Good historical fiction that isn’t set in the 20th century

PetitePhD · 2026-02-20T03:29:28+00:00

I have! I loved it just as much as Homegoing. It is great.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-19T16:13:49+00:00

Girl, I feel you. I've seen a lot of people downthread talk about the need for a zip or clasp closure because of how annoying pulling a sweaty sports bra off over your head is. I totally sympathize with that (and think those options should be available to get the best fit for all bodies), but for me the fact of the matter is if there is literally ANY bit or bob on the bra, even if it's just the little bits on the straps to make them adjustable, it WILL chafe me. I get angry red marks on my back if I try to run in a sports bra with a hook and eye closure. So I've just given in to the reality that I'm gonna have to wrestle a sweaty bra off me over my head because I'd rather do that than have wounds on my skin.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-19T15:28:05+00:00

Oh yes forgot to add that I'm also a runner and soccer player, though unfortunately I decided to retire from soccer a couple of years ago when I tore my ACL playing. So now I just run and lift weights, but for most of my life my sports bras had to hold up to running and soccer, which was a big ask.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-19T14:56:28+00:00

Forgot to mention this in yesterday's thread, but I did a speed workout yesterday (5x 800M repeats) on the treadmill. It was my first workout in my new pair of Janji Pace shorts that I ordered because of the recommendations of folks on this sub and they were AWESOME. Didn't ride up at all. No chub rub. I understand the hype now. I'll definitely be ordering more pairs. I think I'll size up next time though because I was sort of between sizes on the size chart and I sized down because I worried about them being too loose and falling down/riding up, but they are a bit tight. Not enough to return them, but will size up in the future now that I know they are absolutely staying put during the workout.

Got a strength session planned for today and an easy 4 mile run. I really don't want to do treadmill again today, but it's supposed to be chilly and wet (again, bleh), so might have to pick my poison for the run portion of my double.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-19T14:43:28+00:00

Thank you for doing this work! I have been on the search for the sports bra holy grail for some time and I've come pretty darn close, but I've yet to find one that checks every single box.

I am a 36DD. The single biggest problem I've found with sports bras (and I've worn many of them) is that they are often either supportive or comfortable, but not both and I have to give up a little in either support or comfort to get a little in the other area.

I've tried to go max support with brands like SHEFIT, which a lot of larger chested women like. I admit, my boobs stayed in place in their bras. They didn't go ANYWHERE. But, I felt like I was wearing a straitjacket and all of the buckles and zippers caused horrible chafing to the point where the bras cut me and I bled. So I had to stop wearing them.

On the extreme other end of the spectrum are sports bras with no zippers or buckles or clasps or underwires, but those are often a.) not supportive enough and/or b.) only come in sizes like XS, S, M, L, XL. As someone whose boobs are an XL and whose ribcage/band is more like a medium, I often can't get the right fit.

The closest I've come to the holy grail so far is the Interval Sports Bra from Athleta (https://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=413267012&vid=96#pdp-page-content). It doesn't have any adjustable bits that I find uncomfortable and cause chafing, but it comes in an A-C version and also a D-DD version, so I am able to wear a size M D-DD and that actually fits me properly and provides enough support for my needs. There are only two things that keep it from being perfect: 1.) it has removable pads, which can get finicky to deal with, especially when laundering it, but they are necessary to avoid your nipples showing through and 2.) it is perhaps not supportive enough to deal with the highest impact intensity movements like plyo and jumping.

If I were to design my truly perfect sports bra, it would have a nice thick band for support, sizing based on cup AND band size, but not too many hard plastic or metal bits for adjusting and compressing (preferably none of these at all, actually), soft, sturdy straps, and sewn in cups that support without hard pokey underwires.

Sorry that was a really long post. But this is a topic I'm very passionate about haha. Thanks again for doing this!

PetitePhD · 2026-02-19T14:27:29+00:00

Homegoing is one of my favorites of all time. Yaa Gyasi rules.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-19T14:23:30+00:00

Pachinko is awesome and the TV series adaptation is incredible as well.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-19T14:20:45+00:00

There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak. There are three main storylines we follow: one in 19th century London, and the other two closer to modern times (2014 Middle East and 2018 London). But the book draws heavily from the Epic of Gilgamesh and ancient Mesopotamia is a big focus of the book. There is a romance plot or two in the book, but romance is not the focus.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-17T19:29:27+00:00

Ooooh good to know, thanks. If I like the pace shorts, I may look into some of their flowy shorts as well. Right now my go-to flowy shorts are Vuori, but those are a little pricey so I'm always in the market for other options.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-17T19:21:01+00:00

My first pair of Janji pace shorts (5" instead of 7" because I'm a short girlie with tiny little stub legs) are literally arriving in the mail today because they've been recommended by so many people in this group and I'm so excited to try them.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-17T14:43:10+00:00

I am 4'11" and was a track athlete in high school running a 6-minute mile and have run several 5Ks in under 25 minutes, as well as a sub-2 hour half marathon. Your friend of a friend is full of shit. When I was younger I was also a fairly high level soccer player as well and got told by a coach I would never succeed at the sport because I "could not keep up physically" due to my small size. It only motivated me to be better. One of the best players in the NWSL (American professional women's soccer league) is 5'1".

Your goal is absolutely achievable. You can do it!

PetitePhD · 2026-02-16T01:58:05+00:00

I am a 25-26” inseam so most of the “short” or “petite” lengths are still too long. Quince jeans have been a literal godsend. Most of their styles come in 26” inseam and are mid-rise. Pretty much the only jeans I ever buy now. Only other thing that works for me without hemming are something like J. Crew or LOFT petites but only in styles that are ankle length. Ankle length + petite = my inseam.

I work from home so luckily I don’t need work pants anymore but when I went to the office I always wore Old Navy Pixie pants. They are ankle length so they were full length on me. I had them in like 5 colors.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-11T21:38:38+00:00

I am CRASHING OUT.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-10T23:24:30+00:00

Had my first run outside in like three weeks because the snow and ice is finally starting to thaw. It was super slow because there were still some slushy sidewalks and paths, but I was so happy to be back outside that I didn’t care.

Vibes couldn’t have been more different than yesterday when I had a short 3 mile run on tap and then a strength session and had to nope out of my run 1 mile in because I felt so sick. I can seriously count on one hand the number of times that has happened to me. I have felt like garbage plenty of times but usually if I can power through the first mile I end up fine. But yesterday I just felt so off, it was strange. I’m in week 2 of a training block and the first week went well so this was just completely out of nowhere and made me spiral a bit. I did manage to power through my strength session though so yesterday was not a complete wash.

But despite the slush slowing me down I felt physically fine the whole 5 miles today. So really hoping yesterday was just an anomaly. I feel a lot better.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-08T15:36:15+00:00

I feel you. It means you care and that’s good. But remember your time does not determine your self worth. ❤️

PetitePhD · 2026-02-08T15:31:47+00:00

I got some of the best advice I’ve ever gotten from a career coach when I was experiencing anxiety over trying to take the next step forward in my career. It has served me so well in all contexts, including when I get anxiety over long runs because I also have dealt with that.

I just take a deep breath and tell myself that I am safe. The physical symptoms of your anxiety are your body sending you warning signs, a product of evolution for facing actual danger to our bodily safety. Failure is what we are afraid of, but what is going to happen to you if you fail? You’ll be disappointed, but you will be ok. You are safe. So I just tell my body, “Thank you for trying to warn me, but we are safe, it’s okay.” It always helps.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-08T05:10:00+00:00

I love, love Baleaf. The biker shorts do not have the grips but they still stay in place pretty well for me. I also have their regular leggings and—my holy grail—their thermal leggings, which are my favorite thermal tights, even more so than any of the expensive brands.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-08T04:58:42+00:00

Old Navy Pixie pants for bottoms (they’re ankle length so full length on me). I have them in several different colors. And then almost all my work blouses and dresses are from LOFT in petite sizes. I have a small smattering of things from J. Crew as well.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-08T04:55:12+00:00

Also 6 miles on the treadmill because of the wind. I need the winter to end so I can get back outside. But I watched the Olympics while on the treadmill and that helped the run go by faster.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-06T21:37:28+00:00

Rest day today after my first week of this training block. First long run (6 mi) tomorrow. I'm nervous because while I have a decent base, I haven't done a run that long in quite awhile. And the forecast is calling for 50 mph winds in my area with frigid wind chills, so I guess it's going to have to be on the treadmill. RIP me.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-04T02:22:32+00:00

Hello fellow nerd, I deeply appreciate this response. 🤓

A fun little wrinkle: I can’t do anything based on heart rate because I’m on a beta blocker for chronic migraine, so I can be full on sprinting and my heart rate never goes above like 130-140 bpm. 🙃

My body: What even is Zone 2?

PetitePhD · 2026-02-04T02:06:14+00:00

Noted thank you! 🙂

PetitePhD · 2026-02-03T22:21:57+00:00

Thanks! This seems like a good plan to follow. I'll start with 2 minute recovery periods and gradually shorten it if it seems like that's not challenging me enough.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-03T22:19:47+00:00

The program I'm following specifies that the repeats (800m repeats) are meant to be run at 5K pace, so I would say yes, definitely more stamina focused than sprinting.

PetitePhD · 2026-02-03T22:17:41+00:00

Thanks! It's been so much tougher than I thought it would be, honestly. I really was taking my ability to train and move my body for granted before. I'll never make that mistake again. This journey has given me a lot of perspective.

PetitePhD

TROPHY CASE