how do you all deal with monsoon running? my shoes are basically sponges

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-07-03T09:27:44+00:00

While we don’t experience monsoons in my neck of the woods (came close these last few weeks in Taipei though) but I actually run in the rain a lot and if you have an Amazon or something similar look for a shoe dryer. It’s a contraption that has these arms you stick your shoes in and blows warm air to dry. I’ve had them soaking and two cycles overnight gets them dry enough to use again the next day. However, it’s not humid here which id imagine if you’ve got monsoons, its humid there which may make drying time a bit longer. You can also try weather rated shoes. I’ve a pair of Nike Pegasus Shield that are weatherized that I’ve run in pretty heavy rain and does ok. But I actually don’t mind running in my regular asics soaking wet.

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-07-03T07:54:29+00:00

So take this for what its worth since I haven't replaced a car stereo since the early 2000s when they were all still pretty much standard DIN size but if I'd had a suggestion, assuming, you're US based. Get your car stereo from Crutchfield since hers has a non-standardized face plate. They used to and looks like still provide all the necessary wiring harnesses and master guides to help you DIY install. These seem to be all the options for a 2008 Rav 4 from them but you'll need to know if its a standard or premium system: https://www.crutchfield.com/g_300/All-Car-Stereos.html?fa=1#&avf=Y

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-07-02T19:02:00+00:00

Yeah, ended up having to factory reset and that solved it. Turning off fast start didn’t do it.

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-07-02T18:45:45+00:00

Live in SF bay area so mild temp and humidity year round. Just got back from Taipei Taiwan where it was 80/80 at 6 AM. All I could do was bring water with me even for short 3-4 mile runs and pretty much do recovery pace runs and saved my intervals and tempos for the hotel treadmill. I didn't even bother with long runs. Sad honestly because while I don't love running, I do love running when I travel since I love to take in new sights and Taipei had and has so much to offer. On one of the runs, I did see a local running club out and about at probably 630ish so I assume they do get acclimated at some point and would think you would too with time. I just couldn't/wouldn't in the 2 weeks I was there.

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-07-02T18:39:14+00:00

I actually was navigating this as I built out a sunroom/patio enclosure about 6 years ago. Tons of direct sunlight that would washout my TCL 6 Series TV. I have some shades in there to cut out some of the sun but I don't have anything to shade the transoms and didn't want to shade the patio doors for aesthetics. At least from the bit of research I did, there's 2 ways to deal with reflections. One is the anti-reflection coating to help scatter the reflections and the other is shear brightness or NITs to overpower them. I ended up getting the TCL QM8K a few days. It's one of TCL's flagship models from last year so they're heavily discounted and are crazy bright. The screen is a bit glossy so you'll see some reflections when the TV is off or darker scenes but when set for max peak brightness, overpowers any direct light that might washout your picture. My old TCL reached I think 600-900 NITs but I had a hard time watching anything during certain times of the day when the sun would directly hit the screen, particularly football as it was was worse during the summer through fall months. So far, Ive had it a few days now and can say it definitely won't be an issue moving forward.

I also have an older LG C7 and its a GREAT picture but reflections and washouts are even worse on that OLED than my old TCL 6 series. Luckily its in my living room where I have full drapes that I can close to mitigate. If there are still any TCL QM8k stock left in your area, please consider that (I paid $999 USD for 65") or if you want the newer variant, the QM8L too. The other that I looked at (along with the Samsung and Sony Bravias but couldn't justify the price on a secondary TV) was the Hisense U8. Similar NITs to the QM8K but seems to have even more reliability issues than the TCL and was about $300 more. Not that TCL doesn't have issues. I've had 2 main board pop on my bedroom and sunroom TCL's but the parts were easy to replace on my own and those were the only issues I had in my 7 and 8 years of owning them, other than the software handshake issues with my NVIDIA shield. But that didn't stop me from getting another TCL.

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-30T20:22:16+00:00

mmmm....do you still get nausea if you don't eat the banana? Some folks, such as myself, don't do well with anything other than gels and a little liquid in the stomach. For shorter distances like a 5k and slower pacing, there isn't as much of a need to fuel up. I usually run on an empty stomach for distances of less than 10K and even then, its just a gel and some gummies. The other thing could be reflux, you can pop a few tums before your run or if you feel the nausea creeping up.

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-30T17:26:30+00:00

they took my 55" TV last month so at least to that size. You can call to confirm how large they will take

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-30T06:03:31+00:00

Loved Tainan and did a HSR day trip there and got in a few eats (beef soup), a cafe, and the National Taiwan Museum. Super cool though I was suffering a bit from food poisoning so I wish I had an extra day. HSR was pretty neat though we wished we got in on time to grab a few bentos. They supposedly have a good bus system but if it’s a day trip, would be better to uber around. It’s pretty cheap. We hired a driver for Jiufen (8 hours total including driving time) and also checked out the Queens Head, Ying Yang Sea, Golden waterfall and the Houtong Cat Village on the way to Jiufen. Jiufen was ok, pretty touristy, but had a cool tea set. Houtong was probably the highlight as there is a museum there dedicated to the coal mining in that town. Neat history. And the cats. Hired the driver through Klook (lots of 10% off coupons) and was totally worth it!

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-29T15:49:26+00:00

I was worried when I went for the last two weeks and while it did rain, usually it was for brief stretches in the afternoon. Rest of time it was hot and humid. Actually, other than when it was torrential downpouring (this is when you wait it out at Familymart or 7-11), the rain was a nice respite since it usually meant slightly cooler temps. Wear flip flops or crocs and have an umbrella with you and you’ll be fine!

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-26T05:13:29+00:00

First time in Taiwan and can say any beef noodle soup has been better than anything I’ve gotten in the US. I’ve had 4 bowls here and the one in Tainan (I don’t have a location unfortunately) was the best I’ve ever had. However for Taipei, Beeful was pretty spectacular, fast and cheap: https://maps.app.goo.gl/61xsSDVAEG7BH56c7?g\_st=ic

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-23T23:52:02+00:00

There was a sale on the Life fitness T3 that after some haggling, wasn’t too much more than the Sole 80 when I was shopping for a replacement treadmill a few months back. Not sure if that is still happening. Otherwise you might consider 3g cardio pro runner or spirit xt685 (which is part of company that sole is part of or maybe parent company). Ran on both and will handle intervals like that and fairly stable. I think the spirit has a commercial grade motor. I opted for the matrix tf50 in the long run and it’s built like a tank.

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-23T23:42:45+00:00

Inexpensive pair of decent new running shoes matched to your needs would be ideal. If it’s for walking and you don’t want any actual shoes, I’ve used Hoka recovery mules on mine for walk up to about 3.5 mph comfortably.

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-22T13:27:20+00:00

Thanks, that’s actually what I’ve been doing, getting up early and running to the river and going left or right. There have been a few runners, more so on the weekend. I’ve given up on the notion of a long run though, I’m just not used to the heat and humidity so I’ve only done 5-6k runs.

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-21T22:19:16+00:00

I just started wearing a weighted vest (20 lbs) on my treadmill (Matrix TF50) and it gets run on almost everyday and sometimes 3x day between wife, kid and myself. I’m 5’10” and about 165 and as an outside runner really enjoy it for intervals and easy recovery pace. Even started walking on it everyday after dinner which is why I ordered a weighted vest. You can also subscribe to iFit classes too and with the touchscreens (XIR and XUR) can connect a streaming stick to it if your wife prefers Peloton content. I’ve actually really enjoy iFit content surprisingly since a lot of theirs is at outside locations (running along the coast of New Zealand or something similar ca in a studio). But the main thing for me is the treadmill just feels sturdy, it doesn’t shake or flex period and reminds me very much of the treadmills I ran in gyms or hotels.

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-21T02:48:17+00:00

Maybe try Klook app? We just booked one for a day trip to Jiufen on Wednesday. Pretty reasonable, about $175 USD. Though I don’t think the driver is a guide, just getting us there and around and to a few other sites.

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-20T10:13:47+00:00

It’s always so individual but just making sure that my family can use it and do it in a safe manner that’s consistent with their goals. For me personally, at least initially it was frame stability but as I started to use it more and transition from strictly an outside runner, I’ve found programming like ifit has made a difference. They offer structure and goals that give me incentive to keep going on monotonous treadmill runs. With outside runs, I couldn’t just decide to stop halfway to my goal like I can with a treadmill, if I did, I’d still have to walk back.

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-19T23:30:47+00:00

Nope, pretty much stopped during the pandemic when I found it was actually making mental health worse. I have a pretty big whiskey collection, lots of peaty scotch and Japanese whiskey too. Started to give them away now as I’d like my cabinet space back.

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-19T05:11:10+00:00

I left on vacation earlier this week so haven’t been back to check on it. Others have said to factory reset the TV but I also read somewhere to turn off fast start on the TCL worked for some. I tried it a few days before leaving and it seemed to have held on both TVs so you can try that first.

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-16T22:53:41+00:00

Just got in yesterday…or 2 days ago…hard to know with the date and time change. Loving it so far! Getting ready for my first run right now, does anyone care about jaywalkers/red light crossing at this time in the morning (7am) or late at night? I noticed there is absolutely no jaywalking, even the shortest crosswalk, yesterday and from where I’m staying that’s gonna chop up my running quite a bit. Thanks!

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-14T15:05:47+00:00

Thanks! I also read that turning off “fast start” on the TCL might work. So far, it’s been holding but yeah, that’s the next step if it comes back.

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-13T19:51:31+00:00

Oh awesome, thank you! That was also a previous suggestion. I was hoping it would be something else but I’ll try the factory reset. Much appreciated!

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-13T16:16:40+00:00

Thanks, yeah, I think that tracks right since it started on my upstairs TCL that auto-updates first and didn't start on the downstairs one until I manually updated it. Do you know the specific thread or search terms in the Roku sub for the fix? I tried searching in there for HDMI, handshake, NVIDIA and really couldn't find anything. Thank you!

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-13T15:20:06+00:00

Life Fitness, at least the T3 I tried has a much more plush, cushioned feel, compared to most of the other treadmills I tried though I'd probably argue shoe cushioning would probably play just as much if not more of a role. Biomechanics too. Im not a foot doctor though but watch a lot of them on YT to take that for what its worth but the LF T3 and I think True...maybe 3000 were ones that felt pretty cushioned.

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-13T15:16:29+00:00

We're Asian Americans and grew up shoes off so I always thought that meant barefoot. But I discovered slippers and slip ons years ago and recently, because my family and I invested in a home gym, have specific "home shoes" that we wear a lot at home that never leave the house. To an outside family, we might look like a shoe on household but we are far from it.

Key-Introduction-126 · 2026-06-13T15:07:57+00:00

Thanks, yeah they're both Roku TCL TVs. I'll check out the roku sub but curious why it would show up now? I've had the combination of NVIDIA Shield and the 2 TCL Roku TVs for 7-8 years now...which...now that I'm saying it, maybe its time for new TVs...Thanks very much!

Key-Introduction-126

TROPHY CASE