The Running Thread - 2026

[PrincessV]

I quit supporting Nike a long time ago for different reasons. Just another on a long list to keep it that way

Same. And I switched to wearing Altras a long time ago because they just work better for me than other shoe brands… but their clap-back at Nike was a solid reason to keep giving them my money!

 

[Herding_Cats]

Plus 1 for New Balance customer service.

I ordered DS3 new track spikes just over a month ago (because middle school boy feet just keep growing!) from joesnewbalanceoutlet (which is overstock or last year's stuff) and today was his first meet. He ran the 1600 and the 3200. And after the 1600m one of his shoes looked like this:

My first instinct was the he had sliced it with the spikes on his other foot somehow during a step/legswing, but this is on the outside of the shoe, so that's really unlikely.

I went onto their main website, hit the chat button, and told CS what happened. They sent me a return label, and will give me a full refund for the shoes once they receive them. Doesn't solve the problem that he doesn't currently have useable spikes for next week, but I can hopefully order new ones to have in time. *SIGH*

 

[The Expert]

Thanks everyone for the feedback on The Feed. I just took advantage of the 25% sale to order a few singles and sample packs of different things to try out.

 

[FFigawi]

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.

One year I ran Comrades, they had a treadmill set up at the expo going at the previous year's winner's pace. It was somewhere around 5:30-6 per mile. I managed to hold on for longer than I expected and walked away in disbelief that they averaged that over 90km.

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

Skratch is fantastic! Their chews, bars, and recovery mix are always at home. I don't like their carb fuel as much as Tailwind though.