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 is busy preparing a thanksgiving feast because no one told him he’s not in the right country for that]

  • Bj_Ijoke_Ikid@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    race photographers can be hit or miss, but sometimes you strike gold and get some awesome shots. it’s all about spotting the camera and giving it your best pose.

  • vulgar_wheat@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    If I accidentally stumbled onto my pacer’s strava, it’s not weird to thank them for pacing, right?

    • goldentomato32@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      Senita!!! I don’t need any more tops but the race photos were so bad I realized I need just one flattering top for races.

      Also I keep refreshing the shoe sites. I want a new pair of shoes…I am not brand exclusive-I just want a good sale!

    • Der_genealogist@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      I was deciding between running vest from Smartwool or thermo tights from Fusion but today my wife mentioned that our daughter dreams of getting a Prince special Edition under a XMAS tree. So I guess I will be buying Prince 🤷‍♂️

    • Seldaren@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      I feel like it’s “Black November” at this point, as the sales start so early.

      But I did pick up a pair of shoes (ASICS Novablast 3) as part of ASICS 25% off sale. I do wonder if the 3s will be further discounted when the 4s come out on 12/1.

  • MontanaDemocrat1@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    My fancy Noxgear tracer running light contraption showed up this evening. (I also didn’t have to get a hard cast for my broken wrist, so I’m itching to get out and run tomorrow morning for the first time in 12 days.)

    Was it supposed to come with instructions? Should it be intimidating me as much as it is?

    • fire_foot@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      I can’t remember if it comes with instructions but there are definitely instructions online somewhere! I know I’ve had to look up battery info for it.

    • suchbrightlights@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      Pro tip- try it on in the house and do some high knees or crossover toe touches or something. That’ll help you get the shoulder straps adjusted the right way before you go out. I put a zip tie a few inches above the back light to tighten up the straps because they kept sliding off my arms and annoying me.

    • fire_foot@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      I can’t remember if it comes with instructions but there are definitely instructions online somewhere! I know I’ve had to look up battery info for it.

  • runner3264@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    How little work is it acceptable to do the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving before I have to count them as PTO?

    What is the best Thanksgiving food and why is it honey nut squash? Why is turkey a traditional Thanksgiving food even though it’s barely an edible bird? How much cake and pie am I going to eat on Thursday?

    • runner7575@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      Turnip!! Then sweet potatoes & stuffing . Agreed on Turkey, I sometimes forget to eat when digging into the sides. We now also make a kale & leek gratin, delish!

      Def send a few emails … shows you are there.

    • suchbrightlights@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      The offices of my two teams are closing at noon tomorrow regardless of what the actual office of my company is doing. They’ve worked hard, and they’re tired, and they should go eat pie. Or squash. Or turkey. Or all of those things.

      But the best Thanksgiving food is the confit of duck my cousin makes.

    • MothershipConnection@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      You should at least respond to any emails or messages sent for you

      Luckily for me I didn’t hear a thing from work after 930 AM yesterday (I’m on the clock til 330)

    • yaheardwperd1@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      As others have suggested, interval training could be what you need. I’m far from a pro and I have the same issues. I would just immediately lose my breathe. But I started going to the track and doing 1 lap running, 1 lap walking. Or even half laps. Take your time and you’ll eventually build up. I’m running 3 miles now for the first time in my life.

  • firesandwich@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Anyone know of any virtual running challenges that have small physical rewards like stickers instead of shirts and medals? I need some extra motivation in the cold weather and willing to try (and pay for) one of those online challenges but don’t want larger cluttery things.

  • goldentomato32@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Why are the race photos so unflattering??? Do they train the photographers to get the worst photo? I see the guys sitting in camper chairs angling up to catch my belly, timing the downstep perfectly and making sure that when I smile I am looking down and giving double chins.

    Argh!!! I practiced looking up, sucking in and smiling naturally thinking maybe this will be the race I get one photo. Nope. Next race I am pulling faces and making poses.

    • iamnotanartist@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      Seriously though what lens are they using?? Why do I look gigantic, why am I always in the worst possible part of my gait. I don’t understand!!