We migrated from Heroku to Porter at work (at my behest). Still one of the better bets I’ve taken.
There is definitely still some more devops overhead compared to Heroku, and I wish the product was a bit more mature. But even at ~$18k/mo on Heroku spend we’re now spending less than half with Porter. Other than myself and the other engineer who were responsible for the migration, the rest of the team really got to keep their work flows and there was little impact except for swapping some tools.
We had a messy, poorly documented web of micro services and shit too, the Porter team made the migration surprisingly easy all things considered. I’ll work with them again if I ever scale past a $10k/mo Heroku bill (post enterprise contract) with another team.
> I’ll work with them again if I ever scale past a $10k/mo Heroku bill (post enterprise contract) with another team.
We built Porter Cloud so you can just start on us from day 1 and migrate to the Porter you're used to when you're ready, without spending much effort on the migration :)
> the Porter team made the migration surprisingly easy all things considered
As the second engineer who worked on this migration I'd like to add on to this — the Porter team went above and beyond for us on this process and made it so easy for us.
At first I was wary of all the moving parts we'd have to manage but they took care of a lot of complex things for us and let us have our site running over on Porter very quickly. Even at our not sky-high Heroku spend, the ~3 engineer-months we spent on this are probably paid back by now. Can't recommend them enough.
A deep knowledge of etymology, if nothing else, is useful for answering a 5 year old's infamous chain of "why?"s
Disregarding potential inaccuracies, I love stories like these. Not particularly sure why, but I'm sure someone has a post somewhere about why we're so obsessed with the history of _our_ mundane.
I love them too. In a similar vein I learned just the other day that the verb 'escalate' only became in vogue after the invention of the escalator in the 1920s. I can't really pinpoint why either, but I think it has something to do with the surprisingly dumb or meme-y roots of such common words.
I would posit it is less from native speakers but from those learning the language. When you grow up hearing/learning/using a word, you just use it. I don't really remember learning words and being told their etymology, but do remember learning some when taking a foreign language class in school.
While this feels like common knowledge, I’m willing to bet you’ve learned extensively why you should profile everything when it comes to performance.
I remember my engineering manager was freaking out over me using strings instead of symbols because they’re less performant, meanwhile he didn’t know to add indexes to fks lmao.
He clearly cares about performance! Just never came to understand relational databases, which was my day 1 obsession. And doesn’t know how to profile the entire thing to make sure he’s stressing over the things with the largest effect size.
Anyway he got fired and works as a systems guy now. Happy for him lol.
In each section I got maybe 1/3rd of the way through before reading something that was just so wrong and exposed his lack of knowledge and skipped to the next section.
Which is a bummer! I got excited by the title but disappointed by the content.
I’d love opinions from people who have actually gone through YC and their arguments against applying to YC.
I really suck at the game and my buddy had ideas for different strategies that would beat someone skilled at the game. So I made a CLI tool to simulate these strategies. I haven't played the game since learning that yes, there are strategies that beat skill given a sufficiently low burn rate.
Since it has recently come to become a major personality trait. I can't help but notice the bullshit of 20-40 minute commutes in traffic being "normal". Good public transportation, smart mixed use development, and generally reducing car dependence could be a very large factor in mitigating the pain of this employment.
I did appreciate the author mentioning how tired they are after moving for 6.5 hours straight. I worked 3 years in the service industry as a food runner, I still remember my busiest shift being a 5 hour lunch on Memorial Day when we had 3/5 runners not show up. Easily the most chaotic (and profitable) shift I've ever worked. I did ~35k steps in the 6 hours I was working, while carrying comically large food trays around half the time. But, I almost made more money/hr than I currently do as a senior software engineer in the Bay Area, lol.
I got the bug about 12 weeks ago. I had never ran longer than 1.5 miles continuously 12 weeks ago. Now I’m planning my next Sundays long run. 12.5ish miles.
Im a heavy guy. My heaviest was 270, but I’m down to 220 now. I hated running my entire life. But I finally figured out how to run pain free and now it’s the thing I look forward to everyday.
It’s also tremendously rewarding to see such rapid improvement. When I first started I ran a 38 minute 5k, and 10 weeks later I ran a 25:44. I’ve almost improved my 1mi time from 8:30 to 6:30. Signed up for a marathon a couple weeks ago and gave myself 6 months to train.
Any tips for running pain free? I used to run pretty often (3-5 times per week) for 5+ miles. Longest was 11. However, my feet started hurting while running -- never while walking even long distances.
Have a look at recover athletics [1], recently bought by Strava, which allows you to specify where the pain is and they give you strength exercises to help strength surrounding areas which will put a stop to the pain.
You get pain through muscle overuse and the best way to fix it is to strengthen up. Running is pretty tough on your muscles and tendons, especially if you are not used to it, you ramp up volume too quickly, or your form isn't great.
Being stronger will help you go faster and keep going faster for longer as well.
Other quick tips:
1. If you get recurring pain then try increasing your cadence and shortening your stride length. To try target 170 steps per minute or more.
2. Run slowly. Easier said than done. Aim for a heart rate no more than 75% of your VO2max HR. You'll recover quicker in all respects and this will help to build up your aerobic capacity. You shouldnt be out of breath for most of your running.
3. If you have an anterior hip tilt then you'll get pain after a while. If you have weak glutes and core then this will happen, esp when you are tired. It will cause back pain and leg pain. Try to keep hips level - you will feel much more stable.
4. Weak glute medius will cause leg pain because you legs bow inwards during the stance phase. You see this when people knock their knees together when running. You shouldn't do this. Follow on effects are over pronation of the foot during strike as the ankle/foot needs to compensate for leg instability.
5. Weak calves might cause foot pain, especially if you keep your foot dorsiflexed during the swing phase. Try to keep feet/ankle reflaxed during swing phase. do some calf and ankle strengthening. The recover app has some good ones e.g. single legged calf raises.
Do you have any good strength exercises for anterior pelvic tilt? I have to and I’d like to correct it as I am also a heavy guy who recently started running.
Sure. The anterior tilt is typically caused by short hip flexors and weak glutes/hamstrings to pull the pelvis back into a level position. I'd suggest:
Before you run, try some "glute activation" exercises to get them fired up and working properly before you begin your session. Doing a few single leg glute bridges is probably enough to get them going. Single leg dead lifts are also good, I find.
When you are running, try to focus on keeping the glutes engaged as this will keep the hips from tilting forward. You can feel when you hips are level because your body will feel much more stable - especially when running over rough ground - and you'll feel the power coming from the glutes much more.
For me, slowing down, proper foot striking (go for a couple barefoot runs at the park until you know what feels right and then translate that to form with running shoe on), and I did feet and ankle strength training for the first month.
Oh and #1 is listen to your body. I’m running for the joy of running. If something hurts I’m not gonna run, lol. Important to rest.
Personally, I intersperse my running with Interval Training on an exercise bike: 2 minutes out of the saddle with the resistance turned up a bit, pushing as high as you can go, 1 minute of easy riding in the saddle with low resistance. Repeat 7 times.
I think it provides a few advantages to your running:
- it’s excellent cardio, so it’ll improve your VO2 max, which is hugely helpful for both running and living longer
- it’s low impact, so it gives your joints time to recover. Recovery is critical for an impact sport like running!
- the resistance builds leg strength, so it makes you more resilient on longer runs
Oh, and get a decent pair of running shoes, ideally from a store that knows what they’re talking about. Note that the best shoe for you won’t necessarily be the most expensive one - things like whether your over pronate or not are critical, so don’t go out and buy the latest carbon sole foodad just because that’s what the pro’s have.
I can't give specific advice as there are just so many factors at play, but I'll offer that it has to do with what you're used to and what you're conditioned to. I started running after a long history of skateboarding in very thin shoes. I end up with pain in my knees and even my arches with thicker shoes - I say this as it is somewhat counterintuitive to make the point that it's not always true that more cushion = less pain.
Aside from that, be very gradual in ramping up mileage and try to feel for wasted motion/effort/impact. There are tons of "form cues" people get caught up in, but just trying to be efficient in your use of energy to travel forward is what has been generally helpful for me in developing a stride that doesn't get me hurt. Your mileage may vary, of course.
strength training helps a lot in preventing injuries. I've been through years of achilles tendonitis and finally got rid of it mostly by doing leg/calf strength exercises.
thank you for this. I've been dealing with plantar fasciitis for a year+, finally got it to go away ~5 months ago and got back into running, and just in the last 2 weeks have noticed gradually increasing pain in my achilles and I'm absolutely devastated at the thought of battling another chronic injury.
I've been running for 12+ years and after going through plantar fasciitis and some other issues (went to a very good orthopedic sports clinic that helped me a lot), getting a Theragun and using it every day was amazing afterwards, especially for calves (that can help with achilles tendonitis) and for your foot for plantar fasciitis).
For me, my hips start hurting after a run. My shoes are relatively new and I’m running on paved pathways or surfaces that are not too uneven. After learning just a little bit, I don’t try to take long strides, I don’t try the “heel strike” approach, etc. But running is quite difficult for me, both during and after. I’d really appreciate tips on avoiding the hip pain (I do some yoga too for the hips, hip flexors, quads, etc.).
Agreeing with others - consider getting actually good shoes designed for road running. Not your trainers you've had for 8 years and love or a pair you like the look of because they're small and streamlined. ASICS Gel Kayanos are pretty standard issue, popular trainers. Not super cheap though.
I'm pretty passionate about running and I think that there are a few things that you can try: making sure you are stretching after your run, especially calves, legs, and feet. Getting a foam roller can be helpful as well. If it's a specific type of pain, it could be due to footwear or gait so you could also try switching up your shoes perhaps.
I had this happen to me when I got into running. I went on a trip for 2 months and let my injuries recover. When I got back into running, I had no pain and haven’t had for more than a year. I’d say give it another try, I think a lot of the injuries are overuse and your body will adapt over time.
I went through a similar transformation, being overweight and not being able to run a mile without losing my breath. I broke through the really steep climb by applying BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits method to my daily runs, celebrating small wins with visualization. Within 3 years, I successfully finished the Lake Placid marathon, then the year after I completed the Philadelphia marathon. I was still overweight when I ran these. My goal was to complete 26.2, and I did, yet my finish time was 5hr+. In hindsight, I would have been stronger had I gotten the weight down to an ideal level before race day. Finishing the race, even if you walk-run the last couple of miles, is still a major achievement. Don't downplay your achievement based on finish time. If anything, a 5hr+ is even harder because you've run for a longer time while carrying a heavier body.
I don't have time in my life for taking long runs on weekends but enjoy thinking about when I did. The entire day revolves around the morning long run and then basically being unproductive for the rest of the day, and that's a luxury I can't afford. I began running regularly in 2009 and continue to this day, although I've had some setbacks due to running-related injury. I've run through Summer thunderstorms and winter snow. I love being outside in nature.
I think it's worth consulting with PT/pros who could give feedback on the ramp up period and the load you're putting yourself under. What I've read in my research is that you can feel fine for a while but if you're not building up methodically you can cause yourself some long term issues but with a delay.
Congrats on the weight loss and figuring out that you can be a runner. It's quite liberating. I was never a good runner even in peak competitive basketball conditioning in my late teens and thought I would never be a runner until a few years ago. Keep pushing!
I also started running again relatively recently - about one month ago - definitely not to the same extent parent is doing it, but it managed to reduce the upper back pain I was getting from dev work
Also the mental health benefits cannot be understated, very glad I built it into my routine
Running has pretty much changed my life completely - very good stuff. For all of the snake oil out there promising ridiculous benefits, consistently running anything more than about an hour a week is as close to the real McCoy as I have ever experienced.
The changes I’ve seen in 3 months are frankly staggering. I quit smoking, cut like 95% of my alcohol consumptions, started eating healthier, etc. and it was really easy for me to do all at the same time.
I had tried tackling each of these problems independently before and typically failed. Withdrawals, cravings, etc. are too much. But man I really fucking love running now and smoking, binge drinking and junk food just look so gross to me now that I know they’re gonna ruin my runs.
I’m feeling some envy right now. I’ve tried running…or rather, walks and runs interspersed, at least once a week or more often. But my heart rate shoots up even at a moderate pace of 5mi/h (7.5km/h) to around 140bpm or higher (I’m 50 years old). I just can’t run (actually jog) continuously for more than one minute before breaking into a walk. Otherwise, I workout everyday, mostly cardio and some strength for at least 45 minutes a day, every single day. My weight is in the normal BMI range. I don’t know if this is how it is to be.
FWIW I did it a few years back after coming back from an ankle fracture that had stopped me doing any exercise for 6 months. Looking at my Week 1 Day 1 activity on Strava my HR was ~105bpm when initially walking, but then up to 160bpm when running for a minute, and only dropped to ~130bpm when walking for the next minute. This see-saw repeated; up to ~160bpm when running, down to ~130bpm when walking. At the end it dropped from 160bpm to 115bpm over the course of the final 5 minute "cool down" walk. There's quite a "lag" between exercise intensity and HR.
My point is that if you're not regularly running then your CV system is inefficient, and so even walking may put your HR up quite high. If you stick at it it should improve.
I'm 47 and my HR when I go for a run is ~170bpm. If I go for a gentle run I try and keep it below 150bpm, but when I was just getting back into it I'd struggle to keep my HR under 165bpm even on a "gentle" run. As you get fitter (or lighter) you can do the same kind of runs with a lower HR than before. When I really want to push it I can average 180bpm-190bpm for a 5k (although it feels grim at the time).
If you get through a few weeks of C25K and you're still having trouble running for more than a minute or so at a time then I'd go see a doctor. If you're concerned/nervous about the idea of trying C25K with a possibility that there may be something amiss then go and see a doctor about it now.
Did you do anything to improve on 5ks other than running 5ks? My 5k time is around 35min forever, I run every now and then and recently signed for a public 5k run but I don't see myself improving my pace. (It took years until I could run 30 minutes non-stop and at least I didn't lose this over the years, but I'm slow...)
Yes. I didn’t run 5ks and I didn’t try to run fast. I heard the buzz phrasey “to go faster you have to go slower” for like 2 years and totally disregarded it.
I used to run before this latest bug, like a year ago, but I hated it. My only goal was to do a sub 30 minute 5k and I trained for like 8 months with 0 progress and was so dejected I quit. I would show up, run at a 10 min pace for as long as I can, repeat. It felt like shit and I didn’t get better. My growth happened when I just ran 4.5 mph until it was the _bad kind_ of uncomfortable (this is too much stress on my shins vs my legs muscles are building lactic acid). After two weeks, I upped the pace a tiny tiny bit. I spend most of my runs fighting with myself to slow down.
The science behind it is something something aerobic base and running economy. I’m absolutely not an expert, but anecdotally I’ve never had my life improve so much in such a short amount of time by just _running slower_
Get your weekly mileage up. If you are running 4+ times a week, and making your standard run 8 or 10ks if possible (or at least doing it more often), you will fly past 35 mins for a 5k without even trying in only a few weeks.
Consistency is the biggest factor for improving running. Run at a pace and distance you can handle every day, then do that consistently. Every day, ideally. It doesn't matter if that's 10 minutes for 1km, just as long as you're being consistent.
As someone who fluctuates between 180 and 230 lbs, you will see your times completely sky rocket as you drop to 180. It's easily a minute off every mile when doing 5 miles. Hopefully that's a little motivation.
I'm in the same boat as you. I have been running since the summer and I recently finished a couch to 5km plan. My pace is similar at 35-38 minutes. Do you have any tips on going from 38 to 25 minutes? Thanks
My biggest thing was slowing the fuck down and consistency. I was an athlete in HS and had a huge ego around how fast I should be going. For reference I didn’t run faster than 12min/mi for the first 2 weeks. Also I run 5-6x a week now (1 long run the rest super easy recovery runs <5.5 mi)
Other things:
1. Foot/ankle strengthening. Lookup YouTube videos on how to strengthen feet and knees. 5-10 mins a day as you’re starting. If you’re going slow it’s low impact too.
2. Focus on form/don’t zone out. I used to run and try to “zone out” as quickly as possible to “ignore” the pain. Instead focus in and run a mental checklist of your form. Again, YouTube videos on good form (which often aren’t targeted/explained how to run that well when running so slowly, so be specific with your searches).
3. I moved to NRC which I liked a lot better than C25K. I like the mental coaching and found it very valuable especially in the beginning. Now I run without music because I like listening to my breathing, as if I lose focus on my breath that also hurts.
There’s a lot of other things that I now keep track of for funsies. But those will come naturally if you start to enjoy running for the sake of running. I’m not running for health, to lose weight, or to look better. I’m running because I really enjoy running. YMMV
Do more short high effort intervals. Find a track to run at if you can and alternate easy/hard laps. The visual cues of a track will really help you feel confident pushing hard because it’s easy to see how much distance remains.
Also, check out your local running clubs on Strava. I know social running isn’t for everyone, but it’s a really good way to push your speed up. Every club I’ve run with has been psyched to get a new person.
As a second opinion, everyone is different. This is quite literally the last advice I would give anyone starting out. Short high effort intervals and spiking HR for someone with poor cardiovascular strength (myself 12 weeks ago) feels like absolute horrid shit and I would never want to go to the track again.
Prioritize enjoying the run. Which you can’t do when your body thinks you might be having a heart attack.
Personal anecdote but I started with the couch to 5k app, wasn't working for me. I ended up switching to the Nike Run Club app and initially used their Guided Runs to help get started (They have a massive amount). The host of the run talking really took me out of the run and made it easier.
Also, going super slow at the start to warm up, picking up speed gradually. I look as the distance as the goal and not the time. After about 10 months I recently hit a 27:30 PR at 35 (quit smoking 2 years ago). There's hope out there.
It might be better for your joints to walk on the incline (treadmill) until you are lighter. Might be worth building a program with a personal trainer and mixing in some weight training. Apologies in advance if you've already done all of the above
Barefoot running (or extremely minimalist shoes) helped me. Build it up slowly! Your muscles will likely be degraded from a lifetime of low mobility footwear.
Consider: how could humanity have survived millennia walking and running around before Nike and orthotics?
I read Born to Run which I think may go a bit over the top in advising running barefoot, but there a big overlap between what this does for you and some of the other best advice in this thread. Taking your shoes off forces you to slow down and pay attention to what your feet and legs are doing.
This is completely irrelevant but I grew up in Stony Brook and have never seen the name anywhere outside of Stony Brook. Ever. Nor have I ever seen anyone be confused into thinking Stony Brook is one word.
The author potentially pays very little attention to their surroundings. It must make them a better programmer (/s)
On a serious note, I pretty strongly disagree that slower and longer feedback loops on potential logical errors leads to better critical thinking. It may lead to less rounds of errors, but that’s probably it.
There is definitely still some more devops overhead compared to Heroku, and I wish the product was a bit more mature. But even at ~$18k/mo on Heroku spend we’re now spending less than half with Porter. Other than myself and the other engineer who were responsible for the migration, the rest of the team really got to keep their work flows and there was little impact except for swapping some tools.
We had a messy, poorly documented web of micro services and shit too, the Porter team made the migration surprisingly easy all things considered. I’ll work with them again if I ever scale past a $10k/mo Heroku bill (post enterprise contract) with another team.