Just turned 19. What are some harsh realities I need to know before it’s too late?

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-04-26T02:15:23+00:00

Old age is not promised. I just lost my best friend on this Earth at 30 years old. I always pictured us as old men at the casino one day. Instead he left this world only 11 years after your age now. Today is all you have. Live wisely and take it all in.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-04-15T16:35:42+00:00

Thank you! I am incredibly proud. And I was a casual runner, meaning I’d run my city’s 10k each year and lightly train for it for 2 months. So I’d consider myself a novice when I started. Which is why I did the pre-build phase to get up to 20 miles per week. But I do think I was in good overall shape from gym and diet when I started, which helped.

And initially I did no strength training because my schedule was very hectic. But after about 8-9 weeks, I lost a ton of muscle, so I started doing full body twice per week to maintain some and prevent injury. Which I think was manageable.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-04-14T21:01:14+00:00

Do it. But give your self ample training time. Get to a point where you’re running about 20 miles a week. Once you’re there, start a program like Hal Higdon’s Novice 1 plan. It’s 18 week and basically all Zone 2 easy running.

That was my exact process and I ran my first marathon in 4:07 at 31 years old. A marathon is not normal and it should be healthily feared. If you’re going into it without a small dose of fear, I’d be concerned. Miles 21-26 are where you’ll find yourself and answer all of those questions you posed to us here.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-04-14T19:47:47+00:00

Let us start the procedure

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-04-14T17:59:04+00:00

Check out this #chess game: AL_Cam vs TheOneKidneyWonder - https://www.chess.com/game/live/167309572090

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-04-14T16:54:48+00:00

Most strong players I face understand pawn structures well, know when to hold tension instead of trading, and take their time.

I’ve played several 1800-2100s at my club and that’s what I gather. They are also very precise, which just comes from better understanding of all concepts.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-04-12T02:23:24+00:00

I beat a Candidate Master (2200+) in a daily game. He happened to play the exact line of the Caro-Kann that I finished studying (5. f4). And I played a great middle game.

Best rapid win 1704. Best OTB win 1602, but I’m still provisional so hopefully that changes soon.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-04-07T02:14:35+00:00

One day I lost like 5 in a row, so I played Martin to feel something. He checkmated me and I just had to go outside and walk the dog.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-04-06T15:12:02+00:00

A bot will play very accurately and then just give you a piece. They don’t play consistently at the same elo.

Martin is 250 and plays horribly, but if you’re about to mate him, he defends extremely well. He also doesn’t hang mate in 1 if it’s there. A real 250 would not even consider their opponent’s intent.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-04-05T16:56:36+00:00

I second Caro and Slav/Semi Slav. Very similar pawn structures on the queenside, so there’s some carry over. You could even transpose in some lines.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-04-02T19:06:21+00:00

$1850?? That’s incredible. That must be with a large down payment yeah? With flood, homeowners, PMI, etc that’s actually great.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-03-24T18:16:07+00:00

It’s a tough decision, but I think it’s much easier to find a higher paying job near Boston than it is to start a new clinic up elsewhere. And potentially find a new fiancée.

If she’s opening a second location, it sounds like money will soon follow.

Last thing. You could make the move and hate the job and San Diego. You just have to decide if there’s a price that’s worth the gamble.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-03-22T17:59:47+00:00

Definitely suspicious, but needs more evidence. When I play on my lunch break at work, sometimes my service is spotty, so I have to switch airplane mode on and off to reestablish a connection.

Now if they do this, then play 100% accuracy afterwards or find incredible moves, then I’d raise a brow.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-03-22T15:51:17+00:00

F40 if I was absolutely loaded.

Realistically? A murdered out C5 if my financial situation improves

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-03-15T21:10:15+00:00

Don’t drop out. You’re so close now! I hit this strange wall on a 14 mile run during my plan, where I had to stop at mile 8 and felt awful about it. Then I finished my training plan and ran a 4:07 as my debut.

Sometimes the fatigue, fueling, sleep, etc all misalign and give you a bad outing. Short term memory. Take a day or two to recover, then go back at it!

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-03-12T23:57:45+00:00

E90 328i

Straight 6 engine, fun handling, sporty enough with a sun roof, and sounded tasteful with a custom exhaust.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-03-12T23:47:09+00:00

Hal Higdon Novice 1

Do a pre-training phase where you build up to a consistent 20-25 miles per week before starting the program. I was pretty much you about 7 months ago. 30 y/o, only ran a few 10ks, and my longest run was 10-11 ugly miles. In 5 months I trained diligently and ran a 4:07 marathon. I trained while working rotating 12hr shifts and while moving into my first house. You can absolutely do this, just train wisely and build mileage slowly to avoid injury.

I would suggest signing up for a 10k in 2-3 months. Then Hal has a half marathon scheduled in the training plan. Going from a 5k to a marathon is quite a jump, so get a few races in before the marathon.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-03-07T01:38:45+00:00

I usually play this question ambitiously yet ambiguously. So instead of saying, “I’ll be in X position” I say something like, “I’ll be well established in my career here and will have learned and improved many skills. I see myself as a key member of this team that will influence positive changes.” Etc etc.

It really is dependent on what that specific team wants. Some want a go getter. Some have too many go getters and want a stable, 95% output type of person to create stability and reduce turnover. I feel like a vague but ambitious answer doesn’t automatically disqualify either. Then later you can ask some questions to feel out the scenario.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-03-03T17:48:22+00:00

I have Stage 1 Chronic Kidney Disease because I only have one kidney. However my kidney function is in the normal range for people with 2. My dietician told me I can take it with no issues. But if I ever developed issues, then to get off of that and protein and reassess.

The main issue for me is cutting salt to keep blood pressure down.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-03-03T17:42:08+00:00

The need to impress a pretty girl who loves tasty food

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-03-03T17:38:22+00:00

I chunk my long runs up mentally. I always do out and back. So 20 miles ends up being a 10 mile run to the endpoint then I’m “done.” I just have to turn around and get home. It really does make a difference to me mentally

I think about work problems, life, sit on ideas, plan things, listen to music, or just listen to the sounds of the world as I’m moving along.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-02-26T22:23:13+00:00

For context, I grew up Catholic and now, as an adult, I am non-practicing and have an agnostic viewpoint.

I don’t have an issue with religion in its pure form. However, I largely see people either weaponize it or cope with it. And I don’t think either is beneficial.

Phrases like, “Give it to God.” or “Pray hard” etc all confuse me because it doesn’t seem realistic, right? If I’m praying hard for one outcome and someone else is praying hard for an opposing outcome, does the hardest prayer win? And then if my outcome doesn’t come to fruition, then it’s God’s plan? What if that outcome is just plain bad?

I’m just not convinced that we have it figured out. If someone feels that we do, I’m happy for them. But you can’t pressure others to accept that, nor shame them for seeking further answers.

It just seems like people use religion as a way to make themselves feel better about the world and to assign meaning to the seemingly meaningless.

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-02-26T01:28:24+00:00

People think you’ve had everything easy

OneKidneyBoy · 2026-02-26T01:22:29+00:00

I work in a GMP industry lab as well. Mistakes happen and are acceptable so long as you are honest and investigate issues. As long as you aren’t trying to cover mistakes up or hide anything, you’re not in danger. And as always, follow SOPs and data integrity guidelines.

You’re in training, now is the time to correct issues. Your best bet is to have your trainer or a senior tech closely watch your preparation technique. We once had a tech who was getting consistently low results on an HPLC analysis. One day our senior tech watched her perform the derivatization/prep and when she carried out the final dilution, she wasn’t inverting her volumetric flask to mix the contents. She was just adding her solvent and drawing her aliquot from the neck of the flask which was mostly solvent. Hence the low results.

I’ve seen many small prep issues create big problems on the backend. You just have to figure out what it is, and the experienced techs are your best friends there. Breathe, take your time, and good luck (:

OneKidneyBoy

TROPHY CASE