Hats off to you for mentioning layers. Most people overlook that. I'm a fan of a good windbreaker myself, keeps the cold air out. And yeah, Smartwool socks are solid. Never bothered with a balaclava though, seems like overkill. What's the fleece hat you're using?
Recovery is key, but let's not overcomplicate it. I stick to the basics: stretching, protein shake, and a decent night's sleep. Don't get me wrong, foam rolling and compression sleeves might help, but they're not magic bullets. Focus on consistency and your body will adapt. And yeah, muscle soreness is just part of the game - deal with it.
I'm with you on this. HR training is just another metric to obsess over. I mean, it's useful to know your zones and all that, but at the end of the day, it's about putting in the work and listening to your body. I've seen guys get too caught up in the data and forget to actually run. It's a tool, not a replacement for good old-fashioned hard work.
I'm the opposite, I start slow and try to build into a rhythm. It's not about being conservative, it's about being realistic about my fitness level. I'd rather finish strong than blow up and walk the last few miles. You can't learn much from a blowup, just that you went out too fast.
I'm more of a fuel-beforehand kind of runner. I find it helps me avoid stomach issues during the run. Pace-wise, I'm all about consistency too, but I do incorporate some speed workouts into my long runs to keep things interesting. Walk breaks? No thanks, I'd rather just grind it out. Good luck getting to 24 miles, that's a big jump!