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These Races Are Perfect For The Football Obsessed Runner

Photo: Finish At The 50

The start of both the college or pro football season is just around the corner. But you can still visit your favorite stadium even after the season ends. There are several great races that give participants the chance to run on or around football stadiums. Many of these races even finish on the 50-yard line.

Check out this list of road races that include football stadiums in their courses.

Back to Football Colts 5K

Aug. 26, Indianapolis

This run/walk starts outside of Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts. The race finishes on the 50-yard line, which is the perfect way to kick off the season.

Broncos Back to Football 7K

Sept. 3, Denver

Runners and walkers get to run onto Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. Participants also get the chance to see the Super Bowl trophies and meet the Broncos cheerleaders, players and Miles the Mascot. The Broncos also host 5K’s in May and June as well.

Fortitude 10K

Sept. 4, Fort Collins, Colo.

Everything about this race is new. In its first ever running, this 10K will finish inside Colorado State’s brand new stadium. It’s the perfect way to celebrate Labor Day weekend.

Columbus Marathon

Oct. 15, Columbus, Ohio

The marathon course routes through Ohio Stadium, home of the Ohio State University Buckeyes, around mile 18.

Ohio State Four-Miler

Oct. 22, Columbus, Ohio

This four-mile course gives participants a tour of The Ohio State University campus. The course finishes on the 50-yard line of the Ohio Stadium. It is the largest four-miler in the United States, with 15,000 runners.

Marshall University Marathon

Nov. 5, Huntington, W.V.

This race offers a marathon, half marathon and a 5K. The race finishes inside the Marshall University Football stadium. Participants have the option to carry a football 100 yards to the goal line finish. Also, the race provides flowers that participants can place at a memorial fountain that honors the players, coaches, staff and fans that died in a 1970 plane crash.

Big House 5K

April 2018, Ann Arbor, Mich.

This 5K finishes on the 50-yard line of Michigan Stadium, home of the University of Michigan Wolverines. The event also raises thousands of dollars for local charities.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Marathon

April 29, 2018, Canton, Ohio

This race offers a marathon, half marathon, 5K, and a relay. The race starts at the Pro Football Hall of Fame and finishes in Fawcett Stadium (which hosts the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game). If you can’t make it in April, the Hall of Fame hosts a Kickoff 5K in September and a Super Bowl 5-miler.

Lincoln Marathon

May 6, 2018, Lincoln, Neb.

The half and full marathoners finish at the 50-yard line of Memorial Stadium, home of the University of Nebraska Huskers. Before that, runners get a tour of the UNL campus and the streets of Lincoln.

Cellcom Green Bay Marathon

May 19-20, 2018, Green Bay, Wis.

This race includes a full marathon, half marathon, children’s run and 5K. This race starts outside and finishes inside Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. Participants run through the players’ tunnel and then do a loop around the field.

Colfax Marathon

May 20, 2018, Denver

Full marathoners get to run around Sports Authority field at Mile High Stadium, the home of the Denver Broncos, twice. The course loops around the field at mile 6 and mile 20. If 26.2 miles is too long, the Urban 10-miler, taking place the same weekend, also runs through the stadium.

Soldier Field 10 Mile

May 26, 2018, Chicago

Participants finish on the 50-yard line of Soldier Field, the home of the Chicago Bears. Participants enter the stadium via players tunnel and finish to America’s armed forces servicemen and women presenting the race medals. This course also gives participants beautiful views of the Chicago skyline and offers pace groups.

Bolder Boulder

May 28, 2018, Boulder, Colo.

One of the biggest 10Ks in the country, this fun Memorial Day weekend race finishes on the floor of the University of Colorado’s Folsom Field.

Chiefs 5K Run/Walk

June 2018, Kansas City, Mo.

Participants in this summer race finish right outside of Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs. The race then ends right on the 50-yard line. Spectators are invited on field to cheer the runners in.

Finish at the 50 at Patriot Place

July 2018, Foxboro, Mass.

This race offers a 5K and 10K at Foxboro Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The race is held on the evening of July 3. Participants run and walk through Foxboro, run into the stadium, and then finish on the 50-yard line. A free fireworks display is offered after the race (weather permitting).

Packers 5K

July 2018, Green Bay, Wis.

This race starts at Lombardi Avenue, runs through side streets of Green Bay, around the rubber track of Lambeau Field, and finishes on a replica 50-yard line constructed in the parking lot. Former Packers players are on hand to cheer on the participants.

RELATED: 10 Fall Races That You Can Still Register For

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Runner Shares Why Her Running Attire Is Not An Invitation For Assault

Photo: David Long/CincyPhotography.com

Photo: David Long/CincyPhotography.com

Laurah Lukin had a great race at the Little Miami Half Marathon in Cincinnati, Ohio, a couple weekends ago. She finished second in a time of 1:29:33. So when she noticed that the local photographer had tagged her in a race photo on Facebook, she was excited to see a picture from that day.

“I thought, ‘Oh this is wonderful. I’m sure its going to be a great photo that captures the day,’” Lukin recalls.

And it is a great photo, showing a determined Lukin looking strong in the middle of her half marathon. What she didn’t expect were the two repulsive comments left by a stranger underneath her picture.

The first comment was, “That’s because she doesn’t have any damn clothes on and she’s running for her life. That comment was then followed by “No wonder joggers get raped.”

Lukin felt shocked. “I have no idea who the man who commented is. I’ve never met him in my entire life.”

Unfortunately, these types of comments, both online and in person, are all too familiar to women runners. A survey released last year found that more than half of women surveyed had been harassed while running. Lukin became even more frustrated when her first reaction was to defend her outfit choice.

“I was rationalizing that it was a race. This is a race kit and those briefs are designed for racing. That really frustrated me about myself, that I felt like that had to be my response. To defend what I’m wearing.”

Instead of replying to the man who commented directly, Lukin channeled her thoughts on the incident into a blog post. She wanted to remind others that rape does not occur because of what women choose to wear and that many people use that myth to put the responsibility on the victim, instead of the predator.

“This idea that what anyone does, how they behave or what they wear makes them responsible for rape is not true at all.”

Lukin is no stranger to empowering women. After giving birth to her first child almost a year and a half ago, she and a friend had an idea to form a women’s running community in the Cincinnati area. They envisioned a group where women could share their work, life, running and parenting experiences. Through that idea, their group, LaoTong, was born.

“We could connect to each other and help each other professionally and as mothers and as runners,”Lukin shared. “So basically it’s this idea that there could be this community that could elevate women ultimately through the shared interest of running.”

LaoTong, which means sisterhood in Mandarin, meets three times per week for morning runs and workouts, along with other social outings. They have community partners and even a clothing line—which makes the racing briefs that Lukin is wearing in her half marathon photo.

“That’s our signature pattern and we call it Fast Cat. So it hit a little closer to home because we designed those and everyone loves them.”

So far the support for her blog post has been overwhelming. Even more heartening for her is that many of the supportive comments left on the blog and social media were from men.

“It’s a really great feeling to know that you have written something that resonates with people and is sparking a discussion about what I think is a really important topic is society right now,” Lukin said.

She knows that the blame women runners receive for their attire is an attitude that won’t be shifted overnight. However, Lukin hopes her blog post sparks a larger discussion about sexual assault. She wants both men and women to know that statements like those left on her Facebook photo only serve as excuses for people who think that assault survivors are responsible based on their choices.

“I said in the article that how short my shorts are is never an invitation or an indication of my consent or interest. That’s really what I want others to take out of it. The person who is the predator is at fault. It’s not the victim.”

RELATED: Out There—Cat Calls Are Not OK

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What Shalane Flanagan Can’t Run Without

Photo: PhotoRun.net

Continuing with our weekly “Can’t Run Without” series, four-time Olympian Shalane Flanagan weighs in on her must-have items (the physical and the mental) before she hits the road.

HOTSHOT: I take an hour before I compete. It’s my insurance that I won’t have any issues cramping while out on the marathon course. It also wakes me up with its sassy spice and ginger kick.

Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4%: These bad boys were built for speed and the roads. It’s a marathoners dream flat. It’s great cushion and responsiveness make them super fun to race in!

RELATED: Why I Run With Shalane Flanagan

Good advice: My coaches, Jerry and Pascal are with me almost every day in training so when I go to race I love getting a pep talk from them to give me an extra boost of confidence before I race. They lay out a plan and specifics for me so that I feel prepared and less nervous.

Run Fast. Eat Slow. cookbook: I cook and eat from my own cookbook daily. I love indulging in nourishing food that I know will give me great energy and help me recover for all my hard training and racing.

RELATED: Healthy Recipes From Shalane Flanagan’s Cookbook Run Fast. Eat Slow.

Nike Women’s Pro Indy Strappy Sports Bra: I love the feminine design and fun straps that adjust.

The right motivation: My Bowerman Track Club race kit. I believe that you get more out of your performance when you run for something bigger that yourself. I dig a little deeper when it starts to hurt when I think of all the people who helped me to get there! Slipping on my BTC kit I get extra energy knowing that I’m not just representing myself.

Nike Fleet sunglasses: Great for hanging out, training and racing. Protects my eyes so I don’t squint. It’s been proven that if you squint you tense you shoulders which in turn causes you to run less relaxed which wastes more energy.

More Athletes Share What They Can’t Run Without:

Alex Varner

Colleen Quigley

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5 Foods Runners Should Consider Taking A Break From

Nutrition is a vital part of our performance and recovery, but you also have to consider how it affects your body in other areas not related to training, as well. Though looking at foods as ‘bad’ or ‘good’ can be problematic, if you are experiencing certain issues—such as lack of sleep or poor digestion—there are some foods you can remove from your diet to help.

We talked with Brandice Lardner, nutrition coach at Grace Filled Plate, to find out what foods may be causing runners some issues and just how long you should remove them from your diet.

If you’re dealing with blemishes…take a break from dairy for one month.

Runners do a lot to protect their skin—sunscreen during every run is a must—and skin issues can lead to greater issues. It is important to always check your skin for unusual blemishes, moles and more as they can be a sign of skin cancer. As you treat your skin, there is more you can do besides topical treatments and face wash.

“While experts disagree about the ties between dairy and acne, acne sufferers frequently report an improvement in skin condition after removing dairy from their diets,” admits Lardner. “Dairy is believed to cause acne due to the hormonal components in milk. Try removing dairy from your diet for 30 days and see if you notice an improvement.”

RELATED: The New Rules Of Carbs For Runners

If you have poor digestion and are bloated…take a break from FODMAPs for six weeks.

As Larnder explains, FODMAPs, which stands for Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, and Mono-saccharides And Polyols, are fermentable carbohydrates that are found in foods and can cause digestive issues.

“By avoiding FODMAPs for six weeks you can determine if these foods are problematic for you,” she notes. “For many, they can re-introduce some of all FODMAPs back into their diet in limited quantities without a recurrence of symptoms.”

Lardner adds that many FODMAP foods are quite ‘healthy but because they are complex they may cause symptoms during digestion. Some of these foods include garlic, onions, mushrooms, apples, sausages, bran cereals and more.

If sleep is poor…take a break from caffeine for one week.

Sleep is vital to your performance and recovery and a lack of it can affect your daily life, as well. Skipping your coffee in the morning can actually help you sleep better at night.

“While caffeine has been to improve athletic performance when taken prior to a workout, caffeine can affect sleep quality for many individuals,” explains Lardner. “Genetically, we each metabolize caffeine at varying rates. If you have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep, try removing caffeine from your diet for one week and monitor if your sleep quality improves.”

If sugar cravings are causing you to eat more sugar…take a break from sugar for three weeks.

This one seems like a doozy, I know. However, sugar has addictive properties and can leave you wanting more and more of it.

“Over time, our taste preferences become wired to prefer more sweet foods than aligns with our health and fitness goals,” notes Lardner. “By taking a break from sugary foods like candy, cakes, cookies and soda, you give your taste buds a chance to recalibrate so that you can to enjoy the natural sweetness found in nutrient-dense foods such as fruits and vegetables.”

Not convinced? There’s more. A recent study in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that overweight children and adults who gave up sugar for just nine days significantly saw increased metabolic function. So even if you aren’t overweight, taking time off from sugar can help you add more foods into your diet that your body can properly metabolize.

RELATED: The Straight Dope On Sugar In Sports Drinks

If performance or fat loss has stalled…take a break from alcohol for one month.

You may have heard the recommendation that many doctors make calling for a daily glass a red wine, however, Lardner reminds us that consuming alcohol on a regular basis can have a negative effect on your health and weight loss efforts.

“When you drink alcohol, those calories are burned preferentially by the body, meaning your body stops burning fat (meaning, your body stops burning stored fat and glycogen),” she explains. “Also, when we consume an alcoholic drink, this drink is often in addition to our daily calorie intake. These are extra calories that you would not have consumed otherwise and it can have a negative effect on your body weight.”

Lardner recommends taking a ‘dry month’ and eliminating alcohol to see if you being to see progress again. Once that month is over, limiting how much you drink can help keep that momentum up.

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What You Need To Know If You Are Traveling To A Race

Destination races have become the way to vacation. Flying one hour, five hours, or even all over the world has become commonplace. Some runners are even doing seven races in seven days on seven continents. But did you know that if you are traveling to a race, there are some steps you need to take for your body’s health?

Pre-Race

Make sure you drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Bring an empty water bottle to the airport and fill it after security. Or purchase a big bottle before you get to your gate.

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes so you can move freely. If you are traveling far, wear compression sleeves or socks. This will help reduce inflammation especially if you are stuck on a plane changing altitudes for a couple of hours.

Post Race

Do not drink alcohol. Or at least wait until your are hydrated and fed.

Drink plenty of water and beverages with electrolytes. Tablets containing electrolytes are easy to pack in your carryon and your race day bag.

Eat a post-race meal containing protein and carbohydrates to help rebuild the muscle you just used. If you can’t consume a lot of food after a tough race, try a drink like chocolate milk. Consuming 200-300 calories right after your race is essential to recovery. Then you can eat a bigger meal later in the day.

If you can, take a cool bath. This can help reduce swelling and decrease inflammation, which will ultimately help flush out the muscles due to constriction of blood cells.

In Flight

Book an aisle seat so your legs can have space. Also hydrated runners may need to get up to use the bathroom more often than usual. If you are stuck with a middle or window seat, sit with your legs open and store your bags in the overhead compartment to give your feet more room.

Make sure you move around on the plane. This will help prevent blood clots. It also increases blood flow to the legs and feet to reduce stiffness. Also try not to sleep for hours. There is a higher chance you won’t move around as much if you do sleep. If you do feel a dull pain and it persists, see a doctor immediately. Blood clots are something you do not want to mess with.

Once again, wear comfortable clothing and compression sleeves. If you would wear it post-race, wear it on the plane. No one will care about your fashion statement. Drink plenty of fluids and eat your protein.

Have fun at your racecation but remember these tips when you decide to fly.

Related: Hotels Get Creative To Help Guests Stay Fit

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Chicago Hot Chocolate Race Will Give Away Diamond Accented Medals

Photo: RAM Racing

In honor of their 10th anniversary, the MB Hot Chocolate 15K/5K is offering up a chance for runners to win a little bling on their race medals. Ten runners will be randomly selected to win a diamond-trimmed race medal, valued at $1,000. The special race souvenirs are decorated with 150 accent diamonds.

Runners are automatically entered into the drawing to win one of the medals when they register for the 15K. However, RAM Racing, the company behind the Hot Chocolate racing series, has teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to offer runners more chances to win. By meeting certain fundraising goals and sharing them on social media, participants can gain more entries into the contest. The contest details are outlined on hotchocolate15k.com.

In addition, 500 runners who register for the 5K and 15K will be randomly chosen to win a diamond accented finisher keychain in the shape of Chicago’s Bean sculpture.

Photo: RAM Racing

“We’re ‘Blinging’ in our 10th Anniversary in a sparkling and memorable way,” assured Steve Ginsburg, RAM’s CEO. “Over one million previous Hot Chocolate runners know our goody bags are independently acknowledged as the best in the endurance industry but for this special 10th Anniversary celebration, we wanted to do even more.”

In addition to the giveaways, RAM Racing announced a new Legacy Program for returning runners. Ten participants who have run every Chicago Hot Chocolate race will receive special keepsake rewards and entry into a future race. They also plan to introduce a gift program for individuals running their 3rd and 5th consecutive Hot Chocolate race in their chosen city. Over 70 percent of the 40,000 runners at the 2016 Chicago race had participated in a previous year.

The Chicago Hot Chocolate 15K/5K takes place Oct. 29. The 5K has been the largest race in its distance for 6 years in a row.

RELATED: 7 Must-Do 5Ks In The United States

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How To Run The Perfect Pace Without A GPS Watch

I’ve been running for 17 years. Therefore I “grew up” as a runner long before the days of high-tech, GPS-guided running. And you know what? I can almost always tell you the pace I am running without needing to look at a watch. I had the benefit of learning the feel of paces before technology interfered with that ability.

These days, I think many runners struggle to learn pacing because they always have a watch to get instant feedback. However, as much as you might love the feedback your watch gives you during a race, guess what? It’s rarely going to be accurate to the race’s mile markers. And those are the mile splits that count. It’s more helpful to know what your ideal race pace feels like and then check it against the official mile marker.

Also technology can fail. Ever had your Garmin die during a race? Or not pick up satellites in an urban environment? How about trails? Odds are you can’t always depend on your GPS.

Pacing correctly matters because when you race, you want to make sure you aren’t going out too fast. Consider the fact that going just six percent too fast in the first mile of a 5K is pretty much going to sink your race.

So my advice: Learn how to pace. How, you say? A little less reliance on your GPS is a good place to start. Next time you set out on a run, try running the first mile without ever looking down. When you get that mile marker beep, take a look at your split. How did that mile feel compared to what you see? Try adjusting your pace up or down. Then check again at the next mile marker and make note of the difference in feeling.

Going to a track, wearing an old-fashioned chrono watch, is another great place to practice. Run mile repeats and only check your splits at the quarter mark. Or practice running on a course where you know the approximate mile markers using an old-school watch. Note how you feel with each mile split.

You aren’t going to learn to pace overnight, but as with anything, practice makes perfect. Choose one or two runs per week to dedicate to the skill. Before you know it, you’ll be dialed in to every pace you run.

RELATED: The Case For Going Gadget-Free On Your Runs

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Usain Bolt Makes The Switch To Soccer And Manchester United

Photo: A.RICARDO / Shutterstock.com

Usain Bolt, who has officially retired after the recent IAAF World Championships—where he took silver in the men’s 100m final and was unable to complete the men’s 4x100m relay due to injury—is making the switch to soccer…for one night.

Bolt will join his beloved team Manchester United—injury permitting—in an all-star charity lineup, reports FourFourTwo.

The 11-time World Champion sprinter holds world records in the 100m and 200m, but will have to run for quite a bit longer than usual, up and down the field in the charity game against Barcelona.

Bolt has shared his desire to play for Manchester United in the past in multiple interviews, including one with The Guardian in November 2015. ““For me, if I could get to play for Manchester United, that would be like a dream come true. Yes, that would be epic.”

Dream achieved. Bolt will play with former Manchester United players including Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes, Denis Irwin, Dwight Yorke and Phil Neville.

This isn’t the first time that Bolt is making a sports switch. He played in the NBA All-Star Weekend Celebrity Game in 2013 and scored a few points.

RELATED: How Well Does Running Fitness Translate To Other Sports?

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This Mother Runner Is Out To Prove Anybody Can Be A Runner

Sarah Greim returned to running in a way that is familiar to many people in their mid-30s. She spent her teens and early 20s active in sports, including hopping into a few races with her mother. However, as she got older, life got in the way of athletic goals. So after the birth of her son, Greim signed up for a couch-to-5K program.

But she wasn’t content to just run one 5K. Along with her mother and her best running friend, Greim set a goal to run 14 5Ks in 2014.

“We actually did 25 5Ks,” she says. “But then it just kind of snowballed from there.”

Greim, 38, who lives in Davenport, Iowa, has since turned to longer distances, completing 10 half marathons and one full marathon. She has her sights set on five more 13.1s this year. Throughout those races, Greim’s positivity and determined attitude has allowed her to connect with fellow runners.

RELATED: Meet The Women Who Started The Mother Runner Movement

During her first half marathon, Greim met a new friend at mile 1. Over the course of the race, they shared life stories, pushed each other and crossed the finish line with arms overhead.

Before Greim’s first marathon—last year’s Haunted Hustle in Wisconsin— her training partner backed out of the race. That’s when a group of friends she met through the organization Fellow Flowers came together to support her. Greim dressed as a “Runaway Bride” with a special shirt and white tutu. Her friends threw a pre-race party, wore matching bridesmaids shirts and jumped in at various parts of the race to give her a boost. The hilly course was tough and Greim was the last person to cross the finish line. However it made her realize how many people wanted her succeed.

“It was the worst run experience I’ve ever had because the course and how grueling it was,” recounts Greim. “But at the same time, it was the best because of the people supporting me through it.”

As much as running has given to Greim, she pays it forward as a chapter leader for a Moms Run This Town group. She is a mentor for new runners at her local Fleet Feet. Recently, she made a deal with her stepsister: Greim would pay the race entry if she joined the couch-to-5K group. They trained and ran a Race for the Cure.

Greim has countless friends who have told her that she has inspired them to become runners.

“I would get messages like ‘Sarah, you really inspired me. Now I’m doing couch-to-5K.’ And for a long time that was really hard for me,” says Greim. “But in the last few years, I started to own it.”

As she continues to complete her own racing goals while motivating others, she wants to set the example that anybody can be a runner.

“I am a slow runner. I am not an elite runner. I am not fast,” she says. “As much as I try to be fast, I am still a solid 12-to-14-minute-per-mile runner. That shows people you don’t have to be some super-fast elite runner to run a half marathon or run a full marathon.”

Greim has a busy race schedule for the second half of 2017. She is running the Remix Challenge at Rock ’n’ Roll Chicago, the Madison Mini Half, the Quad City half marathon and the Detroit International half marathon. And she still has her eye on a few more races.

Tip for New Runners

Find a training group, says Greim. “It’s the accountability of other people. They know what your goals are and they are not going to let you back down. If you have enough people in your corner, you can’t use it as an excuse not to do it.”

What Happens When You Finish Last?

Despite being the final finisher in her first marathon, Greim is already thinking about another—mainly because of her amazing support group. “This time we’re going to do it together,” she says.

RELATED: There’s No Shame In Crossing The Finish Line Last

Why Parents Should Run

Her advice for busy parents worried about their schedule is to just do it. “It doesn’t matter how old your child is. They are always watching you and always learning from you.”

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Can You Run If You Have Bunions?

Any runner who has bunions knows it can be a major impediment to training. A bony growth that protrudes from the joint of the big toe, bunions can cause many issues. At best, they make finding the perfect running shoe a bit difficult. At worse, they can cause significant pain while running—or even just walking. There are a few steps runners with bunions can take to make sure their miles are pain-free.

Does running cause bunions?

The short answer—no. People without bunions will not suddenly develop them when they start a training program.

“It’s not that running causes bunions. If you have bunions to begin with, running can perpetuate that deformity,” says Dr. Richard T. Braver DPM, a sports podiatrist located in Fair Lawn and Paramus, NJ.

Many bunions are formed because people are genetically predisposed to them. People with a more sedentary lifestyle may never notice a foot issue or find pain in everyday activities. However, the force running places on the foot can bring about discomfort more quickly. Improperly fitting shoes and poor running form can exacerbate any issues.

A majority of runners with bunions also tend to pronate, meaning they roll inward every time their foot strikes the ground. Instead of pushing straight ahead, these runners angle towards their big toe, putting more pressure on the side of the foot with the bunion.

RELATED: The 5 Most Troublesome Running Injuries

Treatment Options For Runners With Bunions

“The most common complaint we hear is that the side of the bunion where it’s really very prominent, that side that is bulbous, tends to rub on the shoe and it causes pain, ” says Dr. Braver

Addressing the fit of a shoe is often the first conservative approach for runners. Dr. Braver suggests creating a small opening on the side of their running shoe where the bunion protrudes. Put the shoe on, feel the area where the bone is most prominent, mark it with a pen, and then cut a small X in the center. This allows the big toe to have more room to move while running.

The big toe isn’t the only part of the foot that can experience irritation. Many runners also don’t realize that bunions can shift the bone of the big toe inward, causing pain in other areas of the foot.

“The second metatarsal underneath the ball of the foot that may hurt when they push off,” says Dr. Braver “And that’s because when a bunion gets out of position, it’s not taking its fair share of weight. What happens is that weight is then transferred to the next bone.”

Runners with more moderate foot pain often turn to orthotics. Getting fitted for an orthotic relieves pressure on other parts of the foot and restores correct running form. While it won’t heal a bunion, it can prevent it from getting worse.

When a bunion becomes severe, the answer is typically surgery. It’s important for runners to find a sports podiatrist who has familiarity in treating athletes. The surgical procedures of sports podiatrists can vary from traditional methods, with an emphasis on minimizing scar tissue and allowing for a greater range of motion. Runners should expect to miss anywhere from 8-12 weeks of running. Even then, the build up to a normal training plan takes a while. This may seem like a long time to be off your feet. However, it is a much better option than experiencing severe discomfort while running.

“People get to that point when they say ‘I’m not going to cut every pair of shoes I have. It hurts when I’m running. It hurts when I’m walking. The bunion throbs.’ Then we say you don’t have to live with this pain. We can fix it,” says Dr. Braver.

Advice To New Runners With Bunions

All runners who are starting a training program begin at the same place—a specialty running store. Getting fitted for the proper shoe is very important, especially since so many runners with bunions pronate. A supportive shoe in the proper size will help to minimize any pain. A bunion may require a shoe in a wider width (2E or 4E), which most running specialty stores can quickly order if they don’t have it in stock.

Dr. Braver also recommends that new runners visit a sports podiatrist if they begin a training program and experience foot pain.

“More than likely they will need orthotics to stop the bunion from getting worse and worse. The orthotic can’t fix the bunion like surgery can, but it can slow down the progression.”

This should not discourage anyone with bunions from trying to start a running program. Just be aware of your body, increase mileage slowly and take action at the first sign of pain.

RELATED: New Runners—Everything You Need To Know To Get Started

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