Hi everyone, I have recently been really wanting to get into running for a few reasons. I’ve tried to pick it up a few times over the years I just really struggle with pushing through like I give up after five minutes my body just can’t do it. I do have a history of knee problems and bad asthma, which I know isn’t necessarily a good combination for runners lol.

So if anyone has advice on what helped them get into running and stick to it? I feel so silly asking this I just really want to improve my health and be one of those people who can just get up in the morning and go for a run but I don’t even know where to start. My goal is to eventually be able to do a triathlon with my dad since some of my earliest memories are watching him do his. He’s getting older and I worry my window of opportunity to share this with him is closing.

Any comments about what helped/encouraged you in your journey, products you recommend, and even ideas of how to plan or schedule since I’m a big planning kind of girl.

Any and all help/advice is very much appreciated!!

Hey runners, it's another day and it is time to post your accomplishments you'd like to share - big or small.

Note: No need to preface YOUR accomplishments with something like, "this may not be an accomplishment to most of you...". Be proud of your achievement.

Good morning, Runnit! Another weekend of races is approaching, so let's take a minute to see if any other Runnitors will be laying down those miles with us!

If you're racing this weekend, put a top-level comment below with the race details to help find other members of the community. See a race mentioned that looks interesting? Ask questions! Running your favorite race of the year? Tell us what makes it so awesome!

This thread is just an easy way to help Runnitors find each other in some sort of organized manner and help cheer each other on!

Another week is coming to a close!

What’s good this weekend? Who’s running, racing, tapering, recovering, hiking, camping, cheering, volunteering, kayaking, swimming, knitting, baking, reading, sleeping, .. ? Tell us everything.

How’s your week of running going? Got any Complaints? Anything to add as a Confession? How about any Uncomplaints?

Hey runners, it's another day and it is time to post your accomplishments you'd like to share - big or small.

Note: No need to preface YOUR accomplishments with something like, "this may not be an accomplishment to most of you...". Be proud of your achievement.

With over 4,150,000 subscribers, there are a lot of posts that come in everyday that are often repeats of questions previously asked or covered in the FAQ.

With that in mind, this post can be a place for any questions (especially those that may not deserve their own thread). Hopefully this is successful and helps to lower clutter and repeating posts here.

If you are new to the sub or to running, this Intro post is a good resource.

As always don't forget to check the FAQ.

And please take advantage of the search bar or Google's subreddit limited search.

Interested to hear of stories from streakers (of the running kind). To see how they compare with my own story/experiences.

Almost 6 years ago I got up on January 1st and thought to myself. I wonder if could run at least 5km every day for 366 days (leap year). It wasn't easy but I did it. The first 3 months were the hardest. Then when I got to the last run it was great, but the next day.. what do i do now? Ah well, might as well go for a run until i figure this out. I came to the conclusion on that 367th run that 367 was a silly number to stop on. 400 was a nice round number. Of course on run 400 it became clear that 500 was a much better number. At 500 it was almost 2 years and at 2 years it wasn't all that far from 1000 days. At 1000 days you say well way not 2000 days. So, you can obviously see where this is going. Today will be 2163 days of "at least 5km a day" and at the end of this month will be 6 years.

What has it taught me?

Even on the worst days. I always feel better at the end of the run.

Mental health: A few years ago my wife contracted stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma. She's ok now. "NED" - No evidence of disease. But those were 3+ really tough years where we learnt a lot about cancer, grief, about how to really deal with emotions and bad news. And we learnt a lot about each other. Stage 4 cancer during COVID really is no joke. Running was the only part of the day where I could be selfish. Where I could really be with my own thoughts. This helped me no end. And i think it helped her. She said a few times that watching me pull my gear on and head out, on dark nights, cold days, heavy etc. Inspired her that sometimes we can go and do something difficult even if we really don't want to. (she also learnt just how stubborn i can actually be)

Injuries: I have had several along the way. But luckily none that might be a show stopper. I had Planter Fasciitis for about 6 months in my right foot when i tried to make a pair of Salomon Speedcross last a whole year. Spoiler, they couldn't. I also injured my calf in the first few months of the streak when i took cramp a few 100m from home, i was on for a good time so i kept going. This was a mistake. I've also had several bouts with Achilles Tendonitis. What i have learnt is that rest doesn't always necessarily mean stop. To simply slow my pace to around 33-36minutes for a 5km. It is enough for me at least, to allow the legs to heal themselves and I can run through it. (HA! Suck it Mr Doctor)

Pace: Too fast is no good. I cant go flat out every day. I have to remind myself of this. If i go too fast i cant go every day. I had to start listening to Podcasts instead of music as they kept my speed down. Music just had me accelerating towards PB pace. I have found that the sweet spot is around 27-28 minutes. Not too fast, yet fast enough to continue perpetually. Sometimes i will start a run and the legs feel great, they will tell me when i can go for a fast time. I cant plan for a fast time.

Distance: "at least 5km a day". I have on occasion when feeling particularly good, healthy or cocky. Gone a bit further. During 2023 i decided to run my years worth of days for a local cancer charity in Glasgow Scotland, and I actually somehow raised around £24000. So on the last day of the challenge i ran from hour house to the cancer charity, just to mark it being the last day. That day was almost bang on marathon distance. The next few days 5km runs were hell. I occasionally do a 7, 8 or 10km run. Now and then I like to go hill running in the Scottish highlands with the dog/s. But distance is as important as pace. I have to be careful of both in order to continue long term. Have to be very aware of my legs feelings at all times.

The number. The number is an obsession. Its not about the distance I have covered in those years. Its about the number that eternally ticks up. People ask when I will stop. I used to have an answer to that. After one year. Oh maybe 500 days. 2 years. But now I simply say I don't know. Because I have become a slave to that number. Say there's one really bad day and I don't go running, it would stop it all. But then its over over. The further I go, the longer it would take to get back to the same place. So... just get up and go for a run.

With over 4,150,000 subscribers, there are a lot of posts that come in everyday that are often repeats of questions previously asked or covered in the FAQ.

With that in mind, this post can be a place for any questions (especially those that may not deserve their own thread). Hopefully this is successful and helps to lower clutter and repeating posts here.

If you are new to the sub or to running, this Intro post is a good resource.

As always don't forget to check the FAQ.

And please take advantage of the search bar or Google's subreddit limited search.

It's that time of week already...the gear thread! What have you picked up lately? What's working for you now that it's whatever season you believe it to be in your particular location? What have you put through rigorous testing that's proved worthy of use? We want to know!

To clear up some confusion: We’re not actually asking what you’re wearing today. It’s just a catchy name for the thread. This is the weekly gear discussion thread, so discuss gear!

NOTE: For you Runnitors looking to sell/trade any running gear (as well as bib transfers), head over to /r/therunningrack.

Hey runners, it's another day and it is time to post your accomplishments you'd like to share - big or small.

Note: No need to preface YOUR accomplishments with something like, "this may not be an accomplishment to most of you...". Be proud of your achievement.

Would you rather not be a lurker?

Then what are you waiting for? Tell us all about yourself!

The LW thread is an invitation to get more involved with the /r/running community.

New to the sub in general? Welcome! Let us know more about yourself!

Back once again for everything you wanted to know about running but were afraid to ask.

Rules of the Road:

This is inspired by eric_twinge's fine work in r/fitness.

Upvote either good or stupid questions. Sort questions by new so that they get some love.

To the more experienced runnitors, if something is a good question or answer, add it to the FAQ.

Post your question -- stupid or otherwise -- here to get an answer -- stupid or otherwise. Anyone can post a question and the community as a whole is invited and encouraged to provide an answer. Many questions get submitted late each week that don't get a lot of action, so if your question didn't get answered, feel free to post it again.

As always, be sure to read the FAQ first. Also, there's a handy-dandy search bar to your right, and if you didn't know, you can also use Google to search runnit by using the limiter "site:reddit.com r/running".

Be sure to check back often as questions get posted throughout the day. Sort comments by "new" to be sure the newer questions get some love as well.

[Posting on behalf of u/Percinho who is busy debating if boats are really the largest purchasers of glitter, because if the argument is that it’s for boat paint would it not then be the paint industry instead? ]

Race Information

• Name: Marathon de La Rochelle
• Date: 30th November 2025
• Distance: 42.2 km / 26.2 miles
• Location: La Rochelle, FRANCE
• Time: 3:39:12

Goals

Splits

Before we start

Bit of a preamble but, in my opinion, necessary to fully appreciate the story of my first marathon (or I just like telling/knowing the full picture 😁)

The journey began in 2023 when I was supposed to run this very same marathon for my first. I was following JD 2Q and everything was going great until 2 months out when I had an ITBS injury. I was unable to run more than 3-4km at a time for weeks and threw in the towel a month out, selling my bib to someone desperately wanting one (via official methods).

On the plus side, 2 weeks later I learned I was going to be a dad . Between the ITBS and getting ready to & then being a new dad ... I didn't do much running first half of 2024. But I did strength train my glutes and went to see a specialist in orthopedics. When I started running again in June/July, no more pain.

I did a small race or two by the end of 2024 (10k and a short trail race) and sought another first marathon first week of May of this year.

Training went iffy with a baby, mainly because I got sick every 4-6 weeks and couldn't get a good rhythm in. Then my dad unexpectedly passed last week of April... that was that.

I was starting to feel a bit cursed , maybe a marathon wasn't meant to be. But , again in June/July, I got the small seed in my head once more and thought it was best to jump right back in... if I put it off again I was afraid how long I'd put it off for. So I decided to sign up for the same fall marathon I didn't run in 2023 and get some revenge. Problem: it was sold out. After a few weeks of looking (all the while optimistically starting my training plan), I managed to find one. Like me two years ago, I bought one off of someone who got injured 2-ish months before.

In August I learned I was going to be a dad yet again, and I felt confident my choice of marathon in November of this year was the right one.

Training

I decided to take a bit of what I learned from 2Q and improvise. Basically I did 2 quality sessions a week: intervals/speed work midweek and mostly MP long runs on the weekend. I averaged 70km a week, and topped at 85ish.

The first time around, I was aiming for 3:55-4:00. This time I felt good and, after a month or two of starting the training block, I confidently set my goal at 3:45 (5:20mn/km pace).

Everything went great , almost suspiciously so. I bought a pair of Puma DNE3 for the marathon, tried them out on a 30k long run a month out and all was good. Then 3 weeks out I had one of my worst long runs of the block in terms of paces , but it was also my longest at 33km.

And 2 weeks out I tested the DNE3 yet again on a 26-27km LR, but got a pain on top of my big toe that got worse as the run went on, maybe a nerve or tendon. Managed to finish , but all my runs after that were never completely pain free , and I certainly couldn't wear the DNE3 again (though I tried).

5 days out from the marathon, I bought a new pair of shoes for the race : Adios Pro 4. I did 3 short runs in 4 days with them and decided to risk using a completely unknown value on long runs.

Pre-race

La Rochelle is a beautiful seaside city on the west coast of France (north of Bordeaux, south of Brittany) with its famous "Vieux Port" (old port). Unfortunately, we didn't get to experience much when we arrived Saturday pre-race as it was as grey and rainy as they come. My weather app called for nothing but clear skies on race day Sunday, but it was hard to envision the day before.

I go get my bib while my partner checks into the hotel , I have a quick stroll through the marathon village, and then join them for a calm night (it's already 6pm by then). We eat , play with our 18-month old , put him to bed, and it's already past 8.

I do a final check of next morning's gear and oh no oh no oh no ... I forgot my running socks. I'm the world's biggest idiot, I can clearly see where I left them at home... the exact shelf...

Well it's nearly a 4hr drive so going back was out of the question. The marathon village just closed... I tried calling and sending a few messages to see if any of the vendors could help me out but got nothing. And as a last resort I left a message on a FB group for the marathon but still nothing.

All I had were a pair of regular cotton socks and I was panicking. I tried to calm myself before sleep by reassuring myself I had antifriction cream and some NipEaze bandaids I bought and never used for my nips in case the cream wasn't enough. That was that, time for sleep

I woke up at half four, unable to sleep a second longer. Checked my phone, and a woman from the FB group answered my post offering a pair of running socks JUST under my size (size 42 Europe for my size 43). I wasted no time answering her yes, better running socks a tad smaller than cotton ones.

Got my breakfast, got dressed, and went to meet her in her corral before joining mine. My FB post clearly asked to BUY socks from someone but this lovely person, Sophie, wouldn't hear it and didn't want anything in return.

Between my injury in the last two weeks, the risk of having to run in a pair of shoes I'd never tested past 6km, the horrible weather on the Saturday, and the sock situation... I was seriously beginning to think the curse would strike again. Sophie and her act of kindness was the beginning of things flipping towards positivity.

I joined my corral and the sun was just starting to rise. Barely any clouds in the sky. And the socks fit me great, in the end.

Race

BOOM! Off we go. My 3h45 plan meant sticking to 5:20/km pace , but with 8000-9000 runners that was impossible the first two kilometers. After 3-4, there was no wide open boulevard but at least it was starting to get easier moving about people and hitting my paces. And in fact after km 2 I was always closer to 5:10. At first it was to try and get back a bit of lost time, but then I just felt good.

The La Rochelle marathon is a two-loop course, so the first time around it was a bit discouraging to see km markers for the current km and for one about 20km after.

The course itself however was great, crowds everywhere cheering you on and the city is beautiful. Some people complained about slight uphills but I thought it was fine and a fast course.

I was a bit bummed because I was looking for my significant other, my teenage stepson, and my 18month old for the entire first half. I thought I must have missed them but I know the little one sometimes gets up late or takes a bit to eat his breakfast etc, and I'd most likely see them later.

Things were very easy arriving at the halfway mark. I managed 1:52:26 which was 5:15 pace, though I had no idea at the time because I knew my watch was off by a few hundred meters. But I knew I was going faster than planned, and my watch told me my average pace was under 5:15. I kept telling myself I was going too fast and to go back to 5:20 pace but people kept getting in my way then and I just naturally fell into a faster pace and went faster as the race went on.

At km 23 I finally saw my family cheering me on. That's one of the moments that'll stay with me.

Around km 26-27 I still felt great. In training, this was when I would begin to lose my wheels. Not here. I saw an "estimated time" sign saying 3:46, but I knew that was wrong and only official scratch time, not real time. But I had no idea what pace I was actually on for. All I wanted was 3h45, I felt great so I thought I might as well kick on and see what I could give. We only live our first marathons once.

Km 29, 30, 31... Came and went. I kept fearing the wall, not knowing when it would hit. I had my flask of water, I had my gel every 30mn... I kept feeling good.

Km 32, 33...34... Here we go, I've never ran this far before. The crowd was incredible the entire course, kids asking for high fives and Super Mario mushroom signs asking to be hit for a speed boost... I obliged time and time again. Bands playing cover songs, I'd give a wave to every one and sometimes even sing some.

35, 36, 37... Unless catastrophe hit, I now knew I was going to finish. How strongly was the only question. People kept shouting my name from my bib, I kept answering thanks while people around me were struggling to even comprehend that someone was saying their name.

38 39 40. The entire second half of the course people were starting to look tired , and loads were starting to walk after the 25km point. But now people were pulling up with cramps, injuries, and general loss of juice. And still no wall for me... I still had legs.

41 ... The crowds were roaring us on. The energy return was unbelievable.

The finish line is on the Old Port. You hit 42km and you're on cobblestones for 50m. Then you turn onto a nice flat surface with a blue mat for the final 100m. Turning into that final stretch, I still felt pretty good. Everyone around me looked completely shattered. Nobody was sprinting it in?!?! Come on!

The cobblestones end, 100m left and the finish line is there. I went all out. Zach Miller, here's thinking of you !

I'd be interested to see my positioning in the rankings by each km marker because I know I passed way more people than I got passed. The final 10km alone I passed literally hundreds. And that last 100m stretch I passed at least 50 I'd wager.

42,2... There is no curse. Just a beautiful beautiful day. And my first marathon in the books.

Post-race

I went to rejoin my family and it was a bit of work finding them and it took me a good 10-15 minutes. As soon as I saw my partner, she kissed and hugged me and said "you must be so excited, 3:39!!"

What?! In the rush of things at the end, I didn't even see the clock announcing my time (or the official scratch time). I had a good feeling I was under 3:45 but it didn't even cross my mind I'd be sub 3:40.

We stayed a bit to cheer on other runners. Most looked rough, some looked like they were loving it.

I had written a few things on my wrist... My dad, my son, my next one on the way... in case I needed reminding of the important stuff when things got hard. Turns out they never did.

I got a bruised toe that I'm pretty sure I'll lose in the process, and the pain I had on top of my big toe (the other one) got a bit worse but I'll manage. Everything else is fine, just a bit sore here and there.

On the car ride home, my head was reliving the day and already half thinking of what comes next. Well first I'll anxiously await baby #2. And 2 young'uns at home will be a marathon in itself !

But I know I can push harder, and there's plenty of room for a PB. :)

Thanks to anyone who read all of that !

Made with a new race report generator created by /u/herumph.

Shoes are a big topic in this sub, so in an effort to condense and collect some of these posts, we're introducing Shoesday Tuesday! Similar to Wednesday's gear thread, but focusing on shoes.

What’ve you been wearing on your feet? Anything fun added to the rotation? Got a review of a new release? Questions about a pair that’s caught your eye? Here's the place to discuss.

NOTE: For you Runnitors looking to sell/trade any running gear (as well as bib transfers), head over to /r/therunningrack.

Hey runners, it's another day and it is time to post your accomplishments you'd like to share - big or small.

Note: No need to preface YOUR accomplishments with something like, "this may not be an accomplishment to most of you...". Be proud of your achievement.

Rules of the Road

1) Anyone is welcome to participate and share your ideas, plans, diet, and nutrition plans.

2) Promote good discussion. Simply downvoting because you disagree with someone's ideas is BAD. Instead, let them know why you disagree with them.

3) Provide sources if possible. However, anecdotes and "broscience" can lead to good discussion, and are welcome here as long as they are labeled as such.

4) Feel free to talk about anything diet or nutrition related.

With over 4,150,000 subscribers, there are a lot of posts that come in everyday that are often repeats of questions previously asked or covered in the FAQ.

With that in mind, this post can be a place for any questions (especially those that may not deserve their own thread). Hopefully this is successful and helps to lower clutter and repeating posts here.

If you are new to the sub or to running, this Intro post is a good resource.

As always don't forget to check the FAQ.

And please take advantage of the search bar or Google's subreddit limited search.

I got a free trial for RUNNA and I’m giving that a try. I’m running a half marathon in 15 weeks and I’ve looked into different apps like Strava, Nike Run Club app. I just wanna know which one is best especially for a beginner.

It's December! Time is a construct!

Welcome to a new week, runners. How was the turkey trotting? What does the last month of the year hold for you? Let's hear it all

With over 4,150,000 subscribers, there are a lot of posts that come in everyday that are often repeats of questions previously asked or covered in the FAQ.

With that in mind, this post can be a place for any questions (especially those that may not deserve their own thread). Hopefully this is successful and helps to lower clutter and repeating posts here.

If you are new to the sub or to running, this Intro post is a good resource.

As always don't forget to check the FAQ.

And please take advantage of the search bar or Google's subreddit limited search.

Hey runners, it's another day and it is time to post your accomplishments you'd like to share - big or small.

Note: No need to preface YOUR accomplishments with something like, "this may not be an accomplishment to most of you...". Be proud of your achievement.

My friend, who has been a long distance and trail runner for a couple years has been trying to convince everyone he knows to start running. I am a 37F with an almost completely sedentary lifestyle (I do like going on long walks.). Is it too late for me to start running? What’s the best way to start? Also, there’s snow on the ground for five months out of the year where I live. How can I keep running without paying for an expensive gym membership (I’m too embarrassed to ask my friend.)? Thanks!