Ross County athletes aim to stay fit during lockdown
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ROSS County Athletics Club are doing their best to ensure athletes are maintaining top fitness after being forced to seek alternative training methods.
The club have been posting training sessions on its Facebook site to give athletes guidance on how to stay fit during the coronavirus lockdown period.
All session have been devised whilst also taking into account social distancing methods of staying two metres apart.
Club lead endurance coach Eoin Coull said Ross County Athletics Club wanted to ensure they could still train during this difficult time.
Training is still on but in a virtual setting.
"I continue to post up training sessions via social media aimed at the different age groups at the club.
"It has received a positive response with many athletes over the range of age groups taking part and feeding back to me how training is going.
"Though there is structured sessions within the training plan each week there is also sessions where athletes can go and explore new trails and run routes in their area and enjoy running without the competitive edge.
"These sessions they are asked to concentrate on their technique, pacing and form."
Ross County Athletics Club are also taking part in virtual races to give a competitive edge for athletes during the lockdown.
Coull says it has beneficial for athletes who have not been able to train a group or having races to look forward to.
I understand that it is tough for some athletes old and young to continue training due to having no races on the horizon or not having a training group of friends who help to motivate.
With this in mind a member of the group has set up a virtual 5k race route for local people to test themselves on each week.
"The club has also participated in virtual relay races put on by Scottish Athletics and other clubs. It is also my intention to put on virtual race challenges for members of the club to participate in and keep their interest up."
Coull says athletes have also been using the time to build up their strength.
"This is also a good time for athletes to work on their strength and conditioning which is sadly neglected by a lot of athletes.
"There are many fitness trainers offering free online athletics training during the lockdown.
"We have also seen a lot of athletes at the club carrying out various cross training from cycling, dancing and even digging the garden.
"The main thing is we are all safe and well and have a strong community spirit at the club coupled with close friendships amongst members. We may not be meeting up on our usual training sessions but we are still getting the banter and motivating each other all be it in a virtual setting."
