Butler senior distance runner Chelsey Kabel, far left, like many of her fellow track and field athletes, have taken to roads and trails to stay in shape in case the spring high school sports season is a go.

PROSPECT — Sammy Jo Barnes stretches on a trail at Moraine State Park.

The Knoch senior is getting ready for a run. There's no one around — just as she planned.

In the age of self-isolation because of the coronavirus pandemic, Barnes appreciates the solitude of a run, even though she misses her Knight teammates and hopes to tackle a course with them again soon.

“I think it's a perfect example of you don't appreciate something until it's gone,” Barnes said. “This puts a lot of things in perspective.

Barnes, a cross country and distance runner for the Knoch track and field team, is doing anything she can to keep fit.

With high school athletic facilities shuttered, some track and field athletes are having a hard time training in case the spring sports season survives.

But distance runners have a unique advantage.

“The roads,” as Butler senior Chelsey Kabel said, “are my track.”

Barnes prefers trails — they offer her more peace of mind than a road.

Barnes, who helped the Knoch girls cross country team to the first section title in program history in the fall and placed seventh in the 3,200-meter run at the WPIAL championships last spring, is careful to avoid people.

She went to North Park in Allegheny County earlier in the week to run, but found the number of people there uncomfortable.

She does feel fortunate to have alternatives.

“We have to do this all on our own,” Barnes said. “Luckily, we have that opportunity because we really don't need a track.”

Mars senior distance runner Zach Leachman is also careful about where he gets in his workouts.

“I've been running on roads and trails,” said Leachman, who finished fourth in the 3,200 at the PIAA Track and Field Championships with a school-record time last spring. “I know the track is closed and it's tough for sprinters and hurdlers and throwers. We wanted to run together and have practices without coaches, but the PIAA doesn't want us doing that.”

Leachman, who will run at Florida State next year, is varying his workouts, mixing in speed work with his long-distance runs.

“I pick a distance,” he said, “and then pick a stretch of road.”

Barnes, like many spring athletes, are still hopeful there will be a season, even if it is an abbreviated one.

“It's really sad,” Barnes said. “The Knoch Relays are already canceled. A lot of invitationals and bigger meets are already canceled. It's my senior year and it's the last time I get to do what I love to do in high school.”