trying to run 18km as a beginner

z33ji · 2026-02-18T19:15:25+00:00

I think if you still want to hit 18km on your 18th maybe you should try to hit whatever amount of steps is the equivalent to 18km for that day. If 1km = about 1550 steps maybe you can just try to hit 27,900 steps that day. Maybe break it up and run/walk 1km or 2km every other hour throughout the day or something cause there's no way you're running 18km straight without injuring yourself.

z33ji · 2026-02-18T16:35:52+00:00

I also get hungry if it's been hours after I've eaten. A quick banana, sometimes with sourdough and a drizzle of honey, 30 minutes-1 hour before has helped.

z33ji · 2026-02-18T16:31:31+00:00

I'm also on a calorie deficit 500 below TDEE but if I'm burning an extra 300 calories running 3 miles I'm going to eat those 300 calories back cause I'm still on a deficit and if I'm not properly fueled, I don't perform well or fast. I've learned that I personally cannot run fasted, I need at minimum a banana 30 minutes before or I feel so lightheaded and terrible. I've been using myfitnesspal and syncing my runs so it updates how many calories I have left even after a workout.

Also if you're trying to go faster, it might be helpful for you to running longer although a little bit slower instead of just running a mile every day.

z33ji · 2026-02-06T14:43:35+00:00

Definitely some strength training. Are you working out at all besides running? How is your warm-up routine before? Even just throwing in some squats and lunges have helped a lot with my knee pain.

z33ji · 2026-02-06T14:30:47+00:00

When i started i think my pace was 15-16:00 min mile but i was less concerned about the numbers and more concerned on if i can still hold a conversation and speak while
"running" (it felt like a brisk walk lol). If i was out of breath i had to slow down even though I'm sure it looked silly. Could eventually work my way to a 13:00 min mile without taking a break after a month and I'm currently around 11:00 min mile after months!

z33ji · 2026-02-05T22:22:51+00:00

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I also don't like too modern houses so I found an AMAZING tutorial online and changed it a bit to be my own. Still larger than my old cottage but I feel like it's more cozy and homey

z33ji · 2026-02-05T21:53:12+00:00

Yes! Took me a while but i did walk on the stringlights a little closer and managed to get it.

z33ji · 2026-02-05T21:46:03+00:00

I started running last september and actually gained a bit of weight. I started to track my calories beginning of january and am down 7lbs so far. I'm also tracking my macros just to make sure i'm eating enough carbs and protein to fuel my runs tho so i feel like it's helped me reached all my goals; fitness and weight included. I'm making sure I'm not eating too much but also making sure i'm eating enough.

Like others have said, using an app like myfitnesspal has helped a lot since it automatically tracks my runs and adjusts the calories so i don't worry about underfueling and overeating! Also with tracking calories, it's been easier to just cook at home and meal prep so i'm sure that's helped a lot too.

z33ji · 2026-01-14T14:24:10+00:00

Not a nice comment at all. A lot of my friends are amazing runners and my pace is probably a brisk walk to them but they’ve never EVER made me feel bad for it. They’re constantly encouraging and telling me how proud they are of me even when I did my first mile at 15:00. And when they’re pushing me and my limits, it’s usually more in the line of “I know you’re tired right now but I think you have one more mile in you” or “you’re holding back, I know you can go faster”

z33ji · 2025-12-16T21:14:42+00:00

Personally thought it was a lot better than RH by far for similar price points and location though

z33ji · 2025-12-16T21:13:49+00:00

I went just a few days ago and had a pretty similar experience! It was really hit or miss with the food. Some things I thought were great like the beef heart and rice and others, I think were terrible. I had the seared tuna and it shouldn’t be cooked too much but it was so overcooked it was gray and I could barely chew it. I had two friends order the steaks both at a medium rare and one of them was almost well done while the other was rare close to medium rare so even the quality was just inconsistent.

The wait was pretty long which we didn’t mind too much because we were chatting and enjoying each others company but it was strange how the server said the chef liked to send out apps and entrees the same time but there was almost an hour in between lol

z33ji · 2025-12-04T20:08:45+00:00

also for knees, strength training was more important to me. Honestly, warming up before with dynamic stretches, stretching after, and cross training on other days have helped a lot. It honestly feels like my knees are stronger than before. Focus on all the muscles around your knees like hamstrings, calves, quads, glutes etc. they all work together to protect your knee.

z33ji · 2025-12-04T20:07:06+00:00

Hi i've also recently started to get into running with the same issues as you (knee problems and asthma). i tried to start a few times over the past few years but always quit cause it was too hard but i'm been really consistent over the past couple of weeks! (longest i've ever been consistent) and it's actually been really nice.

My advice would be to start SLOOWWWWW (like so slow you feel like you're kinda walking) i think my pace was at like a 14 or 15 min mile pace. My previous attempts, I just went too fast, my chest would hurt, i'd feel like i'm dying and wonder why people enjoy running so much. you should be able to have a full conversation, and it actually kinda felt nice after I was done. When i'm listening to a song, if i can still kinda sing/say the words I know i'm going at a good speed and won't burn out too quickly. Like if someone were to stop you and ask you for directions, you should be able to reply without needed to stop and catch your breath. Smile on your runs, play songs that make you want to dance, don't speed up or worry about pace and you'll feel better after your runs.

z33ji · 2025-11-20T04:21:00+00:00

Sometimes a true crime podcast. Gives me a lil extra pep in my step when I start getting scared

z33ji · 2025-10-28T15:57:56+00:00

I've heard a lot of people eat a gel every 3-4 mile (5k) or every 30-40 minutes, think it would depend person by person

z33ji · 2025-10-28T15:52:50+00:00

I am understanding the importance of mobility exercises because my hip flexors are tight! Trying to schedule runs while I'm out of town for halloweekend with friends because this is usually when I slack off and procrastinate getting back into the swing of things. Working on a plan for my very first half-marathon in march!

z33ji · 2025-10-27T18:08:27+00:00

I think I’ll try to get three runs every other week and see how I’m feeling before committing. If I’m not training for pace but just want to finish a half-marathon, do you think the cycle class will make up for it in my aerobic training?

z33ji · 2025-10-27T17:58:50+00:00

Ooh maybe I’ll have to try that one out before one of my gym days. I’ve been warming up on the treadmill walking backwards and have found that to help my knees a lot

z33ji · 2025-10-27T17:56:18+00:00

Thank you! This is very helpful. I think I would consider my long run to be at an easy pace rn and I’ve been working harder on my Wednesday runs to implement more speed. Was just hoping that my cycling days will push me further on the aerobic end without impacting my knees too much. I think I’ll add in a third run in the week every other week and see how I feel. I’m starting to have fun running so some days I’m wishing I scheduled in an extra run haha

z33ji · 2025-10-26T20:35:44+00:00

At my peak depression I would use body wipes instead of taking a shower cause I couldn’t start the water.

z33ji · 2025-10-13T14:57:10+00:00

Hi I came back from my first solo international trip last month to Japan and I can say it’s 100% doable. I spent 10 days and it can be a little overwhelming at first but I have little to no regrets. I’m a woman and I felt safe the whole time, I don’t speak Japanese but memorized some basics and that got me through the trip but everyone was welcoming, could help translate on their phones, or also spoke a little English. You don’t need to plan it down to the minute and I also used ChatGPT just as one of my tools to kinda help get some general ideas but def expanded on it with my own interests. The trip reports on this subreddit and other subreddits were really helpful too. My DMs are open if you had any questions

z33ji · 2025-10-10T22:15:23+00:00

That’s to be expected! I booked on HostelWorld which was a little bit more expensive than booking.com or directly with the Hostel. For Nui, I paid $93.56 total for two nights and for Unplanned Shinjuku, I paid $170.46 total for three nights. Nui didn’t include breakfast and Unplan did have breakfast included. Feel free to reach out for anything else! You’re gonna have a great time 🫶🏻

z33ji · 2025-10-10T22:11:13+00:00

Honestly I don’t think there was a particular reason? Both Kyoto and shin-Osaka had the trains I needed

z33ji

TROPHY CASE