Don't think of it as cheating.

It took you a long time to get as out of shape as you are now. It's reasonable that it's going to take time to get into shape, too.

Thanks Maria - That's an EXCELLENT way to look at it - I will! :)
Heather

I think I have a budding distance runner on my hands! Yesterday we spent A LOT of time in the stroller and last night walking with dh, dd (3 1/2) said she was done strollering and wanted to "run home". So we let her out and she would run to the end of the block and then run back to us and we'd take her across the street and run and back. All told I think she ran about a mile in about 10 "intervals" I was pretty impressed. At the end she was tired and we offered the stroller for the last stretch and she decided to run home instead of ride or even walk.

Heather...it happens sometimes even to the more experienced runners. I had one run about a month ago I went out expecting to do 5 miles and I ran 1 and started doing walk/run intervals and finally threw in the towel and walked home. Sometimes you are just tired.

Yes! I think my legs have finally recovered! I did a 12 mile run into work this morning, and as well as it being about 2 miles longer than my next longest post marathon run, it also felt a lot easier than most of the rest. I actually ended up doing it within 10 seconds of the time it took last time I ran that route back in April, when I was right at the peak of marathon training, so that's a good sign.

I think part of the problem with my recovery feeling slow has been starting to cycle into work on non-running days - it feels like my legs are taking ages to recover from each run, but I suspect it's actually that the problem is the different muscles I'm using on the bike. Now they're a bit more used to being used, hopefully it should all start to feel a bit easier.

I've got a rest day tomorrow (and must remember that means no cycling either), and then a 10k on Sunday. It's a really big race which I'm doing more for the atmosphere (it's being organised by a really inspirational terminally ill local woman, and from the reports of her health may well be one of the last events she's involved in), so I'm not really going for a PB, but I will see how I feel on Sunday before deciding how to play it.

Morning all! :wave:

Thanks Ennay - good to know it happens sometimes :)

I moved on this morning to week 3 of the C25K - wasn't sure I'd be able to, but it was all good, and now I feel GREAT! I think I might do Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday next week, so that it doesn't feel like a long time between now and Monday.

Helen - what's a PB? All I can imagine is Power Burn... am I close? ;)

Have a super weekend everyone - I'm so glad I found this group!

Heather :D

Originally Posted by HeatherAngel:
Morning all! :wave:

Thanks Ennay - good to know it happens sometimes :)
:D

Ugh I jinxed myself. This morning I went out for a 7 miler, slogged a mile, stopped and walked home.

Oh and PB, PR - Personal Best, Personal Record

Must have been one of those days. I was trying for 3.25 miles, but ended up at 2.5, and it was tough at that. Still recovering from some kind of virus. Not sure why I was able to get it together for the race on Sunday, but I think I kind of maxed out my energy for the week.

You're doing great, Heather!

Thanks! NOT Power Burn then!! :lol3:

Went out again this morning, feeling tired but great! Unfortunately I just don't think I'm ready for the C25K program, I'm really struggling with the last few run cycles and haven't been able to do them sometimes. So I'm just going to work my way up to it (boy that sounds sad when it's supposed to start off so easy right?) Anyhoo I'm going to follow that mode of running (the very short but frequent stints of running mixed in with brisk walking) so today that's just what I did. I ran for a minute or so then power walked for 2 minutes or so, cycling as many times as I could then power walking the rest of the way. I was out for 45 minutes and it was a beautiful (although HOT) morning here in AZ! I'm just glad I'm doing some running, even if I can't quite do the program I want yet. I always feel so accomplished and powerful when I run, I can see why it's so addictive!

I hope everyone else has a great run today too!!!

Wisher, I am a big believer in listening to what your body is telling you, so what you're doing sounds perfectly sensible to me - take things slowly, and just gradually increase the amount of time you spend running when your body tells you you're ready for it.

It was a perfect day for running here today - about 68 degrees, low humidity and overcast, so I decided it would definitely be a good day for a nice long run - went 14 miles, and feel great! Hope the rest of you are enjoying a wonderful weekend, running-wise or otherwise!

thanks windycitychick! 14 miles? My gosh I can't even imagine going that far!!! I suppose I will get there someday though :D

It's so good to be back! Everyone's doing such a great job keeping up with their runs! I've been out of town all week, but I kept up with my runs too. I had some really great runs since last weekend. A 6-mile run, an 8-mile run (my longest ever, and no walk breaks or stopping at all), a fast 3.1 mile run in 30:11 (fast for me), a 5, a 4, and another 3. Woohoo! The only problems I'm having are that I ate WAY too much at my mom's house (doesn't that always happen?) and I think I may have pulled a muscle or something in my left butt cheek. I know that's too much info, maybe, but ouchie -- it really hurts today! I don't know what's going on. Definitely not running tomorrow, but I'll see how it feels when I run again on Monday.

I can't flippin believe I can run 8 miles without stopping! Took me a little over an hour and a half, doing 12-minute miles, but still -- I was actually somewhat comfortable throughout. It was a flat surface the whole way, so that helped. My legs DID hurt a bit -- or they were tired, I should say -- but my breathing was always pretty comfortable. I'm determined to stay on my training schedule for my 1/2 marathon -- I hope this icky little pain goes away soon!!

Well, not much running go on for me, but I AM running, working my way back to my previous mileage. I did a little bit over a mile tonight in 12:37, so not too bad, that's actually pretty fast for me. My problem is not so much the heat, but I think the humidity is what is killing my breathing. I feel like I am breathing worse than I was back in January when I couldn't run a quarter mile, and it's driving me crazy. I'm hoping to get back up to 3 miles again in another week or two. Everyone please hunt me down and kick me in the butt if I try to get in a slump again, okay? I'm paying for it now.

Dee

I did my 10k in about 49:53, which was slower than I have been racing that distance, but still under 50 minutes so I can't complain. It was very crowded, and I couldn't get into my stride for the first 3k or so - the last 7k were much closer to the splits I was hoping to run, so all is not lost. Also, I wasn't targetting the race for a good time anyway, so I'm happy that my "slow" 10ks are now under 50 minutes, this time last year anything under 60 was still an achievement - and the year before that running 10k was a distant dream! I actually cycled to and from the race too, which used up a bit of energy I might had saved had I been serious about the race. Now I just need to add the swim (and with the weather out there now, if I were to go outside I might be able to manage it - fortunately it only started raining torrentially after the race, and after the cycle home).

Lisa, sometimes I find massage really helps with the random muscle kinks that running brings up. Congrats on your 8 miles--that is just such an accomplishment.

Dee, keep going!

Helen, congrats on your 'slow' 10K.

Back to the couch. I'm rolling in nausea today.

Anne

Ugh Anne...I hate "morning sickness"

16 miserable miles today. (OK Lisa you thought butt pull was TMI...:o) I had to poo from mile 7 to mile 13 when I finally found a suitable location. I kept rejecting foliage because of raspberry stickers and poison oak. Not a happy girl today. thats what I get for going back to sleep after feeding ds because I was too early to meet my running buddy. Should have eaten and THEN gone back to sleep.

Any advice for post run charley horses? I keep getting them after long runs (oddly did not after the race)

I've just got the official results through, and they're not too bad. On chip time, I was 641/6076, and 84/1998 in my age/gender category (which is based on gun time).

Anne - hope the nausea goes away for you!

Top 5%? Wow. Good for you.

Hi everyone. I'm so happy I found this thread. I just completed the first week of the c25k program and I LOVE it. And on fridays I'm making it a tradition to finish out my week on the trail by the canal by my house. It's a gorgeous way to end the week.

Can't wait to get started on week #2 :)

This week wasn't too much of a challenge so I can't wait until it gets progressively more challenging....until I can handle running 30 minutes and maybe actually enjoy it. Can't wait.

But for now, I'm easing into it gradually.

I'm glad you're enjoying it :)

I've just bought another pair of running shoes. When they arrive I will have three identical pairs floating round the house in various stages of decay, plus one pair of the previous version which is only slightly different. I really must write numbers on them so I know which is which. But they were cheap online and I couldn't resist. I know they work for me, and did I mention they were cheap?...

Helen - i am the same way, it is a long drive for me to the good running store so I usually buy 2. Although I try to alternate brands because it helps my foot issue. I try to track mileage on them, but sometimes if I dont log my workout that day I cant remember.

Dee, I know what you mean about humidity -- it's not very hot yet this morning but it's like thick soup out there. Ugh!

Helen, great job on your 10k, you speedy girl!

Anne, I'm sorry about the nausea, and I hope it goes away soon!

ennay, I'm not worried about giving too much information anymore after that! Heehee! I have wondered what I would do on a long run if something like that happens. There's really nowhere to stop on my regular route, that's for sure! I'm sorry you had to suffer through it a few miles. But wow -- 16 miles! You're amazing! Tell me, what do you do for water on a long run like that? I've been thinking, now that my runs are getting longer, if I should get some kind of camelbak thingie or something I can carry water in, so I'm looking for suggestions.

glitterlicious, I'm glad you're enjoying the C25K program -- stick with it and you'll be as hooked as the rest of us!

This morning I did an utterly miserable 3 miles. I have to get used to the hills on my regular route, after doing flat runs all last week. These hills aren't steep at all but they're quite long so I feel like I'm going uphill for ages. I'm also a bit sick, and the air is humid and thick, so I could barely squeeze out three slow miles. Wish me luck for the 6 I have planned for tomorrow!!

Morning!

I ran the start of week three of C25K on Friday, so instead of waiting until Monday to continue, I did another day yesterday; I'll do Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday this week, which I figure should ease me into week four nicely... I do seem to need a little longer on the weeks, but it builds my confidence (and stamina!) so I'm happy with it :)

Today I am going to begin adding some weight training for my 'non-running' days, so I am quite looking forward to that!

I had the world's silliest NSV yesterday - my hubby came running with me (still not entirely sure how I feel about him coming with me - it is kind of 'my time', but it is also nice to do something together...) and he couldn't run the whole of the programme... and I just kept going! Now, you'd have to know that hubby is quite slim and fit, always has been, and I have always struggled to keep up with him at EVERYTHING... so, I came home with a quite little smile in my mind. I know I shouldn't look at it as 'Hahaha - look at me - I can run now... and you CAN'T!' :lol3: since that is absolutely NOT the case. BUT - wow! did I ever feel good about what I am doing for myself! :D

Have a great day everyone - it is wonderful to read how FAR you can all run and think that maybe I will, one day, too!

Heather :D

Lisa - I have a camelbak...mine is a waist pak, no shoulder straps. The 2 best ways to carry are either the camelbak or the belt that holds 4 little flasks.

The camelbak holds more and is easy to drink from on the move. But it is harder to clean and the nice thing about the flasks is you can fill 2 with H20 and 2 with gatorade if you choose.

My camelbak is nice though because it has 2 little pockets - one for new gu, one for the oozy gu wrapper remains and a mesh easy access thing (where I carry my mace) and a flat inner pocket (where I carry emergency wet wipes in a zip--had I found suitable foliage)

Truthfully in hundreds of miles of running, this is only twice that I was on the absolutely desperate side and had to go mid long run. I usually eat early enough to get that out of the way before I leave.

heather - that is a GREAT NSV. Its not really about beating them, its if you have always seen them as fit, you are comparing yourself to a standard and realizing you are improving.

I've finally found a workout that tires me out! I cycled to work (5 miles), swam for an hour then went to work. Then at the end of the day I cycled 2 and a bit miles to running club, ran 6.3 miles and cycled 4.5 miles home. I normally swim and run on the same day, but I decided to see whether cycling would be a better way of getting between all the different places I wanted to be. It actually worked really well because there was so much rain during the day that the entire city centre was gridlocked, other than bikes weaving through the traffic. The rain had stopped by the time I set out from work, but the after effects were still making themselves known.

If I feel OK in the morning I might try some speedwork on the treadmill. I'm doing a 5k on Sunday and although I know that I'm not going to be able to make myself hugely faster in 6 days, I'm getting quite competitive about it because a load of people from work are doing it, and I want to remind my legs how to run fast!

But for now I'm just going to go to sleep ;)

I did 30 minutes of treadmill intervals in the end. I managed to get the treadmill going a lot faster than I ever have before - I even managed 2 minutes at 15 kph without falling off the back :faint:

I'm heading out to start week #2 today. Should be a nice day for it even though it already is starting to feel humid out. Can't wait!

Hi Glitterlicious (great name!)

Hope your start to week two went well - I found week two REALLY hard, but extended it. In many ways, week three has been easier.

I've actually decided to tweak the programme so that I am doing five days of each week - I just find this easier for building my stamina and strength - but no doubt you are fitter than I am!

Isn't it AWESOME? :lol:

Heather :D

Heather and Glitter, I'm so glad you're enjoying your first weeks of running. You'll love when it gets easier and you can have nice, comfortable runs. Believe it or not, they're coming!

My run this morning was so NOT comfortable, though! I did 6 slow, painful miles, and I'm actually really glad it's over with!

Nice run this morning - I have a nice 7 mile loop around town (yes that is around the WHOLE town...its a small town) Its 2.5 miles to a stoplight where I generally have to wait 2-3 minutes to get across, and then ~2 flat to another place where I have traffic and also start going up hill rather steeply. So I did 2.5 warmup, the 2 tempo then just ran home, I always run the last part kind of fast after doing a tempo.

I think I've just been signed up for my fourth marathon. Two weeks after my third. This could be interesting... (I know it's not really enough time to recover, but the second of the two will be a lot slower than the first, so hopefully it should be OK, and at least now I know what to expect and am going into it with my eyes open).

Originally Posted by HeatherAngel:
Hi Glitterlicious (great name!)

Hope your start to week two went well - I found week two REALLY hard, but extended it. In many ways, week three has been easier.

I've actually decided to tweak the programme so that I am doing five days of each week - I just find this easier for building my stamina and strength - but no doubt you are fitter than I am!

Isn't it AWESOME? :lol:

Heather :D

It is most definetly awesome. :)

The second week definetly is much more difficult. I don't know whether it was the step up or the heat that did it, but I was really working up a sweat. But I felt so great afterwards.

week #2 workout #2 completed.

I feel AWESOME.:)

Wow, Glitterlicious, you are really going, girl!

I absolutely HAVE to take a day off in between (but I have added strength training those days) - I can't yet imagine running every day... but I'll get there... maybe... :lol:

Heather :D

Hi runners! Well, I've returned home from vacation and I'm happy to report that I kept up with my C25K training for both weeks I was away! I'm so glad I did that for myself. I feel much better for it and I don't have to start over or go backwards at all now that I'm home. I'm on week 5 and I'll be doing day 2 tomorrow. :)

Well done for keeping it up!

I did 9 miles this evening with running club. It was actually a really nice evening for the first time in ages, although it was still muddy. I'm kind of glad that I decided to walk up there rather than running it though, that would have been another 3 miles on top.

My 5k at the weekend has been cancelled because of flooding, so I might get a long run in instead. I'm marathon training again, after all!

Hello everyone,

Today was my first real slacker day. It went like this. I got on the treadmill (its HOT outside) and started running and it said I was going 8 miles per hour. I knew it was just wrong but I tried to tweak it and it just stayed that way. After the first "mile" I tweaked some more and the little display went back to under 5mph so there you go. I ran another mile and then just gave up but I ran yesterday and will tomorrow so a little slack is not too bad.

Had a great nsv the other day. Went out on a "run" with my son. He is 9 and he can keep up ok. He kind of runs with me when he wants to and walks when he doesn't.

Anyhow we are nearing the end of the road and he starts to sprint. So I sprint too, we race and.....It was a tie!

Now he is a pretty fast 9 year old so this is good. I used to run around the bases with him as a game when he was little and he could out run me by 2 (I didn't try that hard of course but he sure is a speedy guy).

Anyhow I am glad I can still kind of keep up with him. In a few years he will leave me in the dust of course but that's OK.

Hi coolrunners! Glad to see everyone is logging those miles. It's been really humid in Chicago this week, so running has been tough - I get so sweaty and sometimes feel like I can't breath because the air is so thick. But, still plugging away, and we're supposed to get a nice break in the humidity tomorrow.

And - I have to share that I have a new motivator to keep running. My treat to myself for running in a half marathon was to buy myself a new running skirt. Most of my running clothes were purchased more for the price point than the fashion (although - plug for Target - their C9 line manages to combine both quite nicely). So, I bought myself a new running skirt from Brooks that was definitely a bit pricier than most of my running clothes. But, I gotta say, I feel so girly and feminine when I wear it, it just makes me feel good! Anyone else have the same experience with a piece of clothing?