It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

My Topic today is: What To Do When Your Races Are Cancelled

Another post about the pandemic! Sorry! It’s our New Normal.

1.Just Run for Fun.

No training plan!

Just run whenever you want. Wherever you feel like.  And run as many miles as you feel comfortable with and at any PACE.  Leave that watch home!!

2.Sign up for a Virtual Race.

There are so many offered.

Many are FREE!!

all distances and all at no cost

There are also ones that you pay for and it will support an important charity.  They may even send you a shirt and/or medal.

for $20 you get a medal and shirt. use code AMBSS5 at freihofersrun.com

3.Find a New Way to Stay Active.

You had no time before because you were training for a race.

Why not try biking? Spinning? Yoga? Hiking?

4.Explore Locations where you’ve never been.

Again when you were training, you were looking for maybe flat routes and ones that allowed for a certain distance.

Now it is the time to explore places that may never be used for running.  Those beautiful trails!!!

5. Stay Positive and Look Ahead. Plan for those Future Races.

Races scheduled for the fall may not work out because there will be so many re-scheduled races lumped together in the same month.

So look ahead to 2021.

next February in Florida!!!!

** One More.

Just run the races that have been cancelled as “unofficial” virtual races.

You just run the distance on any route you choose.  Definitely is not the same but it will give you a sense of accomplishment.

Happy Running! Have you used any of the above? Any other suggestions that you can add about dealing with cancelled races? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

My Topic today is: How To Survive Running Alone.

Another post about the pandemic! Sorry!

I know that due to the social distancing requirement, you are running alone.

For some, it is perfectly natural.  You usually run alone.  You have posted that nothing has changed with your running (other than some races may have been cancelled.)

But for those of us who do enjoy the company of others when we run, here are some suggestions that may help you:

1.Plan Virtual Runs with your friends.

Pick a date and time together and run.  Then afterward, text each other about the run and even send a picture.

2.Run a Virtual Race.

You can sign up for one and wear the bib or just run a race (unofficially). This gives your run a purpose.

3.Focus on Your Scenery.

In other words, run in a scenic location, forget about your watch and look around. Stop often and take pictures.  Be grateful for the opportunity to be outdoors.

4.Take Selfies.

Take those running goofy shots and even try jumping.  Post them or send them to friends.

5.Add Audio Distraction – Music, Podcasts, Audio Books.

When you run with others, you chat. Talking makes the run go by faster. Now… we need to be creative.

One More..

**Focus on YOUR running.

This is the time to work on your cadence, your posture, your foot strikes, etc. Try intervals or HR. Run naked (without that darn watch).

It will keep your mind off that you are now alone.

Happy Running! Have you used any of the above? Any other suggestions that you can add about running alone at this time? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

And NO I’m not posting about anything related to the Corona virus…I’ll leave that to the other bloggers lol

My topic today is: How to be a Runner Without Breaking the Bank

I know most of you love your gadgets and running outfits but you can spend little money and still be a runner.

Here’s what I recommend (from personal experience):

1. Buy an older version of a GPS watch. They will most likely do what you need (without the bells and whistles.) If the battery dies, surf the web and just buy another. I’ve found mine under $100 on Walmart.com.

I’ve bought the 205 three times already

2. Make some DIY items. For example, cut off knee socks instead of buying expensive arm sleeves. Wear two pairs of cheap gloves instead of lined expensive ones.

Like my arm warmers?

You can even use two tennis balls to roll tight muscles.

I put them in a sock and tied the end.

from https://www.sheknows.com

3. Register for races early or with discount codes. Many bloggers are race ambassadors and have codes. Discount codes are often offered on special dates like National Running Day.

4. Buy your running shoes online. Once you know what you like, you can find deals on them at various online stores like Zappos, Runner Warehouse, Amazon, etc.

5. Running clothes from Walmart, Kohl’s and Target work fine. If you have to run in name brands, try online sites like Poshmark, title9 and many others that offer cheaper prices.

This Target jacket is about 10 years old. I have it in white too. I am also wearing two pairs of Dollar store gloves.

Happy Running! Any other ideas for saving money? Have you used any of my ideas? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

My Topic today is about my Neuroma.

If you’ve been reading blog, you are aware since November 20 and until recently, I’ve been suffering with foot pain….diagnosed as a possible Neuroma.

Being a stubborn runner, I did run.

Here are some of the things that I’ve learned that may help you if you ever suffer from one (and I hope you never do.):

1.Rest and Anti-Inflammatory Medications – The onset of a Neuroma is usually gradual. In some cases (like mine), a Neuroma can occur suddenly. In these cases, taking a few days (or weeks) to rest and allow your body to heal could be beneficial. Similar to rest, a short course of anti-inflammatory medication (over the counter or prescribed) can also allow your foot to heal, if the onset of the Neuroma symptoms is relatively sudden.

2.Injections- Cortisone is basically an anti-inflammatory. When injected in the area of the Neuroma, it can reduce the swelling in the nerve and help it to heal. Other types of injections also exist: a dilute alcohol solution is sometimes used to chemically deaden the nerve. Vitamin B12 can also be used.

3.Physical Therapy- There are circumstances where PT can be effective. Tight calf and hamstring muscles place added pressure on the ball of the foot. Physical therapists can help reduce pressure on the ball of the foot by working on the stretch and laxity in the calf and hamstring muscles. They may also use other tools such as ART, ultrasound heat or lasers.

4.Padding- There are a variety of pre-made inserts designed to alleviate the painful symptoms of a Neuroma. The easiest to use is a small adhesive cushion called a metatarsal pad. This pad is a soft cushion with a triangular, teardrop shape. When effective, the metatarsal pad shifts weight in front of the Neuroma, allowing it to heal. If runners cannot find a comfortable over the counter insert, a custom orthotic can be made by your doctor.

my mummy foot lol

5.Shoes – Shoes with a heel exceeding 2 inches, and shoes with narrow toe boxes place increased stress on the toes and the bones along the ball of the foot. This can aggravate a Neuroma. This is also true for running shoes that have tapered, snug-fitting toe boxes. Being mindful of shoe choice can help a Neuroma to resolve. Runners need to try out different shoes to find the one that works best for them.

perhaps?? – lower heal drop and more cushion on the ball of foot in addition to a wide toe box

**Pain Relief Cream – Voltaren (or generic) – This is prescription only and can be rubbed onto the painful area of the foot.

I never thought I would run again without pain.  But I am. For how long? No one knows.  If you have a Neuroma, you are not cured. The pain may return.

If you have read my previous post, you know that I tried all of the above in this order:

• Rest – for 3 weeks
• Naproxen – for 2 weeks
• Cortisone shot
• PT – for 8 weeks (with ART, heat ultrasound and laser therapy)
• 4 different brands of running shoes
• B12 shot with cortisone
• Metatarsal pad
• Voltaren (after the pain had stopped, though)

running with lots of pain on Nov. 23

running pain-free run on Feb 23

It is so interesting that someone read my post about running with pain and emailed me about this study:

https://runrepeat.com/arch-support-study

Take a read!!  Food for thought.

Happy Running! Any experience with a Neuroma? What did you think of the arch support study? Please share.