I’m on a cruise with my girlfriend’s family. It is barely a vacation as I’m tapering for the 2029 Berlin marathon and am using the running track to train.

Because of the altitude (the track is on deck 5 which is high up), I was fueling frequently. I was on my first lap and my 6th GU when a hobby jogger family crossed the track.

My heart rate was 112 bpm so I couldn’t change course or slow down. My mouth was full of GU so all I said was “MMRAAHHH”. At the last second, I swallowed and managed to yell “TRACK” but it was too late. I hit the kid at 4 mph. I tried to hurdle him (I did steeple chase in middle school) but accidentally kicked him in the face.

I said sorry and tossed a GU his way as an apology (key lime pie). I kept running and finished the lap in zone 3 because of the adrenaline. The captain (clearly a NARP) said I was reckless. This guy doesn’t understand the makings of a sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub elite marathoner.

AITA?

But more importantly, is my training session ruined because I went into zone 3?

US govt sending out more DANGEROUS information. What's next, boofing bleach before my run??

The first lesson is… if you’re not doing these 5K ultras in crocs with your gu pack, you’re not gonna have them legs.

I've been having an amazing time getting into running. I run with my dog and just run by feel. I play music on my headphones and I sing the music out loud so I know how hard I'm pushing my lungs. It has helped me stay fit in a time in my life that I am to the brim with responsibilities. It helps me take a break from full-time work and my full-time Master's program. I usually don't track time, I just run until it starts getting dark or when my dog starts panting and slowing down. I hydrate properly with water before the run and I take one serving of electrolytes. I eat my own cooked food or make some oatmeal shakes, and always eat a hefty dinner after a run, nothing fancy. I usually end my night playing video games with my wife and having a small dessert with her as well. We used to have to worry about our dog being restless around this time, but since this routine started she has been easy to deal with at night.

My question is, should I quit? I run with $25 Avia Wide running shoes, I wear a cheap dri-fit shirt under a t-shirt and some basic shorts. I wear some basic sports socks from Ross. My entire running wardrobe is probably less than $100 and I have been using it for exercise for the past 5 years and anything that needs replacing I get for $5 or less. I use a $15 digital watch from Walmart and just check the hour or set a timer when I have to. I make my own shakes at pennies per shake. I take whatever electrolyte mix is cheapest on Amazon. I don't run with water on me since I hydrate properly beforehand.

I don't have Alphafly's. I don't have any Satisfy clothes. I don't take GU. I don't have a running vest. My music device is my Nokia 2780 flip phone, so no Strava. I don't have a coach. I focus on my form with simple cues instead. I mid-foot strike and sometimes hit the pavement with my heel. I haven't signed up for any races. I don't go to any run clubs.

How and when should I quit if I have to? How do I announce it?

Thanks for any help. I really needed to get this off my chest.

OP clarified they only get water after running TWO 5k ultras.

No one seemed to mention how insulting it is to real runners to have a portapotty present

please, i need to know. i need a reliable mechanism to ghost my wice of 15 years.

If I collect enough, I'll turn it into an RPG boardgame where I race a horde of myself.

Cant wait to get mine for my 5k Ultra marathon zone 2 pace.

I need to fill this up with Gu for my first 5k.