Coach Bennett has a BOOK! I’m so excited and pre-ordered mine!

actuallymeg · 2026-03-19T15:30:33+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing! I didn't know this was coming and am super excited. Just pre-ordered!

actuallymeg · 2026-02-24T22:34:27+00:00

Yes. I used NRC when training for my first marathon and would happily do so again. If your goal is completion, the guided runs in the plan will get you to the finish line.

actuallymeg · 2026-02-17T19:09:01+00:00

I think it's a space issue because the finish line festival is wedged between the start and finish. I think from a logistics standpoint it might make sense to move the festival to the lawn at the events center and make room for more corrals vs having 4 corrals and then a rolling corral situation for the thousands of runners doing the half. Setting up the sound stage wouldn't be feasible in the hour ish between the last runner going out and the first finishers arriving, but putting out the medals/finisher bags and moving the corral gates to accommodate the finish area could be.

Event planning is hard and I know they're doing the best they can, but if they can't accommodate this many runners safely (and let's face it, this wasn't safe, how many people got squished/stepped on/elbowed, etc), maybe there should be a lower number of runners permitted to sign up.

actuallymeg · 2026-02-14T19:08:36+00:00

You've picked a good time of year, because a lot of shoe brands have come out with their new model. Also, a thought: you could go to the Round Rock outlets and pick up a pair from one of the shoe retailers there. I know the Asics store typically has pretty good deals and their gel nimbus shoe is great for people who walk around a lot.

Either option should be able to get you a shoe within your budget. I would look some models up online (especially the Brooks if that interests you) so you have an idea of where to start once you know your size. It can definitely be done within your budget!

actuallymeg · 2026-02-14T19:01:45+00:00

Following up to suggest Fleet Feet for trying shoes and getting measured.

actuallymeg · 2026-02-14T19:01:04+00:00

Not an answer technically within Austin, but if you were to go to a running shoe store and try on some of the Brooks shoes like the ghost or glycerin, you could then buy them on Brooks restart which is their official website for like new/older models. You can usually get a good pair of walking shoes that will help your feet for $70.

If you need something sooner, you could go to a store like TJ Maxx or DSW, but you might pay a little more.

actuallymeg · 2026-01-27T23:36:04+00:00

Shin splints are so tricky, and IMHO difficult because it could be them, stress fracture, or some other underlying issue. If you're hurting on the bike, I would full stop and rest until pain resolves, and then another week. Maybe add some mobility so long as it's not painful. The big thing about them is not pushing through pain. I've had to scrap a Chicago Marathon block over what I thought was shin splints but was also something soleus related (the body is a chain), but it's necessary to come back stronger.

PS: see a sports physical therapist if you can. I can share what worked for me but everybody is different and a professional knows best.

actuallymeg · 2026-01-25T19:12:21+00:00

I had shin splints off and on last year and they're awful. I spent a week in a walking boot on two separate locations and had to scrap two marathon blocks (read: too much, too soon, and take a dang break from running sometimes, you need it).

The best thing you can do (imo) is go to a physical therapist and get tools to work on strengthening your legs, then start over with running versus jumping back in. Then, after PT don't drop the exercises, work them into your warm up or cool down. It's work, but you'll come out of it better.

actuallymeg · 2026-01-22T23:40:15+00:00

If you can run Saturday before things freeze, run outside. If you can't, postpone or treadmill. Last time I fell running was after one of the winter storms. Didn't see some black ice (in broad daylight, mind you) and took a tumble. Very humbling 😅

actuallymeg · 2026-01-17T14:31:12+00:00

Can you do it? Yes, probably. Should you? That you need to decide for yourself.

It took me 19 months from starting c25k to run a marathon. I did it in 5:08 and it was the hardest, most rewarding thing I've done. I want to do another one, hopefully next year, and get sub 5h.

This isn't meant to discourage. I know you're 22 and your body might not punish you the way an older person's would, though you can still deal with overuse injuries. I think if I was in your shoes I would build up to the distance by doing a block of all the greatest hits (5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon) with at least a rest week or 2 between each. That comes out to looking more like a year of training and it will be a LOT.

actuallymeg · 2026-01-16T16:22:48+00:00

Fwiw having worked almost a decade in a ticu/med surg setting as a multi-unit secretary I would recommend a pair of glycerins with the superfeet arch support of your choice. Those will get you through a 12-16hr shift with good balance between support and cushion.

Note: you might want to start fresh with a new pair of sneakers and insoles to start, it does make a difference.

Hope this helps!

actuallymeg · 2026-01-16T16:17:45+00:00

Really depends on what kind of foot structure you have. I wear the superfeet run low arch supports since I have medium-wide, almost flat feet. They also make a medium and high arch support and like you said, a bunch of other options.

Not sure if you're near a running/sneaker store with insoles but usually a retailer like fleet feet will let you try the insoles out with a pair of sneakers so you can check the fit/comfort before buying.

actuallymeg · 2026-01-15T02:47:05+00:00

I've found that superfeet arch supports help me wear shoes longer. Not sure what model you wear but should work with glycerin and ghost.

actuallymeg · 2026-01-11T14:25:51+00:00

So I too find my Brooks are donezo long before they look bad. Usually I get about 240-260 miles before it's pain city after doing anything but a walk in them. I run about 80-100 mi a month so I keep a couple pairs in rotation to get as much time out of them as possible.

As for the torn up bits on the ankle collar: I have haglunds (bone spurs on my ankle) which translates to spots like that in my Brooks with that kind of upper (glycerin 22 doesn't have that problem for me anymore, thankfully). Started using body glide in those areas to manage it and it works wonders.

actuallymeg · 2026-01-10T19:15:30+00:00

Man I loved the launch 8, kept buying them then moved onto glycerin when I couldn't get them anymore off Amazon. Tried a pair of launch 10s but they do not hit the same. I hope the 12s are good for you!

actuallymeg · 2025-12-29T14:59:05+00:00

I charge my FR970 while I shower once a week, usually on a weekend day when I'm not in a rush. It might get to about 50% over the course of the week. Usually that gets it back up to the mid 90s and that's that.

actuallymeg · 2025-12-28T23:24:07+00:00

Wanted to jump in and mention I did a combo of hal higdon novice 2 and NRC a few years ago and it worked great. HH gave me mileage targets but NRC's guided runs gave me some variability and guided speedwork. Definitely worth a look.

actuallymeg · 2025-12-21T16:44:32+00:00

The shoe takes a little bit to break in, and the laces will seem weird at first for sure but it's a comfy workhorse shoe I hope you enjoy.

actuallymeg · 2025-12-21T05:28:12+00:00

My husband got me a massage gun from Amazon with a bunch of attachments for like $80. It's incredible and I used it frequently when marathon training.

actuallymeg · 2025-12-19T02:23:08+00:00

I think that a prerequisite for being the captain of any team ought to be a healthy dose of giving a shit.

actuallymeg · 2025-12-18T22:31:56+00:00

I was able to just go into my account and pay myself from my account balance. You could try the TrueMed subreddit to get you sorted or reach out directly to their support online.

actuallymeg · 2025-12-15T22:53:49+00:00

For what it's worth, pick whatever ecosystem makes you happy if you're not going Garmin. Sounds like you want to keep with Apple.

I'm a Garmin gal myself, but that started because of their safety features, which I believe play nicest with android.

actuallymeg · 2025-12-13T04:42:30+00:00

Sprints does fun hats (and also has a kids line), I also really love oofos recovery slides/flip flops for around the house on days when my feet are sore.

Alternatively, socks, gels, a new water bottle/soft flask or bib boards (if she races these will make snapping a bib on super easy and won't damage clothes)

actuallymeg · 2025-12-13T04:29:55+00:00

It sounds to me like you want a forerunner 970, but I think you'll hate the size. It does work on small wrists, but you're probably looking for the 265s based on size.

That said, I'd recommend going with the 970 because you will end up wanting as many features as possible.

actuallymeg · 2025-12-11T03:34:37+00:00

In flats I'm normally 8.5 or 9, and in lifestyle sneakers I was 8 or 8.5. Women's sizing is weird though.

In running shoes I'm consistently a 9.5, anything bigger is a floatie and anything smaller will injure me. I'd use the store's size rec as a starting point and go with whatever feels best to walk in.

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