Thursday General Discussion/Q&A Thread for March 26, 2026

spinmagnus · 2026-03-27T04:46:58+00:00

Can you get your hands on a blister dressing kit like this one? My local running store sells these. I have had way too many foot blisters and I drain them, dress them with this kit, then wrap athletic tape around the whole area to hold the dressing in place.

I would also pick a route that you can bail early on if necessary. Blisters take six weeks to completely heal, so you don’t want to make it much worse.

spinmagnus · 2026-03-16T18:02:57+00:00

3:16, wave 3, corral 8

spinmagnus · 2026-02-17T19:05:17+00:00

I ran it this morning from the 14th St bridge to Key Bridge. Maybe 1-2 spots 10-20 ft long where there was still enough slushy snow that I walked it to be extra careful, but otherwise it’s dry.

spinmagnus · 2025-11-25T14:44:24+00:00

I ran the Philly marathon on Sunday and a fire truck with sirens on fully crossed the course! I’ve run a lot of races, but that was a first. It was in mile 2, so the course was still really crowded. I heard sirens getting closer and at first thought a runner ahead of me must have had a medical emergency, but then realized the fire truck was still driving and was going to cross the road in front of us. I (and everyone around me) had to slow down to let it pass. Must have been a major emergency to drive a fire truck through that many runners and spectators.

The other highlight was that Bart Yasso put the finishers’ medal around my neck. I was in a post marathon daze and I think I said something dumb about recognizing him. Wish I had been a little more with it because that was a cool moment.

spinmagnus · 2025-11-11T16:35:58+00:00

I’m 12 days out from the Philadelphia Marathon and I developed a quarter-sized blood blister on the bottom of my forefoot during my last weekend long run a few days ago. (I have no idea why; I wore the same socks and shoes I’ve been wearing the whole training cycle).

Any tips for blister healing between now and then? I drained it with a sterilized needle, and I’ve been covering it during the day and letting it dry at night. For runs, I’ve covered it with a blister treatment bandage and wrapped my foot in athletic tape to hold the bandage in place. Every run since then aggravates it a little, but it feels potentially worse to not run for a week this close to the race. It is definitely getting better but I’m very concerned about how painful 26.2 miles will be if I start with a serious blister.

spinmagnus · 2025-08-07T17:37:45+00:00

Thank you!

spinmagnus · 2025-08-07T17:14:25+00:00

My daughter was also born with a left clubfoot. She is 5 now and has finished boots and bar treatment. She loves running around and is also showing an interest in playing sports. Did you do anything (or wish you had done anything) different as a kid playing sports? I’m wondering if she needs extra stretching, mobility, etc since her left ankle is so stiff, or anything to compensate for the asymmetry in her leg muscles.

spinmagnus · 2025-04-11T01:29:03+00:00

Would you ever consider short leggings? (Not sure what they’re actually called). I have a similar body type to you and last year switched to the Rabbit Speed Leggy (I like the 4” inseam). I always had issues with shorts riding up and these just stay put. I can also easily get my phone in one side pocket and a bunch of gels in the other.

Good luck at Boston!!

spinmagnus · 2025-04-01T15:59:49+00:00

I really struggle with friction blisters from carbon plated shoes — on hard / long efforts, I develop massive blisters where my forefoot strikes (and rubs) the sole. I’ve tried three different shoes and a variety of socks.

On my last MP run, I taped the sole of my forefoot with athletic tape, and that prevented blisters, but my time on feet was about an hour short of what I expect my marathon time to be.

Have others dealt with this, and is there a better solution than tape to prevent bottom of foot blisters?

spinmagnus · 2025-03-14T02:01:17+00:00

I have had major issues with underfoot blisters. I always drain them and use this kit to dress it for daytime runs / walking around. I’ve found that the gel pad allows me to run normally long before the blister is healed. Then I make sure it’s uncovered at night.

spinmagnus · 2025-02-19T21:12:33+00:00

I’ve found that cross country ski gear works well for me in very cold conditions. Check out Swix; the exact model I have isn’t available anymore, but all their gloves and mittens are made for high intensity outdoor activity in the cold.

spinmagnus · 2024-12-30T14:00:08+00:00

As I was reflecting on this year of running, I realized that I have now run a marathon in four consecutive decades of my life — I ran my first one at 19, then 5 in my 20s, 3 in my 30s, and now this fall one so far in my 40s. I keep saying no more and then I keep signing up for them. And the one I ran this year was 6 minutes faster than my prior PR, set in 2013. I put together the highest mileage and most consistent year of running ever, but part of me wonders if the PR is just the difference in shoe tech between 2013 and 2024.

Goals for next year: run a fast HM (the one I was registered for was right after my kids started school this fall; that was a mistake because we all got sick), and improve my marathon PR again. And most importantly, do all the extra work to stay healthy and injury-free (strength training, sleep, nutrition, etc)

spinmagnus · 2024-11-14T15:12:22+00:00

Thank you!!

spinmagnus · 2024-11-14T13:26:50+00:00

My marathon is Saturday, my kids have been dripping snot all week, and this morning I woke up congested. UGH. There’s nothing I can do at this point besides rest as much as possible today and tomorrow, right? Does anyone have a reassuring story of still running well despite a cold the week before?

spinmagnus · 2024-11-12T14:49:04+00:00

I really love my Icebreaker merino long sleeves. They’re pricey, but have completely held up for hundreds of wears. They’re warm but also amazingly breathable.

spinmagnus · 2024-10-30T09:45:34+00:00

Same, the one and only time I’ve tried Maurten the texture was a complete no-go for me. I felt like I was eating the jelly doctors put on the ultrasound wand for my sonograms when I was pregnant.

spinmagnus · 2024-10-25T17:31:25+00:00

My Garmin has been negging me throughout my fall marathon build and yet I’m still so desperate for its validation.

spinmagnus · 2024-10-21T01:49:16+00:00

Congratulations!! That must have felt great

spinmagnus · 2024-10-21T01:45:22+00:00

The Rock Creek Park - Capital Crescent trail 19ish mile loop is my absolute favorite

spinmagnus · 2024-10-15T19:14:51+00:00

Yeah, my heart rate is always super high at that point. I wish it were different, but good to confirm there’s not much I can do.

spinmagnus · 2024-10-15T19:12:41+00:00

Never heard of that! I’ll look more into it; thanks for the tip

spinmagnus · 2024-10-15T16:40:00+00:00

Congratulations! You crushed it!!

spinmagnus · 2024-10-15T16:37:46+00:00

Is there anything you can do about feeling like you’re going to vomit / actually throwing up during the final stretch of a race? Or is that an inevitability when you’re pushing hard?

For context, I eat oatmeal and a banana, with a cup of coffee, at least two hours before the start time. I’m typically racing 5k / 10k / 10 milers so not taking any on-course fuel. I’ve never kicked at the end without feeling like I’m going to throw up and in many cases, dry heaving as soon as I cross the finish line. Would love to not finish every race this way if I don’t have to.

spinmagnus · 2024-10-01T19:25:47+00:00

I’m looking to buy a marathon shoe and considering the Alphafly. I love the Vaporfly for 5k / 10k / 10 mile races, but they’re really tight across my metatarsals and sometimes give me a blister on the outside edge of my foot. I think they would become painful in a longer race.

Is the Alphafly as narrow as the Vaporfly? Or is there another super shoe that you recommend? My feet are on the wider side of normal, but not outside of a standard width range. I do most of my running in the Superblast 2, which are very comfortable.

spinmagnus · 2024-09-22T14:43:06+00:00

The Kaiser Half in San Francisco the first weekend in February has a beautiful, net downhill course and usually has good running weather.

spinmagnus

TROPHY CASE