u/BohemianaP

I applied to a charity for the London Marathon a few months ago and recently asked when they will let applicants know if they have been selected. The answer I got was do to the high volume of applicants, I would receive an answer at the end of September. I didn't hear anything. I emailed them again yesterday and no response. So...I'm looking for an alternative on the same weekend. Has anyone done "Not the London" marathon? It seems like of boring, doing laps multiple laps but it's close to Heathrow.

UPDATE:

I did just receive an email saying I didn't get selected for the charity I applied for. I'm bummed because I would have been doing the fundraising specifically thinking of my mom. I'm going to submit to another one today--I don't have any connection to it but it's good cause. Thank you for all your suggestions!!

We need a second car. Our current is a 2017 Prius which is great (52 mpg). We are considering either another used hybrid or used EV.

I have a couple questions—

1. We leave Phoenix the entire summer but our cars stay in the garage. The Prius is on a trickle charger. Is “storing” an EV hazardous or bad for the car in Phoenix kind of heat?
2. Our electric panel is on the opposite side of the house from the garage. Is there something like an EV electrician that can help us figure out a solution to install a level 2 charger? Any recommendations?
3. Does APS really save you money charging your EV from 4-7 vs a hybrid?
4. Any dealerships particularly knowledgeable about EVs? (Of course Tesla, but any other?) Currently used EVs are much cheaper than used hybrids so that factors into the cost and hassle also.

Visiting the area and I am considering running Sky Lakes via Lion Mountain at about 10 am. Is carrying bear spray something everyone does on trails? I don’t have any so can you suggest an alternative route—it can be paved but looking for something scenic and about 8-10 miles round trip or a loop.

Update—
Thanks all! Found out our hotel had bear spray to use and I’m going to stick to the paved “city” trails. Better to be safe than sorry.

We have a 2017 Prius that gets 51.7 mpg. It's a great car but it's gotten a bit banged up and it's really uncomfortable for my 6' husband to get in and out due to its low ground clearance. We're going to keep it but we want to get another used car with better ground clearance and newer so it's a car we would take friends in. We want to get an EV, BUT here are the things we're worried about regarding an EV...

We're retired, like in Phoenix 6-months during fall & winter, and, leave the Prius on a trickle charger all summer in the garage. We generally only drive about 6000 miles per year locally but take a couple trips totaling 1000-1400 miles each year mainly on freeways.

These are our worries about getting an EV. Based on these parameters, does it make sense to get an EV vs. a second hybrid?

#1--our electric panel is on the opposite side of our house and have been told we have so much insulation in the attic, it would be really expensive to run anything to the garage. (We had wanted to change our laundry to the garage and it was going to be $$$) My husband charges his lithium golf cart on 110 volts.

#2--we think it might be a steep learning curve to deal with different technology. We really don't need much technology...our cars have all be used and older.

#3--we don't want to have to subscribe to something to get full functionality of bells & whistles

#4--we really don't want to spend more than $22,000 on a used vehicle. These are on our list of options with high clearance--Subaru Solterra, VW ID.4, Nissan Ariya, Chevy Blazer.

Is this idea possible? According to the Medicare website, (as I understand it) I get 6-months to get a plan and change to a different plan without medical underwriting. Has anyone initially signed up for Plan G and done their "Welcome to Medicare Visit" and their free EKG (I think there's no cost); and then changed to Plan G-HD a month later? I really don't know how much insight that Welcome to Medicare visit actually entails. My husband's was a disaster (Plan N) BUT his EKG with the cardiologist showed an irregularity and he might want a calcium score test. Evidently, Medicare doesn't cover calcium tests anyway, even if there is an irregularity, so the doctor said he could get the test done or wait until symptoms start. Hence, we are thinking of ultimately both getting on Plan G-HD after I have my EKG. (We live in AZ, so my husband will have to have underwriting because he's outside the six months. Not sure how the doctor's statement will impact his ability to change from N to G.)

As I write this post, I'm thinking it's not worth saving US$10 to purchase a pair of Nick "Recycled Materials" Vomero 18s vs non-recycled. I searched this forum and the posts about recycled shoes were quite old. Does anyone know if they feel and perform differently? Also, on a different topic, does anyone have experience between the standard width vs wide in the Vomero 18s? (I wear women's size 8.5 regular but could you a tad more width. P.S. I hated the Plus, so don't recommend.)

We live in Arizona (Maricopa County). My husband (66 yrs old) has Plan N with Woodmen Life, which is highly rated according to SHIP information but his plan when up 12% this year. I'm going on Medicare next month and trying to pick a plan and company. I used Google AI which said Woodmen Life is a highly-rated insurer in general but in the Medicare market its pool of subscribers is aging and they have losses and are "closing books." AI recommended State Farm, BCBS of AZ, and AARP/UHC as having a larger share of the market thus keep books open; and that even though their rates might start off higher, they don't increase as much. Can anyone that has been on these three "better" insurers comment on your rate increases? We are both considering G-HD, G or N. (My husband is in good health so he can probably pass underwriting for G.)

So we have a car rental set up with Budget and we verified it's ok to drive across the US/Canada border when we go from Kimberley to Whitefish, on the Road to the Sun, to Waterton Lakes Natl Parks, then back to Calgary. What we didn't know and it's not explicitly stated is that there are additional fees if you leave Canada. We called Budget but were only told to talk to the clerk when we pick up the car. It can't be up to the discretion of each clerk to decide if to impose fees or how much. I looked at Routes Car Rental rental agreement and its $23CAD per day of the entire rental contract. Does anyone know of a company that has no additional fee or a reasonable fee so we aren't surprised when we arrive at the rental company? (FYI--we are U.S. citizens so that's why we are renting a car, rather than driving across the U.S. to get to the Canadian Rockies.)

UPDATE: Thank you all for your help! Actually, when I got into the nitty gritty details on Budget's website in the small print, I discovered Budget only allows travel into the state of Washington WITH special written permission. No other U.S. states are permitted. I found the best deal through Costco renting at Alamo. Alamo explicitly says rentals may be driven anywhere in Canada and all 50 states.

I ran about 400 miles in each of my Vomero 18s. (I also run in EVO SL for shorter, tempo runs.) I heard so many great things about the Vomero Plus for long recovery runs, I just got a pair. I have only put three slow 5-mile runs on them but it feels like I'm running in marshmallow boots. The Plus are loud (at least people can hear me when I run up to them from behind) and sluggish in comparison to the 18s. Maybe the Plus has to be "broken in??"

Yesterday, I tried on a pair of Mizuno Neo Vistas 2, and running around the shoe store they reminded me of the Vomero 18s in comfort but I felt rocker action like the EVO SLs. Do I need to give the Plus more time to fall in love? Overall, I have a wide foot, I'm a small female, not super fast but at age 64, I'm hoping for a little more cushioning for long runs. (The longest run I've done in the EVO SL was 9 miles and after that my feet rub the inside stitching becoming uncomfortable.)

I'm looking for some options for low/zero carb non/low alcohol wines that are NOT sweet. I love wine and wine is worth the carbs for me BUT I'm really trying to reduce/eliminate all alcohol. I am ok with Michelob ZERO beer--it tastes close enough to real beer to me. I don't want club soda/sparkling water ideas...that is what I already do with mint, lemon, a dash of bitters, etc. I'm looking for actual dry wine alternatives. I've looked up several brands on the internet but non state their carb counts. Thanks!!

I’ve gotten back into running but focusing on Zone 2 as opposed to speed. I’ve heard about Slow Poke running group that meets Tuesdays at 6:15, which I’m going to try. Are there other groups that are large enough that other people are running approx 12:00/mile? There’s no point for me to attend if I’m running alone a half mile behind everyone. (If I’m doing a 5k my pace is 9:30 but I can do that alone because I won’t be able to talk.)

Also, I have seen race calendars with a group called A Better World Running that has “races” in LB and other cities. They’re really cheap because it’s just on the beach bike path but do many people run them?

I’ve been on ACA since it started so blood work is basic. I’m going on Medicare in October and I THINK the blood work is pretty basic there. I think it’s very weird that Medicare doesn’t cover “preventative” tests/care. Anyone here on Medicare and do you use a PCP or a private testing company like Function Health? All these years I’ve been excited to get on Medicare but am learning it’s not that great. (Female in good health but have elevated LDL and family history of dementia.)

We’re looking to spend a couple weeks in Brighton. We would rather not have a rental car as we like to be able to walk around a city. However, my husband wants to play golf at several different courses (he would take Uber) and I’m a runner that would love to get into the countryside. What would be an idea neighborhood to base ourselves (in an Airbnb) with easy access?

Also, my husband would like to get hooked up with a social golf society that plays a variety of courses if anyone can recommend one. And I would like to take part in a park run you recommend. (We don’t have them in the U.S. so it will be a new experience for me.)

Thanks!!

While wasting time on Facebook today, Runners World posted about Larry Grogins who recently finished his 100 marathons in 100 days, running across the U.S. Google him because it’s amazing. He has significant tremors, yet he did it.

Honestly, I can’t imagine. Every marathon I have ever run, it takes me a week to recover! And, I feel set back after it. I can only assume it’s equally mental fortitude and physical endurance. How does he not get injured? He is definitely an inspiration.

Tomorrow, I’ll be running 4-5 miles, still nursing my twisted ankle.

We are looking for a new place to visit for at least 2 weeks in July. It must have at least one nice 18-hole golf course (within a 20-minute drive of the town), fantastic mountain hiking (also for trail running), a walkable town so we can walk to buy groceries, eat at restaurants, etc. And, very nice weather in July. Also, must have an airport or transportation hub somewhat close. For reference, we have spent several weeks, several times in Chamonix in France (fly into Geneva and bus to Chamonix). We love the town but we’re looking for somewhere new.

We went to Slovenia 25 years ago (specifically Ribcev Laz/Lake Bohinj) but not sure about any golf anywhere near there.

Any suggestions??

Note—we are using flying from Lisbon but could be from Faro also.

This will be our first group tour. Hopefully at a moderate price. The two most recommended companies are Gate 1, but they don’t offer land only; and Intrepid, but they get bad reviews for the accommodations.

We are 65 years old but very fit and enjoy younger people so a mix of ages would be great. We have travelled the world on our own as a couple but feel like Egypt would be much better as an organized tour with fellow travelers.

We don’t need, nor want luxury, which I think would be Viking and Kensington. However, we would like a tour that includes flights rather than long bus and train travel within Egypt.

Thank you!

I had been reading about different people getting different prices and I have been checking each of our accounts before I book a flight and never ran into it until now.

I’m Gold; my husband is nothing. (I know gold isn’t a big deal but still it’s better than nothing.)

We both got emails of a flight change. We each clicked on the “change at no cost” option. I had the choice of three bad options; he had about 10 options. We also looked to make sure the options he was seeing were actually flights. Both of us looked as though we were making an original booking and although we had the same flights listed, the number of miles required were quite a bit higher for me…21,000 vs 33,000!

I’m surprised that I only got three options to choose and he got the entire day of flights to choose.

Has any other couple or people flying on the same reservation run into this situation?

Question—I’m traveling in Portugal and there’s a “keto” granola that is all seeds but one of the main ingredients is “insulin.” By looking at the bag contents there is some binding agent sticking the seeds together. I googled “insulin” and only get medical terminology. The brand of granola is called “Sporty”

Do you know of golf leagues, men’s or mixed, that play weekdays? We’re retired and it seems like every one is only weekends. Are there any groups that play a variety of courses, like a European golf society? (I am not interested in joining a country club.)