The Running Thread - 2026

[Fischstick]

Well, guess my fall plans just changed

Amazing news! So excited for you!

 

[DianaMB333]

You best go buy a lottery ticket, odds were only 1% this year! Congratulations!!!!!!

X2!! Buy the lottery and help us do rD forever LOL
Congrats!! Enjoy it!

 

[pluto377]

Well, guess my fall plans just changed

Congrats!

I got rejected, boo.

 

[JediKnightXan]

Well, guess my fall plans just changed

Congratulations!

 

[garneska]

I thought I would post on this thread instead of the MW thread about the knee injections.

Today was the day for first ever HA (hyralonic acid) shot in the left knee. My left knee is much better than the right, It usually only bothers me when i am active. That shot was piece of cake, similar to how my right knee felt the first time i had HA in it in 2024. Two years later and I am here to say that it was a bit (a lot) worse this time around. Of course my right knee is bad. It hurts even doing nothing. It generally hurts whenever i do anything. Two years later, and the arthritis is worse every where in that joint. The dr noted significant change in the joint spacing being smaller, and osteophyte formations. The right knee is currently not happy with me. i also almost passed out and felt over all very terrible. The sickness, pass out part did leave with a a few minutes, but that knee is not happy right now. I have noted how the knee has felt the last month so i am hoping to see a huge increase in how it feels going forward. i know it will take about 2 weeks to really start feeling better though.

Cautiously optimistic over here for some relief on the right knee.

 

[KCO5988]

The LA Marathon announced an option to cut the course to 18 miles and still get to cross the finish line and get your finisher medal and people are losing their minds that the medals are only for people who finish the whole race. It’s very entertaining lol. I am super curious how it will affect race times though. I guess just having a timing mat after the split in both directions would suffice.

 

[nancipants]

The LA Marathon announced an option to cut the course to 18 miles and still get to cross the finish line and get your finisher medal and people are losing their minds that the medals are only for people who finish the whole race. It’s very entertaining lol. I am super curious how it will affect race times though. I guess just having a timing mat after the split in both directions would suffice.

I saw that. I'll never understand those elitist attitudes about races for amateurs. Who cares if someone doesn't finish and gets a medal anyway?

 

[KCO5988]

I saw that. I'll never understand those elitist attitudes about races for amateurs. Who cares if someone doesn't finish and gets a medal anyway?

Right, like how does it affect you for someone else to get a medal?!

 

[garneska]

Update from shots. That right knee was super unhappy yesterday. Making me pretty miserable, but 48 hours past shot and it’s much less painful. Still an issue but it’s weight bearing and I think I can walk normal today. Now I wait to see if it was worth it.

 

[Dopey 2020]

Sorry, regarding LA I’ll play devils advocate. No way that’s right, it’s not that it’s an elitist attitude, it’s that it’s a slap in the face to those who have done the work.

Everyone who has done a marathon is an elite no matter how long it took.

Someone who was out there 7+ hours worked for every step and should stand above someone who cut 8 miles off the course. The medal isn’t the problem (though it is a finishers medal) the recognition is the problem. No way you should decide to cut it short and still get to cross that finish line.

 

[PrincessV]

Re: LA - I’d MUCH rather be offered the option of finishing in severe weather than be forced to cut my distance short like rD has done with heat that was nowhere near problematic for me. That said, I’m not sure how many runners who really should bow out at 18 due to heat actually will. I couldn’t care less if anyone or everyone gets a medal, but I’m interested to see if providing the option will help with not overwhelming medical, which I assume is the primary goal.

 

[PrincessV]

Here’s a random question for the group: any ideas for how to stretch out compression socks that are too tight?! I bought them for the pattern because I need arm sleeves for a costume and couldn’t find arm sleeves with the right pattern, but holy smokes - the compression is a LOT! Normally I feel like I can tough out any irritating costume piece for a 10K, but these might break me. I know compression socks I’ve bought in the past loosened up over yers of wearing and washing… but I’ve only got 5 weeks!

 

[The Expert]

Here’s a random question for the group: any ideas for how to stretch out compression socks that are too tight?! I bought them for the pattern because I need arm sleeves for a costume and couldn’t find arm sleeves with the right pattern, but holy smokes - the compression is a LOT! Normally I feel like I can tough out any irritating costume piece for a 10K, but these might break me. I know compression socks I’ve bought in the past loosened up over yers of wearing and washing… but I’ve only got 5 weeks!

Perhaps blocking them would help? Basically you would get them good and wet and stretch them around something slightly larger than your arm, then leave them to completely dry. It's a common thing in knitting with natural fibers, but I'm not sure how well synthetic would stretch out. With synthetic yarn, sometimes it will stay stretched long enough for a single wear and then slowly shrink back to the original shape/size. Still probably worth a try.

Another option would be to cut them longways and sew in a strip of elastic or other stretchy fabric that would ease the tension, sort of like letting out a garment. You would need to be careful to size it right so you don't make them to too loose or lose the compression entirely (if that's something you want).

 

[matt and beth]

LA: Seems like a California thing to do. Seems like when you set an award for a certain standard you should meet it before it’s given. RD gives them medals anyways too, except for Challenge Medals. It just kinda tarnishes the significance of the award if you only do 2/3 of the race and still get it. It’s like still getting a buckle for a 100 miler if you only do 62 miles. I only did the 62 and still don’t have a buckle. I want to earn it and not have it given to me. It’s the hard work and time put into training, even though I’m no Goggins, but the self discipline and reward that comes with completion should have value.