Athletes resume outdoor training

TT athletes Cleopatra Borel, Alexi Costa and Kyle Greaux are all pleased with the easing of restrictions by Government, as they can resume outdoor training.

On Saturday, Government announced phase one of the revamped guidelines, concerning the global coronavirus pandemic, which took effect from Monday until May 23, whereby people can engage in restricted outdoor activities, once they continue to practice social distancing.

Borel, the four-time Olympian and national shot-put queen said, “I took the time to rest and recover because I didn’t do a long rest-period since between the end of the 2019 season and the preparation for 2020.”

The 41-year-old is yet to decide whether she will retire from the sport or vie for a fifth Olympic Games appearance, as the scheduled 2020 Games in Tokyo, Japan was delayed until July 2021, due to the covid19 pandemic.

She continued, “During the initial phase of the lockdown, I said ‘I’m going to rest, I’m not really going to train or workout’. So now the restrictions have gone into phase one, now that we can go outside and exercise, I’m going to start with my cardio fitness and move on from there. Hopefully, gyms (etcetera) can open shortly.”

Borel was speaking after exercising at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain.

The 2015 Pan American Games champ and gold medallist at the 2008, 2010, 2014 and 2018 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games acknowledged that she found it tough getting back into the swing of things.

“Initially it was tough,” said Borel. “It’s really hard trying to do cardio with your mask on, but we have to do something.

“When I started moving, it was shocking to me how hard it was and how my body felt, in terms of my legs hurting from a short walk, but very quickly recovering and gaining fitness again. It’s to be expected.”

Borel is hopeful that she may be able to use an altitude mask, instead of a cloth mask, for training.

“We just have to be innovative and make the best of the situation, to get back in shape and start working out,” she said. “Hopefully, for the athletes who want to prepare for the Olympics etcetera, we can start putting measures in place where (there are) ways to socially distance people but they can get back in the gyms, probably by having time-slots and sanitisation, so they can train at a higher degree.

“We have to wait on the restrictions to be lifted, but we have to make the necessary changes and adapt to the new normal.”

The 24-year-old Costa, the 2019 Caribbean Road and Time Trial champion, was due to start her professional cycling career with CWA Professional Women’s Racing Team, in the United States, in March. However, those plans were put on hold because of the pandemic.

“I’m really happy that they’ve allowed an ease-up with the outdoor activities because now I’ll be able to go out and train,” said the 25-year-old. “We’re limiting the amount of people, which is five but, when I do go riding, it’s always with the people in my house. I don’t go and train with a big bunch of people. So, I’m glad for that.”

Asked if she is taking things step by step or if she is just happy to go out and train as she used to, Costa replied, “My training hasn’t suffered much. I’m going to go back on the road every morning and train for a couple hours. I really hope that everybody else also adhere to the circumstances. You know how Trinis are, everybody’s going to want (to) go out and train, exercise and run in big groups.

“Hopefully everybody obeys the rules and the process, so the Government wouldn’t take back what was given to us.”

Greaux, the 2018 NACAC (North American, Central American and Caribbean) Championships 200-metre gold medallist said, “I’m a bit relieved because I’ve been following the stay-at-home guidelines. It’s been challenging for myself and everyone else.

“We were able to go outside and get some field activities again,” added the 31-year-old sprinter. “That, for me, is a benefit, it’s a plus.”

Greaux, who was open in his view that the Olympic Games be delayed because of the covid19 pandemic, said he has been “gradually easing out and getting back into (things).”

According to Greaux, “I’m taking things on a day-by-day basis. For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been able to acquire some weights, so I’ve been keeping active with that. Over the next couple of days, I plan to do some jogging.”