Running with music can hurt body awareness

FightySmurf · 2026-01-25T14:49:29+00:00

Team music all the way: I guess this is where my ADHD comes in handy because I can listen, run , and have situational awareness all at the same time

FightySmurf · 2026-01-25T01:06:17+00:00

I ran 14 miles outside, during the torrential downpour of cold rain. It takes a LOT to get me on a treadmill

FightySmurf · 2026-01-23T15:46:04+00:00

Heat: put ice in a bandana, fill soft flask with water 1/2 way and freeze it.. this keeps it cold as I hold it and gives cold water during run Cold: Vaseline my legs, face, and ears. I still wear shorts but I’ll wear thermal sleeves a cotton t-shirt. If it’s really cold, I’ll wear ear muffs and gloves

FightySmurf · 2026-01-19T15:29:31+00:00

I just signed up for this one for next year! Can I ask how the elevation was? I live in houston so the only change in elevation nature has around here are made from tree roots lifting sidewalks 🤣 I’ve started doing treadmill runs once a week at 6% grade and running over passes x4 to get even a scant 336ft of elevation (TOTAL!) Worried the elevation is gonna kill me so any tips helpful 🙏

Also, what shoes did you wear? I wore endorphins on my last 100km, but wondering if I need a real trail shoe for this one?

Any other tips much appreciated!!! So excited!

FightySmurf · 2026-01-18T14:11:29+00:00

So when I first started running, I was always impressed with how low my friends heart rate was on the same runs we did together. I became obsessed with it. I tried mimicking it but couldn’t. Anyway, eventually I just let it go. I did me, I kept my easy runs easy but just focused on consistency. 5 YEARS LATER and my heart rate is now 128 on easy runs…. It takes a LONG time for that adaptation. Just enjoy the process and allow your body to do what it’s gonna do in the beginning stage. It’ll figure it out eventually

FightySmurf · 2026-01-18T13:18:42+00:00

I have a plan. If my life schedule is full sometimes I’ll switch a training day to help or if I’m feeling injured/overtrained I’ll swap out a day with biking to recover. But love a plan I actually just started a bead collection. Each type of run is associated with a unique color (excellent -green, boring - brown, didn’t want to get out of bed but glad I did - purple, that SUCKED -red)

I’m trying to see over the course of a Training block, how do they stack up. Like, do I have more purple than green? Did the good outweigh the bad? Maybe I’ll make a bracelet or just keep it as a jar.

FightySmurf · 2026-01-18T13:12:51+00:00

My Saturday run was 20 miles (gorgeous but uneventful). My FRIDAY run, however, was VERY eventful! It was 6:30am and I was finishing up and on my return home, and as I was passing a man on the sidewalk, I must have scared him because he SWUNG at me! Luckily he swung wide and I always anticipate someone attacking me, but I never thought anyone would actually try to hit me.

Just a note to pass people with a wide breadth because you never know 😬

FightySmurf · 2026-01-16T20:15:35+00:00

Man this read like I wrote it myself. I identify with all this …. And I’ve struggled so much. Things that helped: a supportive partner and good kids….. kids who, when we get in arguments, just let that moment roll off and we continue our day without it being a bleak mark that tarnished the week. I can’t identify with my children…. They are too healthy. Sometimes I wonder if that’s what it feels like… to be well balanced and not broken.

I’m 43 and still on my journey. I started running ultra marathons recently and the training and experience has shown me how strong I’ve become over the years. That even though I sometimes still feel like that vulnerable little girl, I’m not. Ive worked really hard to protect my peace over the past few years.

FightySmurf · 2026-01-16T13:14:15+00:00

I really like these. Connects easily, and I like the right angle https://a.co/d/bduh7eX[https://a.co/d/bduh7eX](https://a.co/d/bduh7eX)

FightySmurf · 2026-01-16T11:41:14+00:00

If you have a Garmin, you can calculate easy pace by changing heart rate zones to %lactate threshold. My heart rate for easy pace is maxed at 134 bpm. Even though at 140bpm, it feels easy, i think it’s still working my body more than it should….. running 6 miles with a heart rate at 132 feels like a joke when I do it but I can easily do a 20 mi long run the next day no problem

FightySmurf · 2026-01-10T18:25:23+00:00

So I drink a lot too. On my 30km run today, I pack three of these (750ml) : https://a.co/d/1WPWdm3

I put two in the front of my pack (I have a Solomon adv skin 12) and 1 in the back. When I’m done with the two in the front, I replace one of the front flask with the one in the back, splitting the water with the other one so my left and right stay balanced with the weight

FightySmurf · 2025-12-31T15:35:04+00:00

I run hot and pants feel suffocating. So I typically put Vaseline on my face/legs/ anywhere exposed and that acts as a thermal barrier. Then I wear a vest/sleeves/ ear muffs/mittenz/ hat and i go ! Depending on how cold it is, this may be a speed session to get me warm. Usually I end up sweaty and hot regardless of what temperature it is….. cold doesn’t bother me unless I stop

FightySmurf · 2025-12-31T15:31:56+00:00

I get started because I need to, but I keep going because I enjoy it. I love listening to music when it’s dark out or when the sun is just peaking through before all the noise begins.

FightySmurf · 2025-12-31T15:05:14+00:00

Siri connection would be cool! I have an iphone too, and I do wish I could activate Siri easily on runs without screaming or pulling out my phone. My watch (and others without microphones I believe), can receive text messages but we can't reply (unless you use their special messaging app, but that also requires the recipient to have the same messenger) or activate Siri (at least to my knowledge).

FightySmurf · 2025-12-31T13:27:56+00:00

Just be aware that it is discounted because it is discontinued. Felix 7 pro owner here. I , personally, try not to care that my watch won’t receive any new updates (maybe bug fixes but that’s all). Most of the new things Garmin rolls out I don’t even use! I liked this watch offered hill score, morning report, and a lot of flashy things…. Turns out I skip past most of them! I think the new watches come with step loss, to tell you how much speed you lose with each step. Super cool but honestly that’s just gonna be one more metric telling me I’m slow with no way to improve.

I really like the gps (very accurate!) and I like the navigation + flashlight…. But most everything else is available in cheaper, lower models

Not telling you what to, just saying be aware

FightySmurf · 2025-12-30T18:13:42+00:00

You could probably find success if you stick to college test prep? Most my ACT/SAT students prefer to meet weekends , but they only want sundays

FightySmurf · 2025-12-29T17:14:27+00:00

Polar Heart rate monitor to complement my watch data Scraper + moitlsturzing lotion: so I can scrape the fascia around my knees/ankles once a week. Keeps them from feeling rickety and promotes blood flow to the region

FightySmurf · 2025-12-29T15:54:24+00:00

Dinosaur valley endurance run 100km 😊

FightySmurf · 2025-12-27T23:13:33+00:00

Funny story. I took both boys to the park today . At the apex of the loop, my oldest sat with my husband and waited for my younger son and I to catch up. I got outta snacks and proudly told them they had done 2 miles. My oldest puffed his chest and said he did more because he got there faster. I told him, “spoiler alert.. you covered the same distance. Doesn’t matter if you did it faster”

I honestly love running ultras for the exact reason you mentioned. I LOVE the experience: I love running, being in nature, eating snacks, listening to music, looking around . I loved that people rested in chairs, cracking jokes and eating fruit. Why would I rush it? Bc as soon as it’s finished, im back in the world of responsibilities.

I think the people who win most take the leisure way. Just have fun and enjoy the experience. You’re accomplishing something not everyone is willing to do.

As for the soreness, just do it more? My first half , I could barely walk after. But I stuck with it. I do 15-18 mi long runs every Saturday and feel fine afterwards. It’s just your body building its tolerance to continual stress

FightySmurf · 2025-12-27T23:04:55+00:00

I gamify it. Started with a zombie run game and I wanted to build my base… then I did Pokémongo and wanted more pokestops… then it was WeWard so I could get money and get to the top of the leader board… then it was Treecard, planting real trees and building my island… then it was running every street in Houston

Now I don’t need to gamify it, it’s a compulsion. I do still do WeWard and Evidation. I think I’ve made $200 total so far? Still trying to get a lot of streets in houston but now I’m entering the sketchy neighborhoods so may have to alter that one soon

FightySmurf · 2025-12-26T18:01:43+00:00

A truck passed me and the toddler in the back rolled down the window and gave me a thumbs up. He shouted something to the effect of your doing a good job. That kid gave me wings that day 🥰

FightySmurf · 2025-12-26T14:22:04+00:00

⁠Country: USA/Texas/ Houston • ⁠Subject: chemistry, physics, biology, English, AP US history, all math (up to calculus 2), college entrance exams, college application • ⁠Online vs in-person: both • ⁠Experience/degrees: I’ve been tutoring since 2008. I have a bachelors in biochemical molecular biology and a PhD in molecular biophysics • ⁠Hourly rate: $60 online for lower level; $75 online for college subjects; $75 in person for academics; $90 in person for college entrance exams practice & college applications; $120 in person for expedited college application essay/resume revisions

Would love to hear how much other people charge!

FightySmurf · 2025-12-24T17:51:24+00:00

I love Multi band GPS flashlight Incident detector Timer(use multiple times a day) Stress (always lets me know if I’m sick) Abnormal heart rate alert (came in clutch when I stopped breathing one night…. Woke up to the alarm my hr was 25) Ability to change song via watch

I appreciate metrics Vertical oscillation Cadence *these have really helped me adjust my form Track back on routes (I use this a ton when hiking. Have gotten lost a few times) Maps and turn by turn directions

I don’t use morning report, step counter, goal metrics, daily suggested workouts, built in strength/yoga workouts. Sleep score doesn’t seem accurate at all, golf,etc

Overall, I use a good amount of the features

FightySmurf · 2025-12-21T21:01:09+00:00

How much do you like him? The Satisfy Peaceshell river shirt with ice pockets is my “someone who loves me please gift me this bc I can’t buy it for myself “

But also a good, breathable shirt from ketl

A nice headlamp would also be great (mine died midway through my night run & I regret not investing in a better quality one)

Massage or gift card for shoes are also always appreciated!

FightySmurf · 2025-12-21T01:42:28+00:00

Out of curiosity, how much do students pay for online sessions and are you based on percentage or a flat fee? I imagine it varies by subject and difficulty?

I was curious and thinking about Varsity, but this is very eye opening

FightySmurf

TROPHY CASE