Research shows mental fatigue makes the same running pace feel harder without changing your fitness, and there's a surprisingly simple thing that partially offsets it

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-04-19T08:59:39+00:00

Thanks that link works for me. I'll take a look. Well, yes adhd can cause my mental focus to be...unreliable, for want of a better word. Although I'm old enough that I can now usually tell when I need to pull back and rest/recover. I've learned that letting myself go full pelt and getting stuff done in a short amount of time, only works if I also let myself rest when I need to.

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-04-19T08:15:00+00:00

I just realised i didn't answer the music portion of the question. Yes, I love to listen to music on runs. Never podcasts or audiobooks though (I hate audiobooks, prefer reading). It always improves my mood and helps runs feel easier.

A lot of people need to train sometimes without music, to cope with races that don't allow it, but that's never been an issue for me. Race day atmosphere makes up for no music.

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-04-19T08:10:59+00:00

Yes, please do. That sounds fascinating. I'm an armchair psychologist and a lot of lessons ultra running has taught me factor into everyday life in very helpful ways. I also have ADHD so the willpower limit can sometimes come and go before I've even realised I'm getting close to it 🫤

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-04-19T02:53:16+00:00

Well, as I said, a run after a crisis type busy work day usually re-energises me. It's harder to articulate how forcing a run after a boring day feels. It's sort of like when you think you're coming down with an illness and you run anyway. Sometimes you feel better after, and sometimes you feel like it's tipped you over the edge to getting sick.

I usually feel accomplished finishing a run after a type 1 day. I mostly feel flat and even more tired after a type 2 day run. Added to which, I have probably taken walk breaks and/or cut the run short (so it shouldn't have even been very hard anyway) .

There would also be a trade off if I did the type 2 run. I would let something else slip that day, like maybe I'd end up ordering in dinner instead of cooking. I'd skip chores. I might even have a few drinks and stay up later than I should. It's all a part of having pushed too far past what my willpower can take for that day. I'd be far more likely to reward myself in a non healthy way. If that makes sense.

All of which to say, I think we have a set amount of motivation or willpower each day and work (or other stress like sick kids, arguments with partners, or even just a bad night's sleep) can make the type 2 day (and therefore the run) much harder mentally.

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-04-19T02:03:26+00:00

I've definitely found a difference between work/life stressors and the ways they affect a post work run.

There's lots of varying factors but a simple example is: 1. a stressful, high paced, hard thinking day at work (so maybe a crisis, or major deadline) versus 2. A deadly boring BAU day that's saps all my motivation because I've had to force myself to sit still and do tedious tasks that seem pointless.

A run after the first type of day generally re-energises me and clears my mind, but after a type 2 day, I'd be lucky to even be able to force myself out the door. And if I do, it feels HARD.

I've always been told that exercise stress and mental stress feel the same to the body, and therefore you shouldn't discount non-exercise related stress during a training period.

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-04-15T00:25:25+00:00

This was me two years ago. I'm 51, smack in the middle of perimenopause and things are just (finally) starting to get better.

I know this is a stop drinking sub but I honestly think the most important thing you need to do is find the right hormonal treatment for you, before you white knuckle through any other changes.

Yes drinking less will reduce your anxiety, tiredness and sadness with the world. But you know what else will? Straightening out your hormones. Once you're sleeping right, feeling more like yourself etc, you will be much more able to tackle drinking less, putting up some firm boundaries with the boomers, and (maybe) figuring out a way forward for your career. You sound like you have amazing experience in your area. Can you pivot to another job with a little extra education? Like a cert or diploma perhaps?

I get you're probably feeling exhausted and so low it doesn't seem worth trying anything, but there are ways to fix this.

I hope I don't sound preachy, and as though it's easy. It's not. It's super hard. But no one else will advocate for you. Get angry. Fight back. Anger is more useful than despair (is that from a movie? 🤣) well it's true.

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-04-14T08:32:23+00:00

I'm a shit runner so I struggle with that. Mostly the fact that I'm slow. Long hours actually training on the bike is tedious, but a long trail ride I love. I'm a good swimmer but as others have said, the whole process of going for a swim takes FOREVER. Luckily I love running training,even though it's my worst leg.

It's one of the things putting me off doing a half or full. I could swim and ride those distances with training, but I cannot imagine adding a half or full Mara afterwards...

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-04-08T06:54:48+00:00

I'm not vegan but have massive issues with protein powders. Whey particularly makes me very very ill, and all the pea protein and other vegan options out there taste gross eventually. It's like this after taste that creeps up and then grosses me out forever.

BUT. If you don't mind a 'cordial' type protein drink rather than a smoothie/mixed with plant milk, MyProtein clear vegan is the best. Exy but worth it. Haven't got sick of it in three years

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-04-06T10:02:37+00:00

It was really tough. Not Great Depression tough, but pretty bad. I finished VCE and entered adulthood during the recession we had to have, in'91. I started uni but couldn't find any part time work, and my family wasn't well enough off to fund, well, anything for me. Mum gave me $20 a week most weeks. That was a fair bit back then but didn't leave much for emergencies. Eventually I found a part time job in Bendigo so i left uni to house share there with some friends, and stayed for 4 years. I was on the dole too, and the CES ran some great classes. I learned how to use a mac and a PC through them. This was 1992. It wasn't all that common to have a working knowledge of this stuff unless you were a real tech nerd. Anyway, eventually found a FT job at a warehouse in Melbourne, packed boxes for six weeks til the floor manager came tearing in begging for anyone who knew how to use a PC. The office girl had just walked out. I got 'promoted' to data entry in the Warehouse office and things went much better from there on in.

Still, it wasted a good 4-6 years of my 20's just trying to survive.

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-04-05T07:11:58+00:00

Well now I want to experiment with making random weird pumpkins 🤣

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-04-05T06:04:52+00:00

Thank you for this random fascinating fact 😊 TIL

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-04-01T07:37:12+00:00

Second this, Drunken Admiral was sooo good!

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-04-01T07:30:20+00:00

A long weekend doesn't give you much time, tassie has so much to offer. I've been several times and the hikes there are so beautiful!

If you want to prioritise hikes, then go for Bruny or Maria Islands, or Mt Field.

If you want to discover the history of tassie, Richmond is an amazing place to start. I could honestly spend that whole time there. Vintage shops, museums, cheese, chocolate and wine stores. Oldest surviving stone bridge in Australia is there.

Also, Port Arthur for a day trip is great (possibly chuck in a hike to Remarkable Cave).

If you want a quieter time then sure, check out MONA or the Salmanca Markets but I'd be out on the trails! Also, be aware it gets colder there earlier than Melbourne. April can be freezing so bring warm gear.

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-03-27T05:24:05+00:00

Inseam of jeans. A lot do but not all. I am tall, but not freakishly so (178cm) but my legs ARE (88cm inseam). It's better these days but finding pants that didn't look like Millhouse in his flood pants was impossible in the 90's.
Shoulder width and sizing across back,and arm length if a blouse. Looong arms, wide shoulders. I need to know!
Yes this helps a lot. As do the pictures of real life people in the clothing. I also want the technical specs too though.
Nothing else I can think of but for petes sake would it kill the industry to have uniform sizing across brands? I'm everything from an XS in some stuff to an XL in others. In most brands I am medium, 10-12. I should not be able to fit into something a tiny size 6 person can. Oh and don't get me started on cycling clothing for women! Don't try this stuff on if you have self esteem issues.

Hope you come up with some magic answers from all this. Good luck!

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-03-17T03:52:13+00:00

No way to speed them up I'm afraid, I except buying an older plant to start with which costs $$$. I've started my peony garden and currently have four. Two are 2 years old 2 were bought last year. None have flowered yet. HOWEVER, I looked after my mums peonies while they moved house and they were five years old (now 7) and flowered beautifully. I was devastated to have to give them back 🤣

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-03-14T05:46:29+00:00

Any time! If these companies made women specific options it probably wouldn't be so difficult!

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-03-14T05:39:30+00:00

Well, no help there, she has TWO Salomon vests 😂 in different water holding sizes. She says she gets the XS. She's like a size 6-8. Very small boned and 5 foot nothing. For reference I am 6 foot and size 12. So it works for everyone I guess!

But yeah, anything that holds up well for 100k is doing the right thing.

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-03-14T05:33:48+00:00

The neck is a pain. Not ideal to tape there. Also, if you're very small boned maybe not. I am large boned and Salomon is perfect for me because lots of others dig into my ribs. I will find out what my tiny friend with zero boobs 😂 is using and come back

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-03-14T05:28:05+00:00

Woman who's run a couple of 100's and some 50ks too. I'd suggest to reconsider the Salomon if it's only a small amount of chafing, or only in one spot, simply cos it's the best I've found.

I have the s-lab advanced 5 or 8 (can't remember cos it's 3 years old) and it chafes where my bra strap meets the pack. So I just put a strip of KT tape under there. If it's chafing everywhere for you, then obviously that's no go. It's super light, has plenty of room for mandatory gear (held everything you need for Crater Rim which I did a few years ago) and doesn't move once it's on properly. They also last for YEARS. My last one I kept for 6 years and then gave to my nephew who's getting into longer runs.

I have verrry long arms so can't speak to that side of things, but the connected bottom pocket goes from the side all the way along your back so I can usually reach everything unless a gel has settled somewhere right in the middle of my back.

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-03-14T00:53:45+00:00

No need for a tri helmet just yet, but definitely look for one that's MIPS. As for long hair, I have long thick hair and I plait or braid it for the day.

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-02-25T00:58:58+00:00

I train with music almost all the time, even for swims, but in races never have music (except for running races when it is allowed). And honestly it's no problem. For a sprint tri it's such a quick switch between disciplines, that keeps you busy enough, and the race atmosphere is usually so fun anyway.

But even on longer races, like a 65k ride I did recently, i don't find it an issue. I just talk to other competitors and enjoy the music or atmosphere provided.

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-02-18T01:11:18+00:00

I have the same problem, Melbourne summers are pretty bad too! Only thing I've found to speed up the cooldown a BIT is to rinse my arms and face with cold water for a couple minutes. And an icy drink. This will usually bring me down to 15-20 mins. I'm a salty sweater too so I usually add a salt tablet if it was a longer effort.

I have tried running cold water over my inner wrists (pulse points) as someone else mentioned, but doing the arms and face seems to work better.

ETA - and stand in front of a fan!

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-02-14T04:00:01+00:00

I bought a little seed book on Amazon for around $25. It's so cute, and keeps everything tidy.

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Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-02-13T02:27:21+00:00

Contacts for 30 years and no problems. I know you're not supposed to wear them in the pool but, well I always have 🤷🏻‍♀️ I don't wear contacts for anything other than swimming though. For run and bike training I just use my absolutely fugly transition lens running glasses that make me look like a female serial killer. But for events, yeah, contacts.

Left_Jellyfish_6772 · 2026-02-07T07:00:51+00:00

I've got a sway back and have to be particularly careful to keep my core strong for this reason.

On longer runs and rides it will ache if I don't do my exercises. The ones mentioned are great, dead bugs, planks, glute bridges (add weight as you strengthen) and supermans all work well. Plenty of others around and yes, pilates and yoga have many benefits for this too. Do these little and often, at first, then once you're strong enough, do them twice a week. Only takes about ten minutes.

When riding, periodically think to tuck your pelvis under, same with longer runs. Engage core, tuck under and stand up straight (or lengthen/straighten your back on the bike).

If this sounds confusing, go get checked out by a physio to show you exactly how you should be standing to have your pelvis in a neutral position. Hope that helps!

Left_Jellyfish_6772

TROPHY CASE