by Jeff Benjamin
L-R
Running Network’s Jeff Benjamin, Kristin Andrews, Robby Andrews and Dad, Bob Andrews
This is the first in a series of columns on athletes who are dealing with the COVID-19 Novel coronavirus. The first one is on Robbie Andrews and sister, Kristin Andrews.
Awaiting The Baton In The Relay Exchange Zone – Profiles Of Athletes, Coaches & Legends During The War Against Corona
Profile # 1 –
Robby & Sister Kristin Andrews
By Jeff Benjamin
From Robby Andrews-
“For me, running has changed the least in my life despite the hectic last month.
Now, that isn’t to say it hasn’t changed at all. With the Olympics being postponed I have lowered the intensity of my workouts and entered a higher mileage phase. I’m using running as a stress relief, as opposed to stressing about hitting certain splits or workouts. When things calm down and there are more firm dates on when we will be allowed to compete I will be ready to transition to more race specific workouts. But until then, I am going to do the best with the situation I am given; right now I am lucky to be able to run and use that time to collect my thoughts on everything that is going on. I could have it much worse.
Advice for younger runners –
” If you are feeling upset and disappointed about losing your season, know that those emotions are totally understandable and expected. You do not need to suppress those emotions. It is important to find a healthy way to handle yourself, especially since we are practicing social distancing and relying on spending time with your friends is not acceptable at the moment. So my advice would be to look at the positives of the situation rather than the negatives; no matter how few and far between they may seem. Follow professional runners on social media who are spreading good (Emma Coburn, Kyle Merber, Paul Chelimo, Kara Goucher to name a few). Your only limits are what you set on yourself: if you see yourself as trapped and unable to do anything then that is exactly what you will be. If you choose to see what you can do, you will certainly find more ways to be active. If anyone is feeling especially down, feel free to send me a message on Twitter or Instagram and I would be more than happy to talk about any and everything you are going through.
From Kristen Andrews –
Kristin Andrews photo from Kristin Andrews
“I am a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) and I work in NJ at Jefferson Hospital in Washington Township. We are being utilized to intubate the COVID patients as we are a professional airway management team. It’s a little scary as to what will come and the number of people who will be affected. I am distancing myself from others as I would be at high risk to encounter this. Living with my fiancé Drew, we decided to be in this together and I don’t know how I would get through this without him. Thank you so much for thinking of me through these times and my prayers are with every nurse doctor health care worker or person helping fight this virus. We will get through this together!!
As far as running goes, we modified our training and it’s being used as stress management more than anything right now. It’s the most positive thing I feel like I have right now and appreciate running more than ever.
But I am optimistic for 2021 season!”
