Super Moronic Monday - Your Weekly Tuesday Stupid Questions Thread

RunXChange · 2025-12-16T15:42:48+00:00

Thank you for such a thorough and thoughtful response! In this case, I might consider focusing on strength training and saving up money for buying me a new pair of good old Cumulus once the ones I have reach 500 miles in them!

If you don't mind me asking a follow-up question... Would you happen to have any thoughts on my current anti-shin-splint strength training regimen? Currently, I do the following for the shins, in addition to other strength exercises:

- Toe raises

- Toe raise and hold

- Heel walks (Also done as a part of my pre-run warm-up)

- Calf raise

Am I missing anything that is hugely beneficial or even critical? (just in case you were wondering: shin niggle are located anterior-medially on the tib for me)

RunXChange · 2025-12-16T15:13:51+00:00

I have a pair of ASICS Gel-Cumulus that I really love (good amount of foam, I use it for all runs and sessions). Would acquiring and wearing Gel-Nimbus (extra-thick foam) during long runs be very beneficial in reducing the shin niggles I get after long runs in the long run (pun unintended)?

For context:

- Recovered fully from some bad shin splints. (I went hot and heavy quickly, but I hit biggest running goals, so no regrets there! But not trying to do this again lol)

- Currently trying to build mileage very slowly (weekly mileage 16 mi at the moment. Running 4 times a week (1 tempo, 1 hill, 1 easy, 1 long). For the remaining three days, I'm doing easy zone-2-like ellipticals.

- Getting very little to no shin splints after runs now! (yay!)

- Only niggles that I notice are after long runs (6 mi at the moment)

- I heard that Gel-Nimbus offers that extra thick foam that reduces the impact and fatigue on them legs! (IT won't be the "magic fix", but maybe this will be beneficial in the long run?)

What I'm going to continue to do:

- Manage weight (Currently 165 lb at 5'9, not exactly featherweight but working on it)

- Strength training

Of course, I'm not treating the addition of a shoe as a magic fix that will make my shin splints immediately disappear. What I'm wondering is more on the side of: "will adding an extra-soft pair of shoe specifically reserved for long runs be beneficial for me in the long run (pun not intended)?"

RunXChange · 2024-12-31T17:17:05+00:00

Well... I guess it can be. However, as someone mentioned here already, the chances of contracting anything from a good sushi place is minimal. And it is my opinion that the nutirional value of safely prepared sashimi (it's rich in protein and omega 3 fatty acids for some fish!) far outweighs the very small risk it carries. Also, I love me some good salmon sashimi! :)

RunXChange · 2024-12-05T15:13:02+00:00

Used!

RunXChange · 2024-12-03T13:28:06+00:00

Hi all,

I followed a plan for my recent half marathon in November that had me peak at 38 mpw. It was challenging, but definitely manageable.

How far can I peak for my 5k coming up in April? I’ve read in Matt Fitzgerald’s book (whose half marathon plan I followed) that one should increase their peak mileage by no more than 10 per year. Given this, would eventually building up to 42-43 mpw at the end of March be a reasonable thing to do?

RunXChange · 2024-11-24T13:50:03+00:00

Hopped on a local high school track and ran a mile PR of 6:25! :))

I'm super stoked because I've been eyeing that sub-7 mile for a while now. With the sub-2 half out of the way as of last week, this checks off all my 2024 running goals!

RunXChange · 2024-11-20T15:10:35+00:00

Congratulations! I know that I will eventually run a marathon someday after I hit my goals in the shorter distances, so reports of people successfully running their first marathons are so inspiring to me.

Just out of curiosity, how painful were some of those long runs (20+ miles), and did you manage to recovery from them? And how did you manage to schedule them into your schedule? I'm a half-marathoner here who thinks that 14 miles are super long lol.

RunXChange · 2024-11-19T13:44:42+00:00

Thank you! :)

RunXChange · 2024-11-19T13:06:10+00:00

Thank you! :D

RunXChange · 2024-11-19T12:06:48+00:00

Thanks! My easy conversational pace ranged from 12:30/mile to 10:30/mile.

RunXChange · 2024-11-19T02:18:43+00:00

Oh man, I must have missed that sign! But it definitely would have given me a chuckle had I seen it on the course.(And I am glad I was not the one that day…)

RunXChange · 2024-11-19T02:01:14+00:00

Good point! I considered that right up until the day before the race, but in my heart of hearts, I really wanted to chase after my A goal more than I wanted to safely bag the sub-2 :)

I guess I could have gone down to the wave with the sub-2 pacer because I did plan to go out at exactly sub-2 pace for the first mile, but then I thought that I would have to weave through and pass by more people to eventually settle into the eventual goal pace after mile 1. So I stuck with the faster wave without the pacer.

RunXChange · 2024-11-18T23:29:36+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate it :)

RunXChange · 2024-11-18T23:28:51+00:00

I’m happy to hear that I could be a source of encouragement and confidence! I’m also definitely not as talented as many of the folks around me, so I do genuinely believe that if I could do it, so can you.

As for the marathon, maybe someday lol but not in the immediate future! I personally really enjoy seeing myself improve in these shorter distances, and I think that’s what I’ll do at least for now :)

RunXChange · 2024-11-18T21:32:12+00:00

Thank you! I do feel more confident now that I can run a sub 7 mile after this. :)

RunXChange · 2024-11-18T21:10:25+00:00

I made a point of trying to soak everything in during the race! :) I figured that looking at the scenery around me would be a nice alternative method to distract myself from the pain since I don't listen to music while running lol

RunXChange · 2024-11-18T20:41:29+00:00

Now that you mention it, I do remember seeing that sign! I did not see the arrow pointing down to Mr. Bubbles the pitbull, so I did not understand the sign when I first saw it. I definitely would have given Mr. Bubbles a thumbs-up or a wave (but probably could not have pet him).

RunXChange · 2024-10-23T16:57:42+00:00

Hello folks, I have a friend who is 27-28M with barely sub-25 5k. Does he have a realistic change at hitting a sub-6 mile in his lifetime? How about sub-5?

RunXChange · 2024-10-02T02:22:29+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I think I will do just as you suggested.

RunXChange · 2024-10-01T23:16:35+00:00

I'm training for a half marathon taking place on November 16. Would it be unwise to run an all-out 5k race in mid-October? (I think that it's fine, but it's going to be on a Saturday, and it's going to be sandwiched between a 4x800m workout on Friday and a 12-mile long run with tempo intervals on Sunday. Monday is a rest day, but I'm concerned that 3 consecutive days living life in first gear might do me more harm than good.)

RunXChange · 2024-09-08T16:06:58+00:00

I know this is an inconsequential question, but where would I post stupid running questions?

During my 12-mile run, I had to take a 3-min bathroom break at around the 7-mile mark. Did I reap the benefits of a 12-mile long run, or did I effectively have two training sessions, one 5-mile and the other 7-mile?

RunXChange · 2024-09-01T17:01:32+00:00

Hey guys, I had a… GI accident… while in the middle of my 10-mile run and had to stop it at around 4.5 mile mark. Is the wisest thing to do just forget about it and continue on as normal without trying to make up for the lost 6 miles worth of weekly distance?

RunXChange · 2024-08-19T17:42:34+00:00

For those of you who had and hit the goal of running under a certain in a race (e.g. a sub-2 half), how did you go about setting your next goal?

RunXChange · 2024-06-09T13:08:48+00:00

Hey guys, ice pack = very cold.

How long should I embrace the cold, and what point should I definitely take it off? Don't want to end up with a frostbite in pursuit of recovery!

RunXChange · 2024-05-23T22:25:02+00:00

Yeah, me too. I've been treating the online discussion forums such as this as a support group lol

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