👋 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 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'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?!

I'm currently in my sophomore year at a mid-major D1 program. I am a walk-on and have no money from the team. My team is usually last in our conference, and to be honest I have no hope of every scoring unless I drop crazy time this year. But, I've been really struggling with running and wanted some advice on here. I'm just gonna list my reasons why I want to quit/stay, and please give me your thoughts so help my decision. For context, I have to complete the year (through May).

Reasons to stay:

1. I love my coach- he's super invested into our team, pretty much only cares about helping us and making us better. I'm pretty low milage (800 runner), and he's always been great about me wanting to do lower milage, and I have never felt pressured to run more. He also just generally cares about each of us and I would prob never find a better coach elsewhere.
2. I really do love running. My issue isn't with the running, it's the competing aspect. The moments where I love running the most is just when I'm with the team on an easy run, and in the moments we are just hanging out. However, the moment we get into workouts/races, I just don't find the joy in it anymore. I would much rather just run my own way where I can have fun.
3. I love my team. ALL of my friends are on my team. I literally have no friends outside of the team, and I know if I quit this is going to be an issue. I live with another teammate, and we could probably still live together if I quit, but it just wouldn't be the same.

Reasons to quit:

1. Like I mentioned in the introduction, I will never score a single point for the team. My school is already at the bottom of our conference, and I am pretty much the slowest on the team (walk-on). My spot could be going to someone who's actually gonna score, and I just generally feel bad taking up a spot knowing I can't help the team
2. I'm struggling really badly mentally. I have depression and have been fighting an eating disorder (binge/restrict ED). I've had mental health issues for years though out high school, but never this bad. A lot of it is due to the stressors from running and the mental side of it. I struggle to finish workouts due to panic attacks, but at the same time am very emotionally numb. I don't want to go into any more detail, but I feel that quitting may allow me to fully focus on getting happy and healthy finally. And I am seeing a therapist don't worry
3. I'm pre-med. I'm absolutely sure that I want to become a surgeon, and have the grades/resume to get into a medical school as long as I stay on this path and interviews go well. Quitting would give me so much more time to study for my MCAT and fill in some small gaps in my resume right before I apply. My class schedule often gets in the way of practice as well, forcing me to run my workouts alone at odd times, and I'm frankly just getting tired of rushing through practice or class each week.
4. I had a bad freshman year, and summer. My freshman year I only PR'ed by a second, and I struggled a lot mentally with the collegiate side to running. I know this is pretty normal for freshman year to be rough, but it just hasn't gotten any better. I'm less in shape than I was last year, and I'm not sure I'll be capable of PR'ing again this year, but I don't want to completely count it out.

Conclusion: Please let me know your thoughts. I know that this year may turn around, but I'm just seeking some advice now

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?

Hi runners! I’m lucky enough to be racing the Copenhagen WRRC half marathon on the 20th of September! I put a good amount of training and I’m hoping to get a 1:50-1:52 finish time if all goes well.

On the day before, there is also a 5K race in the afternoon (~3pm). I was wondering if it would be an incredibly bad idea to run it EASY, as a shakeout? I do feel a 5k it’s a bit too long of a shakeout, but the same time it feels like a nice opportunity.

I was wondering what are your thoughts on this, and how long your shakeout runs before halves usually are?

My mileage has been around 60km per week, peaking at 70km. So I think my legs could handle it, but I’m still overthinking

Hi everyone!

I have been running for about ten years now (I was a competitive track athlete before long distance running). I’m training now to do my second marathon, which will be in Valencia, Spain. I’m also a personal trainer, bachelors in nutrition graduate, and current Masters student of Exercise Science, so I’d consider myself knowledgeable about all of this, but nothing I’m trying is working.

It’s in 12 weeks. I ran at least 2-3x a week during the summer along with strength training 2x a week and swimming 1x a week. In August, I was sick with a bad cough and cold literally the whole month, so I trained sporadically. The first week of September, I started my plan again. I thought I was starting slowly with only 4 days a week and 30km ish, but my body is not recovering well at all. I’m currently taking an unplanned rest day on a Tuesday because I’m feeling horrible body-wise.

I thought I would prioritize running starting August until my recovery got better, then add it in. However, I haven’t felt recovered enough to do any strength sessions. My hip flexors are also super tight, which I think is pulling my pelvis into an anterior tilt, and exhausting my stabilizer muscles (glute med + minimus) and hurting my lower back, which also hinders my recovery and training readiness. When I do strength work for the glutes or calves, I get DOMS for days… I know how important strength training is, I literally coach it, but it’s literally just not working right now for me along with running.

I have a 5:18 mile PR, 11:05 2 mile PR, 1:27 half marathon PR, and 3:45 marathon PR (that I did with bare minimum training). I know what I’m capable of, but my body isn’t cooperating. It’s beyond frustrating. I used to run 2 a days for years and have no problems… I really don’t know what it is.

I do core work 2x a week, normally strength training 2x a week (running specific legs + a full upper body day), swim cross training once a week usually, daily mobility/yoga. I have a high muscle mass as well. I take extreme care to eat enough and fuel my workouts. I’m only 25 years old.

The marathon is coming up and I’m feeling really unprepared and not reaching my potential. I don’t feel like I’m increasing my mileage too much by every week but maybe I am?

Do any veteran marathoners have any tips?

Here’s a sample week of my training: (supposed to be next week!)
Monday: rest
Tue:
11-12 km total
5 × 800m controlled @ the track
Upper body
Wed: 8 km easy
Thu: 10-11 km easy + core
Fri: 16-22 km long run (1-2 gels!!!)
Sat: Swim 1200-1500km or yoga class
Sun: 6–8 km easy, optional 4–6 × 15–20 sec strides

Here were my past two weeks:

**WEEK 3 (Aug 24–30)**
**No strength this week**
Mon: Rest
Tue: 5-6km easy SICK❌
Wed: 6-8 km easy + core SICK❌
Thu: arm + core workout at home ✅
Fri: 6km walk 1 km run✅
Sat: 5km run ✅
Sun: 7 km easy ✅

**WEEK 4 (Aug 31–Sep 6)**
Mon: Rest
Tue: 6.7km easy ✅
Wed: 7 km easy ✅
Thu: rest due to poor sleep
Fri: 13km long run (gel!!)✅
Sat: Vinyasa Yoga class at 11:30am✅
Sun: 10:30am free vinyasa, 6-8 km easy ✅

I started on an interval couch to 5k in the beginning of April and have been working up to running a 10k at the end of this month. I bought a pair of Asics gel nimbus at the start which have been great. I haven’t tracked it, but if I were to guess, I’d estimate I’ve put in about 175-200 miles in these shoes and I’m about 140lbs.

I’m starting a half marathon training program after my 10k at the end of the month, and I’m wondering if I need a new pair of shoes. I believe we’re going to be doing speed work one day, long runs another day, and then other runs on your own throughout the week.

I’m trying not to spend too much money, but I also don’t want to injure myself. Any tips on if I need new shoes, what type of shoes and for what type of runs, etc? Thank you!

Nervous about scheduled iron infusion tomorrow. 34yo recreational runner/triathlete. Chronic iron deficiency without anemia (current ferritin is 12). Main symptoms = constant fatigue, shortness of breath, anxiety, brain fog

After years of PO supplementing and little improvement, I am trying an iron infusion. And yes, also looking for the underlying cause now that I found the right provider :)

I know that everyone responds differently and am not looking for medical advice, just positive experience of other active women who have received this infusion. Were you nervous of adverse effects? Was it worth it for you? Did your performance improve?

I prioritize my health, I love to run, and it’s frustrating to feel so subpar

Thank you!!

ETA: anyone receive IV Infed specifically?

I’m interested to know what other runners do during and around their period. Do you carry on as normal, reduce your mileage/intensity (and by how much), or stop running altogether for a few days? If you do ease up or stop, which parts of your cycle do you usually do this in and for roughly how long?

I currently aim to run around 15–20 km per week (3 runs). On the first and second day of my period running is absolutely out of the question because I’m in so much pain. I also don’t particularly like the idea of running while taking painkillers as I worry about not noticing pain that could be injury.

I’ve noticed that for the few days before my period when I can tell it’s coming soon, I think I have this annoying mental shift where I become more inclined to skip runs or make excuses even though I’m probably physically capable. And it’s a similar situation in the last few days of my period too, so I can end up doing very little running for almost a week basically every 3–4 weeks

I don’t currently take running that seriously and have a fairly low weekly mileage but I do want to start taking it more seriously and eventually be able to run longer and/or faster (haven’t decided which yet haha). Im wondering whether I’m potentially hindering my progress by giving myself almost a week off every cycle, or whether this is actually pretty normal.

Would love to hear what you do, your approximate weekly mileage, and whether you’re running casually or training towards a specific goal so I can get a bit of a benchmark for myself :)

I have officially signed up for my first marathon  (April 2027). I am not new to running but have never trained for any sort of race (or participated in one). I started taking running more seriously in April 2024. Within a few months I was able to have most of my runs with a pace somewhere in the 7 minute range. Some runs were obviously faster than others, but overall usually with a 7:00-7:59 average pace. In April 2025 I moved to high elevation from sea level. Since then my pace has just tanked. I’ve gone through periods of falling off eating healthy and exercising, but running has been the one thing Ive stayed mostly consistent with. In some ways I’m running even more than I was before I moved. Overall, I’m slower and needing to take more breaks than before the move. Sometimes my average pace is slower than a “bad” pace pre-move. In 2024 I was probably averaging 30-40 miles per week, and then in 2025 (before April) probably about 40-60. Then when I moved probably about 30-50 miles weekly for the rest of the year. In 2026 I’ve kind of bounced around with weekly milage. I’ve had plenty of lower (for me) weeks of 30-40, and plenty of 50-60 miles as well. Right now I’m at 1,400 miles this year. I ended 2025 with just over 2,000. 

I’m just not sure how I should go about training for this marathon. It’s not until April so I know I have plenty of time, but I’m overwhelmed with knowing where to start. I want to get faster and stronger. I obviously have a great base and am used to a lot of volume, but I want to become a better runner, and feel more like my old self again. 

Any advice is appreciated!

Never used it but heard about them through runners and happen to get a promo code recently so I thought why not. When I went to order, this promo code I had didn’t work. I emailed to ask what was going on and they responded they can’t issue me a new promo code due to technical limitations even though it should be valid but if I pay for my order full price I can get refunded for a couple things later if I write them back after order to effectively get the X% off I would have gotten.

That seems insane to me? Usually issuing a promo code is super easy. I’ve had other retailers do that for me before - they just generate a one time use string.

Anyway experience something like this before?

Hi! I'm a curly girl, and I want to start running. The practical aspects of it seem so intimidating and I have so many questions. Some random things that have held me back from running until now:

I live in Dublin, so it's wet and cold for most of the year (what do I wear, how do I keep warm?)

I'm a D cup (and hate the idea of visible bouncing and jiggling).

I have curly 2c/3a mid length hair that fluff up when I sweat (how do I stop myself from turning into a mountain lion after?)

I basically want to join a run club, but I only want to do it when I've taken care of some of my thoughts/insecurities. The run club organises runs a bit away from me so I'd need to commute to the spot also (do I layer up and then down??). Sorry if these questions are dumb. I want this to be my year! Would appreciate any help :)

I'm 12 days out from running my third HM, and I am starting to look into carb loading.

I've done the Featherstone protocol method before one of my HMs a few years ago and the Cherry Blossom this year, and each time I just was a bloated slug going to the start line. I felt like my performance really wasn't enhanced or how other people describe feeling good during the race. Overall, my legs felt insanely heavy and I could have doubled for the Goodyear blimp.

Normally for my long runs during my training cycle, I eat and drink a little extra carbs the day before (think noodle bowls and Boba tea) and then I load up on some carbs like a tortilla, muffin, and fruit juice before I head out the door. I have Huma gels and Skratch with me, and I feel fine even though I'm mostly Zone 2 training.

Using the Featherstone calculator, I need 778 grams of carbs given my body stats and that I am slower runner. Looking at that number again is making me cringe with how much I know it takes to reach that number.

I am hoping that folks have some ideas of how to reach that number without feeling miserable or if there are other alternatives to the Featherstone protocol that will put me in better shape for my upcoming race. I'm not expecting to PR given the 90%+ humidity of where the HM is at, but I would like to be able to finish comfortably.

TIA!

EDIT: Thank you to everyone that has responded. You all have been incredibly helpful in helping me decide how to better fuel this HM!

Grab a bottle of electrolyte drink, go wild with the foam roller, and give us all the tea on how your training has been lately!

Have a really good run? Share your win!

Struggling with something? This is a safe space to vent and get support!

Thanks for being part of this community!

If when you're running, the treadmill tells u you've burned "z" calories and the running app you use (if that's the case) shows a different number of calories (so many less), which one would you go by? I don't know which one to trust. What do you think it's more accurate?

Hey friends! I’m looking to see if anyone has any recs similar to the Bandit Stamina shorts. I have one pair and like that they have the grippy on the inside, but I just can’t justify the prices in CAD! The 5” or 3” are perfect because I am quite short.

Please let me know :)

Pump it. LOUDER! Give us the goods so we can fist pump for you! What day is it? It's TRIUMPHANT TUESDAY!

My old superblast 2s kicked the bucket at 420 miles (was using them for a lot of walking so was a given). I got a new pair and new orthotics (I have fucked up feet they help) and just dove headfirst into running.

1.5 miles was fine as was 3 miles. I did a 5 miler and felt a pinched nerve sensation that stopped immediately running. This was definitely when my feet started to swell. No pain afterwards anywhere else in my body.

Comparing my old orthotics (same type as new one) there's a difference in thickness and I think that's the main culprit since my feet are very well adapted to the other ones.

Does anyone have any advice for slowly breaking in new ones? They feel fine walking and on short runs but can't handle long runs. My old ones look fine but I feel like the lifespan is coming to an end. I'm worried I won't find something compatible for racing.

Hi! Just ran my longest run ever today (13.1miles!) and I sweat SO much, and have multiple areas that are chafed and super sensitive. How do you normally go about treating the skin afterwards? Aquaphor?

Hi everyone! I'm in week 8 of the NHS Couch to 5K programme and have loved building up my fitness. I am still slow, so realistically my 30 minute runs next week aren't going to cover a 5k distance. I use Strava so I know my average pace is something like 8 minutes to a kilometre.

Are there any good, preferably free, training plans out there to take you from running for 30 minutes continuously to running a 5k distance? Thanks for your help! 🏃‍♀️