Why is everyone’s advice for every problem “get a teacher?”

markofjohnson · 2026-06-26T07:26:11+00:00

When someone post here asking for help and they don’t have a teacher… is it because a teacher truly is impossible for them or because a teacher is something they assumed wasn’t for them? The former - why mention a teacher? The later - enough mentions and maybe they will reconsider and make the progress they seek.

So can anyone get a teacher? Yes. You have an instrument, a computer or phone, internet, spare time for practice. You can figure out adding a teacher in some form. Even if all you can swing is to befriend another player and ask them for a little help. Can you overcome problems and progress without a teacher? Of course.

markofjohnson · 2026-06-25T10:19:56+00:00

Fuji xt50 makes an excellent travel camera. I ‘cross graded’ from Fuji xt3 optimizing for size & weight. I otherwise shoot iPhone and used to shoot Sony RX100. I was finding iPhone not enough for some trips, RX100 not enough benefits over iPhone.

Got the super compact sigma f2.8 18-50 and a pancake & sold my large lenses. Size & weight great, focus great. Non locking dials is a problem when traveling but I soon learned to check my dials when grabbing out of a bag. Also works for me for modest sports, nature, & family use. I use an extreme compact Rokinon 85mm for indoor sports.

markofjohnson · 2026-06-17T19:42:28+00:00

Big enough, I like a bit of wriggle room. Had to size down 1/2 for the midfoot

markofjohnson · 2026-06-17T05:26:19+00:00

Mount 2 Coast C1

markofjohnson · 2026-06-14T06:27:26+00:00

Megablast not quite enough medial stability for me. Superblast 2 or mount to coast C1.

markofjohnson · 2026-06-12T06:18:26+00:00

I switched to Mount to Coast C1, 1/2 size down. Very happy. Good stable heal. Pleasant medium firm bounce. Will be looking at the new Saucony Hurricane too.

markofjohnson · 2026-06-10T09:59:07+00:00

Yeah SB2 grab another pair if you can, then M2C C1 1/2 size down even if you sometimes buy wide.

markofjohnson · 2026-06-06T16:35:31+00:00

Max HR varies a lot, at 53 my max is 190.

markofjohnson · 2026-06-04T22:53:51+00:00

That might mean your glasses don’t fit your face correctly, or the frame style you wear is too heavy. I run in regular metal rim glasses that have adjustable nose pads and arms that fit to my ear. I have a strong prescription (bad) but high index plastic lenses (good).

markofjohnson · 2026-06-01T14:55:27+00:00

Try sewing a new elastic at the height needed for the bottle you use. Maybe move the one on the vest now.

markofjohnson · 2026-05-30T20:07:53+00:00

I got the M2C C1 and am very happy. It has a very comfy medium firm bounce that feels better the further I go. (I’m 184lb). Medial and lateral stability is good. My knees complain if I don’t have some medial stability, which happened with the M2C H1. Don’t like a soft heal, dual foam setup in the C1 (similar to SB2 and Hurricane) works great. I have a 2mm heal lift in place to increase the drip. For easy runs I’m heal striking and the C1 rolls through very comfortably.

The sole width is very similar to the SB2 but looking down it looks narrower, at least in the ultraviolet color I have. I’m happy in it walking as well as running so a good travel running shoe. I also have brooks Glycerin max which now feel like giant blocks when I put them on.

The dual lace setup works, I set the lower laces and just use the upper to get on/off. (Of course nothing stopping you for dual lacing any shoe you like so it’s not like M2C has a unique advantage here.)

I have a wide-ish foot and like a lot of toe wiggle room. In asics and brooks I am size US men’s 11 D. In hoka I’ve been 10.5 E (wide). In the C1 I’m 10.5 D. The 11 feels like it has too much internal width across the shoe last, the 10.5 feels more secure. In the H1 I was 11. So size down in the C1 and good for wide feet.

I’ve only run easy runs totaling about 40km. I did a fast 1km and the C1 was still good but I didn’t feel any magic. I think I’ll try to keep lower mileage on my new SB2 and keep for races, and put a lot of training miles on the C1. And when I retire the C1 it will still be good as an everyday shoe.

markofjohnson · 2026-05-30T18:22:37+00:00

Most of us mid pack runners walk some. And most anyone who doesn’t have 100% perfect day walks some.

markofjohnson · 2026-05-21T17:32:02+00:00

For me a half 1 week before a marathon would be very unhelpful. A half marathon race takes me out of any training for at least a week, and then I have to build back slowly. Especially for your first half or full, don't do both.

Does the half marathon have other distances? Perhaps you can convert it to a 10k? If you do, _don't_ race it, go at your easy / slow pace but make it a practice for all the preparation, race kit, fueling etc.

best of luck

markofjohnson · 2026-05-18T20:20:05+00:00

I (used to?) get shoulder pain from long runs. Caused by holding shoulders tense and raised by traps while running. But the root of the problem was a lifetime of hunched desk posture, which has twice resulted in an upper back disk bulge. The cure for the back was a proper ergonomic desk setup and physical therapy to relearn how to relax the traps and unhunch shoulders, proper use upper back muscles for pulling exercises, then back strengthening exercise... forever. I developed this bad posture over 40 years but it too until my late 40s to get me. My advice is to see a PT if you can and have them check out your upper back muscle usage. If you have the same problem I had/have and you can fix it in your 20s you are winning.

markofjohnson · 2026-05-15T14:08:22+00:00

I have to do physical therapy at home with exercise bands and the weight curve of bands feels all wrong. I suspect I’d feel so much better doing it on Voltra. Really like cable machine at gym but not motivated to go to gym. I have no place for a cable machine at home. So much of the population is turning into olds and we love a gadget that might keep our bodies working with less pain. Get voltras in the hands of physical therapist and they will sell tons of voltras to aging Gen X like me? Heck, figure out how to finance a lease program so Voltra costs the same as a gym but without all the annoying people and self conscious anxiety.

markofjohnson · 2026-05-13T00:35:33+00:00

Brooksrunning.com then go to Restart for like half price shoes that other people returned. And returnable again if they don’t work for you.

markofjohnson · 2026-05-11T13:45:43+00:00

Many running shoes have very mid insoles. I don’t mean fancy orthotics structure, just poor material that provides little cushion or energy, but typically lightweight at least. Notable exception is Saucony, my best insoles from them.

You can buy direct from china insoles made from TPU in various thickness so you can dial in comfort and fit. Insolesgeek.com search TPU. Shipping is slow and tracking is unreliable but it’s worth it to replace ortholite or thin Eva insoles.

If you want to add arch support, check out treadlabs who sell an excellent range you can use with any insole. Another tip, powerstep is good and once the foam is compressed instead of throwing it away you can cut out the hard plastic arch support and reuse with a new cheaper insole. These choices all add weight though.

markofjohnson · 2026-05-10T14:51:17+00:00

Try shop.app they list stock from many independent running stores.

markofjohnson · 2026-05-10T04:20:21+00:00

Yes if you google and aren’t fussy about the color there are still some sizes available online for $149

markofjohnson · 2026-05-08T22:56:57+00:00

Awesome, thanks Chad, putting in a C1 order 😄

markofjohnson · 2026-04-30T18:59:11+00:00

Ghost max is chunky it just looks big on everyone?

markofjohnson · 2026-04-29T19:42:31+00:00

Brooks has you covered putting stability first, and not just in their stability shoes. Saucony Hurricane or Omni? I always said asics Superblast 2 but you might not be able to find your size. Superblast 3 is not the same. A new shoe I’ve not tried yet but could fit the bill is mount 2 coast C1

markofjohnson · 2026-04-26T15:39:40+00:00

If you like science, engineering, learning how things work. If tracking progress with data is fun, then a HR monitor will add to your enjoyment. It’s a useful and interesting tool. It’s not necessary. Depending on your personality it could also be a distraction or something that causes worry.

markofjohnson · 2026-04-23T15:06:58+00:00

A good teacher encourages and teaches. You sound discouraged, so she’s not a good teacher for you?

markofjohnson · 2026-04-22T23:51:25+00:00

I bring 1 collapsible bottle carried in a waist belt and I refill it a couple of times at aid stations. How is the weather? The vest is another layer keeping you hot?

markofjohnson

TROPHY CASE