The Running Thread - 2026

[Mr_Incr3dible]

2:01:52 UNREAL!

Unreal is the right word. These people are doing 26 miles faster than my porky butt can do less than half that distance.
For that matter, they're doing splits faster than I could sprint a mile, or half-mile 100 yards, much less do it at the 20 mile mark.
It's hard to imagine being able to run that fast. Just wow.

 

[accm]

Unreal is the right word. These people are doing 26 miles faster than my porky butt can do less than half that distance.
For that matter, they're doing splits faster than I could sprint a mile, or half-mile 100 yards, much less do it at the 20 mile mark.
It's hard to imagine being able to run that fast. Just wow.

And then look like they barely even ran once they're done. It's amazing.

 

[The Expert]

I keep saying they need a ghost runner that is going "average runner" pace alongside the lead pack, kind of like they do the 40s at the NFL Combine. Without the perspective of someone NOT doing 4-5mm it's hard to see how spectacular this is.

 

[Jules76126]

For runners in the final waves, today’s weather is pretty decent. It’s only 46 right now and the clouds have rolled in. They got lucky the rain happened yesterday as it was pretty miserable.

 

[KCO5988]

I keep saying they need a ghost runner that is going "average runner" pace alongside the lead pack, kind of like they do the 40s at the NFL Combine. Without the perspective of someone NOT doing 4-5mm it's hard to see how spectacular this is.

They could only probably keep the ghost runner in the same frame for like 5 seconds

 

[RuntheMouse]

I love rediscovering every year on this day that we get Boston local stations for marathon coverage!

I have the WCVB app on my iPad just to watch the marathon every year.!

 

[Naomeri]

For runners in the final waves, today’s weather is pretty decent. It’s only 46 right now and the clouds have rolled in.

That sounds glorious, for once you actually get moving.

 

[eminemilie]

I love watching the Boston marathon coverage, but I hate how it makes me tear up lol

 

[The Expert]

QOTD: I'm starting to dig more into fueling as I look toward Chicago training this summer. I love my Untapped, but I'm finding I need more salt and fewer carbs than even their salted gels are giving me, and I need more in-workout hydration. Ideally I'd like to find something to supplement with the Untapped gels and waffles to give me a better balance over time. I keep getting targeted ads for The Feed and am thinking about ordering some single-serving items to try based on their intro quiz. Anybody purchase from them regularly and/or use their advice? Any reviews or feedback? Or alternatives?

I'd love to visit my local running store, but there's exactly one and it isn't very convenient. That said, I will be in Boston for a weekend in June, which is relatively early in my training cycle.

tl;dr Is The Feed a good way to get advice and try out new fueling options to supplement what I know I already like?

 

[WillRunForPizza]

ATTQOTD: I use The Feed all the time, both to try samples and to buy in bulk (most of the gels I like aren't available in stores). They have really good customer service and shipping is free and pretty quick. Definitely get a discount - they're currently doing a 25% off sale, and some of their athletes have codes for your first order (SWAP should work I think).

You didn't exactly ask but favorite higher-carb gels:
- Enervit Mango
- Victus Berry & Hibiscus, Watermelon
- Precision
- Carbs Fuel (I don't love the flavor, but it's $2 per 50g gel, so...)

Also a big fan of Skratch, which has a milder flavor than some other hydration products (looking at you, LiquidIV! )

 

[RuntheMouse]

ATTQOTD: I order a majority of my fuel from The Feed, in fact I’m waiting on a shipment right now! I love being blue to try out different products without a huge commitment. I even tried (and love) your beloved UnTapped from them! I give them 2 thumbs up.

 

[Guidman]

ATTQOTD: I order a good amount from The Feed (especially since they went to free shipping). I don't know if there's another site in the US that has the selection they do, they carry a ton of brands from Europe too (Enervit, Amacx, Torq, Strykr). Even their house Feeds Lab brand is real good, the high-carb drink mix is cheaper than anything else. Just be prepared for endless emails from Matt from The Feed.

 

[The Expert]

You didn't exactly ask but favorite higher-carb gels:
- Enervit Mango
- Victus Berry & Hibiscus, Watermelon
- Precision
- Carbs Fuel (I don't love the flavor, but it's $2 per 50g gel, so...)

Also a big fan of Skratch, which has a milder flavor than some other hydration products (looking at you, LiquidIV! )

Thank you. I am super curious about Skratch as it seems like EVERYBODY uses it. I appreciate all the suggestions.

Just be prepared for endless emails from Matt from The Feed.

Yes, that escalated quickly!

 

[Zutroy]

QOTD: I'm starting to dig more into fueling as I look toward Chicago training this summer. I love my Untapped, but I'm finding I need more salt and fewer carbs than even their salted gels are giving me, and I need more in-workout hydration. Ideally I'd like to find something to supplement with the Untapped gels and waffles to give me a better balance over time. I keep getting targeted ads for The Feed and am thinking about ordering some single-serving items to try based on their intro quiz. Anybody purchase from them regularly and/or use their advice? Any reviews or feedback? Or alternatives?

I'd love to visit my local running store, but there's exactly one and it isn't very convenient. That said, I will be in Boston for a weekend in June, which is relatively early in my training cycle.

tl;dr Is The Feed a good way to get advice and try out new fueling options to supplement what I know I already like?

The Feed is great, and I order all my nutrition from them. I like the SiS Beta gels, but find the packaging tough to open when I’m sweaty. I stick primarily with Maurten for races because it sits well in my stomach and I don’t mind the taste or texture. For training runs I cheap out and just use nerds gummy clusters. My favorite flavor is usually unflavored, since the fake flavors get tiring by mile 20, and some are just terrible.

 

[jrsharp21]

ATTQOTD: I use The Feed all the time, both to try samples and to buy in bulk (most of the gels I like aren't available in stores). They have really good customer service and shipping is free and pretty quick. Definitely get a discount - they're currently doing a 25% off sale, and some of their athletes have codes for your first order (SWAP should work I think).

You didn't exactly ask but favorite higher-carb gels:
- Enervit Mango
- Victus Berry & Hibiscus, Watermelon
- Precision
- Carbs Fuel (I don't love the flavor, but it's $2 per 50g gel, so...)

Also a big fan of Skratch, which has a milder flavor than some other hydration products (looking at you, LiquidIV! )

I really like Precision gels. I used them at MW and DL HM. Precision has a pretty good fuel calculator also. It will ask you a handful of questions and then gives you a fueling strategy with their products.

My favorite Precision product is the electrolyte pills. I used to get a cramp at some point in a HM or full marathon. Since I started using those on a run, no more cramps. I used them on my marathon part of my Iron Man on Saturday, no cramps at all....thank goodness.

 

[jrsharp21]

Also, if looking for more salt and less carbs, that is LMNT. 1,000mg of sodium and 1g carb. What I used to do is mix a full pack of lemon Skratch, for the carbs, half pack of lemon LMNT to add the extra sodium, and then add in a scoop of favorite BCAA flavor to make it taste good. I essentially made blueberry lemonade and cherry lemonade flavors.

 

[Dopey 2020]

Attqotd I just discovered Tailwind but haven’t tried it in a race yet. I have used on a couple 20+ miles training runs to try it out because I desperately needed more hydration and it was fantastic. My salt tabs went in the trash and now I carry an 18 oz handheld that I will refill/mix at an aid station and some gels.

 

[The Expert]

Also, if looking for more salt and less carbs, that is LMNT. 1,000mg of sodium and 1g carb. What I used to do is mix a full pack of lemon Skratch, for the carbs, half pack of lemon LMNT to add the extra sodium, and then add in a scoop of favorite BCAA flavor to make it taste good. I essentially made blueberry lemonade and cherry lemonade flavors.

Oh, good hack! I may need to try this.

I just discovered Tailwind

I used to use Tailwind, then decided I hated running with liquid. But apparently I need to get back to it. I had to dilute it a LOT though, as the flavors were way too much for me. I know they make a plain one, so I may need to revisit.

 

[FlyingDonut]

I used to use Tailwind, then decided I hated running with liquid. But apparently I need to get back to it. I had to dilute it a LOT though, as the flavors were way too much for me. I know they make a plain one, so I may need to revisit.

I prefer Skratch to Tailwind, but the big difference for me was how I carried the liquids. I do not like carrying bottles in my hand, even the soft non-slosh ones, but I got a running belt I'm reasonably happy with. Now I'm that person fiddling with a running belt at the start of my local HM.

 

[DianaMB333]

Also a big fan of Skratch, which has a milder flavor than some other hydration products

This! Team Skratch
They have additional products (recovery, nutrition bars).. all very good