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.

 

[jrsharp21]

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.

I think IMFL is an ocean swim. Count me out on ocean swims. I am a big wuss, and the thought of having to deal with jelly fish during the swim, no thank you. LOL. There was a sprint tri that I had signed up for in Galveston. I don't know why, but when I signed up for it I never even considered it would be in the ocean. As soon as I realized that, the decision to DNS was easy. LOL. Glad I did, because I read some articles about the Galveston bay that weekend and it said a lot of jelly fish were washing up on shore.

Let's just say that when I got done the other day, I was pretty much thinking one and done. As each day goes on, I keep thinking that I may take a crack at IMTX again next year and go for that sub 13. Right now, I am really just hyped on any endurance event. I can't wait to get back out running and looking for some local runs to get into.

 

[jrsharp21]

@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…

I think a lot of it had to do with the rain/wind/temp dropping. If I was to do it over again, I would have put a running jacket in my special needs bag for the run. I saw a handful of people who did that and you could tell it wasn't their first rodeo. I think the second thing I would have done is to not tried to get ahead of my fueling plan in that first aid station or two. While I don't think it was a major cause, I think taking on too much liquids early on didn't help my case and did throw off my regular fueling plan because I had to try to let that burn off before trying to take on more fuel. Lastly, I think I should have forced myself to get some gels down towards the end. I know it may have hurt, I think it would have helped. When you are in the moment, you are just trying to quiet any discomfort you are having and survive. I think if I would have forced myself to take in a gel or two, it would have actually helped after the hurt. Oh, and slowing down my pace out of T2. It's hard to not come out to the run course amped up. So many people yelling and screaming, family and friends high fiving, music blaring. I should have eased into the run more and maybe that would have saved some energy to deal with the elements later.

 

[jmasgat]

Is it difficult to get a volunteer spot? Will never time qualify but thought volunteering would be a great way to feel part of it all!

It can be difficult—this year there was a waitlist of 2,000. I think it was a couple of tries before I got in. As @The Expert noted, flexibility can be helpful. You’re unlikely to get bib distribution, e.g., vs Gear Check shift 1.

There is also now an option to sign up as a group. Maybe next year we can try for a disboards group. I have volunteered for 5 years now…..maybe that would help get a group in.

 

[The Expert]

There is also now an option to sign up as a group. Maybe next year we can try for a disboards group. I have volunteered for 5 years now…..maybe that would help get a group in.

Great idea!

 

[Disney at Heart]

Congratulations. @jrsharp21! Way to hang in there! Such mental fortitude!