How do runners stay motivated to get moving when races are canceled and groups have disbanded?

I know this is a First-World problem, but it is something that the running community considers.

This is a Zoom call with Jeff Rhodes, Orlando and Kathy Montalvo and Sara Hernandez, one  of my former students.

We managed to persuade Sara to come to the dark side and become a trail runner!

Photo: Screenshot of the chat.

After two weeks of struggling with allergy-induced laryngitis, I have finally returned. I weigh in on how this pandemic is affecting me and I try to share some optimism, along with a rant or two. The best part of my days is when I get to "see" my students for class meetings, talk to my sister and friends. Had a Zoom meetup on Sunday  afternoon and it went really well. Got to chat up my friends from the Rio Grande Valley. We'll be doing this on the regular.

The podcast is probably going to take a little shift in that there will be fewer of just me sharing thoughts and a few more master's edition interviews and maybe some of the audio from my group chats. If you want to be part of an upcoming group chat email me at [email protected]

Photo: A scene from Sunday's chat.

This is the story of Lynn Hauka, 62, a master's runner living in San Antonio. She just placed first in master's at the Spider Mountain race last month and is fairly new to trail running. She will tackle her first ultra in November at Dinosaur Valley.

Felt really good on Saturday at the Prickly Pear trail race. I ran much of it and felt great. Hilariously, I still managed to place last in my age group. Nonetheless, went back out there for 6 bonus miles. Starting to feel more confident about my abilities as I eye the Brazos Bend 50K next month. Ha, ha...I signed up for that last week. And I managed to crash the Alamo 26.2 during a run on Sunday.

Drop bags are an important part of trail racing -- especially when doing ultra-distance races. Here are some tips I've gathered over the years to make creating your drop bag a cinch.

This is the first in an occasional series about master's runners. My good friend, Louisa Escamilla, was picked as my first guest. She is a cancer survivor and recently broke her ankle on a descent at Bandera. She's healing up but is eager to get back at it. She is one of the toughest runners I know.

Photo: Sullivan  City trails a few years ago.

I literally had to pull this episode out of my, well, you know.

And it's a pretty important aspect of trail running, but not something discussed in polite company.

So, if you're offended by this sort of stuff, feel free to skip to the last three minutes.

Also, here is the link to my favorite 50K training plan. 

I finally had a great race -- probably one of my favorites of all time. I ran the half marathon on Saturday at the Rocky Raccoon 50 at Huntsville State Park. I LOVE this course. I did watch my step with the roots and made some trail friends, so my time wasn't super-fast. But I'm satisfied with how it all went. Great weather, vibe and course made it a great experience.

Sometimes, you have to decide if it's better to set aside personal goals and help someone else. Plus an update on my intentions for Rocky Raccoon on Feb. 8. And I talk about plans for an occasional feature on master's athletes.

Photo: Carly and Javi.

Injury or nagging aches and pains can really be a drag. I am on the fence about gutting out a 50K next weekend versus playing it safe and running a half marathon. I have an achy hip and don't want to be debilitated, so my decision will be made next week.

Also, I share an inspiring message from a fellow runner who just earned a beauty of a buckle at a 108K over the weekend.

Here is the link to Louisa's Go Fund Me.