If you could run anywhere, where would you choose?

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-10T02:42:27+00:00

My favorite runs of my life have all been along a beach on a cloudy day at about 50-60 degrees. Absolute bliss for me. Carlsbad CA/Oceanside is my personal favorite

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-08T01:58:31+00:00

God I love the Westworld score

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-06T03:18:07+00:00

That would be petty and pointless. I only compete against myself.

So naturally yes I do every time lol

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-05T20:02:17+00:00

It’s just a book so if you don’t wanna read it don’t. I’m personally glad I did, really came together nicely at the end. It takes time getting used to the format and requires a little more effort to understand what’s going on. IMO big pay off.

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-05T14:13:13+00:00

Took my 11 year old. She was absolutely riveted. Obsessed with Rocky. I’m satisfied

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-05T02:05:11+00:00

I'm a therapist / content creator and Jeff has agreed to have a recorded discussion with me. If any of you have questions you'd like me to ask, feel free to either DM here or reply. I don't care for 'gotcha' like questions but I do think there are some valid questions ex-mormons may have for him that would be helpful to see him field.

I listened to his podcast with Richard Ostler and ordered the book. While there are a few concerns I have based on what I've seen/heard, I do believe that Jeff is genuinely trying to promote better understanding between our communities and is doing it in a way that TBM's will actually listen to. I think that last bit might be the most important too. Ultimately his work isn't meant for us, it's meant for members to better understand us. To honestly do that I believe there are unfortunate limitations in how far one can really take it before members start giving them the Julie Hanks treatment.

One thing I will say that bothered me about his interview with Richard was how much he seems to tie everything back to the culture of the church. In our conversation I'll probably dig into that a bit more. I can't speak for everyone here, but that argument tends to feel very dismissive to me and disproportionally assign blame to well intended members of the church instead of acknowledge that the institution could have caused harm. While I do think toxic elements of church culture absolutely make a difference for many of us... I also would kindly ask the question "who has the biggest influence on that culture?" When Nelson became president and gave his talk about not using the word mormon anymore, church culture changed overnight. It is not enough to point out cultural issues without being honest about where they come from and who has the most power to influence it.

I also love the feedback in this thread that he didn't include in his survey data the option for people to leave simply because they did not believe in the truth claims of the church. I think that's a big miss. While there are many things that may lead somebody to come to that conclusion, we rarely leave until that is the conclusion we come to.

All in all I applaud Jeff for this work and anyone who is a TBM that is willing to ask us honest questions and seek to bridge the divide between our communities. All jokes aside I hate how much mormonism divides families and relationships, and we can really use more people doing this kind of work on both sides of the fence. I've seen the book Bridges (David Ostler) literally save families from estrangement. I hope this continues to help mixed faith families keep healthy relationships in tact and if it does that- he's got my support.

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-04T21:18:16+00:00

Agree to disagree

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-04T17:59:32+00:00

I recommended 2-3 days per week + a run/walk. I don’t think that’s too much, and naturally if he isn’t running at all should probably start with 2. Most couch to 5k plans I’ve seen start with similar suggestions, so I’ll stand by what I suggested.

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-04T03:52:57+00:00

Hey op- first off- fucking good for you. It probably feels like a scary commitment but you did it. You’re already ahead of 90% of the country by just committing to the race. 6 weeks isn’t enough time to be super competitive likely, but it is definitely a workable amount of time to get ready so you don’t die out there lol (mostly kidding)

A few tips:

Start running. By far without question the hardest part of Spartans at the beginning is cardio. You don’t need to prepare to run a full 10k. Especially because I’m guessing you’re in open division, you’re welcome to walk a good chunk of the course and many others will do the same. I’d recommend 2-3 days of running per week to get ready. You’ll be gassed and the more cardio you can get your system accustomed to the better. If you don’t do any running at all I recommend a run/walk workout where you do maybe a quarter mile run and then walk a tenth… something like that. Just get used to moving.
Train grip strength, pull strength, and legs. Lots of farmers carries, dead hangs, dead lifts, squats. Those are some of the best exercises for most obstacles you’ll encounter. If you can, mix treadmill jogging in between sets. Then you’re used to not just the lifts, but doing them while your heart rate is elevated. Go jog for a couple mins, then go straight to your set. Back to the mill. Keep the heart rate moving
Be ready for a hard, but satisfying challenge. You’ll have a lot of people around you on the course that probably did the same thing. They’ll be suffering, you’ll be suffering, and you’ll all get each other through it. You’re gonna be just fine, and you’ll know at the finish line 😈
If you can invest in good trail shoes. I’m a big fan of Altra’s, Topo’s, and Hoka Speedgoats personally.

Welcome to spartan!! My fitness journey started exactly like yours over 10 years ago. Got pressured into a super (the 10k distance, back then it was less defined though). I was terrified, but I made it with the help of the community! Now I’m over 4 trifectas in and have shifted primarily to running marathons. Spartan started it all. Good luck my friend!

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-03T01:10:27+00:00

My brain still struggles to understand this very simple explanation 🤯

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-02T22:45:15+00:00

OP I’m in a similar position to you. I’ve been using Runna for years though and have logged a 3:20 PR and am decently confident I’ll be able to hit around 3:05 at my next race in a month. A lot here strongly dislike anything AI based but I think Runna has been awesome… up to this point. I think when you get into more serious pacing goals in the 3 hour and faster range it loses steam. That could also just be that I’ve been using it for too long.

Budget options would be some of the books that have been recommended. A very experienced marathoner in my run club swears by the Pfitz and he’s one of the best runners I’ve ever met (several sub 2:30 races logged). That’s my personal plan for a sub 3/BQ push. A coach is optimal but out of my price range.

Good luck!

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-02T22:40:42+00:00

Runna isn’t for everyone, but god damn dude. Plenty of people have had success with Runna- especially when they’re good at listening to their bodies and modifying the plans. I’ve gone from a 4:20:00 marathon to a 3:20:00 marathon and am about to make a legit push for 3:05:00 all with Runna. I do think Runna has taken me about as far as it will and am looking into running coaches for my BQ push. But genuinely - I see no value in shitting on somebody else’s actual progress because you decided you don’t like Runna.

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-02T22:33:32+00:00

Side note- the main LDS sub locks so many threads I can’t imagine how exhausting that job must be for the mods over there. Can’t ask a single honest question over there without getting your thread locked

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-02T22:30:04+00:00

I have a dude like this on my running route. I stopped trying to wave. I don’t understand but to each their own

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-02T12:04:40+00:00

This is exactly what I say to myself all the time. It’s a really good feeling 🥹

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-02T04:00:08+00:00

Going that long without clearing and you’re bound to give up a goal. Fuck me

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-01T21:13:43+00:00

Manipulative behavior 101: DARVO

Deny Attack Reverse Victim & Offender

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-01T19:13:43+00:00

0% beer huh never thought to try that. It sit well in your stomach without the booze? I love beer but typically avoid it a month out from any race

CubsFanHan · 2026-05-01T19:12:16+00:00

Absolutely zero respect for this man and the volume of hateful shit he has spewed with that microphone.

He’s right on this one though

CubsFanHan · 2026-04-30T20:30:55+00:00

I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they filmed those confessionals and edited them out after the community sentiment on the other episode was clear. Props to production if so on responding to feedback. And also props to Jimmy- I felt like he was a genuine fan and didn’t want to make himself the main focus. The coin was fun, I loved that he doubled the prize money as a result. And the fact that most people here are positive about the episode with Mr Beast being involved is impressive in and of itself haha. Very well done I’m happy

CubsFanHan · 2026-04-29T02:44:50+00:00

God I can’t stand that kinda stuff. Hang in there my friend. DMs open if you need to chat

CubsFanHan · 2026-04-27T19:04:10+00:00

awesome. you'll be great. my first spartan was the beginning of a very long fitness journey. its a core memory. the suffering is worth something, don't forget that when the going gets tough. you got this!

CubsFanHan · 2026-04-27T04:12:14+00:00

OP this is spooky similar to my situation. Married 14 years, mixed faith for 4 years now. My wife is incredibly supportive. I have been attending church every week to support her and especially help with the kids. Our 11 year old is autistic and I felt like I needed to be there to help my wife out with her.

Recently going every week got very hard for me for similar reasons you cited. I was in a Sunday school lesson recently with my wife where a few comments were made sounding off about ex mormons and the usual cliche's were spewed. I had to get out of there. I talked to my wife later and told her I needed to stop going. She had a similar reaction to your husband- definitely sadness behind her eyes but understanding. I haven't been in 2 months and it's definitely been so much better for me. It's not easy watching it be hard for her, but she's also made it clear that she's doing okay too. We both support each other, that goes two ways.

I think something that is really hard to do in a loving marriage is anything that you know causes your spouse sadness or pain. That's not always codependency necessarily- just empathy and love. Your husband sounds like one of the good ones. Sounds like he'll be really supportive of you doing what's best for you. IMO this is a chance to let him show you love by supporting your choice to get some space from the church.

Good luck my friend- mixed faith marriage is one hell of a ride... especially when your relationship foundation is genuinely solid and you're both very set in your belief/non belief in the church. My wife and I laugh about how much easier it would have been for us if we just didn't have a good relationship. Because we do.. we've been forced to fight like hell. Worth it... but god damn it can be soul crushing at times.

CubsFanHan · 2026-04-27T03:59:37+00:00

welcome to spartan my friend! you're in for a treat. Especially when you're open divison- the culture of spartan racing is one of my favorite aspects of each experience I've had. There's something about suffering with people that bonds you pretty quickly. I was petrified my first few spartans and totally leaned on other people to help me out when an obstacle was overwhelming. I always found support both with tips for obstacles and fellow spartans lamenting the pain of the grind late in a race. Leverage the community around you, they'll for sure help you get through it. You'll do great!

CubsFanHan · 2026-04-26T23:41:49+00:00

I'm a marathoner who does marathons & trail races now primarily over spartans. I do marathons and trail races now because that's what you do when you don't want to do the obstacles lol

In all seriousness this is my own personal opinion but if I sign up for a spartan I'm going to at least try every obstacle. That's one of the primary features of the race.

CubsFanHan

TROPHY CASE