What happens when a runner gets covid-19?
Two of our club members were unfortunate enough to contract covid-19. They have both recovered and are running again. I sent Catherine and Guy Hishin some questions about their running and their covid-19 experience.
First some background information. How long have you been a runner?
Catherine: I started with the Knysna Half Marathon in 2007. My first marathon was the 2008 fire affected Red Hill Marathon, quickly followed by Two Oceans 56km. I had always said I would do TO before I turned 40 and I just squeaked in at 39. Vowed not to get sucked into Comrades but alas 2010 I did Comrades for the first time and body willing I’ll be back.
Guy: Initially I was just a supporter and had to look after our girls which meant playing Uno and eating bacon & egg rolls during races. Once they were a bit older it became easier and in 2010, I started running and before long you get sucked in and the races get longer and longer…….
What is your favourite distance and race? (not necessarily the same)
Catherine: I love the long stuff. Even a marathon is over too quickly. Comrades is my ultimate. Comrades can eat you up and spit you out. It demands your respect and it certainly has mine.
Guy: My favorite distance is 8km and more specific the Wednesday evening time trial although the beers afterwards probably are a factor. I would also have to say half marathons and especially the races that you travel to like Outeniqua, Knysna and Cango. To be quite honest I am not very good at the longer stuff.
Why do you run?
Catherine: I get very grumpy if I can’t run. The reasons I run these days are many: seeing the sun rise, soaking up the energy from the ocean, running with Guy and my daughter Hannah, keeping fit so I can still play my hockey, keeping the body strong and of course the friendship and beer.
Guy: Simple, the camaraderie, the beers, the laughter and to stay fit. I have made so many wonderful friends from being a member of the club as well as the memories to go with
I found out a few months ago that you both contracted covid-19. Tell me about that experience.
Catherine: A group of my hockey friends and partners went for drinks at a local pub. All 10 of us contracted Covid. Luckily, we became aware something was not right a couple of days after being in contact. We all went into isolation quickly. We had a whatsapp group where we shared symptoms and kept each other sane. Everyone was different. I started with a tickle in the throat, then the temperature but that only lasted a day. The headaches and the loss of taste lasted the longest. I ate Doritos one night for supper just because they went crunch. I also realized that we would only eat what sustained us if we permanently had no taste. We were lucky our immune systems were good and we got through it relatively easily and didn’t pass it on.
Guy: We are fortunate to get it mildly with just a couple of tricky days.
How long was it before you could start exercising and/or running again?
Catherine: I did 30min of exercise nearly every day while isolating in my room and as soon as we were out, I started running again but it took about three months to not feel breathless regardless of pace.
Guy: I had started our 2021 Comrades training on the 1st August 2020 following Don’s program and it was going well before getting Covid in October of that year. The eye opener was how I struggled to regain running fitness.
You are now a few months down the line after having recovered. How is your running now?
Catherine: Seven months down the line and everything is back to normal.
Guy: I was part of a group that had planned to run for four days in Lesotho in March 2020 however the borders were closed, and the trip was changed to the North Eastern Cape. We went to the War Trail /Tiffendale area to hike/run for four days which was a wonderful experience however I really battled with the altitude. I have worked hard these last couple of months and the running is getting nicely back on track.
Are you training for anything specific in these “race-free/virtual” times?
Catherine: We are doing 20 x 21km’s in the year 2021. We have done seven.
Guy: Not a big fan of Virtual races so my goal for 2021 is to run 20 x 21km and having done 7 already am looking forward to the year ahead.
Thanks for your insights Catherine and Guy, and well done for bouncing back. We are very grateful that your symptoms were mild and that you have not suffered any long-term aftereffects. Let us know when you finish that 20th half-marathon. (Maybe invite us to join you)
