u/FormerCandle3864

I’ve struggled with acne for as long as I can remember. My skin will be clear for a few weeks to a few months, and then all of a sudden will breakout in like 10 spots, mainly my cheeks, chin, and jawline.

Currently, I’m taking birth control, minocycline, and spironolactone. I’ve literally been on some type of medication for acne for probably 8+ years. Also, topical treatments include clindamyacin, tretinoin, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide cleanser. Everything I have used is just a bandaid fix.

I have continuously asked my dermatologist to get on accutane and the response I always get is “your skin is not that bad. It’s not going to respond to accutane. Try another pill/cream.” Id say I have mild to moderate acne but just consistent breakouts. Once it’s clear, it just breaks out again so I always have scarring and hyperpigmentation. I have hormonal acne and roseacea.

I’m so frustrated with my skin and just never being able to enjoy it being clear because I know it’s going to break out again. It’s really impacting my mental health. Is being on antibiotics on/off for years and spironolactone really safer than a round of accutane? I guess my thought is that I would rather try something that could potentially clear my skin than just literally be on medication forever. Or if there’s anything else you have tried that worked?

I don’t know if anyone has had similar experiences but any advice/tips are appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I am 24F and seeking a BQ — advice? Last weekend, I ran a 3:23 marathon. Previous PR exactly a year ago was 3:48:24. I was on track for a 3:18 race, until mile 22-23 where the 95% humidity and rolling hills got to me.

My training consisted of a 16-wk plan, peaking at 60 MPW and running 5 days a week. I did 2 speed workout days per week and incorporated MP up to 10mi within long runs.

I am planning on signing up for another marathon in late August/early September on a flatter course in cooler conditions. I plan on starting to run again this week and just go easy and build back up my base (after 7-10 days of recovery). I may jump into a more focused 12-wk training block after this, but am unsure if that is enough time.

Is it possible to PR by 5+ minutes in about 4 months? Is this enough time to peak again and hit my time goal? I just want to have enough of a buffer.

I feel that with ideal conditions, I can hit my goals, but am unsure if this is being too ambitious. Has anyone had a similar experience and had success? Any advice and training recommendations are appreciated!

I’ve been training with an Apple Watch series 9 and have been contemplating switching over to a Garmin Forerunner. I really only care about the fitness aspect of the watch (not too much about lifestyle features). Main focus is marathon training, but also strength sessions as well.

Is it worth switching over? How does the HR monitor and GPS accuracy compare to AW? I’ve been doing interval sessions on AW but it does not register my pace until the very end of the interval, making it hard to track. Wanting to get input to see if a forerunner would be better for these purposes?

Also, has anyone used both the 165 and 265? If I were to switch over, is there a huge noticeable difference between the 2 models? Thanks in advance!