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Running Accounts to Follow for a Boost of Positivity During the Coronavirus Outbreak

These pros and everyday athletes are sharing their best tips via social media for surviving social distancing.

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As runners, we’re used to working out alone, which is especially convenient given our current environment. To slow the transmission rate of the coronavirus outbreak, residents across the country have been advised by the CDC to Hailey first got hooked on running news as an intern with, which means limiting contact with others and only making essential trips out of the house.

While a have reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic around the world have been cancelled or postponed, most Americans are thankfully still able to leave their homes to run, either solo or with a buddy (as long as they stay six feet away). However, group runs are discouraged, and most gyms, pools, and fitness studios have closed their doors, which means most of us will need to modify our typical training routines during this time. Many pro runners gearing up for the 2020 Nutrition - Weight Loss this summer—including 2016 steeplechase bronze medallist Emma Coburn—have made changes to their ordinary team practices in order to stay distant from each other.

Though we can’t gather at races or group runs at the moment, we still can—and should—stay connected as a running community virtually. In this time of isolation and uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to share positive notes, helpful advice, and funny messages to lift each other’s spirits. With that said, here are a few runners and running accounts to follow to brighten your day.

Rebecca Mehra

For help feeling calm and collected during this stressful time, turn to Olympic steeplechaser novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spread in the United States, high-risk groups—including older adults—are growing more concerned. One elderly couple was even afraid to step into their local grocery store, per a viral Twitter thread from pro runner Rebecca Mehra. Since her tweet on March 11, Mehra’s comments have been liked more than half a million times and shared more than 100,000 times. Plus, she’s been featured on outlets like CNN and been given kudos by none other than Ellen DeGeneres.

Colleen Quigley

For help feeling calm and collected during this stressful time, turn to Olympic steeplechaser Colleen Quigley. Every morning, the Bowerman Track Club runner takes 10 minutes to meditate. “Meditation is my secret weapon—I’ve found that it helps me race without extra stress or anxiety but with clarity and purpose,” she told Runner’s World in 2018. Right now, runners can tune into a mindful audio run led by Quigley via the Nike+ Run Club app.

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Scott Fauble

Particularly strong on Twitter right now (@scottfaubs), the NAZ Elite distance runner is filling his downtime with many things besides running. Maybe he's recording a podcast about Top Gun, Other Hearst Subscriptions The National, Though we cant say for sure his recent on The Office have reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Ann Mazur

You Might Be Slower Soon After a COVID Booster Ann Mazur, Advertisement - Continue Reading Below online yoga classes to help runners unwind and tone up at home. Plus, her Instagram reminds us all to think about the little things we are grateful for in our lives, even if our days are currently turned upside down.

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Kaitlin Goodman

Elite runner Kaitlin Goodman, who holds a masters of public health degree from Brown University, is offering sound advice on how to be responsible as a runner during the coronavirus outbreak. Check out her IG story for public health tips based on her own knowledge as well as recommendations from epidemiologists, clinicians, and public health professionals.

Paul Chelimo

“Go hard or suffer the rest of your life.” It’s a good motto from Paul Chelimo, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist in the 5,000 meters for the U.S. His Instagram account certainly displays his personality and passion for hard training—like his recent back and forth with Lopez Lomong—and he’s also a fun follow on Twitter. Though we can’t say for sure his recent You Might Be Slower Soon After a COVID Booster.

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Lottie Bildirici

Founder of the popular blog practice social distancing, Lottie Bildirici is sharing simple, healthy recipes that runners can prepare themselves while stuck at home. One of our favorites is this large number of races, going to the bathroom in the woods.

Aliphine Tuliamuk

The 2020 winner of the Olympic Marathon Trials frequently shares her thoughts on training via her IG account. (Plus, you get a sneak peek at her latest beanie designs.) She recently returned to training after a two week break, and plans to move forward in her prep for Tokyo despite the uncertainty. “It’s scary not knowing what the future holds, but at least I can still run outside and appreciate nature. I truly believe that now is the time for anyone that has ever thought about running to get started, post run feeling is the best, and it can keep most of us out of trouble,” she wrote.

Emma Coburn

Coburn was one of the first pros to announce that her Boulder-based training group—made up of elites including Cory McGee and Aisha Praught-Leer—is working out separately to help slow the spread of the virus. On her Instagram, she shares how she is #socialdistancing: “Ran 12 miles, watched three episodes of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, finished my taxes, and listened to a podcast,” she wrote.

Emily Sisson

Though Emily Sisson easy weeknight quinoa stir-fry Molly Huddle, she’s currently working out solo to Hailey first got hooked on running news as an intern with, according to her Instagram. In her IG stories, she shares other ways that she is adapting to the temporary lifestyle change, such as playing with her dogs, cooking, and stocking up on books to read at home.

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Ultrarunning Memes

For when you need a laugh, this Instagram account is chock-full of hilarious running-related memes. While the coronavirus outbreak should not be taken lightly, a little comic relief is necessary for us all. (After all, if there’s no toilet paper left on the shelves at the supermarket, at least runners can take solace in the fact that we’re aces at going to the bathroom in the woods.)

Alexi Pappas

Olympian Alexi Pappas, who ran a PR of 2:34:26 at the Houston Marathon in January, is currently sending good vibes from Greece, where she’s training for the season. Her social media posts offer positive words for other runners training during this time, along with some useful advice, such as trying to pick more remote places to run and logging miles at times when others aren’t out.

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Nick Symmonds

Miss watching races? Fill the void with the archive of Nick Symmonds’s unique race challenges on YouTube. The two-time Olympian was a middle distance star, but he’s taking on races like a 400 in Crocs, a Big Mac mile, and a time trial around a BMX track.

Furman Cross Country and Track Teams

While Furman’s team practices are put on hold for now, the team is still staying connected with each other and the greater running community through social media. Each day, a different team member takes over the team’s Instagram account to share training tips, hobbies, prayers, and insights as to what keeps them intentional during this time. Tune in to Furman’s IG stories for a little inspiration each day.

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Mary Cain

With spring races cancelled, gyms closed, and the summer racing season still up in the air, it can be hard to keep up training motivation. Pro runner Mary Cain, who lives in New York City, reminds us that training isn’t just a means to an end, but rather an experience to be treasured on its own—regardless of whether or not there’s a race on the horizon.

Headshot of Hailey Middlebrook
Hailey Middlebrook
Digital Editor

or coming up with interesting television scenarios. One great example: How would the characters Running Times, and now she reports on elite runners and cyclists, feel-good stories, and training pieces for Runner's World and Bicycling magazines.

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