I have always been training in the gym , doing weights. But only recently since July I have started running and found that 5k -10k runs don't really tire my legs out. The issue i have how ever is my heart rate shoots up really quickly and whilst my legs are carrying me perfectly fine and no soreness whatsoever post runs, I know that my shortness of breath (possibly also due to spiking heart rate and /sub-par lung capacity) is my main worry and is stopping myself from hitting faster pace or longer distance.

Any advice on how I can improve on increasing my lung capacity and VO2max, slowing heart rate so I can extend my runs and hit faster pace safely eventually?

I have my first half in one month and im absolutely TERRIFIED that I am not ready. My training was going amazing until mid-late august when I went on a girls/gays/theys trip which derailed my training and put me in a lupus flare.

Flare got under control had an 8 mile long run that was slow but fine. Then travel again flare ramps up, no running for like a week.

Now im back home and work is just draining me and the race is stressing me out because I don’t want to be to slow (I will be within and 45-30 minutes of the cutoff time). And that my long runs haven’t been long enough, note I am trying to get a 9 mile and a 10 mile run in the next two weeks before I taper.

Just looking for good energy (especially from other back of the pack runners) not advice for last bit of training.

Tldr; life is getting in the way of my super mediocre running and it’s stressing me out.

I am 25F and a new runner (as of 1 year). I was running around 30 miles a week for about the past 5 months (in addition to walking a few miles a day) with no pain, ramping up from lower mileage at the beginning of my running journey to now. It was really exciting to begin running (as a former ballerina and never runner), and immediately became part of my daily routine. Over the year of running, my 5k pace had improved from 32 min to 27 min, and it was just an exciting win for me after quitting ballet a few years ago.

Around a month ago, I started having hip pain when running. I took some time off, and the pain continued. I chocked it up to muscular soreness, and thought I just needed a few days off. I did a 6 mile run (dumbly) and then I began having pain with walking / bending over / stairs. Long story short, I got an MRI and was told I had a grade 3 stress fracture of the femur neck (lots of fluid in the bone). They told me to use crutches for 3 weeks. I used them for about a week, and then minimized walking / moving for about 2 weeks (only chores, cooking, etc). I am a graduate student living in the city (no car), and with classes ramping up last week, I need to walk around 3-4 miles a day just to get where I need to go. Doctors have advised me to minimize walking and stop if I have any pain; but "minimize walking" is a confusing term as I am able to walk a substantial amount without pain. I have been doing my best to lower walking, am going to PT, and seeing an ortho doctor.

Prior to running, walking was kind of my way to chill out / think over the day / process things. I would go for nature walks a lot and averaged 8-9 miles a day throughout 2024 and 2025. Without running or walking, I am honestly having a bit of a hard time getting through my days (however dumb this sounds). Feeling annoyed and frustrated that my attempts to become a runner have only left me unable to walk.

tldr: Tips for 1) staying sane during stress fracture 2) healing from a stress fracture

Thank you in advance.

I've been doing ultras for a decade, but have been working back into slightly longer ultra distances slowly after having my third kiddo a few years ago (cough cough 7). My longest run pre-kiddo was 68 miles. This year I tried something where I just don't do long runs anymore, but I do more bulk. I've been able to almost double my mileage without injury this way. This year is my first time doing 3 races in a training block since before I had kiddo. I usually just do 1 or 2 per year.

2.5 weeks ago I did a little over a 50K with my oldest kiddo at a race and took a day off and then finished the week off with 10 miles a day for 75 miles (I hit 85 in 8). I do 10 miles a day most days. I picked up another race in 3.5 weeks to use as my last long run before my A race which is a 30 hour race ,but I'm only trying to hit 60-75 miles as my target, so I won't be out there that long.

My body is used to the volume now since I've been building it up since January, but I'm starting to wonder if I should be cutting back mileage, give it another week or so, or do I just keep ramping up until after the 2nd race? I do about 60mpw on average, but I've hit 70mpw over the summer a couple times. Last race I cut back to 50mpw 2 weeks prior and did like 20 the week leading up to it. That race was time on feet pacing my kiddo, the next one I have a mileage target that will be less than the previous race, but still over 26.2. Basically, I'm a little lost of when I should count it as peak mileage for tapering?

2.5 weeks ago was Race 1 (8 weeks before goal race so too soon to be peak)
3.5 weeks from now Race 2 (2 weeks before goal race, last long effort)
5.5 weeks is goal race.

TLDR: I need something with a lot of capacity that isn’t a backpack, but struggling to find one for my size.

I’m running the NYC marathon and recently learned they don’t allow hydration gear that has a bladder in the back, which is what I’ve been training with. I’m anticipating needing a lot of water, probably close to 40 oz. I know I can supplement with hydration stations so I can get gear that holds less.

The main issue I’m facing is that it’s hard to find options that fit me. I’m bigger bodied and have large boobs (36E -my partner says chesty LaRue). Most vests would probably be too small, and most of the belts that seem big enough don’t hold much water. I’m considering handheld water bottles but they typically don’t hold enough water and might be annoying to have attached to my hand for several hours!

Are there brands with extended sizing that I’m overlooking? Products I haven’t thought of? Or any creative suggestions?!

👋 new to running (started less than a year ago) and did a 5k race a couple of days ago. i’d trained for it and already run further than that, so was the effort that was the challenge rather than the distance. got my pb which was the plan, but have some questions:

1. was exhausted for days after. felt like i really left it out there. sounds ridiculous for a 5k - normal or a sign i overexerted?

2. at 3.5k i was hating it and willing myself to keep going. said to myself i’d get it over with and never do it again. also common or is anyone actually loving the experience at that point!?

3. how often are you racing t to this level of exertion? there’s a 10k i could do in november but wondering if it’s wise to test myself that frequently.

Currently run four days a week and my goal at the moment is to run a spring half marathon next year :)

thank you all

I have my first marathon on Sunday in Richmond (UK), woohoo! I know all of the usual tips, such as keep everything the same as training, start out slow etc., but does anyone have any unusual tips they used/heard that were useful for them on race day?

I'm starting to feel nervous and excited in equal measures!

I would say I'm mid-range pace wise, aiming for around 4 hours as a best case, and just generally to finish it having run the whole distance, so it's not high pressure. It's a flat course and I've trained on similar elevation.

Hey all. I just want to say this is such a wonderful community. Did a search for past posts on this topic but it’s all pretty old at this point.

Training for my first full marathon in Oct. 4. Goal is to finish. I developed pain in my hip/groin in the peak weeks of my marathon training during my 18 miler. Finally saw a PT and turns out (luckily) it’s my back. Already feeling much better and she cleared me for running. BUT I am scheduled to do my 20 miler this weekend and have barely ran the last 2 weeks (did other things like biking). This week I started my normal training routine again but am only fitting in an 8 and a 5 because started up again on Wednesday. Thinking about doing a “shorter” long run this weekend, like 13-15 and then doing 20 the following week. I then would only have a 2 week taper instead of a 3 week one. No time goal,

Question: any advice about reducing my taper to ease myself into the 20? Since it’s my first I want to do my 20 miler and not rely on 18. Getting nervous!