u/Entire_Debate7744

I have a marathon in 4 months. I’ve been running, wanted to multi sport train so I got into swimming. I’ve known how to swim since I was a kid but never really lap swam. Just did my first session training and man I hate it. Is it worth it to keep with it to help strengthen my body and cardiovascular or if I don’t like it should I just keep to running.

I’m going to start upping my runs. Currently I run 3 times a week day one 4 miles, day two 8 miles, day three 6 miles. Then I wanted to swim on one of my off days. I also do body weight and light weight training on the run days.

Any advice is much appreciated. I ran a half marathon last year then quit running for 4 months and am getting back into it again. I hike a lot and do strenuous long days for my job so that makes it hard to stay consistent with training.

Idk if I just sweat a lot or what, but I can't imagine running a marathon without extra water. The marathon I'm running has 6 water/Gatorade stations. Last marathon I ran I drank my whole camelback and Gatorade at the last station and my mouth was so dry at the end I couldn't get down goldfish with extra water. It was in the 70s when I finished. I ran a 3:40:40 fwiw.

Aside from the extra water itself, I also can't imagine fueling without water after. Doesn't that make you super thirsty?

Even on my 20mi runs lately I find I drink about a whole camelback worth of water. My understanding is you should drink when you're thirsty (sipping ideally) and that's what I try to do.

So for all you running marathons without extra water: how are you doing it? Do you not get that thirsty or do you just tough it out? Are you super dehydrated at the end or do you just not feel like you need that much

Planning my water strategy for next race, so any advice is appreciated!

ETA: my marathon has 6 aid stations, not 4 (I think)

I’m about to go into my third marathon training block, and while I did lift heavily and extensively from 2021-23, I’ve struggled to incorporate any strength stuff into previous marathon blocks because as soon as I do, the DOMS are simply obliterating. when I’m not lifting, easy paced runs are as simple as breathing, but if I start doing leg circuits with even a 25lb kettlebell, I’m sore for days and days, my running stats tank, and it all just becomes miserable. which is hard to take when I mostly run for my mental health and the child-like joy and freedom it brings.

however, I am injury prone, and I know this is some real low hanging fruit in potential performance, especially as I look to BQ in the next few years. I’m also not getting any younger (35F) and I know muscle mass is so critical for ageing well. on paper I understand the importance, and I enjoy it while I’m doing it, but I just seem to be incapable of recovering. I eat well and plentifully, and sleep 8-10 hours a night too.

basically: should I once again abandon ship on the S&C and accept the potential injury risk? does it ever get better? anyone else been through the same?

Hi all,

I recently started training for a marathon and am finding that I need to carry more fuel during my long runs. I prefer using energy gel chews. Right now, I use a FlipBelt to carry my keys, phone, and a small water flask, but I'm running out of room now that I need to bring multiple packs of chews.

I'm not a big fan of running vests, but I'm curious if anyone has recommendations for a larger belt or another solution. What do you all use to carry your fuel during longer runs?

Thanks!

I’ve been on and off running and doing halfs over last 2 years but came more consistently over last 4 months and now training for my first marathon. One thing I’ve always had a problem is the fact that I continue to develop blood blisters mostly on my second and third toes with long runs and usually don’t get better with sometimes occasional toe nails falling off. I have seen long distance runners usually deal with this more given the general duration of the runs. Are there ways to combat this or is this just a byproduct of the situation and we just roll with it.

Going to start by saying I have nothing against walkers and am not trying to say I am any better than anybody. I just started running races this past year and am noticing a pet peeve of mine are groups of walkers who take up most of the lane leaving a sliver for runners to pass by, especially more so at the beginning of the course. I understand it may be some people's first time walking a race but I just can't seem to shake the feeling that common sense would tell you to move over to the edge a tiny bit more. Anyone else experience this? Did you adjust to start up to a certain point in the line?

I just got back into running and pace slow, so I feel like I shouldn't start further up. But maybe I should try that next time?