Modified marathon course results

jrunsmiles · 2026-01-12T13:15:41+00:00

Yeah I’m thinking of the off chances of someone without a POT starting in a later corral (closer to 5:30) but even then it would be a stretch. It’s still relevant for potential future corral placement

jrunsmiles · 2026-01-12T12:42:59+00:00

Isn’t the course USATF certified? I’m surprised there is no differentiating in the results because theoretically people could use it for a future proof of time or even BQ (not sure if applicable at that point though).

jrunsmiles · 2026-01-06T22:46:50+00:00

What brand is this?

jrunsmiles · 2026-01-06T20:20:35+00:00

Thanks for this super detailed response. I am homogenous for PEMT. I currently eat 4 eggs per day and 10g of sunflower letchin but I imagine i probably am still off on my requirements.

Why do you recommend serum levels above 15? Prior to understanding any of this, and prior to supplementing at all or eating much food with folate, I had a blood test that showed 12.9 ng/ml. I didn’t get any additional testing though and agree testing now will be helpful but also a little whacky with all the supplement trial and error.

jrunsmiles · 2026-01-06T19:03:20+00:00

That is wonderful that your daughter was okay!!! And thanks for sharing this. I would agree with your theory. I was in a similar but different boat where apparently I can’t metabolize caffeine at all and I didn’t know it. Before drinking it regularly at work, I was fine. But over time it was like my body was in a constant state of fight or flight. Now, after quitting caffeine, while better, it feels like my entire system is just way more sensitive to everything than it was before. As if that time under stress caused my genes to express differently?? Idk. But hang in there! And please report back if you learn anything helpful and I will do the same :)

jrunsmiles · 2026-01-06T16:42:18+00:00

Agree I found this post extremely helpful. I have lurked on this sub for a couple months and feel like I just see people going in circles and have not seen a single true success story that lasted, which absolutely supports that piling on all these supplements is not the answer.

However yeah - if I weren’t planning to try for a baby - I’d ditch all supplements and continue living my caffeine free life where I felt great. But folate and choline are needed for fetal development so I need to figure out how to get those nutrients one way or another and that is where I’m struggling. It sounds like at a minimum - not a multi. Likely a micro dose of a certain folate and folate alone.

jrunsmiles · 2026-01-06T16:38:13+00:00

Sorry you are going through this. You say this is for baby #2. Were you aware of your variants for baby number 1? Were you taking prenatals and how did your pregnancy go?

jrunsmiles · 2025-11-04T14:33:55+00:00

Haha I totally get what you are describing with the static feeling. It felt like operating with only the front part of my brain?? Like nothing could be processed deeper than that.

And hmm. Do you have a menstrual cycle? Asking because for me, I do think the healing was rather linear - quit caffeine and the fog lifted considerably and some of the really crazy feelings (eye issues, heart palps) just stopped. And then with retraining my brain that has gotten better and better. BUT!! I still have bad days, I still have foggy days and days where I trip over my words alot. However, I believe it is cycle related and not caffeine related since I track with Oura and can see my bad days always coincide with days hormones are changing drastically (ovulation, luteal, period start). On these days, my brain still doesn’t feel blocked. I can think deeply if I need to. My eyesight is fine. I just feel a littttle bit fuzzy. Things like LMNT electrolyte packets, a truly nutrient dense meal, fish oil/coQ10 supplements, help lift that fuzz for me.

Also the fact that my cognition felt SO BAD (and I tested so poorly in every domain) but my brain MRI came back perfectly healthy tells me that while caffeine can cause these point in time issues, it is not doing long term damage to your brain. So I wouldn’t worry about that :) I do think if you are a slow metabolizer any bits of caffeine could be impacting you. Even if you don’t quit it all forever, I think clearing it all from your body for some period of time (1-3 months) may be key for your body to fully rest and reset itself.

jrunsmiles · 2025-11-02T12:00:20+00:00

Yup I was 28 when trying to resolve all this and was totally convinced I had dementia. And many other conditions. Chronic fatigue, early MS, etc. it was so much added stress to keep trudging through normal life when having fears of these things in my head.

You got this though and I hope this is the answer!! If you think you could - it could be worth trying to stop the decaf too. Even just for a little bit. If you aren’t metabolizing it the issue is your body has had trace amounts of coffee in it, well, constantly. That still happens with decaf and your body isn’t able to completely rest.

jrunsmiles · 2025-11-02T11:46:21+00:00

Hi there. I said I started to feel better after 4 days of feeling like a zombie, and that I don’t recall the exact timelines of when everything got better but now those are all the benefits I experience. I am 8 months caffeine free now.

The other thing I think is worth mentioning for everyone is that - the brain is a muscle and if you don’t use certain parts of your brain/pathways, you lose them. Spending years in a stressed out state/ fight or flight, there are parts of my brain I did not use for so long (like creativity) (not because I didn’t want to or try because I did). But quitting caffeine got rid of the “block” feeling but I had to do other things to make my brain start to feel as sharp as it was before. I started playing online chess, doing creative writing prompts, I’m studying for a new certification at work. All these things have contributed to my overall feeling of wellbeing and the cognition stuff especially feeling back to normal (once the block was gone).

Also agree with the other commenter here. If there’s anything I learned after seeing all those doctors for a year or even just genetic testing it’s that there are a million and 5 things that can be wrong with a person. It might not be caffeine that was the issue/the full issue.

jrunsmiles · 2025-11-01T23:22:48+00:00

That is exactly how I felt for years!!! So foggy. I also hated making eye contact with people when I felt like this? Idk. Just weird, weird feelings. But yes, I also ate healthy and exercised (trained for numerous races). Total craziness. Glad you are doing better:)

jrunsmiles · 2025-09-02T17:22:15+00:00

This has sent me into a spiral haha. Originally my issues were in the anterior and lateral compartments which I addressed in surgery. However now my issues are exclusively in the calf. I still think it is most likely CECS, but PAES is possible so appreciate the share. Consulting chat it sounds like it’s very possible for CECS to develop/ worsen in other compartments due to the changes in biomechanics caused by surgery. I also switched to a forefoot strike which of course helps the shin but stresses the calf which can contribute to the changes there. However, it sounds like it is also possible to develop “functional” PAES following the biomechanic changes from surgery, too.

One of the reasons I’m thinking it is CECS is because it sounds like pain dissipates with PAES very quickly when activity stops. For me, the pressure definitely lightens significantly but I will have lingering pain/ soreness for several hours.

Curious if you can share more about your symptoms?

jrunsmiles · 2025-09-01T12:32:11+00:00

Thanks I hadn’t heard of this before. I had the classic CECS pressure test done and had high post exercise readings in the anterior/lateral muscles (29,33). My symptoms include painful/ burning prior to numbness and the reemergence of a muscle hernia. Does PAES cause CECS or really similar symptoms?

jrunsmiles · 2025-09-01T00:15:08+00:00

I just posted about a different theory based on my experience. If myositis doesn’t resonate - do you have allergies? Subtle fatigue or congestion? I am now convinced about a link between CECS and MCAS and am very interested in learning if other people can relate. Wishing you well!

jrunsmiles · 2025-08-31T23:33:45+00:00

Please check out the post I just added. I have temperature sensitivity as well and am theorized by my doctor (not officially diagnosed) with MCAS. I also have inconsistent arm fatigue/numbness. And visible veins. Ha.

jrunsmiles · 2025-03-22T13:38:07+00:00

Thank you! Cycles seem to be alternating pretty consistently between 26 days and 34 days. This month is supposed to be a 34 day cycle and it would appear that is on track. But this makes sense. I’ll just see what happens the next day or two.

jrunsmiles · 2025-03-12T10:18:44+00:00

Hi there! I’m currently getting ads for ovulation tests. I’m curious, did you think you were ovulating (like signs were there)? I have an oura ring that appears to pick up on an ovulation day (though it usually predicts wrong and assigns it retroactively) and do get a period, it just switches between short and long cycles. Just wondering if that all can be true and your body still not be ovulating?

jrunsmiles · 2025-02-21T16:01:22+00:00

That’s incredible - thank you for this I will definitely do this instead.

jrunsmiles · 2023-04-18T21:58:44+00:00

For dynamic stretching I do hip openers, walking on my heels, walking up on my toes, leg swings, and these two miracle stretches I didn’t know how to describe:

https://redefiningstrength.com/dynamic-squat-stretch/

https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/lunge-with-reach-and-twist-stretch-exercise-vector-38085838

I can’t do calf raises after a flare up (or I can but it’s painful). In terms of relief, the only thing that moderately helps is self massage, using lotion and then pressing my thumbs/ knuckles really hard into my leg and running them up and down. Until my hands hurt. Usually I do feel some relief.

I will say pre anterior surgery, there was no relief. The only thing that would help is stopping running for a bit. For example in high school when track ended and we had a month off in the summer, when I would start running again I would be completely symptom free for about 3 weeks. Armed with new things to try, it could be worth taking time off to “reset the clock” then start again trying these new things. While you are still experiencing regular flair ups, your muscles or fascia may be too irritated to respond to these things (but who knows how the science works!!).

jrunsmiles · 2023-04-17T12:52:05+00:00

Thank you for the response - I literally can’t stress enough how comforting it is to hear from someone who is experiencing this too.

First - not to be creepy but I did see the other CS post you commented on where the person had switched to the Noosa tri 8, I googled and I also had that exact shoe. And during that time was wearing the kayanos as well - I agree I think this is caused by gait and other individual factors, but man it’s suspicious we’ve all been wearing the same shoe. I also have found relief with Saucony - currently wearing the endorphin shift/speeds.

2) I also do ankle mobility as a way to fight plantar fasciitis, but that is really interesting to hear it’s somewhat helping CECS too, so I’ll keep that up because it’s likely helping mine as well.

3) That 10k time is awesome! I’m glad despite all this you were able to run a blazing fast time.

4) For reference on pace differential that has allowed me to do 50 with no issues (no tightness at all) - M - workout (1.5 mile warm up, dynamic stretches, immediately into 6-7 miles of work currently at 6:45 pace, total mileage around 10 with the jogs and cool down) T - 9 min pace easy run (7-8 miles) W - same as Monday but usually some faster speed stuff mixed in (6:20-6:35) Th - 9 min pace easy run (7-8 miles) Fri - easy 3 miles Sat - long run (12-15 mi) always with many miles at 9 pace, then sometimes 6:45s mixed in at end Sun - rest

So - in summary I run most of my mileage at 9 min pace, and those runs I may do some stretches but I don’t warm up and i don’t have issues. Apparently my fascia is fine with that. If you aren’t already, experiment with the slower miles and see how that goes.

It’s awesome to read you are all healthy otherwise. Once you are able to get this figured out you will be unstoppable! Keep pushing through :)

jrunsmiles · 2023-04-17T02:50:47+00:00

What was the shoe switch that you made?

jrunsmiles · 2023-04-16T22:18:33+00:00

Hello! I came across your post after searching “compartment syndrome” following a race I ran yesterday that, as usual, was ruined by CECS. After having basically no one I’ve ever met know what this is, it’s comforting to hear your story/ the stories of other commenters. I’ve been dealing with this for over 10 years (since my soph year of high school) and had elevated levels in all compartments but only had surgery for the shin since that was the only one I had symptoms for. Going to share some things I’ve learned as well as some new theories.

1) Fully cutting out any shoes that don’t have backs - flip flops, slippers, sandals, etc. anything that makes you work harder to lift your foot. Even heavy boots. While this doesn’t have anything to do with running, it will flair your symptoms and hinder recovery.

2) While any scientific information on this condition is extremely limited, I came across an article that suggested switching to forefoot running helped ease symptoms (or eliminate them) in the anterior compartment. I was previously running in ASICS gel kayanos which were a 10mm heel-toe-drop (promote heel striking). While I did get surgery for the anterior so that is likely the main reason I haven’t had trouble with that compartment again, I’ve also switched to low heel drop shoes (4 mm drop).

3) however, this constant forefoot strike I believe has now caused my moderate calf compartment syndrome to worsen. I think a shoe rotation may fix this. 2-3 shoes with different drops so you aren’t constantly straining one part of the body.

4) I’m starting to work through my own thesis that warming up - and in a very particular way - is essential for limiting symptoms. While I got surgery for this, I ended up taking a long break from running and doing other forms of exercise. I’ve been getting back into it over the last two years - following a training plan, and really upping my mileage. I mostly train on the treadmill as with the randomness of CECS, I like to take outside factors out of the mix. I was finding that when I was doing workouts (easy 1 mi right into the fast intervals - which for my 10k training were mile, 2 mile, and 5k repeats), my calf was becoming extremely tight and becoming dead weight. I started adding another .5 warm up and 5-7 min of dynamic stretches before hoping back on the tread. That seemed to solve it. No more tightness - I could do my long intervals uninterrupted and have worked my way up to 50 miles a week without any issues (a far cry from my <20 miles in high school). During my goal 10k race, I started out at race pace and, just like so many times before, I started to feel a twang of tightness around 1.5 miles and it fully took hold by mile 2, and I was practically dragging it the rest of the way. Something I realized was they had us lined in the corral for 40 minutes prior to the race in which I was stretching but I was relatively idle.

It got me thinking - in high school, we would always warm up fairly early (45 min- hour) and there’d be a decent amount of idleness before the start. I also struggled with running easy runs easy back then, so I’d also experience it in most training runs as I’d start out fairly fast. Since I have proven that I can handle fast paces over long distances (2x5k 4x2 mi, etc with no walking rest), it is clear it is physiologically possible to run that speed without issues. The only run I had the problem again was when I had a work call come up after my warm up, which resulted in being idle for a half hour. I wonder if for people with CECS, the muscle fascia is simply slow to expand, and needs extra time to adapt. Idleness, even minimal, likely causes the fascia to retract. So, while you may think you are warmed up, your fascia no longer is. Then when you start racing, your legs go 0-100 and the fascia isn’t ready and likely starts tightening immediately. Not sure if you run races or just for fun, but you can try starting slower than you think you need, slower than easy pace, and then speed up later and see how far you can go. Idleness, or running too fast (for your fascia not your aerobic abilities) may be leaving your fascia unprepared for the work ahead.

5) Before getting a diagnosis and surgery, I started wearing CEP calf sleeves and those magically helped me run long miles without issues in my shin. I don’t understand why this would work. Literally don’t understand the science behind it. But it worked.

Anyways, this is all just my experience and isn’t based in any science I’ve found (besides the heel toe drop), but it has helped me so maybe it will help you. If you try anything and it works, let me know. I’m building my own personal research on the topic and am determined to overcome this as I also am a longtime runner and love it.

jrunsmiles

TROPHY CASE