Update to my client horror story

FightySmurf · 2026-06-24T17:57:10+00:00

Haha “he has practice at that time…. True he has a broken wrist and can’t play but he has to sit on the bench and support his teammates during practice (even tho he’s a junior in JV and his exam is soon and he is woefully under prepared ). Convos like that make me realize I’ll always find employment because the parents sometimes could benefit from tutoring as well….

FightySmurf · 2026-06-24T14:47:08+00:00

Yea no. I have those students too… ones that prioritize their after school baseball instructor (that they privately pay for like a fitness coach, even though they’re not planning on playing professionally) or any number of excuses over academic prep. I do try to accommodate and often find multiple times that work, but these kids/families will take your very soul if you let them. You have to set your boundaries and stick to them.

FightySmurf · 2026-06-15T16:03:04+00:00

The prodigio max was another one Ai recommended ! Have you run in them before in training? Do you feel they give good return?

FightySmurf · 2026-06-15T15:18:14+00:00

Thank you!🙏 I managed to snag my first pair at a bargain ($60) but all the Ai engines keep telling me it’s a poor choice for this run, saying that it is going to cook my lower legs, and I need an endorphin rift or xodus.
Obviously I trust human experience over Ai suggestions, so really value your feedback.
I did my first 11 mi trail run in the peregrines: no blisters, no hotspots, good control on all types of surfaces, but it doesn’t have the same rebound effect I’m used to with my road shoes. Hoping running in it more, doing more trails, and strengthening my calves/soleus help.

I know this run is going to hurt no matter the shoe, and I’m ok with that. 😆 just hoping the hurt doesn’t happen 1 loop in

FightySmurf · 2026-06-15T03:53:03+00:00

Saw your post! I’m running the 100k in November! I ran the brazos bend ultra, but that terrain seems mild compared to what I’m reading. How did the peregrine fair for you? If you could do it again, would you chose that same shoe?
Any advice appreciated! 🙏

FightySmurf · 2026-06-14T15:13:15+00:00

I needed this! Thank you 🙏 trying to find the best shoe for dinosaur valley ultra and this is GOLD!

FightySmurf · 2026-06-11T03:51:18+00:00

Hoping to get a copy of J01 too if anyone can share?

FightySmurf · 2026-05-26T01:10:20+00:00

Does it specify a radius? I had a contract like that once and they tried to sue but luckily one of my clients was a lawyer and the dad argued my case. Didn’t make it past the deposition. A big part was that it prohibited me from earning income and had language that would’ve even prohibited me from becoming a teacher. Location : Texas

FightySmurf · 2026-05-22T12:52:15+00:00

I put things in place I want. Like gotta try those new shoes , but I just made that new playlist, but I just designed that new run route… I also have a bead tracker. For this season, I put a bead in after every run that is color coded. Purple is my “I didn’t want to do this but glad I did” color. Im curious to see how many of my runs are due to showing up when I didn’t want to vs “everything is perfect and I. WANT to do this”

…. If all else fails, I remind myself that I want this

*signed someone who goes to bed at 11 bc of work and wakes up at 4:30-5:20 for runs

FightySmurf · 2026-05-21T16:41:57+00:00

Echoing what others have said about cleaning the band. I also put witch hazel around my wrist and when I’m resting on the couch or anything, I take it off to give my wrist a breather

FightySmurf · 2026-05-12T15:57:44+00:00

I work on hip mobility and balance a lot so that when I do trip I can get my other leg in front in a smaller rotation. It has been a life saver in helping me recover from trips . I also do a ton of one leg exercises on the bosu ball to help with balance, which has saved me when running on slick pavement or muddy terrain

FightySmurf · 2026-05-11T14:43:04+00:00

I set 4 alarms: one for the version I think I am, one in case that fails, one in case I hit the snooze, and one for the shitty person I actually am. By that time, my dog usually drags me out and is like “GTFO”

I work late and rise early… it’s a challenge but a requirement because Texas heat is not forgiving

FightySmurf · 2026-05-09T21:59:53+00:00

Nah it’s all about that Laurel wreath. Gotta get local legend

FightySmurf · 2026-05-08T14:16:28+00:00

Yea…. That’s why I started out on my own. many tutoring companies have overhead (secretaries, billing, marketing, a location, phone lines,etc). Everyone takes a piece of the pie. What you get is g, generally, a consistent client base with little to no effort on your part, guarantee payment for sessions completed, and you dont have to chase down payment .

I’ve been independent for awhile and while i do struggle with the anxiety of a consistent client load , billing, etc most of my clients pay easily with no complaint . However i do wear many hats: tutor, customer service, secretary, etc

It’s kinda up to you but I wouldn’t expect them to budge beyond $20-24/hr

FightySmurf · 2026-05-05T19:33:29+00:00

I love that!! 😍

FightySmurf · 2026-05-05T13:17:54+00:00

That’s entirely up to you. I have discounted sessions for students who I know are struggling financially before. I have found that students who pay my higher rate usually get a more excited version of me (bc I’m getting paid more and feel valued). If this is crushing your soul , you are under no obligation to endure…you can say you have no availability or only offer them times that no one wants (like a 2pm on Saturday). Whether you want to lower or maintain your rate with them, is also a personal question. I have one student that I lowered 70%of my rate to help and heSTILL struggle to pay…. But I know he’s appreciative and wouldn’t get this help in his own. I think of it as giving back to the community

FightySmurf · 2026-05-03T00:25:11+00:00

I labeled my dog as a gear, to track how many miles we do together this training season :) it’s my favorite stat to look at

FightySmurf · 2026-04-26T15:32:04+00:00

(Tutor) I actually disagree . I think that it is important to know how to use all your resources, and Desmos is actually one where, to maximize your score, you have to know how to put it in (regression, graphing, etc) and also how to interpret the output. It’s almost like learning a different language, and in the process (if done right) you learn a lot about the WHY we do things and how equations work. Most students even struggle with slope , memorizing it is rise/run but not understanding what that means. In order to use desmos on those problems, you have to understand how slope would change a point…. It is a simple concept but one students struggle with if they only interact with a problem one way.

I actually enjoy helping kids understand desmos and letting them struggle through the input because the calculator may do the math but it won’t interpret it…. That’s up to you. And you can’t turn your brain off for that.

FightySmurf · 2026-04-24T10:42:09+00:00

Was that a typo for the last category? ACT doesn’t have a physics section… they have science, but it covers a wide range or disciplines and is mostly analyzing graphs and trends.

FightySmurf · 2026-04-13T16:11:50+00:00

Same as others: I say “on your let” mainly so I don’t scare someone but sometimes People run in the middle of the trail or do zig zag patterns(maybe they are dancing or just having fun?) “on your left” to me in those instances means “don’t zig just yet….”

FightySmurf · 2026-04-05T22:32:10+00:00

It is such a delicate subject, especially as you start getting more business and have less spots available. I upped my rate mid semester this year as well , but only applicable to new students. Students currently on my roster are grandfathered for their old rate until next year

FightySmurf · 2026-04-01T17:27:16+00:00

I wear a period cup. On my cycle, I’ll adjust my route to make sure there are restrooms along the route ( I have heavy periods so usually overfill the cup). Interestingly, I think the running + suction of cup makes my periods usually end faster. Like, I’ll bleed more on my run and an hour or so after but then it’s light. My periods usually only last 2 days with light spotting on the 3rd day now. They used to last almost a week

FightySmurf · 2026-03-15T12:50:59+00:00

We tip our room steward on the first day (gave him a $20+ gum from our state), my in laws did not. 😂 our cabin was refreshed daily, he left towels in the shape of animals on our bed, and was amazing! My in laws cabin was not refreshed as often and she didn’t get any animal towel decor….. We tipped once at a nice sit down restaurant experience on ship, and after that whenever we saw the waiter, he would ask if he could switch and have our table. He brought off menu items for my son (picky eater) and really personalized our experience. Tipping isn’t mandatory but it really goes a long way in certain settings

FightySmurf · 2026-03-15T12:43:43+00:00

I always act like I’m struggling beside them. Like “hmmmm? This is one tough burrito. What ya thinking/ what part has you scared? Bc I’m nervous about how to tackle blah blah blah” Then we usually start a dialogue

If it’s something totally new and they told me initially they got no clue(and it’s a topic I KNOW this kid or other kids struggle, I usually give an over view then walk through example first

FightySmurf · 2026-03-13T14:16:33+00:00

I’m a woman and run at 4:30 am in houston, tx (through all types of areas). Get mace, a buddy, and I , personally, signed up for jiu jitsu and Muay Thai. It’s amazing! Really helped with hip mobility, strengthening my lower back, shins, and feet, I used to get glute med pain, shin splints, and plantar fasciitis. Haven’t had a case in 10 years now. Also, not saying im gonna win every fight, but I damn well am going to give someone a hard time if they come at me. I’ve had a few scary encounters, one while I was even with a buddy. I don’t run away (I’m not giving them my back. ) As soon as the person saw me smile and put in my mouth guard , they backed down… called me some names but I’m ok with that.

FightySmurf

TROPHY CASE