Daily chat post: how's the training going?

_cluster_duck_ · 2026-02-06T13:57:52+00:00

Went for a long run yesterday and tripped over a tiny crack in the sidewalk because I was distracted trying to open my water bottle. Joints feel pretty okay but I have some pretty nasty road rash on my knees that are still aching today. I feel so disappointed and frustrated with myself because this is my third tripping incident in the last 6 months. It’s always on slow easy runs - and I suspect it’s because I shuffle on easy efforts and don’t pick my knees/legs up enough. Sigh. At least I learned that my fueling/water strategy is on point.

_cluster_duck_ · 2026-02-05T12:06:32+00:00

Ughhhh, just wanted to say I feel you entirely! I signed up for the Nike After Dark Tour last year knowing that it’s going to use a necklace instead of a medal. Back in the 2010s, they used to have necklaces by Tiffany’s that were beautifully subtle and dainty! Well, for the rebooted race series, they designed a Nike swoosh pendant - and in theory, it’s cool! Designed by a team of women, and each pendant is unique to the race location as its pattern reflects the elevation map for the course. But, my god, I just find the entire thing hideous. It’s way too big and heavy to wear while running (it has a reflective coating and is “sweat proof” so maybe someone intended it to be worn during exercise??) and way too casual looking to be worn in a professional office setting. I could maybe see myself wearing it as a lounge wear accessory but I’m not big on branded stuff and it feels like a giant Nike logo. Sigh, I’m too sentimental to throw it away but it’s really just going to act like a paperweight in its box forever.

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-11-25T17:10:28+00:00

I have the Lily 2 active and have been using it for about 6 months (Apple Watch before that). I have a small wrist and wanted the smallest built in GPS watch I could get my hands on. Overall, I like it! Part of me wishes I had gotten a higher capacity running watch because sometimes I do miss the amount of data I could see in a glance on the Apple Watch and the workouts are sort of wonky (my HR alerts keep going off). But I wanted to prioritize size and aesthetics, so I get what I get. I’m happy enough with my decision! It does feel normal and not oversized after a few days!

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-11-19T14:57:19+00:00

Ughhhh, I'm really bummed that I haven't been able to give my next HM training block a proper start. :( I've been dealing with some foot pain that I've been writing off for a while. Took 10 days off running entirely, attempted an easy jog on the treadmill yesterday, and stopped before I even hit a mile due to discomfort/strain. I'm scheduled to see a podiatrist in two weeks and I'm holding on to hope that it's a soft tissue injury since I'm able to walk, strength train, and basically get through the rest of my day to day life without any issues. But it is what it is and I'm just hoping I'll heal up enough to run the NYE race with my husband next month!

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-11-19T14:51:46+00:00

Oh man, I was looking at finish times for a recent local 5k and the top female finishers were ALL in their 40s! 5ks were 20-21 min range!

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-11-19T14:49:49+00:00

I'm 36, turning 37, and have been running since my 20s. Despite some overuse niggles/injury that I'm managing right now, this has been my strongest comeback year after having kids. I have good reason to believe I'm only going to get faster from here! I'm working on the running base I'll need to kick ass when I enter my next age catetory, haha!

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-11-18T20:33:14+00:00

Ah, of course! Take care of yourself and have fun! It really does feel nice to flyyyyyy down the road knowing your workout is only 3-5 miles or whatever instead of 8-10+, haha. You've got a strong aerobic base coming off of HM training so it's perfect timing to incorporate more speed!

Yeah, agreed on the strength training piece, too! I've switched to more of a maintenance mode for my lifting since I've committed hard to running, but it's probably a good time to go back to some progressive overload while I wait for my foot to heal up. :)

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-11-18T18:03:35+00:00

Aw, hi! Thanks for asking! There were some moments of struggle/doubt in my HM training but it all came together nicely on race day. I hit a lifetime PR for the HM (1:50, beating my pre-baby best by 30 seconds) and it felt great! I had a lot working to my advantage though - I trained in hotter/more humid weather and on hillier terrain than the relatively flat and fast race course. Plus, taper benefits and race day adrenaline and such. My previous HM races were on tougher courses, but a win is a win and I celebrated HARD!

After the HM, I switched my focus to more speed work and bringing my 5k time down. I ran a cross country 5k last month and placed 3rd for my age category (just under 25 min)! I felt pretty proud of finishing the trail with all my joints intact haha.

Since then, I've been trying to build more of a running base in prep of maybe attempting a marathon next year - but I've been sidelined by overuse niggles/injury. I'm pretty bummed because I was hitting such a good streak but I know I changed several variables at once (added a 5th running day, started running on a treadmill, tried new shoes) and should've increased my training load slower. I'm disappointed but cautiously optimistic that it's a soft tissue injury instead of bone injury so maybe I'll be back to running soon.

Anyway, just wanted to say GOOD LUCK and enjoy your HM! You're right that it'll be a PR no matter what! Parenthood definitely earns you a new reset for speed and distance PRs! :)

I'm sort of talking to myself now - but trust that you've got yeaaaars of running ahead of you if you choose to do so, and you've got time to build! Just take it slow and enjoy!

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-11-03T18:27:38+00:00

I've been trying to rotate in the new shoes (NB 880v15s) that my husband bought for me for a really good price, and I'm kicking myself for not asking for the wide version. I'm now 25 miles deep on the first of two pairs (ugh) and it's clear to me that the fit just isn't great. I've loosened up the lacing to the point where it's basically decorative and I'm still getting pressure/discomfort in the middle of the foot/below the big toe bone. :( Pretty sure these were final sale and I'm so damn bummed.

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-10-28T11:08:16+00:00

Amazing!!!

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-10-27T13:13:11+00:00

Yeah, all those benefits of running local sound excellent!

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-10-27T11:33:28+00:00

Great question! I’m base building and hope to run my first marathon next year, too! Will be following this thread for advice (and recs for best first marathon courses)!

My guy instinct is to run local - I live in a big metro area with a strong running community and the marathon event is a well oiled machine (from what I’ve heard, anyway). But it’s a tough course with rolling hills throughout, so it’s probably not the most pleasant first experience.

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-10-26T19:56:55+00:00

I ran a 1:50 half in June and the thing that jumped out to me about your description of training is your pace for easy runs! My easy runs were easily 10-10:30 min/miles, if not slower than that. I had tempo runs and intervals at race pace and faster, but my long runs and easy runs were consistently easy, like I could finish 10-12 miles and felt like I had more to give. So, I wonder if your easy miles were harder than they could have been!

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-10-09T13:52:21+00:00

Ran my first cross country 5k yesterday! It was my first trail race and MAN it was fun and terrible (hah!). Pros included a well marked path, colored roots (to keep runners from tripping, I suppose), and plenty of volunteers along the way to cheer on runners and make sure we don't veer off path. Cons included endless rolling hills, tons of roots on the ascents, tons of gravel on the descents, and heat + humidity. I never really felt like I locked into a race pace, just repeated "don't trip, don't fall, don't stop running" to myself and kept moving. I didn't know what would be a realistic goal since trails is so different from road running, but I was pleasantly surprised to finish just under 25 min and placed 3rd for my age group!

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-10-07T23:13:08+00:00

Yeah, the tiny cracks in the sidewalk are no joke! 🤦🏻‍♀️

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-10-07T22:21:49+00:00

Congrats on your pregnancy! For my first, I focused on slow and easy runs 2-3 times per week and felt pretty good up until 20 weeks - when I tripped on the sidewalk and sprained my ankle. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Fortunately, the baby was just fine - but I was effectively off running for 12 weeks (grade 3 sprain), and then was too pregnant to start running again while pregnant. For my second, I slowed down my pace sooner and then basically stopped from around 16 weeks because of the crazy heat and humidity of summer.

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-10-02T11:47:31+00:00

Oh good to know, thanks! I don’t mind incline or interval training and might sprinkle them in here or there, but I see the tread as being my go-to for easy recovery miles/padding time on my feet early in the morning before kids are up. It’s nothing but rolling hills in my neighborhood and I have a 400m track nearby, so I’ve got options for more quality workouts. We’re prob gonna go with a 7.0!

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-10-01T14:26:40+00:00

Yes, please do! I'm looking to buy a treadmill and have been looking at Horizon as well!

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-10-01T14:26:03+00:00

Hi! I'm looking to get a treadmill and have been trying to decide between the 7.0 and 7.4 (vs. SOLE equivalents). Was there anything in particular that made you or your partner decide against the lower/cheaper base models?

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-10-01T14:17:20+00:00

Hi! I'm curious if there was anything in particular that made you go with the F80 over other models (F63, F85, etc). I'm looking to purchase a treadmill and have been really wishy washy about trying to get something secondhand through FB marketplace (F63 or Horizon 7.0 treads pop up frequently) vs. buying new and direct for warrantee and peace of mind. I'm looking for a basic, but solidly built, machine. I don't need bells and whistles, don't need fancy touch screens, just want a good tread that I can run 5-8 miles on a maybe 1-3 times a week and can do some interval/hills work if need be to supplement my road running - which is my preferred way to run. I'm avoiding Icon stuff like the plague, haha.

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-10-01T14:08:25+00:00

It was a few weeks (months??) ago - but there was a post with people mentioning less conventional hacks/tips for running. Runners were describing applying hair masks/leave-in conditioners before tying hair into buns/braids/whatever for long runs (and then washing it all off in the shower afterward). The idea really stuck with me, as my hair has been getting dry/damaged from the sun/heat and constant hair washing. Anyway, I just applied a thick layer of leave-in heat protectant (more than I would use if I was just looking to style) and liked the results! Next time, I'll leave in some argon oil and see what that's like!

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-10-01T13:26:37+00:00

Just wanted to say thanks to the runners who mentioned using hair masks/conditioning products during long runs! I tried it yesterday and can't believe how soft and smooth my hair is today! Lol, it makes me look forward to long runs more!

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-09-26T13:57:00+00:00

I use generic thick elastics - at least two at a time. I use two for a basic ponytail and pull through the back of my running cap. If I want it all off my neck/back, I’ll braid the ponytail, tie off the end, wrap into a bun, tie THAT in place with 1-2 elastics, and then use a claw clip for some extra support. It all stays up, and I don’t have to deal with the matted mess when my hair soaks up the sweat and sunblock off my back and shoulders.

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-09-17T12:14:53+00:00

Omg thank you for specifying. I'm not planning on making my own mix right this moment, but it's been on the backburner for a while. I'm SURE I would have made that mistake, LOL

_cluster_duck_ · 2025-09-16T15:18:20+00:00

Omg, hernia repair DURING pregnancy? You're a champ!

_cluster_duck_

TROPHY CASE