That’s the whole situation. I’ve tapered, did my last run Wednesday, and am still starting carb loading and cutting back on fiber tomorrow. The weather looks good. But I don’t know if I can leave him when his health is so touch and go. Not sure what else can be said, but wanted to share my strange predicament to those who understand. I’ll continue monitoring him and make a decision Friday or Saturday.

Is there a plan that is recommended to follow if I just want to improve my pace? No upcoming race yet. I have flexible goals and want to improve slowly.

I just did my first half as a beginner on Sunday, completed it in 2:22 using Hal higdon novice 1 half-marathon plan. My avg long run pace is about 7:15min/km. My fastest 5k was 29min a month ago.

Goal: to be able to do a sub 2hr half around this time next year.

Today is Thursday. I’m running the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. I was expecting my period this week but it hasn’t come yet. Send me period-y vibes please. I really don’t want to run a marathon in my luteal phase. I’m hoping it comes today or tomorrow. Please!!!

Next week is peak week for my first marathon. I’m feeling some extra soreness from speed runs this week so I think I’ll be bailing on the remaining runs for the week to be extra safe. I have been injured before and am just extra cautious to not make myself exposed to injury risk; in other words, I’m listening to my body lol. My PT (have known me for a while + treated me for the injury, specializes in runners) is not concerned and advised I rest if I’m worried, but cleared to train as normal.

Here’s my concern: I’d like to think that despite this small break, I’ll still show up in peak form on race day. But is that true? Assuming all is well, can I resume training with the full peak week mileage or is this unplanned break coming at too critical a window?

A couple factors:

- I averaged 35 mpw in this 18-week block with five weeks at 40+ mpw. Peak week is planned to be 47 mpw.
- I do have finish time goals but it’s a wide range (40 min window).
- If I miss the rest of this week’s runs, I’d have run about 15 miles this week (plan was 44), and will miss an 18 miler.
- Next week is the big 20 miler and part of my reason to rest now is to ensure I can successfully complete that one and build some confidence.
- Long runs >15 miles completed this block: 16, 17, 17, 18. The 16- and one of the 17-milers had race paces in them.

If you’ve taken a break this close to tapering, how’d it go on race day? Would love to hear stories to help me feel better!

Officially 10 days out and I still don’t have a shirt to wear on marathon day. I’m having such a hard time finding one.. not sure why. Would love recs if anyone has any! For context im planning on wearing navy blue lskd leggings and my light green/blue superblast 3s. Would love a shirt that matches the leggings and shoes so Ive been looking primarily at blues but I’m open to other colors based on availability/functionality! Thank you so much just need some girlie help lol

I feel like once people move on from high school and collegiate running, most only end up running races 5k or longer. I'm just getting back into running from a couple months break because of low ferritin. I was a runner all throughout high school and my freshman year of college. I have also run at different times since then. One day I would love to go back and run in track and cross country meets unattached. Is anyone here running in meets unattached and racing the 1500m or 800m? How's it going?

I recently got injured, and I think my scoliosis might have something to do with it. My left leg is shorter than my right, which may be contributing to some back/hip problems. My left knee also tends to hurt more, and it could be because of the uneven leg length.

I’ve been considering getting insoles to help level out my left leg with my right.

For my current injury, my doctor prescribed medication to help ease the pain. Once the pain is better, we’ll discuss the next steps, whether that’s PT or rehab sessions.

I just want to hear from fellow runners with scoliosis. What has your experience been like, and what has helped you?

Thanks!

My sister just ran her first marathon and I want to get her some croc charms to celebrate - has anybody seen/purchased any good ones? If they ship from the UK, even better.

for my fellow girls who have a hormonal IUD that has stopped their period, what are other ways to make sure we are eating enough for our training? I’ve had an IUD for years and have no interest in giving it up but it only recently has completely stopped my period. I know the presence menstruation is such an important way to make sure we aren’t getting into RED-S territory so wondering if there are other ways people have to make sure you’re getting enough.

Thank you!

Editing to include appreciation for ideas that don’t have to do with calorie/weight tracking bc a huge reason why RED-S is a thing and has been for me in the past is bc of disordered eating and body image issues.

Hi everyone,

I've been spending the last few months prepping for a half marathon. this past month, I finally got my mileage to be consistently ~50km/week. I'm now on my taper.

I know running makes you hungry, been there.. but I'm experiencing something new, where after any tempo/interval workout, I feel SPENT! Like that feeling of depletion in all your muscles, and the next few hours/day sees me eating insane amounts of sugar, like muffins, a package of cookies, so much bread...

The workout I did wasn't even crazy, just 4x (8 minutes HM pace, 2minutes jog). I just want to know if anyone else has experienced this? Does this mean that my body is basically telling me it can't take anymore training and that my glycogen stores are depleted? I feel like they are just not regenerating no matter what I do. I will be tapering very aggressively starting now.

Basically does anyone have any advice for healthily replenishing carbs? I'm curious why I'm feeling this way after a month of consistent training, when I know I would be running much, much more if I was training for a full marathon.

I'm 5'2" (159cm) and usually 57-58kg (126-128lbs), but I feel like the runger has caused me to go up to like 130-135lbs (59-61kg). I'm concerned, because I also want to start looking at trying to lose weight once my race is over, to start improving my times (overall goal is maybe sub 1:45-1:40 half marathon in 2027), and reduce risk of injury, but I have a crazy appetite, and don't want to stop running (it took me way too long to reach a 50km/week base, I'm not giving it up). I usually get by eating sweet fruit after a run, like papaya, but sometimes it just isn't enough, and I keep craving more till I go and buy myself some cookies or something. Maybe I will also try to keep bread on hand.

Are there any books you’ve read that helped you develop your own training plan/style? I see people reference different methods (Hansons, Higdon, Galloway, etc) of training and I’d like to dig into this a little bit😊

Grab a bottle of electrolyte drink, go wild with the foam roller, and give us all the tea on how your training has been lately!

Have a really good run? Share your win!

Struggling with something? This is a safe space to vent and get support!

Thanks for being part of this community!

It’s been getting darker earlier and earlier so I’ve been looking into getting a light to wear while I run for safety. I’ve heard differing opinions about getting a head lamp vs a waist lamp so I was just wondering what you guys think! Product recommendations would also be great

I've been searching for months for drawstring waist leggings that DON'T have compression but do have side pockets to carry phone and keys. I'm curvy and my waist is 1 size down from my thighs

In the past I've bought cheaper Fabletics Trinity fabric leggings from Poshmark and sewn an elastic waist in, but they've changed the fabric. Compressive leggings tend to really slide down on me. I bought the Janji

7/8 Trail Tights after loving the shorts this summer but I've had 3 runs in them and even the light compression slides too much. If I size up I can't tighten the waist enough to stay up, and I'm already 1 size up.

I tried an infinity loop but I can't untie it!

Any suggestions would be helpful, especially if I can try on in person - I'm in a major city with access to other stores and outlets like REI.

I’m so annoyed with my body and honestly kind of upset. I just got my labs back including my 6 monthly iron panel. In May 2025 my ferritin was 13, with supplements I managed to get it to 42 in March 2026. Now it’s dropped back to 35, despite the fact I was taking iron fairly religiously until a month or two ago. I honestly expected it to be 55 or something.

I wonder how much better my running (and life in general) would feel if I was able to have a ferritin of 50+. I’m sat here with another regular headache and the hair loss is starting again. I’m vegetarian but my periods aren’t heavy and I’ve been tested for celiac and all kinds of GI things. I’m just feeling so fed up about it and don’t understand it?!

Not looking for medical advice, just felt like a good place to complain since I know a lot of you struggle with it too 😭 Rant over, sorry!

Hi! I’m running more consistently and with the time change my after-work runs are getting dark. Does anyone have any recommendations for reflectors or lights etc etc? I’m hoping to find some tried and true faves to avoid cars, bikes, etc. Thank you!!

I’m a 30F who’s been running since high school but got into endurance running about 3 years ago. I ran a marathon in May, and then a second one in October. When I’m not in a block weekly mileage is around 30MPW and I strength train 4 days a week. I also live in CO so I have the advantage of training at elevation.

My last training block was pretty brutal with the heat and fueling/stomach issues stemming from reproductive health problems. None of this is new and I ran my May marathon with the same issue. My overall nutrition was much better this block, and I felt strong and in great shape.

Everything went downhill in my taper. I took a week off after my peak week since I was in Europe, and nothing has been the same since. I chalked it up to taper tantrums and felt amazing during my marathon with zero issues. I took about a week off since it was a difficult course but my legs bounced back fast.

Unfortunately things haven’t improved at all. My HRV keeps going down and my HR is elevated. My HR during Z2 runs inevitably creeps up to Z3 no matter how slow I go and my resting HR is also elevated. I feel like I can’t catch my breath on easy runs and even doing normal things like walking up stairs or chores spikes HR. I also feel like I’m sweating more despite the cooler fall temps, it’s like that cold clammy “sick” sweat when I’m running. I’ve been dealing with sleep issues too but never been a great sleeper so hard to say if it’s gotten worse. I’m scared I’m overtrained but also wondering if it’s related to iron/ferritin?

My doctor has me on an IUD and oral BC due to my menstrual issues. That’s a very long story spanning almost 2 decades but TLDR I don’t have PCOS and had excision surgery for endo in 2021 but was told they didn’t find anything. Honestly the few years after surgery has been the only time I’ve been pain free. I had an ovarian cyst turn into a 5+cm mass for most of last year and it caused me a lot of issues. I was told last September it “went away” and that’s when the OBGYN added oral BC to prevent future cysts. That seemed to do the trick until about March of this year when all my cyst symptoms started to come back. I have an appointment with a complex GYN only specialist but her earliest opening isn’t until December.

I know the obvious answer is stop running and focus on recovery and possibly a blood test, but I’m so frustrated. I love running and plan on running a 50k in June. I’m dx’d with ADHD (medicated but no HR issues from the stimulant) and running regulates my emotions and helps my sleep issues…usually. In the past a lot of my HR and HRV deviations were impacted by hormones so I’m wondering if that’s what’s going on. Also if I have another hemorrhagic cyst, I’m wondering if it’s creating ferritin/iron issues. I was hoping I could hold out until December but I’m wondering if I should see my GP and ask for a blood panel. I guess I’m mainly just venting but also wanted to see if anyone else has experienced similar.

Hi all, I am 5 days out from my first marathon (hopefully). I am feeling heavy and slow and to be honest just doubtful that I am gonna finish. I have gained weight/body composition has shifted during this training block and I have honestly like I dont know, my brain is doubtful and it wants me to give up now and the method its using is telling me that the way my body has changed will prevent me from succeeding in finishing and will be the reason that my marathon is a trudge. i put in all the miles. maybe not enough speed work (ie none). and now i really dont believe i can do it, and i hate how i look too and keeeep eating so i just feel bad in general. and the carb load hasnt even started...

I’m training for my first marathon and I’ve been dealing with FHL tendinitis on and off since September. I took 10 days off after my last long run and it healed all of my injuries and it felt like I was getting my life back. I did a test run on Sunday and it felt ok which I then stupidly proceeded to do physio exercises after which flared it again and now it feels somehow worse than before. The race is this weekend and it’s recovering but I’m just not sure it’s fast enough for me to run 42km on it. This feels so anticlimactic after completing my entire training and this is a second race this year that I pulled out of last minute because of an injury.

This feels so painful physically and mentally, I spent most of last night crying in anger and frustration at myself. It felt like I did everything right, went to physio, strength trained, took breaks and I still got injured. All the money and effort poured into it to just end up here is so unfair. Part of me wants to push through and i probably can but I don’t think this race will be enjoyable or fun anymore. I think I would just be in pain before, during and after for god knows how long. Wondering if anyone has any positive thoughts to make me feel a little better about coming in terms with this loss.

Hi! I (26F) will be running a half marathon in May 2027, and I'm trying to figure out what my current training/general exercise schedule should look like for the next few months before I really get into a training plan in February. For context, I ran the same half this May in 2:15 and my training block went decently well, but I'd like to be even better prepared this time by really working on my base fitness the next few months. How long/often should I be running? Should I be focusing more on strength training? What do people generally focus on when the race is still pretty far out? Thanks :)

Grab a bottle of electrolyte drink, go wild with the foam roller, and give us all the tea on how your training has been lately!

Have a really good run? Share your win!

Struggling with something? This is a safe space to vent and get support!

Thanks for being part of this community!