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Mar 2020
1:28am, 27 Mar 2020
1,532 posts
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bonners
@urn, I have interpreted the restrictions exactly that way from the start. I'm doing all my runs from home, which is frustrating as unless I do about 9 miles all my runs are flat. Also avoiding the seafront as there is more chance of meeting people on narrow paths. Housing estates and industrial estates seems to be the best places to avoid people.
Yes I could drive a couple of miles to get to more isolated areas, but if I'm doing that then it is just adding to traffic on the roads and if everyone did the same then it will lead to further restriction.
In the first day I ran and then walked with the wife who can't run at the moment, realised I was actually being a hypocrite, so am now going to run or walk each day, although may do half a walk and then run in circles whilst the wife walks.
Mileage is going to be a lot less, but my main goal is to try and maintain some fitness in the hope that my body is in reasonable shape for what is to come
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Mar 2020
8:48am, 27 Mar 2020
34,536 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Amazing how it changes in a week. Last Sunday I didn't think driving to the hills was a problem. By Mon/Tue it was clear it was contra indicated. Just running from home now. Lucky that I am in country and can easily run without encountering people. Stay safe folks.  G
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Mar 2020
9:11am, 27 Mar 2020
16,981 posts
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EvilPixie
Been for a potter this morning
I have to go "before work" so does that count as a commute?
It's OK I won't take the piss ... that was my exercise for the day
slow walk and run but as it was cold I still haven't warmed up
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Mar 2020
9:23am, 27 Mar 2020
2,065 posts
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Canute
Bonners, your interpretation of the ruling was correct, but it is clear that the way the government has stated to situation has lacked clarity.
A very pedantic person might say the governments wording: "one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk or cycle - alone or with members of your household" actually excludes run and walking in the same session, but any runner familiar with Jeff Galloway’s run-walk-run method would point out that such a pedantic interpretation is utterly absurd.
It might be said that driving to an isolated location increases your ability to comply with the government exhortation that ‘You should be extremely careful that you will be able to maintain a social distance of more than 2m (6ft) from other people wherever you go.’ but it does conflict with the a literal interpretation of ‘avoid unnecessary travel.
It is interesting to note that on 25th March (two days after BJ’s announcement), the BBC web site stated: ‘Nothing expressly forbids people driving somewhere to go for a walk’.
We have been faced with the need to make judgements about common-sense interpretation of the spirit of the law and literal interpretation. I think it is helpful that several police forces have clarified the issue: driving to exercise is illegal.
I think that we as runners do need to obey both the spirit of the law and the literal interpretation if we wish to avoid tighter restriction. Where in doubt, we should probably err on the side of strict interpretation, but we are now in the domain of judgment calls. That is why I personally think we should obey the Canal and River Trust request that we avoid groups of moored boats. However common sense must still prevail. If there is a few residential boats and a wide tow path, I would think it is OK, but the residents might feel threatened if there are hundreds of runners passing each day, barely 2 metres from them.
Yes we need common sense, but I hope that the police continue to issue clarifying statements.
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Mar 2020
9:27am, 27 Mar 2020
16,985 posts
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EvilPixie
as I said I went for a pre work run some may try to say this was a commute as it separates home from work but no it was my exercise
I also would never have thought of driving somewhere as the drive is unnecessary as everyone can step outside their door and exercise so I agree with the police
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Mar 2020
10:46am, 27 Mar 2020
9,474 posts
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Keefy Beefy
Did a very pleasant 8 miles this morning on road. Saw about 8 people in total, all giving each other a very wide berth. I think early morning is the way forward (even if later in the day is not exactly busy). Weekends will be different, I expect.
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Mar 2020
10:49am, 27 Mar 2020
25,987 posts
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Wriggling Snake
Good today, better observed than a week ago but I feel the number of people out has increased again, and some not quite getting the 2m thang, I think people will relax very quickly.
As for driving somewhere, we normally would at the weekend, kinder is 5 miles away as the crow flies, I think now now. We can go up the local hills and have a look at it from there.....
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Mar 2020
10:57am, 27 Mar 2020
9,475 posts
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Keefy Beefy
I'm just taking the view it's up to me to social distance. If that means waiting for op to go into road, stopping, whatever, I do that. Can't trust other people. I actually had a runner come up from behind me on the path the other day when I was walking. Rather than go around me she was inches from me. Silly.
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Mar 2020
1:49pm, 27 Mar 2020
23,591 posts
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fetcheveryone
All very well-behaved this morning at about 8am.
I am hoping that there will be fewer people running in groups this Saturday morning.
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Mar 2020
2:13pm, 27 Mar 2020
23,597 posts
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fetcheveryone
Updated advice on accessing green spaces for exercise (from The Guardian live feed):
The government has just updated its guidance on access to green spaces. They are now telling people to “stay local and use open spaces near to your home where possible – do not travel unnecessarily”.
The update came after police forces used drones and roadblocks to deter members of the public from driving to beauty spots and national parks in order to walk their dogs and take exercise.
Note the government is still not explicitly outlawing driving somewhere but is obviously trying to discourage people from making unnecessary journeys.
The guidance now says:
stay local and use open spaces near to your home where possible – do not travel unnecessarily
you should only go outside alone or with members of your own household
keep at least 2 metres apart from anyone outside your household at all times
gatherings of more than two in parks or other public spaces have been banned and the police will enforce this
if you have a garden, make use of the space for exercise and fresh air
take hygiene precautions when you are outside, and wash your hands as soon as you are back indoors
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