The Running Thread - 2026

[StinkerBelle222]

I know this has been discussed in the past, but I feel like there may be some opinions on them at this point.

Thoughts on weighted vests *FOR WALKING* (and maybe weight training stuff as a supplement to dumbbells)? Fixed weight? Adjustable weight? Shape/design that you love or hate?

I only do walking and started using a weighted vest in February. I have noticed a big difference already. I purchased 2 different vests and this is the one that I decided to keep. It is adjustable from 6-18lbs. I started at 6 and have recently moved up to 9lbs. I preferred this Y style compared the the other vest I tried that was a U style. That one put too much pressure on my shoulders. The weight feels more centered and balanced with this one. My posture has improved dramatically, I feel that I engage my abs more on walks now and it makes me work a little harder in my walk so I feel like I am getting more bang for my buck.

Edited to add image.

 

[Fenway1970]

Congrats @jrsharp21! Nicely done!

 

[FFigawi]

But the more I think about the day, the more the needle creeps closer to possibly. Someone asked me what’s next. That is really where I am struggling with. What is next? I have three sprints scheduled for the summer. I think I will do 70.3 Waco again. I think after that I will make my decision if I do IMTX again. I already kind of feel like there is a hole in my life without a training plan this week. LOL.

When you do another one (they really are like potato chips or tattoos ), IMFL is a great race with conditions that are normally better and faster than IMTX. If you want to travel abroad and really have a good time, IM Hamburg and Challenge Roth are two of the fastest courses and best crowd experiences anywhere.

 

[Stitch&Co.]

Amazing accomplishment @jrsharp21! So much adversity to overcome and you did fantastic. It’s hard to make changes on the fly like that and then add in all the rain.

 

[DianaMB333]

For the pills, I use them on the run. I have my Garmin set to go off every 20 minutes on a run. That is my alert to pop one pill. They are a pain to get out of the foil while running, so I put them in a little sandwich bag and carry them in my pocket or in the pocket of the water bottle holder if I am using one. They really have helped preventing cramps.

A similar solution is BASE electrolyte salt. I do use this also in place of the Precision pills since those can get expensive. BASE gives you a little bottle with a flip top to carry the salt. When you need it, you are supposed to flip the top, lick a finger/thumb, turn the bottle over so the salt sticks your finger, then lick the salt off your finger. I try to save the Precision pills for races or if I am going on a 18+ mile run. If I am doing shorter training runs, I will use the BASE salt.

@jrsharp21… in retrospective, what would have you done differently to prevent the body from shutting down?
With all the training and preparation that you must have gone thru, managing changes on the fly is certainly hard…

 

[KCO5988]

I'm so excited for the amazing day that the Boston athletes had this year weather-wise. Literally perfect conditions with the temperature and tailwind. But at the same time, with the insane number of re-qualifiers that it produced, I'm very likely looking at missing the cutoff for the second time, so that stings. Just hoping Chicago doesn't reduce their qualifying times again for 2027.