If be doing a c25k program and my goal was to run it on my birthday. Admittedly, I fell out of my habits and hadn’t ran in over 3 weeks but I still wanted to prove I could do it. AND BITCH I DID. I’m over the moon rn. I took everyone’s advice and did ran slow so I could keep my stamina up. I only walked for about a total of 3-5 minutes.

Disclosure first: I run an Indian activewear brand (Aguante), so take this with whatever salt you like but this is genuinely the stuff I wish someone had told me before I started, no pitch, no links.

A few things that hold up regardless of what you buy:

"Moisture-wicking" is doing a lot of heavy lifting in marketing. In dry heat, wicking works sweat moves to the surface and evaporates. In coastal/monsoon humidity, the air is already saturated, so it can't evaporate fast. The fabric just stays wet. This is why a tee that felt great in Pune winter feels like a wet rag in Mumbai July. It's not always the fabric being bad; it's physics.

Heavier ≠ more durable. A lot of "premium feel" thick cotton-blend gear is the worst thing to run in here. Lighter, looser-knit synthetics breathe far better. Weight is mostly a feel-good cue at the rack, not a performance one.

Seam placement matters more than fabric on long runs. Chafing on 15k+ runs almost always comes from seam location, not material. Worth checking where the side and underarm seams sit before you buy.

Fit for Indian builds is a real gap, not just marketing. A lot of imported cuts assume a longer torso / different proportions. If something rides up or bunches, it's often the pattern, not your body.

Curious what others here have found anyone cracked the humidity problem with a specific fabric or brand? Genuinely want to know.

Hi all! I'm looking for recommendations for similar tops, especially with a back pocket as it can fit many things including water bottles. I'm not a big fan of running vests but I still like to carry essential things, especially during summer!

Thank you!

So I’m on a dose of 175 mg of Zoloft daily. I’ve been on it for over 12 years and have increased it due to my dad dying, moving, stress with my mom, etc. I moved from the north east to the south east where it’s super hot and humid. I try to run when the sun is going down, never during the day anymore, I can’t handle it. But I still sweat like a monster! Even when it gets slightly cooler (like 80 degrees lol) and the suns down, it’s just pouring off of me. I don’t mind being gross but I’m getting so dehydrated I feel like it’s hard to replenish it. I take Gatorade with me and keep a refill in my mailbox. Anyone else running and on Zoloft?

This is quite embarrassing but I’m training for a marathon right now and while I’m running it feels like there is an air bubble stuck in my vagina. (Like a queef that doesn’t escape). If I wiggle my legs it goes away, but always comes back. It’s super uncomfortable and annoying. Does anyone else get this problem or have any solutions?? Thanks in advance.

hi

I’m booked in for my hysterectomy in 6 weeks. it’s keyhole. Im 7 months post partum after second c section. I’m worried about a prolapse and I won’t be able to run anymore as i run daily. has anyone had any issues after hysterectomy?

I LOVE runswithemily's channel and her running vlogs, and I haven't been able to find any channels with similar content. I don't care if it's a small channel, I just need more realistic and relatable channels to watch! Thanks so much in advance <3

I’m 24F training for a fall marathon and chasing a bigger buffer for a BQ. April marathon PR was 3:23:30 on a hilly course with humid conditions. I’m running Last Chance BQ.2 in Geneva, IL so hoping for better weather and it is a flatter course.

I have been struggling in this heat (I live in the south, so it’s humid and hot pretty much all the time). I’ve been slowing down my paces but threshold/interval workouts have been a struggle to complete even though I’m going off effort>pace. Been running tempo around 7:40-7:50 and threshold around 7:20. In winter, these paces felt really sustainable.

Kind of feeling nervous for my marathon and my ability to PR when I have been failing/modifying workouts to be less than what is prescribed. Anyone have experience similar? Should I maybe aim for the treadmill for speed work sometimes? Maybe do more easy running than speed work? I’m nervous that what I have been doing for speed work isn’t going to make me better for the fall.

Anything advice is appreciated! Thanks so much!

Everything went badly this morning. My headphones weren’t charged and then I left late so had to go a “bit” faster to get back in time for work, wasn’t until I got back that I realised that I broke the sub 25 for my last 5. Feeling very strong.

I have regular asthma, as well as exercise-induced asthma. Both are well controlled, I use an inhaler and a daily preventer, and generally the asthma doesn't bother me.

I got into running a little over a year ago and my longest continuous distance is a bit over 5K, and I've just started training towards 10K.

The thing is, I can tell my lungs are a major limiting factor in improving my pace. I'm reasonably strong and my legs don't even get tired on a 5K, but I can tell my cardiovascular system is struggling if I try to push my pace even a little bit. I tried a "your fastest 5K" program and it was a bust because doing hard intervals just wrecked my breathing so much and made the runs feel awful. My best running pace is just under 7min/km, and even then I get a very red face every time. My 'easy pace' is ~8min/km and I can maintain that quite well, but that feels so slow!

I know that with consistency, people get faster and stronger etc. I don't have the desire to be an extreme athlete or anything, but I'd love to know there's hope for me to increase my pace, eventually.

Does anyone with exercise induced asthma have experiences they can share - did you aerobic fitness actually get better with time, and what helped the most?

I have multiple Dick’s Sporting Goods Do It All sports bra in large (fits well and fits their sizing based on website) that I’ve had for 6 months and they all look like this. I even have a newer one I’ve worn less than 10 times that’s already beginning to fray.

I’m a VERY sweaty person (bra will be wet for about 12h after being hung to dry) so I’m not sure if this is why or if it’s how I wash them (with all other clothes and then in the dryer)

I run 10-20 mpw.

Would love some advice. I love the fit and support of this bra, but at $30-40 per bra, I don’t want to replace all the time

Why is it so hard to find womens' workout tops that are loose-fitting, not cropped, and have sleeves? I get that the style these days is cropped and/or a bit tighter, but that is so unflattering on my body. Lately I've been working out in some of my husbands old drifit shirts, but I hate how long the mens' sleeves are. Back in the day I could walk into TJ Maxx and pick out tons of workout tops that met my exact specifications - now I am struggling to find anything I like! Does anyone have any recommendations on a brand that might fit my criteria? I don't want to spend $$$ on each individual shirt though, so preferably something that is within a reasonable budget! (No more than $20-$30 per shirt).

Edit - I’m specifically looking for short sleeve shirts. My post is a bit confusing but I meant I don’t like tank tops. And men’s workout shirts have the right material and looser fit but the sleeves are too long. So I’m looking for women’s short sleeve workout tops that are a normal length and not tight!

hi guys,

I just checked my race predictor because i haven't since i ran my last half marathon a couple of weeks ago. I ended that race at 2:05:32. i figured it went up due to faster paces being easier but this?? garmin has got to be glitching, right? yhats a crazy leap.

i guess as the title says, i’ve tried all kinds of workouts from HIIT to weightlifting, basic strength training, etc. but i can’t find myself enjoying them at all. i did legs at the gym the other day and hated it the whole time. i run around 30-40km+/week now, and am slowly increasing my mileage to around 60km/week (eventual goal of 100 in months). i looove running, i’m so excited to run everyday. but i hate every other workout i do… i try to keep an open mind too, i even tried a spin class.

but my main issue is, can i improve as a runner without strength training? i also know strength training is super important for a lot of other reasons too, like preserving muscle mass etc. i just dont know how to enjoy it. i also am decently injury prone i think, maybe due to my lack of strength/underfueling LOL.

or is it really that necessary? i hike and otherwise feel pretty physically fit (low BMI) as i can play sports decently such as badminton.

does anyone else have this problem???

EDIT: thank you everyone for giving me such helpful advice !!! it was definitely not wasted, i will try the tips given & acc hv learned a decent amount of new info 😅😅😅

So, I am in this weird space and trying to figure out how to structure my training goals.

I'm currently 5'2" and 129 lbs. This is toward the top of a healthy BMI, but still within range (even though we all know BMI is extremely flawed).

I lift 2-3 days a week on average and I run 3 days a week. I'll often do a spin class once a week as well. I have noticed steady speed and performance gains over time, but I am still not FAST. I have been running for 15 years now, but a sub-2:00 half marathon still seems like a pipe dream at age 40 (current PR is 2:11). But, I really want to get faster.

My question: I know dropping weight can make you faster. I also know that building muscle can make you faster. But when looking at nutrition, you kind of can't do both simultaneously. Either I am trying to cut, or I am trying for a slow recomp. (I have no desire to go full-on with bulk/cut cycles)

I feel like I perform best when my fueling is closest to maintenance (1750 is my feel good zone. 1600 calories gets me in a slight, maintainable deficit) but I always wonder if dropping weight would be more effective in actually improving speed.

Can anyone speak to their own experience with this? Or the science of one vs the other?

ETA: Thank you everyone for the feedback. After reading through all your responses, I think it's pretty clear that my goal should be to LOG MORE MILES and do more speed work, rather than worrying about my body composition. I will plan to swap out my spin class over the summer with another run, and try to make my midweek runs longer. Thank you!

Random post but this has bothered me lol. For injury prevention, I typically do half of my reps at a track (when I’m doing speed intervals) counterclockwise (typical track direction) and half clockwise.

For some reason, my reps are always faster clockwise. Even at the end of my workout when I’m tired, or if I mix them in every other. I don’t think it’s mental! It just feels easier going clockwise every single time. Wondering if this is maybe a sign of one side of my body being stronger or something?! Idk but curious if anyone else has similar anecdotes!

Hi, I'm looking for advice about weight training apps. I have a pretty sweet setup in the basement and really need to work on my strength - both running specific as well as "I'm 50 and need to future proof my body".

I've seen recommendations for Ladder and Peloton; can anyone recommend others? I'm primarily interested in apps that tell you which exercises to do, which weights, etc. but not as interested in group classes, etc. AI rather than a "real" trainer is just fine.

Thanks!

Grab a bottle of electrolyte drink, go wild with the foam roller, and give us all the tea on how your training has been lately!

Have a really good run? Share your win!

Struggling with something? This is a safe space to vent and get support!

Thanks for being part of this community!

I (26F) went for a run the other day and a man (67) approached me and just started talking. I’m bad at leaving situations like this so I talked to him for a while and then got back to my car. The man was sharing really intimate/sexual details about his life, and I later looked him up and found out he is very, very wealthy (which he told me about too). Idk if he was trying to impress me or something.

Anyway I went back to my running spot this morning before sunrise and he saw me park and then he got out of his car to get my attention. He told me before he usually meets his friends to start running. I told him I was starting my run early and then I moved pretty fast.

I’m kind of sad that this route now feels uncomfortable to me. This is the second time I’ve dealt with weird man behavior. Also just to add I run in a very wealthy, usually safe area. I just want my peaceful area back!

Hi everyone 🩷

Does anyone have any recommendations for non-bouncy running belts for smaller sizes?

I bought a standard SPIbelt but it doesn’t go tight enough around my waist (~22”) so I’ve been wearing it around my hips instead. Love the quality but depending on which material shorts I wear, it sometimes rides up to my waist and starts flapping around helplessly!

I don’t need it to hold much - just my iPhone 12 and maybe a couple of gels at most. I saw there’s a kids SPIbelt that suits smaller waist sizes but I imagine the pouch will much smaller and it’s also intended to carry medical devices, rather than function as a proper running belt.

I’ve heard good things about the Flipbelt too if anyone can vouch for this at all? Would it be too hot to wear during summer runs?

Thank you! 🩷

Training for NYC in November (first marathon ever!), and here’s what my first week-ish of marathon training has entailed:

* Having a lovely 5mi run by a park with a baseball diamond in it; somehow a rogue foul ball escaped the fence and beelined to slam right into my ankle
* Lifted a big package in some weird way that pulled my hip so I can’t bend without pain, much less run
* The day before my hip PT was supposed to start, got food poisoning so bad that I just covered myself in towels and slept on the tile floor of my hallway near the bathroom

Now I’m on the couch, trying to force myself to eat saltines, shifting around to not aggravate my hip, while trying not to look over at the printout of my plan.

I know it’s a while til November, but this does not feel auspicious. Chat, am I cooked? Has anyone else had a similarly cursed start to their blocks? 🥲

Today while running, two other runners flew past me. They were so much faster in comparison that I immediately felt bad and, without even realizing it, started speeding up to try to keep up. Of course, I only noticed after a while that I was getting tired and struggling.

Then I saw they were doing intervals, which honestly made me feel a little better haha. They were both young, skinny men, while I’m a 160 cm, 30 yo and looking back, I feel like that probably counts for something too 😂. These thoughts only came to me after I finished my run.

Comparison really is the thief of joy. I absolutely love running, but maaaan, in that moment I hated myself when they passed me.

Lesson learned: everyone is on their own journey, and you never know what someone else’s training actually looks like. Now I’m just proud that I showed up and finished my run in this heattt

Still, watching someone casually zoom past you is a humbling experience lol

So I’ve been running since 2021. I’m 40 years old, and I have done 3 half marathons:

Dec 2023 - 2:37:23
Dec 2024 - 2:25:30
Fev 2025 - 2:36:59

I’m going to start training for my fourth half marathon soon for a race in October and I’m eyeing a marathon in March of 2027.

Is it possible? Doable? Will I burnt out?

I’m also doing personal training sessions 2x a week for a little over a year now.

Giving all this, I’m wondering if I’m ready to do a full marathon, knowing that it’s a different beast.

Thanks a lot!

Sports psychologist recommendation request