to share how they are coping with the pandemic. Something as simple, meditative, and universal as running can unite us, even when we are apart and alone.
Henry Kelly - Sydney, Australia
Who are you at home with?
My wife Leanne, daughter Penny, and pet kitten Archie.
What races have been postponed or cancelled?
None, since I had planned to start my buildup in the summer, with my eye on the Coastal Classic 30k (September 5), the Sydney Marathon (September 19), and the Blackall 100k (October 17), a qualifying event for Western States.
What's your training plan over the next couple of months?
My goal is to come out of the quarantine in better condition than before. I'm aging, so I've taken this as an opportunity to start doing the foundational strength training I always meant to do but never did, so I can run for longer.
“Every day is the same, and I’ve had to find some balance. We are attempting to homeschool a 6-year-old while we both work full-time. It hasn’t been a total success, but we are really trying hard!”
Your favorite at-home exercise routine?
I tried Arnold Schwarzenegger's go-to workout and added some extra bits that I could do with our limited home equipment. I've been doing it Monday through Friday and can feel the progress every day as I started from such a low point.
How is it for you staying at home?
Every day is the same, and I've had to find some balance. We are attempting to homeschool a 6-year-old while we both work full-time. It hasn't been a total success, but we are really trying hard!
One tip to stay motivated and maintain a routine?
Set something worth working towards.
Recommended movie?
My Neighbour Totoro. Never gets boring, and the family can enjoy it together.
“I try to focus on being adaptable and practicing gratitude. I feel fortunate to be able to work from home as I know many others who aren’t able to. One highlight is taking breaks to play, walk, or run with Bailey outside, which has really helped my wellbeing.”
Nora Lin - Queens, New York
Who are you at home with?
My partner James and our floof Bailey.
What races have been postponed or cancelled?
New Jersey Marathon (postponed to November 15), Queens Half Marathon (postponed to November 21), and presumably the Brooklyn Half Marathon (May 16).
What's your training plan over the next couple of months?
I'm still following my marathon plan as if the NJ Marathon were on for April 26. I enjoy the process of training and improving so I'm focusing my goals on completing this training cycle and getting faster, stronger, and fitter! We'll see about a virtual marathon in a couple of weeks :).
Your favorite at-home exercise routine?
I do my own thing with body weight and band exercises such as squats, glute bridges, lunges, and monster walks.
How is it for you staying at home?
I try to focus on being adaptable and practicing gratitude. I feel fortunate to be able to work from home as I know many others who aren't able to. One highlight is taking breaks to play, walk, or run with Bailey outside, which has really helped my wellbeing.
One tip to stay motivated and maintain a routine?
Find a virtual buddy or work with a coach, if you can. I can definitely say that I wouldn't be doing the same intensity and volume of training if I weren't working with a coach.
Recommended podcast?
Loving the Ali On the Run Show!
Connor Sullivan - Bordeaux, France
Who are you at home with?
My fiancée Camille, her parents Yann and Laurence, and cat Lola.
What races have been postponed or cancelled?
Paris Marathon (postponed to October 18).
What's your training plan over the next couple of months?
Keeping active and maintaining mental sanity. In France, you are required to fill out and carry a form detailing who you are and why you are outside, in case a police officer stops you. Exercise is permitted only within a 1k distance from your residence, for a maximum 1 hour, and once a day. On Monday, I risked it all and snuck out for a 10k run in the rain and felt like James Bond running through the streets.
“Exercise is permitted only within a 1k distance from your residence, for a maximum 1 hour, and once a day. On Monday, I risked it all and snuck out for a 10k run in the rain and felt like James Bond running through the streets.”
Your favorite at-home exercise routine?
Cami downloaded a 7-minute workout app on her phone that we’ve used a few times. I wouldn’t recommend it.
How is it for you staying at home?
Ironically, I had been trying to convince my company in NYC to let me work remotely from France prior to COVID-19. I guess I got what I asked for!
One tip to stay motivated and maintain a routine?
Find the positives to focus on. A lot of us are now spending time with our families that we may have been too busy or unable to do before.
Recommended on Netflix?
Unorthodox, a story about a 19-year-old Hasidic Jewish woman from Williamsburg who runs away from her arranged marriage.
“My goal for the year is a sub 3:15 marathon. I was training for London so I switched to a half marathon plan to reduce my mileage and focus more on speed over the next few months. I need the structure of a training plan.”
Jessica Frey - London, UK
Who are you at home with?
My de-facto training partner Alastair.
What races have been postponed or cancelled?
Hackney Half (postponed date TBD) and London Marathon, my 6th Star (postponed to October 4).
What's your training plan over the next couple of months?
My big goal for the year is a sub 3:15 marathon. I was training for London so I switched to a half marathon training plan to reduce my mileage and focus more on speed over the next few months. I need the structure of a training plan.
Your favorite at-home exercise routine?
I'm setting up Google Hangout workouts with my colleagues. I'm enjoying the 90-day free trial of the Peloton app (Becs Gentry is my favorite instructor). The UK is currently obsessed with the daily 9am YouTube "P.E. lessons" with Joe Wicks.
How is it for you staying at home?
I've had to figure out how to lead a team virtually and make sure everyone feels secure despite the uncertainty our event business, Virgin Sport, is facing. I'm grateful for Slack and virtual happy hours.
One tip to stay motivated and maintain a routine?
Create boundaries. Don't open up your laptop before your morning run!
Recommended recipe?
We are cooking from Shalane's Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. Thai Quinoa Salad at least once a week. Double the recipe and snack on leftovers for days.
Kenji Hirohata - Tokyo, Japan
Who are you at home with?
Living by myself.
What races have been postponed or cancelled?
Tokyo Marathon (cancelled) and London Marathon (postponed to October 4).
What's your training plan over the next couple of months?
I am taking it easy and jogging slowly these days. I'm focused on enjoying being outside. But I'm also trying not to decrease weekly mileage so I don't get out of shape.
“I live fairly close to the Japan National Stadium, and I was really looking forward to seeing Olympic marathoners running in my neighborhood. Now, I’m focused on enjoying being outside. I go out for a short walk during the day. It’s still legally OK to walk or run outside in Tokyo.”
Your favorite at-home exercise routine?
Not exercising at home. I go out for a short walk outside during the day. It’s still legally OK to walk outside in Tokyo. I'm planning to start core exercises at home. I know how to do planks and want to do more variety!
How is it for you staying at home?
I don’t have a daily routine, and I keep going to bed later and later. So right now I'm hoping to wake up, start and end work, and go to bed at more regular times.
One tip to stay motivated and maintain a routine?
Use Strava to find motivation from others running or exercising.
Recommended recipe?
Lu Rou Fan (Taiwanese pork rice) is quite easy to cook and tasty!
“There are a few anchors throughout the day that help pull me out of my head: my morning run, Governor Cuomo’s daily press briefing, and the 7PM applause for NYC healthcare workers. Each of these daily ‘mile markers’ remind me that I am connected to something far greater than the anxious thoughts in my head. ”
Julie Hodgson - New York, NY
Who are you at home with?
Living by myself.
What races have been postponed or cancelled?
Boston Marathon (postponed to September 14).
What's your training plan over the next couple of months?
My goal this year is to break a 3:15 in the marathon distance. At the start of the year, I would have said that wasn’t possible, but lately I’ve felt myself getting stronger. I’ve derived so much satisfaction from the process of building strength and becoming a faster runner, that regardless of when or if the race happens, my new goal is to show progress week over week.
Your favorite at-home exercise routine?
A friend recently sent me this lower ab exercise. It’s short (10 minutes) and you can really feel your lower abs burn.
How is it for you staying at home?
Although I recognize how privileged I am to be able to work from home, I’ve never been a big fan. I am currently on week 5 of working remote, and it feels like I am on a hamster wheel. Without the boundaries of the physical office, the work day seems to bleed into every aspect of my life, and I struggle to turn off my thoughts. However, there are a few anchors throughout the day that help pull me out of my head: my morning run, NY Governor Cuomo’s daily press briefing, and the 7PM applause for NYC healthcare workers. Each of these daily ‘mile markers’ remind me that I am connected to something far greater than the anxious thoughts in my head.
One tip to stay motivated and maintain a routine?
I’ve found this moment of pause to be a great opportunity to dream big. The longer I am in self-isolation, the less restricted my dreams are by thoughts of potential failure and disappointment. Early on, I started creating a vision board which sits above my desk. The visual reminder of the dreams I have for myself when this is all over has kept me motivated even in the toughest of days.
Recommended podcast?
Rich Roll Podcast Episode #506 on Taking Care in the Time of Coronavirus. During a time that is defined by fear and anxiety, I found it helpful to hear how they are using this moment of self-quarantine to reflect and grow.
