The Running Thread - 2026

[marty3d]

2/14 Marathon report: PR BQ Chicago Qual . Only a 5 min 14 second buffer for Boston so probably not enough but was targeting Chicago and the hard qualifier vs the mystery of Boston. Definitely didn’t drink enough water because of how cool it was at the start and paid for it starting at mile 16 when I could no longer stomach gels from nausea. My legs were on fire and for the final 5k but I did it and I cried

Congratulations!!

 

[JediKnightXan]

2/14 Marathon report: PR BQ Chicago Qual . Only a 5 min 14 second buffer for Boston so probably not enough but was targeting Chicago and the hard qualifier vs the mystery of Boston. Definitely didn’t drink enough water because of how cool it was at the start and paid for it starting at mile 16 when I could no longer stomach gels from nausea. My legs were on fire and for the final 5k but I did it and I cried

Great work!! Congrats!!!

 

[col1]

2/14 Marathon report: PR BQ Chicago Qual . Only a 5 min 14 second buffer for Boston so probably not enough but was targeting Chicago and the hard qualifier vs the mystery of Boston. Definitely didn’t drink enough water because of how cool it was at the start and paid for it starting at mile 16 when I could no longer stomach gels from nausea. My legs were on fire and for the final 5k but I did it and I cried

Congratulations

 

[Erika10021]

2/14 Marathon report: PR BQ Chicago Qual . Only a 5 min 14 second buffer for Boston so probably not enough but was targeting Chicago and the hard qualifier vs the mystery of Boston. Definitely didn’t drink enough water because of how cool it was at the start and paid for it starting at mile 16 when I could no longer stomach gels from nausea. My legs were on fire and for the final 5k but I did it and I cried

Amazing! Congratulations!

 

[KCO5988]

Thanks everyone!

Congrats! Given that they tightened the times and last year’s buffer was 4:34, I’d say you have a good shot. But Boston has been surprisingly tight the last few years.

Yeah definitely right on the cusp, hoping for a hot day at Boston this year

 

[Dopey 2020]

2/14 Marathon report: PR BQ Chicago Qual . Only a 5 min 14 second buffer for Boston so probably not enough but was targeting Chicago and the hard qualifier vs the mystery of Boston. Definitely didn’t drink enough water because of how cool it was at the start and paid for it starting at mile 16 when I could no longer stomach gels from nausea. My legs were on fire and for the final 5k but I did it and I cried

That’s fantastic, congratulations!

 

[WillRunForPizza]

Yeah definitely right on the cusp, hoping for a hot day at Boston this year

Current projected cutoff is 4:30!
https://runningwithrock.com/boston-marathon-cutoff-time-tracker/

 

[KCO5988]

Current projected cutoff is 4:30!
https://runningwithrock.com/boston-marathon-cutoff-time-tracker/

Yup! I will be stalking that website from now until September

 

[jrsharp21]

Looking for some running belt suggestions. I have been using a Naked Running belt the past couple of years. I loved the space inside the belt, but didn't like that it constantly rolled up and sometimes made it hard to get your fuel out. So looking for something that can hold a phone and up to eight or so gel packs.

 

[KCO5988]

Looking for some running belt suggestions. I have been using a Naked Running belt the past couple of years. I loved the space inside the belt, but didn't like that it constantly rolled up and sometimes made it hard to get your fuel out. So looking for something that can hold a phone and up to eight or so gel packs.

I use a SPI belt which can fit the gel packs but not my phone. But my husband uses this one and likes it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLTT42GK?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1&psc=1

 

[Novatrix]

@jrsharp21 Sounds crazy, but this cheap belt has been my go to for the past 5 years.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M17PHO4

Fits everything including my samsung 23 ultra and bose earbuds case, and doesn't bounce when running. Completely replaced the 4 more expensive brand belts I tried previously. (A Nathan branded one, Spi, Roosportplus and AirunTech.) If I need to carry water, I have a running backpack with bladder.

 

[marty3d]

@jrsharp21 Sounds crazy, but this cheap belt has been my go to for the past 5 years.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M17PHO4

Fits everything including my samsung 23 ultra and bose earbuds case, and doesn't bounce when running. Completely replaced the 4 more expensive brand belts I tried previously. (A Nathan branded one, Spi, Roosportplus and AirunTech.) If I need to carry water, I have a running backpack with bladder.

That one is so cheap it's almost free! I might have to try it.

I've been using a Flip Belt for the last 2 years https://a.co/d/03iPk2hV and I'm most meh about it and looking for a change. If I'm carrying any amount of fuel beyond 1 or 2 gel packs it's tough to carry my phone in it. I have a couple of other belts I cycle through if I'm carrying water/ Powerade during training runs but have never really found anything I like. The Flip Belt is ok if you have a smaller phone or don't try to stuff too much into it.

 

[garneska]

I have my knee injections scheduled. They are going to do both knees at one time but it is one shot in each knee. Scheduled for March 5. I could have done it this wednesday, but the location was not great. For those atlanta people, i could have gone to Dunwoody, but i live in midtown so i opted to wait 2 weeks to get an appointment at Brookhaven.

Oh and i am doing self pay because self pay is over half the cost of putting it through the insurance.

 

[nancipants]

I use a spibelt for supplies and a handheld with a pouch I can stuff fuel into. I carry my phone in my shorts pocket. If I’m doing a run half marathon length or shorter, I’ll stuff supplies in my other pocket instead of using the belt.

 

[rick1zoo2]

Looking for some running belt suggestions. I have been using a Naked Running belt the past couple of years. I loved the space inside the belt, but didn't like that it constantly rolled up and sometimes made it hard to get your fuel out. So looking for something that can hold a phone and up to eight or so gel packs.

I have this one and it works pretty well, the Nathan Zipster:

https://nathansports.com/collections/running-belts/products/zipster-max?variant=40999362822232

it has a zippered pocket in the front which will hold a phone, and another smaller zippered pocket in the back. Then two mesh side pockets on either side. For the MW Marathon, I was able to load it up with 12 gels just in those side pockets, and other snacks in the front. Mine fits right at the waistband of my shorts, so I find it easy to get used to, doesn't move around, bounce, or roll up. The one thing that might be odd is that I wait until I have it on before loading the side pockets as they are not zippered. Then I just spread the gels out to make them fit in there better.

 

[GollyGadget]

Looking for some running belt suggestions. I have been using a Naked Running belt the past couple of years. I loved the space inside the belt, but didn't like that it constantly rolled up and sometimes made it hard to get your fuel out. So looking for something that can hold a phone and up to eight or so gel packs.

Not really what you asked, but I switched to only running in shorts with pockets and it’s been a game changer. No more belts needed.

 

[nancipants]

Not really what you asked, but I switched to only running in shorts with pockets and it’s been a game changer. No more belts needed.

Janji ftw

 

[The Expert]

I like Janji and also the Rabbit Leggy Smashem's. I just picked up a pair on sale to try out and they are great! There are open pockets all along the waistband, a zipper pocket in the back and two big thigh pockets.

 

[jrsharp21]

Anyone tried the Endorphin Belt before?

 

[Herding_Cats]

I use a spibelt for supplies and a handheld with a pouch I can stuff fuel into. I carry my phone in my shorts pocket. If I’m doing a run half marathon length or shorter, I’ll stuff supplies in my other pocket instead of using the belt.

This is what I do as well, except minus the handheld. I have the “endurance” or “pro” model (I can’t remember) that has the slightly bigger pocket AND 4 loops for gels. My phone goes in my shorts/tights pocket, and everything else get shoved in the spi belt.