Peninsula Athletes Make Strides Despite Quarantine Restrictions

The coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic has affected the sports schedules of many high school, college and professional athletes. For high school sports during the spring, including track, their seasons being canceled has impacted athletes such as junior Ewan Macfarlane. 

Macfarlane is a member of the varsity boys’ cross country team at Peninsula, and he has been the fastest runner on the team for the past two years. The quarantine which was issued to combat COVID-19 began in the middle of this year’s track season. This affected Macfarlane’s overall schedule, but he has trained consistently during his free time. Macfarlane has been running a lower mileage, but enough to stay fit for summer training. He has also been able to increase his daily amount of sleep and exercise greater control over his diet. Since online schooling results in an extra seven to nine hours of freedom, Macfarlane has enjoyed more flexibility with his daily training depending on his day to day condition. 

With social distancing rules in place, Macfarlane has had little chance to train with the Peninsula team but is still able to run with other competitors from around the South Bay for leisurely runs. Despite the obstacles presented by the pandemic, Macfarlane has voiced his optimism for the future.

“Although I lost the opportunity to run in meets that would have possibly put me alongside the top runners in the state, I am training for next year and what the upcoming cross country season will hold,” Macfarlane said. “I am glad that I now have the extra time to both relax and prepare for my final year competitively running in high school.”