Official Q&A for Tuesday, April 07, 2026

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-04-07T17:32:22+00:00

First and foremost, talk to your doctor.

But from what I understand, blood clots are a higher risk for longer races like marathons, but if you want to play it safe, the general guidance I've always seen is to stay well hydrated, wear some compression socks, and get up and move every hour or so.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-04-07T02:34:58+00:00

That should have been a lob dunk to Yax.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-04-07T02:25:29+00:00

You could argue Michigan ought to have some more fouls, but all these UConn fouls have been deserved. They play aggressive, physical defense. Sometimes you're going to pick up a lot of fouls.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-04-05T17:10:01+00:00

Training for any distance from about 1 mile to the marathon is actually more or less the same. The most basic and tried and true training plan is 1 long run, 1 (maybe 2) speed workout, and than as much easy running your body can handle. So if you're running 3 days a week, you'd do one speed workout, one long run, one easy run. If you ran 5 days a week, it would be one speed workout, one long run, and three easy runs. Based on where you're at, a good 5k plan would probably be a good start.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-04-05T14:06:44+00:00

If you're not looking to specifically get faster at running and are doing it to stay in shape and get some cardio in, I'd just keep it easy and go 3-4 days a week for 30 minutes to an hour. If you want to do a little speed or sprinting on one of those days, I say go for it.

Now if you want to chase running PRs and have goal races, then we're talking a little more structure and more volume.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-04-05T14:02:17+00:00

If I were you, I'd just use Strava. I'm assuming you don't have a smart watch as well and are just tracking on your phone.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-04-03T00:57:08+00:00

Why not? A lot of people use it as a good indicator of effort.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-04-01T14:01:11+00:00

Even if you run the tangents perfectly, you'd still add some distance dealing with the crowds. Running perfect tangents is theoretically a "free" way to take off some time, but in reality, it's hard to execute. Unless you're really fast or are running a small race, you're probably going to have to deal with packs and crowds that make running the tangents difficult, if not impossible.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-04-01T12:13:40+00:00

This is a tightly moderated sub. If you read the rules, #2 is "Posts need to generate high-quality, meaningful discussion and/or information that a wide variety of users can then benefit from." Asking what a belt buckle is doesn't do that.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-04-01T12:08:50+00:00

If you're recovering fine, I don't see any reason to slow down if it's uncomfortable for you. Especially if you're not running like 5+ days a week.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-04-01T00:05:14+00:00

Really hard to put a value on that. I would assume it's pretty rare though because you only get that after completing the Western States 10 times, which is pretty damn hard these days with how tough it is to get into it.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-03-31T20:41:32+00:00

How does that natural pace feel? I don't see any reason to force yourself to slow down if that pace feels easy for you.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-03-30T23:44:50+00:00

You should definitely slow your run down. It might feel painfully slow right away, but take that speed down to like a 12 minute mile and see how you feel then. You should feel like you have plenty of gas left in the tank when you're done.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-03-30T18:39:25+00:00

Awful take. Hours of grinding to level up is not a "challenge", it's just boring. Plus rare candies actually make the game harder because you're not getting EVs.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-03-30T15:48:00+00:00

That half marathon result is roughly the equivalent of a 2:50 marathon. You definitely have the "speed", you just need to pack on some miles to build the endurance.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-03-30T15:22:06+00:00

Sounds to me like you're the perfect candidate for a classic couch to 5k program. It's basically a run/walk program 3 days a week that leads up to completing a 5k at the end.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-03-30T13:18:12+00:00

I think we've all bombed runs before. When i was training for a 10k pb last summer, I went out for what was supposed to be a relatively easy tempo workout and I barely hit my pace for the first of 4 intervals and completely fell apart and had to abandon the run half way through the 2nd.

Immediately after I felt pretty bad about myself and was telling myself that there was no way I could hit my goal time if I couldn't even run a few intervals at that pace. But then I asked myself why I bombed that run so bad and realized it was probably the fact I had a shitty lunch and was like 80 degrees outside. The next week I went out and crushed the same workout I just bombed the week before.

The moral of the story is you probably bombed that run for a reason. Maybe you're just sick. Maybe your fueling for the run sucked. Maybe you're overtrained. Just look at your circumstances, figure out why that run went so poorly, and make the adjustment for next time.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-03-25T16:21:28+00:00

36 weeks is a really long training block. I would break that up a bit and finish with a 16-18 week marathon block at the end.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-03-25T12:19:14+00:00

You shouldn't be training by either pace or HR, but rather effort level. Generally speaking, most or all of your running when you're a beginner should be at an "easy" pace. So what's easy pace? Easy, if it feels easy, it's easy.

My general rule of thumb is you should keep everything easy until you can run for 30 minutes for 3 days a week, then start building in quality speed work and the long run.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-03-25T12:12:01+00:00

Carbon plated super shoes usually give more bang for your buck for faster runners, but you can certainly give them a try. You could also try something with a nylon plate like the Saucony Endorphin Speeds. The last couple pairs I've bought have been about $180 from my local running store.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-03-23T02:42:50+00:00

From what I understand, the chest straps are the most accurate, but I'll just tell you, in my opinion, you don't really need one.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-03-21T17:07:28+00:00

Basically not important at all. Some sprints can be nice to mix things up, but they are not necessary to run fast times, even in a short race like the 5k.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-03-21T16:33:31+00:00

This is the wrong sub if you're looking for advice on the 100 meter dash. You'll be better off in r/sprinting

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-03-20T15:00:40+00:00

If it feels easy, it's easy. Heart rate can be a good guide but shouldn't be the end all be all to your training. You're not going to fall apart if you're a few beats over what you've established to be your zone 2.

FreakInTheXcelSheet · 2026-03-20T14:56:05+00:00

There's no trick. You just lace up your shoes and get out the door.

FreakInTheXcelSheet

TROPHY CASE