I’m training for a half marathon and I’m getting up to mileage where I need hydration. I’m stuck between getting a belt or using a handheld.

I currently wear a cheap Amazon belt to carry my phone & keys. It bounces a ton and I hate it but I wonder if a belt built for a bottle might be a bit more stable on my waist? I also don’t love carrying something while running but I push a stroller on a lot of my runs so I’m used to something in my hands & I can deal with it if it’s better than a belt. Any advice on which is preferable?

I'm comparing the Amazfit Active 3 Premium with the Apple Watch because I want a watch that helps me follow my running progress over time. I'm interested in workout data, pace, GPS tracking, and being able to review how my training is going. Amazfit seems worth a closer look for its training-oriented approach, but I don't want to assume that more running-focused features automatically mean a better experience. The Apple Watch is still a contender, especially if its health and fitness tracking fits well into the rest of my routine.

For people who run regularly, which metrics or features have actually helped you improve?

Running my first half marathon this wknd!! How should I do gels? Are caffeinated gummies okay? Should I taper at some point and how? What should I eat before? If I normally run fasted, should I just do that?

My half marathon is on the 25th. Any tips? I got KT tape. How would yall suggest applying it?

I'm a 46-year-old male runner, and I've noticed something interesting about how quickly my heart rate rises when I start running. I'm curious whether other runners experience this.

For context, I'm not a beginner or particularly out of shape. I train regularly for running and HYROX, including Zone 2 runs, intervals, and strength training. My lab-tested VO2 max earlier this year was 60.4 ml/kg/min, my resting HR is around 48–50 bpm, and my observed max HR is approximately 184 bpm.

I use a Polar H10 chest strap paired with my Apple Watch, so I'm not relying on wrist-based optical HR measurements.

Here's what I've noticed:

During recent 1 km intervals at approximately 4:25–4:35/km, my HR rises extremely quickly, even though I don't feel like I'm working particularly hard during those first 30 seconds.

For example, in one session:

• Starting HR: 108 bpm
• After 15 seconds: approximately 150–154 bpm
• After 30 seconds: approximately 166–168 bpm
• After 60 seconds: approximately 170 bpm

I've noticed this pattern repeatedly, including during shorter 400 m intervals. In one recent session, my HR rose from 125 to 168 bpm in just 30 seconds.

What's interesting is that I don't feel particularly breathless or strained during that initial increase. I generally feel like I'm just settling into my running rhythm.

I've had a normal exercise stress test and have been cleared for exercise by my cardiologist. I also have a known bicuspid aortic valve with aortic regurgitation that's being monitored, although I don't know whether that's relevant.

My question: Do other reasonably fit runners experience this kind of rapid HR increase at the beginning of a run? Is this simply normal individual variation, or is it unusually fast?

I'm not looking for a medical diagnosis, just interested in hearing about other runners' experiences, particularly those using chest straps.

Hi everyone,

So last week my friend told me my ankles roll inwards while running. I obviously never noticed it and I don’t think it causes me problems but I wouldn’t know if it’s how I have always ran.

Is this normal? Or do I need to fix it? I’ve attached some pictures of how my ankles look. Thanks