Update from England Athletics following the UK governments roadmap today for the easing of lockdown restrictions. While they are optimistic these guidelines allow for a return to Covid Secure club activities on 29th March, further guidance is being sought. I will keep you all updated. We welcome the UK Governments statement today [22 February] on an initial step towards the resumption of outdoor sport. We have been in regular dialogue with both Sport England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) during this period and, at the same time, scenario planning around the safe and progressive return of our sport ahead of the Prime Minister unveiling his plan for the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions in England. We will now seek further clarity from Sport England and DCMS on the details contained within the UK Governments roadmap and remain optimistic about the return on March 29 of athletics, running, training and other activity in clubs and groups and then for the safe return of competition and the sport more widely. As soon as we have more information, we will make an announcement on our website (www.englandathletics.org) and through our social media channels.
The final race of the ELR virtual XC competition is being held in Epping Forest in the Pole Hill / Chingford area, during the month of March. A beautiful but challenging course! For more details, see: http://www.eastlondonrunners.org.uk/crosscountry
Although track is closed during the lockdown, Grant has prepared a six-week virtual track training plan, which you can run in your own time every Monday. Monday 1st March: Accelerator Session. Warmup: 5 minute slow jog and then some dynamic stretches. Then 5 minutes running at 60% effort, followed by 5 minutes more starting at 70% increasing to 90% effort by the end. Take 2-3 minutes for a drink etc. before the main workout. Workout: 6,5,4,3,2,1 minute reps followed by 2x 30 second reps to finish. 90 second jog or static recovery between each rep. Try and speed up and run at a faster pace on each rep: you will be looking to run at around 70% effort to start and increase by approx 5% each rep up to 100%. Why not record each rep separately so you can see if you achieved a faster pace as you ran the shorter reps? Cooldown: 5 minutes easy running, followed by full stretches.
We are creating a map of the approximate location of as many ELR members as possible, on an opt-in basis. The map will have a pin at the general street location (postcode) of members who opt in, not the actual house location or anyone's name. We will then use this map to organise various location-based challenges (virtual for the time being, of course). For further information, see the announcement in the ELR Facebook group, or if you don't use Facebook, email info@eastlondonrunners.org.uk with any questions. If you would like your location to appear on the map, please email info@eastlondonrunners.org.uk with your name and postcode, or fill in the form on the Facebook post.
You will not have failed to have heard that we are back into full national Lockdown again as Covid-19 cases, hospital admissions and sadly deaths soar once more. It is feeling rather scary, with the new UK and South African variants of Covid-19 wildly reported to be more infectious. Though perhaps not more severe, being more infectious means it is easier to transmit, and therefore easier to catch these strains. It is as important now, perhaps more than ever that we do all we can to stay safe, protect ourselves, look after each other and protect the NHS. Hands, Face, Space! For ELR, we have effectively been at national lockdown level since 19th December when we entered L4 restrictions. The English national restrictions announced by the Prime Minister on Monday strengthen these restrictions somewhat across the board, as we join Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland meaning all 4 home nations are now under national lockdown measures. As yet there is hope on the horizon, with 2 vaccines approved for use in the UK, with the roll out promised to increase in speed in the coming weeks. Alas, club group activities are still suspended. Until we can meet again face to face, we continue to offer a range of activities virtually, with the committee meeting tonight to discuss among other things how we can increase the range of activities we currently have on offer. As we do, I also would like to reach out to you, our members to bring us your ideas too. “Our club, your way†started as a mantra for running alone on a Wednesday, but in the knowledge that we are not alone! We were still running as part of team ELR! As we (individually and as a nation) continue to battle the Covid-19 virus, this mantra is important to me now more than ever. Team ELR have been here from the beginning of the pandemic, and we are not prepared to be defeated by Covid-19! Remember to share your runs, your highs and lows via club social media, Facebook, Twitter, Strava, and together we shall remain strong. #TEAMELR!
It is with a heavy, heavy heart that I type at the moment. In light of the sudden announcement this evening that London enters a new tier 4 at midnight tonight, we have to react immediately. Tier 4 equates to the equivalent restrictions as imposed during the English lockdown in November. This means that with immediate effect we have to suspend until further notice all club activities including Sunday Social runs, Faux Wednesday, and Monday Track. I am afraid that any plans for Christmas or New Years Day runs are also suspended. Above and beyond everything else I hope and pray that you are all keeping safe and well, and I look forward to 2021 with eager anticipation. For now please may I wish you a very Happy Christmas, no matter how your celebrations have been affected by todays announcement, and I (we/ELR) look forward to bringing you new adventures in 2021. Till then, do not forget the fantastic cross country competition laid by Jacob and Alexandra.... 2021, see you real soon, and we hope you bear better news than 2020! Ciarán Canavan Vice Chair. Covid Compliance Officer.
An East London Runners response to 2020... what a crazy year!!!! #ELRStrong ELR Review of 2020 on YouTube
Evening all. If you have heard or seen the news today, you may be aware already the London will be entering tier 3 from 00:01am on Wednesday morning. This is the highest tier, short of national lockdown. This means that there are real concerns about the rate and spread of Covid-19 currently in and around the London area. With our covid secure groups, we can continue our Wednesday, Sunday and Monday group sessions. Please, please be covid minded. Remember Hands, Face, Space. Wear a mask at all times whenever possible, even when running, keep space between each other at all times and practice good hygiene. Catch coughs, sneezes in a tissue. Bring and use hand sanitisers wherever you go. Please do not attend our group sessions if feeling unwell. Again, be reminded that the public may not be aware that we can continue to run, so please give a wide berth, and be polite at all times while running and representing the club. Finally I would like to take this moment to remind all that it is a condition of attending club that you will present for testing and advise uk track and trace that you were part of one of our sessions should you experience covid symptoms and subsequently test positive for Covid-19. AS ever, please stay healthy, Stay safe, and happy running.
England Athletics have confirmed that our physical club activities are restricted by the new lockdown restrictions. Statement from England Athletics reads as follows: From this Thursday [5 November 2020], the UK Government is requiring everyone in England to stay at home, except for specific purposes, and not gather with other people who do not live in the same household, again except for specific purposes. As a result, the impact on athletics and running will include suspension of the following: All indoor club group coaching activity All outdoor club group coaching activity All indoor track and field competitions All outdoor competition (track and field, cross country, road, trail, fell and multiterrain) All face-to-face coach and officials education. As we enter lockdown 2.0, I do with a heavy heart, but I hope this will be a shorter circuit break that will have the desired effect in reducing the re-transmission rate of the covid virus by December. While we have suspended our physical club activities, we are launching much to keep you occupied from Monday through Sunday over the next 4 weeks. As noted in my newsletter article at the weekend, the committee are working tirelessly to keep ELR energised and active. Please stay up to date with the latest news on the ELR website and social media as we switch to virtual activities once again. A as soon as the restrictions begin to ease once more, we have the tools that we have developed since March which will enable us to react the the developments much quicker as and when lockdown 2.0 eases. For now, take care, and may you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy. I look forward to running with you all again real soon. Much love. Ciaran Canavan Covid Responder and Vice Chair.