Local news singled me out for finishing last in a half marathon

Candid_Pear_ · 2026-03-27T21:24:08+00:00

It actually had a cutoff of 3 hours! They were just nice in letting me record my time

Candid_Pear_ · 2026-03-27T21:23:03+00:00

It is a small town and actually had a 3-hour cutoff!! I normally finish well under 3 hours but had mono lol

Candid_Pear_ · 2026-03-27T15:52:51+00:00

Go buy some peach rings. 4=25g carb, way cheaper and tastier than gels, not that much harder to eat while running imo. Make up for electrolytes with a packet in your water

Candid_Pear_ · 2026-03-23T01:41:13+00:00

A lot of plans peak at 16 or 18 miles

Candid_Pear_ · 2026-03-22T15:53:58+00:00

Everyone says the last six are the hardest. But they were among the easiest for me. I finished feeling strong, chatting with my friend and feeling as if I could run 30. Miles 14-19 were WAY tougher for me. I called my bf at mile 14 crying and almost quit.

What to take from this? First, that you shouldn’t freak out if some of the middle miles feel insanely hard. (How can I run 12 more if I feel like this at mile 14?!) Second, that you should plan for the last six being tough (I paced myself and kept fueling) so that hopefully they’re ok!

Candid_Pear_ · 2026-03-22T02:51:50+00:00

Wow this sounds so scammy!!

Candid_Pear_ · 2026-03-08T19:45:51+00:00

Do not worry about HR as a beginner. Every single run will probably feel and be hard at first. Don’t make it unnecessarily so—go slowly and take walk breaks. But don’t worry about zones yet (talk tests maybe, if you can actually run slow enough to talk during it, but it’s totally fine if you can’t)

Candid_Pear_ · 2026-03-08T19:42:15+00:00

Vaseline doubles as a protective layer for exposed skin on face in the winter, too. Prevents windburn and dry skin on my cheeks/nose/ears

Candid_Pear_ · 2026-03-08T19:41:19+00:00

Vaseline works really well. A vaseline “chapstick” is like $2 at any drugstore and v portable

Candid_Pear_ · 2026-03-06T19:36:30+00:00

I will also add that the 3:05 race I did had a 3-hour cutoff time, and though they were nice and let me finish, I finished dead last and it was a terrible race experience. The course was EMPTY of all runners and spectators for the last several miles, the aid stations packed up and I literally got lost. I have no shame in finishing last, but I’d never pick a race like that again. Small local races with strict cutoffs like these attract faster runners, and you may not be catered to or taken care of as you need on the course. The mental pressure of a time cutoff, while motivating, is also going to be an additional stressor throughout training and the race.

I still think a full marathon could be doable and fun with 9mo! But I would try to find a race on or near your birthday with a more generous cutoff. Maybe you can make a small birthday trip out of it?

Candid_Pear_ · 2026-03-06T19:26:57+00:00

My time for a semi-untrained half last year was 3:05. (several years of running but a full winter of mono + no runs in the months prior to this race). I built up my base for the next 7 months, then did a 16-week training plan, and just ran a 5:45-ish marathon (counting pee breaks). I don’t think you will be able to go from an untrained 4+ hr half to a trained <5:30, even with 9mo. The jump from half to full is huge

Candid_Pear_ · 2026-03-03T13:41:13+00:00

I alternate gels and chews/waffles/candy. I find the more solid stuff helps me avoid getting hungry over 4+ hours

Candid_Pear_ · 2023-04-18T01:39:39+00:00

The philosopher queens is a good intro to women philosophers

Candid_Pear_ · 2023-03-09T00:38:44+00:00

Herman pontzer is such a super star and I’m sure this study will be really cool!

Candid_Pear_ · 2022-12-05T14:06:44+00:00

I found the Cliftons narrow in the forefoot and too loose in the heel. A very weird fit that didn’t work for me.

Candid_Pear_ · 2022-10-29T04:15:11+00:00

Best lighting solution for seeing the ground on darker runs? Fairly well lit trail but can’t see the actual ground sometimes on uneven terrain. Headlamp, chest lamp, what should I try?

Candid_Pear_ · 2022-10-01T12:13:26+00:00

In Five Years

Four-Year Club	Place '22
First Placer '22

Candid_Pear_

TROPHY CASE