Have any runners you know gotten COVID-19?

I'm a 70-something mile a week guy who runs kinda lousy 5ks, and marathons in the 2:45 range at best. Me and my kid got this thing as soon as it came out. I was totally laid up for 3 days, and it took a total of about 10 days for me to recover completely, as though nothing had happened. My seven-year-old kid ran a fever and coughed incessantly for two weeks. He responded to OTC pain reliever and fever reducer, and he pretty much went about his business, bothering everyone around him with an incessant cough.

This was *just* at the beginning of the COVID-19 scare. We joked at the time that we all had the virus. Looking back at all the craziness that has since ensued, we probably should not have been so cavalier.

I had it last month. Confirmed positive via test (able to be tested bc first responder). Feel mostly back to normal now. Took 6 days off from running and eased back into things. The first couple weeks back could definitely tell it affected the respiratory system. Even easy running was a little tough

I don't know anyone, runner or not, who has, or had, lung cancer. That must mean lung cancer isn't a big deal.

Me. Mild symptoms on and off since a month ago and still can't run without it flaring up. Never got bad, just annoying to not be able to run for so long.

nycrunner48 wrote:

In NYC we've lost two highly respected runners in the community, Anick Jesdanun and Arnold Obey. Nick was an 83-time marathoner and Obey was a NYC-marathon mega-streaker with 38 finishes.

It's real, and it's affecting runners just as much as anyone else. I'm still running almost every day but with a mask and gloves, and at odd times of the day.

Stay safe!

Interesting to note that most of the runner related deaths people have been posting were marathon runners. There has been speculation that marathon and ultra running causes heart and kidney damage, that could put someone at risk for this. Additionally, excessive exercise causes immunosuppression (see research paper below) and puts runners at higher risk of upper respiratory infection. Obey had a stroke in the past, which would elevate his risk of death by about a factor of 30 according to comorbidity data. It is tough to say with Anick whether this was the natural course of the virus or if he tried to get back to quickly after being released from the hospital initially. I would think that hobby joggers would be less at risk as the risk of heart and kidney damage is lower and the benefits of lower blood pressure (high blood pressure almost doubles one's risk) would make that group less susceptible than the general population. Here is a research paper from 2010 that supports that position:

I've a 40-something runner friend in my town who recovered from the virus already.

Had a good friend get it. Sub 3 hour marathon (BQ qualifier) guy in his early 30s. Had to wait on testing for a really long time. He had to go to the hospital as it progressed to pneumonia. I think its been about 3 weeks and he said he was exhausted for several weeks. He just recently started being able to run a little again.

I heard of this Italian mid distance runner a few weeks ago who got COVID-19, Edoardo Melloni.

I found a short interview I linked below.

I also looked up his PRs: 1:54 - 800m, 3:49 - 1500m, 8:17 - 3000m, 15:03 - 5000m

https://www.aipsmedia.com/index.html?page=artdetail&art=27586&CoronavirusItalyEdoardo-Melloni

A few endurance athletes I know got it. Both full Ironmen. One was hospitalized for several days. Another was a Kona qualifier - (I don't think the Kona qualifier was hospitalized as I saw him running in my neighborhood on Wednesday)

I think I had it too, but did not get tested. I was exposed closely to a few people who were infected. Felt sluggish on runs/rides for a few days. One night I had labored breathing through the night, to the point where I could not sleep for fear I wouldn't breathe. I actually had to concentrate to get full breaths in and my HR was pretty high for middle of night lying in bed. I came close driving myself to ER, but it wasn't as bad next day. I had been on antibiotics for something else at the time, so perhaps that helped. I don't know. Went out for an easy 4 miles next day and was okay. Haven't had any issues since but person in my house had it. Have been exercising 1-3 hrs every day since.

flu away wrote:

Good stats. 1 in 1400 so if 2% are runners it is 1 in 70,000 runners.

Nope. Nope. Not how math works.

I knew several people who have had it, 4 healthy 20-25 year olds that said it wasn’t as bad as the flu and then two adults age 50 that said it was just a fever for a few days. Everyone I know said it really wasn’t that bad.

flu away wrote:

Good stats. 1 in 1400 so if 2% are runners it is 1 in 70,000 runners.

Wait, what?

It would still be 1 in 1400 runners. However, 1 in 70,000 people would be a runner AND have COVID-19 if the risk is the same as the general population (excluding NYC which I believe was factored into the 1 in 1400 premise).

trackislife12 wrote:

I knew several people who have had it, 4 healthy 20-25 year olds that said it wasn’t as bad as the flu and then two adults age 50 that said it was just a fever for a few days. Everyone I know said it really wasn’t that bad.

It wasn't as bad as the flu, but the sting in the lungs, and laboured breathing at night was a bit nasty.

Also scary because of these stories of people on ventilators.

While young people may die from Covid-19, it becomes more and more clear that age is a very important factor.

Being over 65 and definitely over 80 is a major risk factor for Covid mortality.

One of the two NYC runners that passed away was 73 and overweight.

Just a Guy from CT wrote:

I'm a 70-something mile a week guy who runs kinda lousy 5ks, and marathons in the 2:45 range at best. Me and my kid got this thing as soon as it came out. I was totally laid up for 3 days, and it took a total of about 10 days for me to recover completely, as though nothing had happened. My seven-year-old kid ran a fever and coughed incessantly for two weeks. He responded to OTC pain reliever and fever reducer, and he pretty much went about his business, bothering everyone around him with an incessant cough.

This was *just* at the beginning of the COVID-19 scare. We joked at the time that we all had the virus. Looking back at all the craziness that has since ensued, we probably should not have been so cavalier.

What do you mean cavalier? Like you didn't self isolate? How do you know you got it? Tested for antibodies? Tested positive? Maybe you just got a cold.

Sounds like the views of famed anti-running advocate Dr. O'Keefe?

trackislife12 wrote:

I knew several people who have had it, 4 healthy 20-25 year olds that said it wasn’t as bad as the flu and then two adults age 50 that said it was just a fever for a few days. Everyone I know said it really wasn’t that bad.

I didnt think they test people unless symptoms are really bad. Where I am you're turned away unless you cant breathe and have a high fever.

My gf has been sick for 2 weeks with the virus tested positive. She had caughing fit 2 days and couldn't breath properly. Sneezing. 38.3C fever. Weak and in bed and everytime she felt better of she moved too much she was back I'm bed.

I've been sleeping same bed eating her leftover pizza slices and kissing. I've not had any symptoms and been running 120 miles a week on treadmill. I think running helps your lungs stay strong as the Dr's give you breathing exercises to fight and prevent it.