Read on Twitter
I think this is (fairly) aimed at me, because I wrote, “Most of all, it was fun to feel somewhat of a sense of normalcy in the running world, as long as you ignored the lack of spectators (and the news), for about two and a half hours on Sunday morning.” https://twitter.com/aishaqamar/status/1340972119262457857
A lot of mental gymnastics goes into my enjoyment of running events these days, and I do feel guilt enjoying them, when I don’t necessarily think they should be happening. Watching running events has helped fuel me through my much more locked down past 9+ months.
This race helped me forget about our reality for 2.5 hours on Sunday, but that reality never goes away. I’ve felt conflicted over this particular event happening on a Reservation, but haven’t felt like I know enough about the relationship/arrangement or area to say more.
I hoped there would be a land acknowledgment at the start of the race, but if there was, I didn’t see it. (Not that that would offset any potential risk.) I know that event organizers had many safety protocols in place, requiring two COVID tests and encouraging distancing on site
But nothing is foolproof. I’ve been more critical of events that have broken local rules, and I’m not aware of this event having broken any rules. But the rules almost everywhere in this country are also inadequate.
I threw my hands up months ago when it became clear that few were trying to create policies that would get this pandemic under control in the U.S. or help those who are suffering most. I don’t agree with a lot of what’s going on...
...even when I’m not talking about it. If we were to rank superspreading events, I don’t think elite running events would be high on the list, but the travel, and all that goes with that, is likely the higher risk piece.
Maybe it’s a defense or survival mechanism that I can temporarily shut these thoughts off and enjoy a running event. But these thoughts are never far off, even when I’m not saying them aloud.
