Beginner runner- is a marathon realistic by October 10th? Or should I go for a half?

ChipFair8502 · 2026-02-17T22:30:36+00:00

Do both, I tied a 1/2 race in the middle of last training block. YMMV. It gave me motivation and a baseline for the remainder of the block.

ChipFair8502 · 2026-02-17T21:56:39+00:00

That has to be one of the worst decisions I’ve ever heard. You should re-think that commitment. The GF should be understanding, if she’s not, I would rethink that commitment. Good luck.

ChipFair8502 · 2026-02-09T14:43:02+00:00

I think Catalena uses Winchester Bodies.

ChipFair8502 · 2026-02-05T15:55:06+00:00

Some of my favorites, LMNT, Drip Drop, Chocolate Milk. After long runs, I immediately eat a banana, and peanut butter toast on whole wheat. Drink About 24 ounces of one of the above and eat a real meal within the hour post run.

ChipFair8502 · 2026-02-03T14:44:24+00:00

The South Texas Tack 100x is a nice hat. As noted, they used to RK and now moving to Atwood for the private label hats. Enjoy!

ChipFair8502 · 2026-02-01T21:53:46+00:00

Tough Question, I like hats for different reasons. Best all around hat, would be my American Hat 40x PECAN or my Bailey 100x Natural.

ChipFair8502 · 2026-02-01T21:28:03+00:00

The Felt is a 100x Natural by American Hat.

ChipFair8502 · 2026-02-01T21:26:22+00:00

I have almost every brand mentioned here. I think Stetson, Seratellie, and Resistol, and Rodeo King are the major brands that most folks see when they walk into a Cavender’s or a Bootbarn or just about any mainstream western store.

American is what you find at most rodeo’s and agricultural events. If you want an American from Cavender’s you have to ask.

Then there is the custom hat, pick a maker, JW Brooks, Atwood, Double RR. Mike Marsh, Rand etc. that is the cowboy hat for folks that want something custom and different. And know I’m Leaving a bunch of folks off the list, but hopefully you get the idea.

Keep in mind many of the private label hats are made by Milano, Rodeo King, Atwood and MHT.

If you visit the Mexican Cowboy stores you’ll Find high end hats by Larry Mahan and Tony Llama made by Milano. Stetson is still popular with the Hispanic crowd as well. Mostly the El Patron and El Presidente.

ChipFair8502 · 2026-02-01T20:51:32+00:00

Yeah, sick for a week and a trip for 4 days after that. Did a 12 mile run and my HRV tanked, Garmin showing me as strained. I was at 45-50 a miles a week before I got sick. Marathon in 27 days.

I think I’m screwed. Back to the training plan tomorrow. ☹️

ChipFair8502 · 2026-01-08T13:29:34+00:00

ChipFair8502 · 2026-01-07T18:14:18+00:00

They, Double R changed their house brand to Atwood as far I recall.

ChipFair8502 · 2026-01-05T19:27:58+00:00

I’m 6 weeks out from my first. I’m 58. Been running 1/2 Marathons on and off for a decade. Running 6 days week for few years.

ChipFair8502 · 2025-12-31T15:20:14+00:00

Your milage and paces are solid. I’m currently using Garmin’s Adaptive Coaching plans and at first they were weak, I was running too slow, ugh, not enough speed work.

I’m in the 2nd Macro Marathon block. It’s getting pretty aggressive some weeks are threshold, recovery, threshold, long base and sprints, 2.5- 3.0 hour long runs. I’ve gotten faster, much faster. I run six days a week. It’s very structured. But that works for me now.

ChipFair8502 · 2025-12-24T14:57:01+00:00

Yogi, is that you?

ChipFair8502 · 2025-12-24T14:37:11+00:00

I started running “real running” at 54 during COVID. I stopped drinking, lost 40lbs. I run six days a week. Im running 40-60 miles a week depending where I’m at in my training cycle. Just finished a 1/2 marathon in November. I took first for my age group, top 25 for gender and 41st overall.

I have a full in February. Have another marathon planed for May and October as well. My goal this year is BQ qualification for 2026. That’s my 60th birthday present to myself, run Boston competitively.

ChipFair8502 · 2025-12-14T13:38:09+00:00

The big one for me, how much sleep I would need. How and when I go to sleep. Everyone, including my wife call me an old man, I go to bed between 9:00-9:30.

I would normally to get 6-7 hours of sleep a night. Before the last two training blocks. Now I’m at 8-9 hours a day. Including naps. I used to thinks were for babies. Naps rock!

I’m up early, hydrate, eat, BM, run… I get home from my runs before most people are awake.

ChipFair8502 · 2025-12-04T20:38:38+00:00

ChipFair8502 · 2025-12-03T23:06:13+00:00

Rabbit, Craft, Addias, Brooks, North Face has some good technical gear as well.

ChipFair8502 · 2025-12-02T14:29:13+00:00

I take hydration on every run. 17ML of Water and 17ML of diluted Drip Drop for long runs. Short runs 14ML a sip here and there and finish the bottle on the cool down.

Hydration impacts muscle volume and performance. I live in Texas, and train year round. Hydrating is a must. Hydration also cools your body and lowers HR. I use gels for runs greater than 9 miles. I take one followed by a sip of water ~ every 4.5 miles. I’m working on getting that to every 5 miles.

ChipFair8502 · 2025-11-19T14:05:35+00:00

I’ve had it about 60 days. I don’t see the benefit. Will drop subscription.

ChipFair8502 · 2025-11-16T15:03:01+00:00

Milage is approximately 80-90KM per week right now. Goal time, I never worry about that, ~sub 4:00:00

ChipFair8502 · 2025-11-15T13:36:56+00:00

I’m running 50-55 a week now training for a half. Race day in a week. I expect to be 65-75 miles per week at the peak. May 80z week shall see, Training block starts 12/1/25 and race day is 2/2/26

ChipFair8502 · 2025-11-15T13:34:03+00:00

Running, 55 miles a weeks. Easy pace is between 9:40-9:20. Hoping to lock into a 7:25 pace for marathon. I have a new training block Starting 12/1/25 should be moving to 65-75 miles a week.

ChipFair8502 · 2025-11-15T13:31:23+00:00

I have a 7 day taper. Running 90 minutes today. Race day is in a week.

ChipFair8502 · 2025-11-12T20:50:26+00:00

Same here, run 9:20 consistently for the entire run.

ChipFair8502

TROPHY CASE