Ok, I may be back in business. I went to the New Balance store tonight with a referral from my doctor to be custom-fitted for a new pair of running shoes. The pedorthist worked with me for nearly two hours to make sure all the little idiosyncrasies of my feet, legs, and hips were taken into consideration. He said the pain I've had (that was supposedly tendonitis) was actually just pain from wearing the wrong shoes and from the natural asymmetry between my feet. I'm not so sure about that yet, but I must tell you, when he finished tweaking the shoes, I ran in them and the pain was actually gone. I did a quick 1/4 mile on a treadmill while waiting for my husband at the gym later, and it felt fantastic in those new shoes. I spent $168, but I think it's going to be well worth it.

Plus, (as I already posted in an NSV thread somewhere else), the pedorthist thought I weighed less than 150 pounds, which was quite delightful! :)

I hope the new shoes work for you.

I've just done a gentle-ish 3.5 miles this morning. I'm really cutting back now - only just over a week to go!

Helen, I bet you're excited!!

I ran 3 miles this morning and it was pretty nice. It felt good to run outside again, even though the last mile was in the rain. I decided I kind of like doing my run in the morning. Never really thought I was a morning person, but maybe I'm changing. The shoes seem to be working so far! Now I can get on that training schedule I've been planning for the half marathon. It's 15 weeks away, I believe, which sounds like plenty of time but I need all the time I can get!

In the meantime, my brother wants me to sign up for an 8k he may do in Tennessee in July. Hmm...

Woohoo Lisa!!!!!

So excited for you Helen

5 creaky cranky miles this morning

I did a "speedwork" run this morning (trying to follow my 1/2 marathon training plan). I ran for five minutes, walked for one, and repeated that five times. I tried to run fast, but I'm still getting back into the swing of things so it wasn't terribly fast but pretty good for me. I ended up doing 2.8 miles in 30 minutes, which sounds better when I remember that five of those minutes were walking! Also, I had to do it outside with a few hills instead of on a treadmill like I wanted to (speedwork is the only time I prefer the dreadmill, of course).

The plan I'm following is 16 weeks of doing 2 easy runs, one speedwork run, and a long run each week. I plan to fill in the gaps with crosstraining on the elliptical and step aerobics, along with my usual weight training and yoga. The long runs work all the way up to 15 miles, which scares me! Tomorrow's is just 4, though, so that's definitely doable!

Can you tell I'm excited to be back? ;)

:woohoo: Lisa Marie!

Had a great 9.15k run this morning only the second one this week and it felt awesome... After my run I hopped on my bike and did 17k... It's going to be a good day :sunny:

12.4 today..good run

Way too much to eat after but should be good.

Hi ladies - sounds like everyone is doing great this week! So glad to hear the new shoes are working their magic Lisa.

I ran a practice half marathon today, as a dress rehearsal for the real one I signed up for which is coming up in 3 weeks. It went ok, but not great - I skipped lunch before the run because I don't like to have a lot of food in my stomach when running, but I think I ran out of gas a bit by the end because of this. That's ok, because: (a) I finished it! and (b) my scale today told me that I've lost 101 pounds since I started my journey.

Any advice from the experts here on how much to taper in the week or two before the race? Right now, I'm averaging about 30 miles a week, with a long run in the 12-13 mile range. I know that I should scale back from this so that my legs are well rested, but not sure how much.

Rachel

for a half usually 2 weeks before take your last 12-13 miler. that week run your shorter runs as normal. 1 week out do a 6-10 miler. Some say 1 week taper for a 1/2, some say 2. So you could do a long run as late as 1 week out. If I had the time I prefer about 10 days, so I would take a long run on a wednesday, but usually that isnt possible.

That week before the race do your normal runs a little easier and a little shorter, eliminate speedwork and weights with the exception of a few short "pick-ups" (short sections where you go up to race pace for 20-30 strides) in the middle of maybe your wednesday run. The friday run can either be ~ 2 miles or eliminated.

Some people like to take the day before the race off completely, some like to go out for 2 miles or so to stay fresh.

Warm-up before the event--it helps you burn fat for fuel.

That was nice, a PB in the 10k I did this morning. I took about 40 seconds off, coming in at about 47:08. Even better, my legs are good and no damage done before Edinburgh. Next time I put my running club vest and "race" socks and shorts on it will be for real!

A nice and easy 4-mile run today. I could've done without the sun burning my flesh, but other than that it was lovely! There's a nice spot on my usual route where the smell of honeysuckle is really strong, and I've always loved that smell. It's hard not to stop and drink a few drops from the little flowers, like I did when I was a kid! Maybe I'll do that next time...

you know Lisa, as soon as it gets above 65 here I am going to be whining about the sun and the heat....but for right now. I am SO freaking tired of running in 43 windy drizzle. I am jealous of your sunburn.

I had to turn my heat back on today. rrrrr

Well, it's odd...last week it was much chillier than usual (especially Friday night, when I saw an outdoor concert -- Elliott Yamin -- in the cold rain!), but today it was in the 80s. When it's in the 90s, I'll be inside on a treadmill or I'll be running VERY early in the morning. It's very humid here in the summer...ugh.

3 miles in 32 minutes this morning.

Lisa, just a note to say I'm glad your foot pain is gone and that you are running again! You are doing great.

Anne

4.99 this morning (40 degrees)

Lisa - I run at 5:45 most days so even in summer it wont get much above 60

Had a great run yesterday, 3.6 miles! My longest run ever. Nice and brisk out, it was mid to high 40s. Once it starts getting too warm out I'm gonna have to get up and run early, it really makes a difference in how I feel when running I like it to be on the cool side.

Well done everyone on some good runs.

I just did 3 miles with running club this evening. I remember when that used to be a struggle, now it seems like I've stopped as soon as I've started. Still, I'm meant to be taking it easy this week so I turned down the option of another 4 miles when I got to the first turn off point.

shananigans- oh I like it cool too, you'll hear me whine when it gets warm. I run tuesday evenings with my relay team and it gets REALLY hot then and whine whine whine. But every morning I shiver out the door.

I had a great run this morning too, it was on the coolish side about 12c/53f... and I loved it. The hour flew by... I've decided that I only go out for an hour now... Run 30 mins take same route back 30 mins... It's funny though I seem to be going further and further every time:lol: ... I think my biking has improved my running and stamina because I bike 20k every day whether I run or not and I can feel the differece in my runs :carrot: ... And lo and behold the scale is going down too :D:D:D:D ...

Hi everyone.

Just got back from Yosemite. Great place to run!!!!

I did keep getting lost but at least in the valley it is fairly easy to find your way back to something familiar. Tried running up one of those crazy steep traills and the run turned into a fast walk for most of it. But it sure was a good workout.

Something I want to work up to....running straight up like that.

Anyhow managed 7 or 8 miles hard to tell exactly from the map. Lots o fun. Yay!

I haven't posted in awhile but I have been keeping up on my running. My longest run so far has been 5 miles so I'm very happy with that. But I just had to come in and post my 5K results because I'm so excited!!! After only 5 weeks of training my time was 33:08!!! :carrot: According to my training I thought I was going to come in around 36, so needless to say I was surprised! Going into I had all these fears that I was going to be last. Silly I know, especially since there were walkers, but I was soooo scared. I'm actually looking forward to the next one now!

:bravo: Stacy!!

:cheer: Congratulations Stacy!

I've been lurking around the thread but thought I'd pop in and say I'm still here! I've been trying to slowly increase my mileage to 25 a week. So far, I've made it to 18. (For one week, it's usualy closer to being 10-15).

I ran my second 5k this weekend and beat my old time by more than 5 minutes, so that was super cool.

Wooohooo Stacy and Amber

I am officially registered for Hood to Coast now...but I had to put in my 10K time prediction.

Well, I havent done one recently, I did one in January but that was only 3 months post partum...and it wasnt a 10K no matter what the race organizers say.

So I went to the race time predictor calculators and based on my half last week they say I could do 56:58. Wow. That would be amazing to me. My PR on an official 10K was 59 but I am in much better shape I think.

And I am pretty excited --logged my 400'th RunEquivalentMile yesterday. 1/3 of the way to my goal. (REM - 1 running mile, 10 min hard stationary biking, 1/3 swimming mile, 2.5 road biking miles - its my personal estimate of equivalent effort)

WTG Stacy and Amber! :carrot:

I am looking forward to my second 5k on June 2. I’m thinking I may actually break 30:00. :crossed:

Hiker – Running in Yosemite sounds amazing. 7 or 8 miles of hills sounds like a great workout. :faint: ;)

I know I've posted here twice before, but I'm still kinda intruding, so sorry... but I need some encouragement!!

Wow... Just reading through all of your posts...
I'm quite convinced that I'm the SLOWEST RUNNER ON THE PLANET!!

What's wrong with me? I've been "running" for about a month now, I mentioned previously that I go 5K (Actually it's about 5.3K), alternating walking and running. I'm currently up to running about 3.5K of it, and it's taking me FORTY-SEVEN MINUTES!?!?! Granted, there is a monstrous hill on my route, but there's a big downhill, too.

I've read posts where people are WALKING 5K in 40 minutes or less, so what's my problem? I'm really confused. I thought I was doing well, but obviously NOT!! I wonder if my mileage is off? I tracked it with gmaps pedometer... I also don't eat before running - should I? I just get up, put on my clothes, stretch, and go. I'm really disappointed in myself for being so pitifully slow. I mean, I knew I was slow before, but when I read a post today about someone walking a mile in 13 minutes, I just wanted to cry.

Any advice??

RA

Don't fret that was about how fast I was going at first too. I have the hill also. It doesn't seem that the downhill part helps too much. I have stopped watching the watch so to speak. Actually I lost it. I figure if *I* feel worked out then I am doing everything right.

You will get faster give yourself time.

Thank you so much! :)

Great job on those race times, Stacy and Amber! :carrot:

-Shelby- No, no, no, *I* am the slowest runner on the planet :lol: I still don't do 5k in 30 mins... Hickerchick hit it on the nose: "I figure if *I* feel worked out then I am doing everything right. " Speed will come with practice ...

Amber -- :bravo: on the race time!!

I didn't run today, I did weights, I just wanted to put my 2 cents in about time and distance :D

Shelby...you have been running only a month. Running is just not natural for a lot of people. What matters is the process, not the number. I ran for YEARS before I broke 30 minutes. I spent a great deal of time in the 13+ minute mile range.

And I STILL can not walk faster than about a 15 min mile, speed walking is not normal for me.

This isnt about competing with others, its about doing what you can do. On average it takes a runner who runs 4-5 times a week SEVEN YEARS to reach their genetically optimum pace.

Are you working hard? then its right.

Oh....and a downhill can never make up for an uphill. That's why people who are trying to BQ look for FLAT races.

And note the term genetically optimum. Some physiques are born to run, some arent, but the beauty part is you dont have to be fast to reap ALL of the rewards of running, spiritual, mental AND physica.

*whines*
But I don't WANNA be slow! ;)

Thanks for your responses. It just seems like 47 minutes is really, really, really slow, KWIM? But since I started at 55, I guess I shouldn't complain... too much.

I AM working hard, and I push myself a little farther every time I run. I'm only running 2-3 times a week right now, biking and swimming 3-4 times a week.

What's BQ?

Should I be eating before I run? If so, how long after eating do I have to wait before going?

And I am really enjoying running. It's fun pushing myself, and it's something our bodies really were designed to do, even if my stumpy legs don't seem to think so! :D

Oh, and SEVEN YEARS?!?! Seriously?!?!? Yikes!!!

Shelby, I've had to work really hard to get over that feeling that I'm just WAY too slow. Part of that is having a superspeedy husband, but it's just hard not to compare yourself to other people anyway. The great thing about running is that we can always just compete against ourselves, and you're working hard at it, so that's what matters. It's easy to say, I know, but it's still hard to deal with -- I know because I'm still struggling with the speed thing and I'm just trying to accept that I'll get there eventually!

Today I did a speed workout on the treadmill (see? trying to get faster!) for 3.25 miles. Good lord, the rivers of sweat that poured out of me! I feel like I lost ten pounds.

Wait you have gone from 55 to 47 in ONE month? that is awesome!

BQ is "Boston Qualify" qualifying for the boston marathon. Maybe when I am 70----if I dont get any slower.

Eating - for an am run it is really a matter of preference. If you are running and all you can think about is food, it might be worth a shot. For runs under an hour I do sometimes, usually I dont. But, I always do before a really really long run.

If you are going in the morning and want to go as soon as you get up nothing or small and easily digestible. Small glass of juice. 1/2 banana.

If you have the time (hour or so) between when you get up and when you run. toast with pb or something in that range. Energy bar . Some people like small yogurt, I find it highly indigestible.

If you have 2-3 hours then definitely eat.

THANK YOU! :D Feeling better now, for real! You guys RULE!

Yep, my first "run" was on April 23rd, at 55 minutes. I've gone 10 times total now, and my best time was 47 minutes (today was 48, tho).

Thanks for reassuring me about the food thing. I'm usually a little hungry when I wake up, but not starving, and when I'm running I don't think about it at all, so I'll stick to not eating. If I ever get up close to the kind of distances you guys are doing, I'll start eating! :D

Again, THANK YOU for all the support.

Hey Shelby, you are doing great!

I did my 3.1 mile loop this morning. 4 walk breaks! I've been feeling sort of blah the last couple days, like I have a cold deciding whether or not to come on, so I'm blaming that. 42 minutes.

Anne

Everyone's doing great for getting out there. I wish I could, but I'm being a good girl! I am allowed 4 or 5 miles this evening though so I'm going to make the most of it, then two on Friday. I already feel like I have so much energy, so fingers crossed it comes out in the right way on Sunday!

Shelby – That is AMAZING progress for one month! :bravo: You are doing great, keep it up and you’ll gain the speed with no problem. I did c25k so I took the full 9 weeks to get up to 30 min of jogging, and that sure didn’t add up to 5k for me, but it got me started. The first time I did a 20 min jogging segment with no breaks I couldn’t believe I had done it, now I can jog for at least twice that long. You are doing great, progress will come if you keep working at it!

I totally understand the comparing yourself to others thing. My older brother has completed the Detroit, Chicago, Boston and New York marathons. Both of my sisters have done half marathons and do several 5k and 10k events every year. And they complain that they’re “slow” if they average over an 8 min mile. Sometimes I find it hard to believe we come from the same gene pool, guess I got hit with the "slow stick". :dizzy: I just figure I have to compete with myself, because then I can always win all the time, all I have to do is keep improving.

Anne – Hope you are feeling better. Some days I just feel sluggish out there, especially if it’s hot and/or humid. But I’m guessing humidity is not much of an issue in AZ.

Helen – That so funny that you have to “hold yourself back”. I still have to more or less force myself to run most days, not as awful as it was a at first, but now that I know how great it feels after I run I try to have the “just do it” attitude.

That’s interesting about the 7 years thing, who knew it would take that long? Guess I’ll look forward to hitting my stride by my mid-30s. :lol:

Oh, I forgot to mention, I got up at 5:15 to run this morning! I like that it’s quiet and cooler at that hour and I don’t have to worry about traffic. Beats coming home cranky from rush hour commuting and trying to get motivated to go run in the heat and dodge cars. I just have to get myself used to a new sleeping schedule. I also used a pedometer for the first time, does anyone else use one? Not sure how to best use one to measure distance, I guess you’d just run a course that you know is one mile and see how many steps it takes you to complete it? My 5k route took 5,555 steps, so that’s about 1,790 steps/mile.

shananigans - that's how I know I'm so much better prepared this time. Last time I did a marathon I got to the taper and was so relieved to be back at a mileage level I could cope with, this time I'm kind of missing the long runs and can't wait to do the race!

I did 3.5 miles with running club this evening to keep my legs ticking over. The problem is that because my mileage is so low, I'm running way too fast and I'm going to have to be really careful not to start too fast on sunday.