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.

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.

I have already run 41 half marathons. Many I have loved and would love to run again and then again, there were those that I wished I hadn’t.

I already posted about reasons to choose a race so my topic today is: Reasons Not to Choose A Half Marathon

1.A Poorly Marked or Inaccurate Course

No one likes a course that is short and long and even worse, one that you get lost on.

glad I was not running the full…many went the wrong way and ran a shortened course

2.A Boring or Ugly Course

Running in traffic or running loops and worse, just a route with nothing scenic to look at.

started & ended at a brewery…run in parking lots and along a busy highway

3.The Swag

An ugly medal or NO medal… or a uni-sex shirt (that doesn’t fit) or even a COTTON shirt.

half medal the size of a quarter and a cotton race shirt

4.The Logistics.

Poorly marked location, unorganized start/finish, not enough parking or not enough portapotties…

all of the above for this RNR race..

5.Food/Drink

Not enough water stops or water stops that run out of water.  Unappetizing Post-race refreshments or lack of.

another dud of a RNR race

Other Reasons:

• Cost – Too expensive

racing in Vegas is fun but not cheap!!

• Deferral policies – none or too expensive
• Crowd Support – none or very little
• Size – too big or too small

25k of my new friends

• Knowing No One – not fun to run a race all alone

running solo in Fla.

Happy Running! Any other reasons to offer on why you would avoid picking a race? Which of the above, have you chosen? Please share.