I hate heat, but I'm not sure about this weather, its not the cold, its the footing..worried about ice...its 20 here and not expected to warm up much today

Well, the good news is that I finished. There was a lot of bad news. The weather was literally freezing at the start, and the start was delayed. Not good news for this Arizona girl. I couldn't feel my feet until mile three. I was on target pace until about mile 7.5. Then I started to bonk, and was pushing through it until the gel I took had a chance to kick in. At 8.5 miles though, something in my ankle just gave, I screamed and scared everyone around me. I found I could still walk, just not run. I hobbled to the next medical stop and they taped up my ankle pretty hard. That took about 6 minutes, and I got another couple of miles of running after that. Then it was swelling and hurt so much that I walked in the last 2 miles. So I finished in just a touch over 3 hrs. It was a pretty disappointing race, because I was feeling so strong from my training.

Sigh.

Anne

Oh anne, so sorry. I hope your ankle heals quickly.

Anne, you poor thing! I broke my ankle a few years ago and every time I hear about ankle injuries I really really cringe!! You finished anyway, though, which is very impressive. You hardcore runners are so inspiring!!

I did a 35 minute jog this morning and I swear it seems like I'm losing the progress I've made. I had to take a walk break after 14 minutes, and then another after 4 more minutes. Then I finished off with 13 minutes of really slow jogging. I think maybe my first 14 minutes I was going at too fast a pace for me and it just wore me out. I guess I'm trying to get faster when I should just worry about endurance. I don't know, but I'm really worried about this 10k training team I signed up for. I don't know if I'll be able to keep up!! I'm still going to do it, but I'm a little freaked out after the way I struggled this morning.

Oh, Anne, I'm so sorry to hear about your ankle and your disappointment in your race Hope you feel better very soon...

Anne, that's such bad luck, I hope you're on the mend soon.

LisaMarie - I broke my ankle too a few years ago, it really isn't nice is it...

Tonight I managed 7.2 miles with running club at 9 minute mile pace. That included possibly the nastiest uphill stretch I've done with them right at the start, which was a really horrible horrible stretch, but I made it up OK, and the rest of the run didn't seem nearly so bad after that. Considering I didn't want to run at all tonight, I was really pleased. I'm feeling quite confident of a good run in my half at the moment, fingers crossed it all comes together on Sunday.

Helen -- 9 minute mile pace that's totally awesome!!! I doubt I will ever get that fast

You guys all continue to inspire me. I've started running! Actually not too bad.. amazingly enough, I am no longer having pain from the heel spurs since I started running. I can run a half mile now without stopping at all, and am planning on working up to a mile this week. Hopefully, I will be able to run most of my 5k in Feb. it's on the 17th. Honestly though, I need some advice. Do you think I will be able to run 7 miles by April 21? There is a 7mile bridge run that I really would love to do here in the keys, but not sure If I'll be up to that by then.... Any advice would be loved.

Thanks, and wow everyone!
The other Dee

dee - that would be a pretty fast ramp..is it a fun event? If so then the option of run/walking combo is there. Check to see if there is a cut off and if you can find last years results you can see if there are walkers.

What do you do right now, you say you can run 1/2 mile, is that part of a 2-3 mile walk? The best way to build running endurance is to slowly increase your total time out there even if you walk some of it.

It is a pretty fast ramp, but I think you can walk too.. I will definitely check.. It's not likely that I will get in, the entrance is done by a type of lottery. I just want to do it because it may be the last year it is run. Right now I usually walk 2+ miles... sometimes 4 or more.. I am working up to running more each time.

I did much better on the treadmill today. I kept it at the same 12:30 pace and I managed to go for 1.5 miles, then take a 2-minute walk break, then do another 1/2 mile of jogging. Taking a break from it tomorrow and doing the elliptical and a body sculpting class, then I'll run again Thursday. Getting ready for a group run on Saturday, and I'm nervous!!

Just under 6 miles this evening - and really FAST!!! I ran with the fast group for the first half of the run I almost got back down to 8:30 pace, which I'm really really pleased with. Roll on sunday!

Ugh. no run today, its just glare black ice here. Cant even drive to the gym. Blah blah blah

35 minutes on the treadmill this morning. It's hard work but it's definitely worth it to get my speed up a bit. I did take it a bit easier today though because I'm trying to wind down a bit before my half on Sunday. Hopefully the weather will have cleared up by then, I wouldn't have fancied running outside yesterday unless the wind was behind me all the way!

Well, I've done absolutely nothing this week, but walk the dogs a couple times. I was supposed to swim yesterday, but it was cold and raining, and well, I just didn't want it that bad. My ankle is better, so I'll probably try to run again early next week. I did finally step away from the dessert table today, and my eating is back on track!

Anne