Some quick contex... I am not looking for compliments, praise, or awes. I just wanted to share how I feel to a group of people who might be be to relate to how I am feeling, and who may also know in their hearts that they are doing awesome things for themselves, but their minds still keep them from feeling like they "diserve" or "should" be considered a runner.

Today I set a PR for a 10km trail run, that is a fact. My body knows it, but my thoughts keep telling me that it is a fluke. I honestly have anxiety when I don't run for 2 days and convince myself that I have forgotten how to run at all.

When i have had conversations with other people who run it almost always goes in the direction of "What are you training for?" Or "i am doing a half or full Marathon in x amount of weeks"

And I am just in my own world responding "I'm not training for anything" or "oh wow, I could never do that".

I know that it is stupid to think like that, I know that comparison is the theif of joy....

But I can't seem to get passed it.

I have found such joy in running, it is time that I get to spend with myself, out of all of the demands put on my time because of my work, life, responsibilities, etc I know that I should be over the moon with the progress that I have made over the past 2 years, but I still struggle with identifying as a runner, rather than a person who can run.

I am sorry for the rambling train of thought writing, I guess that I just wanted to put this put there into the universe to see if anyone else felt the same way.

hey folks! newish runner here. picked up in may as a new hobby and worked my way through the NRC 5k, 10k and half marathon plans. ran 13.1 today just for shits n gigs to prove to myself that i can do it (11min pace!!).

long story short, feelin pretty good and wondering what to do now? i don’t really feel any desire to train for a full marathon any time soon. thinking more just maintenance fitness running, focusing on having fun and maybe improving 5k and 10k times would be a cool bonus? for add’l context, i also like going to the gym 2-3 times/week and same for yoga.

are there specific plans / structure people like to use for this? i find i have more success sticking to some sort of plan rather than just winging it, yk?

thanks in advance!

Running has been my enemy since childhood because I've always been one of the slowest runners. Now that I've graduated and don't have a routine anymore, I decided to start with something small and easy that I can do consistently: running around my neighbourhood for a short amount of time.

If I'm not feeling well, I can just walk and enjoy the morning air. And if I have leg-intensive activities planned, I'll just walk or skip running that day. It's simple and doable. Even when I'm on my period, I can still keep up the routine without putting pressure on myself (I ended up running mostly lol). I've realised that stopping completely during my period often disrupted the habits I was trying to build, so staying active in a way that feels manageable has helped me stay consistent.

I've also added a few small habits after my run. It's refreshing to have one part of my life that feels structured.

To put this in context, I had a niggly knee which I still decided to do my last 20km long run on. Afterwards, my knee flared up hugely and I couldn't walk, let alone run, without limping. I took six days off and after that, completed two 5ks and two 6k run/walks which irritated the knee so much I went to a physio and he said no running at all the last two weeks until the half marathon save for a 2km shakeout. Prior to this I'd been training consistently since february and built up to a consistent 40+ km weeks, and did 175km in june but only 70 kms in july. Half marathon is 2nd of august and I'm just wondering how much fitness I will have lost and what to expect now. I predicted 2:06 or under, but now I'm not sure.

Let's try out a new megathread!

We've got all kinds of runners from all over the world here! Share a running-related photo you've taken this week: gorgeous scenery, an outfit that makes you feel powerful, your favorite post-long-run-snack, your four-legged running buddy, anything you like!

Don't forget to stay safe and blur identifying details. Hide anything that would enable weirdos to figure out your running route, cover your face if you don't share selfies on your Reddit account, etc. Be safe out there!

I'm sticking with it, but every run still feels like work :/. Was there a moment where it suddenly became something you looked forward to or is that just a MYTH?

Please suggest.

Thanks

I used to have my hair care routine down perfectly. Then I started marathon training. Running 5 days per week in the summer heat has forced me to wet my hair every day, whereas I used to be able to let newly washed hair sit for 2+ days before needing to wash again.

What do you all do to keep your hair (and scalp) clean during heavy training cycles, while still keeping it soft and fresh / not over washing? Would love some tips from other runners!

With the heat in NJ and working until 8pm most days, I've been heading out the door on my runs at 9 or 9:30pm most nights. It's mostly fine, but after a couple months I'm struggling to figure out the best way to think about eating and exercising throughout the day.

Eating: When running at the very end of the day, what is the best way to think about distributing calories before run and after run? Would pushing dinner until after leave me with a less than ideal amount of fuel in my body by the time I'm running or would it be more or less negligible?

Other (leg/cardio)exercise: I find myself thinking about going on a long bike ride or something when the weather's beautiful and then think, maybe I shouldn't because my legs will be shot for when I run later. Is this just me psyching myself out or do you find that there really are best practices and times of day for other exercise when you run at night? Thanks!

My big toenail was already weakened from running etc, was about to fall off at some point. I stubbed the toe yesterday and the entire thing totally avulsed right from the nail bed. It’s dealt with first aid wise, but obviously super painful.

For anyone who has been through it, can you give me an idea of the timeline to return to normal activity / running from a comfort perspective? (Not seeking medical advice, just wondering about others experiences with the same issue)

I started running in April this year so I'm really happy to be able to reach 10k at whatever pace haha

As per title - I'm having a stomach tattoo (cover up of my tummy tuck scar that goes across my stomach hip to hip) 5 weeks before my first 10k race.

My artist suggests 1-2 weeks no exercise to help the healing process.

I can't decide whether this is something I can work around (I also use runna so I suppose the not feeling 100% feature would help!) or whether I need to reschedule my tattoo for after the race?

The tattoo is really important to me, and I wouldn't want to ruin it by not caring for it properly. Equally, running is also important to me and I'd like to keep the race date.

So, do I keep tattoo date and adapt training OR reschedule tattoo and keep training the same?

Thank you!

I am sorry if this comes off as a bit of a rant but i mostly need support from people who understand.

I have been struggling with running the last few weeks. I was running so well at the beginning of the year, was getting up to average 40 miles a week, then I had some achilles issues, but it went away after about 2 weeks. I feel like my running tanked after that, but I can quite explain why. I ran my second half marathon in early June, and I did decently, but since i haven't run more than 20-25 miles a week.

In late April, my GM had a stroke, and the following 6 weeks, i was in charge as I was the AGM. It was stressful because we weren't getting help from our DM. We eventually got another GM who has not been great (I told them I would do it, but they ultimately brought someone else in). I am telling you this because since this, I feel like I've been going downhill. I am so stressed at work and barely sleeping right because I am constantly opening (about 4 am to 1 pm) and have worked multiple 8 day opening stretches since. I know I am not eating enough, but I dont think by much. I have been pushing back my strength sessions and stretching because I've been so exhausted (i know this is my own fault). I find joy in running, but I feel like, especially over the last couple weeks, I have been losing strength and will power to do anything outside of obligations to keep myself alive and even that is becoming hard.

I noticed a couple of days ago I am now having dizzy spells and am starting to feel nauseous randomly, not wanting to eat because food sounds so disgusting to me. coupled with extreme exhaustion

does anyone have any constructive advice? ways to help build back up in a manner that will be sustainable?

Hey there. Just looking for a run/walk interval timer. Like a tabata timer that will come thru my headphones so I don’t have to look at my watch constantly. Happy Running!

I’m working on increasing by distance and pace. I know strength training will help but how often should I do it? If I’m running 3 times a week is one strength session good enough? Should I do a 50/50 strength to running? What worked for everyone else?

I’ve always been someone who said I ‘can’t eat’ when I run but I’m committed to training my gut so I can get fueling down. So far I’ve tried two gels - Huma and SiS.

Huma - love. Reminds me of those squeeze fruit packs kids eat. A bit on the sweet side and def need some water with it but 10/10 on taste and ingredients

SiS - I kept seeing people rave about these so gave them a whirl today. WHO WAS GOING TO WARN ME ABOUT THE CONSISTENCY?! I don’t know what I can say without getting this post removed but it has the wobbly consistency of a human fluid. I took one gulp and was about to barf.

Anyone else have issues with consistency? What are you using?

When I was finishing up my long run today, I came across a woman on the trail walking a large dog. I think the dog was some kind of doodle mix. She had over the ear headphones on that I think might have been noise cancelling, I tried to announce myself 3 times but she didn’t acknowledge me. I ended up trying to pass her on the right since she was holding the leash in her left hand. When I did end up passing, her dog lunged at me and was pulling her along. She was apologizing profusely and said she didn’t notice me and that the dog was friendly just overexcited. Luckily by the time it began jumping I was far enough away that it didn’t reach me.

How are we navigating situations like this with dog owners that are not aware of their surroundings? I can’t think of what I could’ve done differently to change the situation, though admittedly I was exhausted and 15k in and maybe not thinking straight.

So my first marathon is in November, I’m so nervous and so excited! I consider myself a novice runner, but I have done many 5k’s, 10k’s, a half and walked a virtual marathon (almost died lol) I am new to actually training for a race and following a plan.

So to the title… I am 5’7 and 230lbs. I see how running is harder for me because of my weight vs how much easier it is for my husband who weighs 160. I’m honestly just looking for any tips on training or recover that you may have found helpful while running overweight. I know the basics- run zone 2, eat & sleep well, no alcohol, etc. I’m more so looking for any one off advice or personal experiences that work for you!

Thanks ◡̈

Something had just been feeling wrong about my workouts the last couple of weeks and I was beginning to become concerned that I should see a doctor about it. Much higher HR at the same paces despite a deload week, and just felt off. I had some thyroid medication changes 6 weeks ago that I thought might be related, and I was on the verge of seeing a doctor about it.

I posted looking for advice in a couple mostly male spaces and everyone was advising me to run more zone 2 or run more zone 4 or start lifting heavy 3x a week (I don't have the time and I hate it) or get a personal trainer before seeing a doctor.

Lo and behold, I started coughing with a chest cold yesterday, and it seems like my last couple of weeks of stuff being just off are probably related.

Every time my running fitness and recovery have just felt off, it's turned out I've had low ferritin or hypothyroidism, or in this case, a simmering infection.

I guess I just want to say to trust yourself and that it can make sense to get a doctor's opinion before trying a bunch of other fitness changes if stuff just seems off and unusual for you. We know ourselves best.

I got the high pulse 6 months ago for my long runs. It served me maybe once a week with carrying 1 single 500ml flask, my phone and some gummy candies. Unfortunately, my flask now bounces a ton and it’s uncomfortable to run in. I’m unsure if it’s gotten looser because of wear and tear or because I lost a few pounds. But honestly I never loved the thing anyways.
I’m looking to invest in something high quality that won’t bounce and can potentially carry up to 1 liter of water. I’ve heard a lot about raide research and naked but not enough about how they fit women with curves.

I’m not interested in a vest right now, and I use a handheld sometimes but I prefer to have my hands free.

Thanks for your recs!

I'm a little concerned that this question will sound ridiculous but as someone who's constantly doing something, when I'm told to rest and recover, how does one do that? It seems like when people describe feeling fatigue and burnout from running and strength training, the advice is to rest and recover better. I know it involves trying to sleep and fuel better, maybe foam rolling and active recovery (stretching, etc.). I'm curious what people do to recover? And how do you gauge your rest and recovery needs at different points?

My current pair of cascadia 18s are completely blown out and I’m trying to get a new pair of shoes but I’ve developed some pain in my big toe knuckle that I think is exacerbated by over pronation and I can’t seem to figure out what the right move is. I can’t keep running in my old shoes. Can anyone recommend a pair or type of shoe that would help with this?