Summer Vacation 2020 Starts June 1

​THE EARNED RUNS BLOG IS USING THE MONTHS OF JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST THIS YEAR AS VACATION TIME. Taking the advice that frequently is provided here, we are hoping to come back in September refreshed and re-invigorated from time spent enjoying the nicer outdoor conditions and longer daylight hours in activities that do not involve sitting. For me that might include gardening, preserving, hiking, cooking and baking, puzzle gaming, cleaning and organizing, to name just a few examples.  

It is hoped that moderately vigorous physical movement will increase beyond that exerted in formal exercise, and that more effort will be made to build and stengthen personal and community relationships (within that which is allowed by recommended social distancing practices, of course)
 
In our 7th year of operation as a business and 6th year of regular blog postings, it seems a perfect time to take a ‘real’ vacation, especially as so many sports activities are transitioning to virtual experiences.
 
This summer will be one like no other, it appears, in which most of the elite running competitions have altered their spring and summer schedules and instituted virtual options for recreational participants. The 2020 Boston Marathon, at first postponed from April until September, has recently been cancelled; a virtual marathon will be held instead.  
 
Many other less famous events have become virtual. The 2020 Charlevoix Marathon that I trained to participate in on June 20, was also cancelled. A virtual event was organized for registrants and others not yet registered. The Big 10 10K also announced a virtual version for the summer of 2020, which I may join as well.  Fees are a bit less for virtual competitions, which makes them especially attractive for economy sake. 
 
Another selling point of virtual races this year, in my opinion, is that the entire field will be accomplishing the goal distance remotely. We will all be in the same situation, attempting to remain together in spirit as members of the competing/running/walking/fitness community in a time of social restriction. 
 
Event organizations severely stressed financially by the pandemic shutdowns can perhaps make a comeback if support is received by faithful participants through virtual race registrations. If you care about specific races, learn how you might help in this way.
 
Earned Runs has a new sticker (image above) that celebrates this virtual summer and all the summers that will follow.  We think it’s likely that the trend will take off and continue strong into future seasons, even as real-time physical events resume operations when safe.
 
Earned Runs competition bibs can help runners and walkers and all other fitness enthusiasts train for summer or fall virtual events and can be used to compete is custom-designed personal competitions. Although blogposts will take a break, bib requests will be accepted as usual and sets mailed.  Several stickers will be included. Check out the Summer line-up shown below. This summer we will accept requests through the CONTACT link for specific stickers. Please send complete proper mailing information.
 
Additions and updates will be made in other earned-runs.com pages, like RESOURCES and GEAR LOVE. All materials for the summer Challenges including  “Run-Walk-Bike Across America 2020” Summer Challenge II can be found on the RESOURCES page.

Hopefully each of you can find a way to de-stress from the worrisome goings-on and dangers of the winter and spring. If not a full-stop vacation, at least one or a few long weekends. Thank you for your interest and support. 

Please email to connect over these months.

See you in September...

RUN& MOVE HAPPY! 
 
https://www.baa.org/124th-boston-marathon-be-held-virtually
 
https://www.charlevoixmarathon.com/about
 
https://btn.com/2020/05/26/ninth-annual-btn-big-10k-goes-virtual/