Back once again for everything you wanted to know about running but were afraid to ask.

Rules of the Road:

This is inspired by eric_twinge’s fine work in r/fitness.

Upvote either good or stupid questions. Sort questions by new so that they get some love.

To the more experienced runnitors, if something is a good question or answer, add it to the FAQ.

Post your question – stupid or otherwise – here to get an answer – stupid or otherwise. Anyone can post a question and the community as a whole is invited and encouraged to provide an answer. Many questions get submitted late each week that don’t get a lot of action, so if your question didn’t get answered, feel free to post it again.

As always, be sure to read the FAQ first. Also, there’s a handy-dandy search bar to your right, and if you didn’t know, you can also use Google to search runnit by using the limiter “site:reddit.com r/running”.

Be sure to check back often as questions get posted throughout the day. Sort comments by “new” to be sure the newer questions get some love as well.

[Posting on behalf of /u/Percinho who I presume is busy trying to not burn himself making soup]

  • Unimprester@alien.topB
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    11 months ago

    When I’m PMS’ing and my resting heart rate is 5-10 bpm higher than normal, do my heart rate zones shift or is my easy run really just a shuffle with walking breaks now

    • OilySteeplechase@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      This, and also trying out new ADHD meds.

      My solution today was to tell my watch where to shove it and just run what felt like a leisurely pace. It was actually really pleasant. I might ignore the watch more in the future.

      • Unimprester@alien.topB
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        11 months ago

        Yeah that might be a good one. On other weeks I just run easy and my HR is actually easy, I’ll just keep that pace in PMS too I guess, it’s too much hassle lol

  • runner3264@alien.topB
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    11 months ago

    How many meals is it acceptable to eat at the office in a day? I think today I’m going to be eating 3: second breakfast (honeynut squash), first lunch (cheese toast), and second lunch (roasted acorn squash and honeycrisp apple, drizzled with honey and cinnamon).

    I actually ran into my boss in the kitchenette a little while ago when I was heating up my squash. He asked if it was lunch time already, and he laughed when I told him “nah, this is more of a second breakfast.” ;)

    Another stupid question: what takeout should I get myself for dinner tomorrow when my husband is out of town?

    • bertzie@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      I eat 7 times a day at work, but I also eat at my desk. Couple meals, couple snacks. Gotta fuel the furnace.

  • vulgar_wheat@alien.topB
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    11 months ago

    How fast am I going to run this half marathon on Sunday? When is the taper going to feel good? How many potatoes am I going to eat this week? How will I deal with the fact that I’m going to get absolutely smoked by someone who puts on running shoes for the first time in their life the morning of the race?

    I could give real numbers (I ran a 10k last month at 8:10/mile pace, I’ve averaged 25mpw for the last three months; last year I ran this same half at 1:57:30ish on 17mpw) but obviously the real problem is that I’m anxious as hell.

    • runner3264@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      When is the taper going to feel good?

      When you are at the start line.

      How many potatoes am I going to eat this week?

      All of them.

      • vulgar_wheat@alien.topB
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        11 months ago

        I think 6lb of potatoes for two people is enough, but… Maybe I should go back and get more.

  • runner7575@alien.topB
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    11 months ago

    Follow-up - least favorite soup?

    Mine is tomato…just feel like i am eating a bowl of tomato sauce.

    • Sedixodap@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      Borscht. I don’t hate the taste (although I certainly don’t love it), but I inevitably forget I’ve eaten it and think I’m dying when I’m on the toilet later.

  • TheophileEscargot@alien.topB
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    11 months ago

    What extra data fields do you want on your watch?

    I want an “Am I actually dying?” screen that has a big green N. Unless I’m actually dying, in which case it has a red Y and gives me the last rites.

    Also a screen that tells me how much time I’ve lost in worse posture and aerodynamics from looking at my watch too much…

  • gotmyfloaties@alien.topB
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    11 months ago

    I just learned this afternoon that Trail marathons are a thing (not ultras, 20 miles). They’re clearly not as popular as the road marathons.

    Anyone ran any recently? Do you have a preference?

    • Seldaren@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      I did a trail 50K in March that was a Marathon/50K, where there was a decision point for folks to decide if they wanted to do 31 or 26. I personally did the 31 (more like 33.9, hah), but some folks stopped at 26.

      There are number of ultra challenge things in my area that are multi-loop type things. Many folks don’t make it over 26.

      Specifically there’s a 5-hour challenge in Feb that I might do, hoping I can do enough loops to hit 26 before getting timed out.

      Trail races are different from road races obviously. Potentially more elevation change, more technical, potentially stream crossing… etc. Not exactly something to go in expecting to get a PR (if you’ve done road races).

  • SartorTy@alien.topB
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    11 months ago

    I’m having a hard time deciding what marathon training plan to do. I have no upcoming race plans but I want to be able to say yes to a Marathon next year with some friends. Any suggestions?

  • PotatoWantsANap@alien.topB
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    11 months ago

    I’ve run 3 half-marathons before getting a fitbit and seeing my heart rate goes alarmingly high for my slow speed. Just figured out this weekend that I’m tightening my chest subconsciously and can see my heartrate go down when I relax it. How do I train myself to stop this subconsciously self-suffocating behavior?

    • StrangeSitch@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      I have this problem too. I only really focus on my heartrate when I’m trying to stay in zone 2. But my training runs like tempos and strides or race I just go based on effort, but try not to max out my heartrate.

      That being said, I love gadgets, I use a chest HR strap that does a pretty good job reading my HR accurately compared to my Suunto 5 peak watch. I use the HR data in short and long term reports. What was my run like today? Am I improving or not?

      When I first started running and recording my HR I was super fixated on it, to the point that every time I looked down at my watch I saw it go up. It was stressing and tensing me up. My brother, who’s a much more experienced runner than I am, told me that unless I’m shooting up into my max HR on easy to medium difficult runs I should just focus on effort, breathing, and form. He said those three things will help me relax, HR will just throw me off during a run.

  • beefcalahan@alien.topB
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    11 months ago

    I’m one of those that cuts the liner out of running shorts. My thighs chaff a lot so I gotta have a performance brief on when running. I have some fruit of the looms that have been great for over 6 years now but I can not find the exact ones I bought. They are 5” and 6” inseam.

    If anyone else has this issue and has success with a specific style and brand please let me know. Not trying to break the bank though. $30 for a 2 or 3 pack is my price range.

  • suchbrightlights@alien.topB
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    11 months ago

    So I’m theoretically a full grown adult. Why is it so hard to dress myself for a run in late fall/early winter temperatures so that I won’t be too hot or too cold?

    • Breimann@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      A t shirt, running shorts, light gloves, and a beanie is the GOAT cold weather outfit. Hands/Ears will get cold before anything else (nose, but good luck covering that comfortably)

    • FWSRunner@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      I ran a race the other day that was about 40 degrees F, and debated bringing a long-sleeved tee because I suspected I was just gonna have to tie it around my waist after a mile or two. I settled on a tank and shorts, was chilly before the race and for about a half mile, and then super comfy the rest of the way.

      99% of the field was in tights and long sleeves, and about 25% in jackets. I wish I could stay that cool while running. 😂

    • 30000LBS_Of_Bananas@alien.topOPB
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      11 months ago

      Theory and practice aren’t always the same, I am also theoretically a full grown adult, I also struggle with dressing myself to not overheat or be cold.

    • runner7575@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      Right! I will try on multiple options before I commit.

      Though the 20 degree warmer theory does usually work for me, except sometimes i don’t factor in the wind.

    • runner3264@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      I do not know, but I share your confusion. I, too, struggle with this, despite ostensibly being an actual grown-up. I’m convinced that the key to proper dressing for runs is just a secret humans were not meant to know.

    • Cer-rific_43@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      The struggle is real. For now, I choose to stay in my neighborhood so when I get too warm I can circle back and drop layers & hat in my driveway and keep going. It’s not ideal, and I haven’t figured out to add a chest light for the dark, because THAT is just too much to manage! Glad I’m not alone in this.

    • KJBNH@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      It really comes with experience. I tend to overdress slightly so I can remove my beanie or gloves if I get too hot or unzip my jacket. I’d definitely rather be too hot and start removing stuff to carry than be too cold the entire time.

    • MontanaDemocrat1@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      I, too, am chiming in as an allegedly fully grown adult. How am I to dress to run in the winter with a cast on my wrist?

    • Triabolical_@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      I aim a little on the cold side, because running a little bit cold is only uncomfortable and not generally hazardous and getting sweaty on cold days can be problematic as you can end up cold cold.

      I try to have a zip up top so I can moderate the amount of wind cooling I get, and I will also take off my hat (and perhaps my gloves) if I start to get too hot.

      I come from the cycling world, where the problem is a lot worse; I’ll be climbing hard up a 700’ hill at a slow speed and then riding descents at 35 mph. And the solution is to unzip on the way up the hill and just deal with the fact that you are going to be cold at times.

    • bethskw@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      Because you don’t know what you want to wear until you’re 2+ miles into the run. And at that point it’s too late to get dressed.

    • Pigbear420@alien.topB
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      11 months ago

      I left my house yesterday to run. Forecast is 51 degrees. I get to the running spot (Anza Borrego Dessert, San Diego) ITS 23 DEGREES!!!

      • suchbrightlights@alien.topB
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        11 months ago

        Oh… that’s very different.

        I always keep extra layers in my car (I live in an area with some pronounced microclimates depending on where you are in the valley) but I don’t know that I am equipped for 23 vs. 51.