David Dack

Walking during a run is not failing. Sometimes it is the reason the run gets finished instead of abandoned.

@RandallDeaton8 that is a wild one in the best way. Starting at 40 and ending up in Boston territory later on just shows what can happen when people keep showing up for years.

@DavidDack My grandparents started at the age of 40 and went on to run into their 70s. Both of them even with starting at 40, eventually qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Starting running at 45, 55, or 65 is not late. It’s just a different kind of beginning.

@Kierd2Dicko that is brilliant. Starting at 48 and going from barely able to run 5K to two marathons a year is a proper comeback story. Best decision indeed.

@DavidDack Best decision i ever made. I started at 48 barely able to run 5km and now running 2 marathons a year.

@FomoReviews yep exactly. Running your own way is usually the only way it stays sustainable. Not every runner needs some huge weekly slog just to be allowed to call it real running.

@DavidDack Agreed! Just started running my way and it’s much more sustainable for adherence than the traditional 20 mile per week slog

@jglennfl68 keep up the good work

@DavidDack I've never had a black toenail. But my feet are so wide that by the time I find a pair of shoes that are wide enough, my toes are swimming in extra space.

Black toenails are often just a long receipt for every time you said, “The fit is probably fine.”

@TheMacArmy1 That mental side is huge. Once you have been injured, your body can be ready before your head is, and it really does feel like starting again from zero.

@DavidDack So true. The mental piece of having been injured, not trusting your body, and loss of muscle memory is real. Feels like training day one again. Afraid to push my limits, and the mind and body don’t communicate like they used to. Not just a physical hurdle, but a mental one too.

Coming back from injury is not just waiting for pain to leave. Sometimes the pain is gone and every step still feels like a question.

@DataJuggler007 yep, that is usually how it happens. One day you just realize it does not hurt anymore and then you almost do not trust it.

@DavidDack Yeah, one day you just notice 'Oh, I don't hurt anymore!'

@AmandaSeabock that is a good way to look at it. Taking care of yourself is part of being around for the long haul, not being selfish.

@DavidDack No guilt. I’m setting an example of health and self care while staying in shape to be present as long as possible.

For parent runners, the long run starts before the shoes go on. First you negotiate the window. Then you negotiate the guilt.

@cranky29er If everybody knows the deal and it works for the house, there is no guilt needed. And yeah, once the kids start beating you, that is a pretty good sign you did something right.

@DavidDack If you trade off there is no guilt. At a certain point word go to the field or track as a family. You adjust but they grow fast…pretty soon kids are beating you and you know you have raised em right. My boys 25-22 did an ultra with my wife last year. Whatever we did worked.

@COSDAWGCFB yep that is the smart way to do it. A weekly plan that actually fits the family is a lot better than just sneaking off and hoping nobody notices.

@DavidDack When I was married and we had young kids when I wanted to train for a marathon she and I sat down on Sunday night and mapped out the week. I adjusted to our needs. Never felt guilty. Never got flak.

@JasonBirdsell19 that is fair. Treadmill running is a different kind of toughness. A lot of runners can suffer outside all day, but the mill gets in your head in a different way.

@DavidDack I have mad respect for people who consistently run on a treadmill — especially for more than 20 minutes. That is so mentally challenging to do. It’s a different kind of toughness that I don’t have. I would happily run 10 miles in nasty weather but would likely skip 5 on the mill

Treadmill running is not fake, and honestly I’m tired of hearing that. But saying it is exactly the same as running outside is nonsense too. Outdoor runners act like they own real running, treadmill runners get defensive, and meanwhile your legs are just doing the work.

@b_ddnisbet haha yep, boring as hell is a very fair review. Easier on the joints though is usually the bit that keeps people from hating it completely.

@DavidDack Boring as bat shit ! A bit easier on the joints though

@mrmedrano1 exactly. The treadmill is just one tool in the box, not the whole box. A lot of runners use it wrong because they treat it like a punishment machine instead of just a way to get the work done.

@DavidDack Like a box full of tools, each has a specific use. Treadmill is 1 of many tools available for runners & often misunderstood how to be used & when. Throughout my 20s, I ran 1 mile to the gym, did 1 hour in it, then ran a 10 mile route back home, 5 days a week. More....

@TheStroBro yeah that is fair. Zero incline is not some magical truth machine. Treadmill running can feel harder for some people and it can still make you faster, so both things can be true.

@DavidDack So, now that I'm exiled to the treadmill for the next 7-10 weeks I can tell you that this 0% incline nonsense just isn't real. There are factors that make treadmill running harder, I literally hate it. But the treadmill can make you faster.

@jaybjackson yeah Woodway is its own weird little beast 😂 Still treadmill running though. Still counts, just a different kind of suck.

@DavidDack And then there is Woodway treadmill runners..

@jglennfl68 yep exactly. In Tampa Bay heat and humidity, the treadmill starts looking a lot more reasonable real fast. Long runs on it are a fair trade when outside feels like a swamp.

@DavidDack A treadmill is a tool. As someone who lives in the Tampa Bay area who has to deal with the heat and humidity this time of year) I've recently started to rely on the treadmill for my long runs (yes, I use 1% incline) and the second run anytime I double.

@RJPPearson haha that is elite treadmill commitment. If you can sit through a livestream, pain cave couch and all, you already have more patience than most runners.

@DavidDack I once watched Zach Bitter break a record on the treadmill. I made it the entire time, even with the hosts on the livestream talking about crazy unrelated subjects. I'm still proud of myself for being able to be on the pain cave couch and still finish the stream, even with ads.

@rosiu36 fair enough 😂 Some people would rather freeze outside than deal with the treadmill. It is not for everybody, that is for sure.

@DavidDack Treadmill is freaking nightmare. I take outdoor in minus teens over this crap every time.

@SmileBhateja that one too

@DavidDack You forgot hydration

Your recovery run is not the problem. It’s usually just reporting the rest of your week. Too much pace. Too little sleep. Too many easy runs that were never easy.

@yesadok true

@DavidDack The fake easy runs always catch up