I'd say ask the neighbor. I know as a swimmer, I offered to to slow down and swim laps with a girl who needed to pass the 500 yd swim for her lifeguarding exam. It was rewarding to swim it again just to help her out and I barely knew her at the time. I bet your neighbor would feel the same way.

Hey guys, long time no talk! I've been out of town (still am) AND both my work and home computers died at the same time on Thursday. So I'm taking this opportunity at the hotel to check in since I don't know when I'll be able to get back online.

I ran 3 miles before heading out of town on Thursday but I haven't run since. I've been hiking the gorges here, though, and it's quite beautiful. Does a number on your hamstrings too! I'm in the Finger Lakes region of New York for a short little weekend vacation, and I'm heading back home today.

Sounds like everyone's keeping up with their runs! Helen, I hope you feel better soon and take care of those aches and pains!

I ran 3.2 miles this morning in about 43 minutes. Still very slow. Does that pace just gradually pick up as I get used to running further???

My plan is to run 30 minutes in a row, THEN try to get my three miles into that time frame. For me, I know that only have a certain amount of time that I can exercise each day. My dad is a track coach and this was his suggestion. He said that if you have a goal, like a 10-minute mile, make sure you can do the time needed, then work on speed.

HTH

That's an interesting idea Tee - hadn't thought of that, and certainly if you're sticking to a time restriction, that makes sense!

Tricia - I am having a love affair with my treadmill - I can choose the speed, so that keeps my time in check. At the moment I am running at 5.2mph, so I am doing 3 miles in about 34.5 minutes... at least that's what I did on Sunday! And it was funny, because when I started, it felt slow, but by the end, it was the right speed!!

My goal is to get up to 6mph, and keep adding to my distance... not sure in which order I'll do that though. Might forget the speed for a while (a LONG while! ) and go for extending the run time and distance

Heather

Tricia – Congrats on your graduation! Sky’s the limit now, good luck training for your first “official” 5k.

All the other new runners – sounds like you’re doing great – keep it up!

Helen – Hope your running mojo is back.

ennay – Enjoyed reading about your literal errand running. I’m too sweaty when I’m running to show myself in public establishments, otherwise it sounds like a very efficient thing to do!

onthetee – I think asking your neighbor is a great idea! Sometimes a little support is all you need to get past a block. You can do it, you will get there!

Didn’t make it out over the weekend at all, just way too much going on! Was too hot by the time I got home last night so I got up early this morning to run.

I don’t think I’ll be taking my dog to the conservatory anymore, one of the coyotes decided to ask us to leave this morning! Believe me, I did not argue. I walked calmly as I could in the opposite direction, after he was out of sight I started running again and took the nearest exit out of the park. Looked behind me and there’s the coyote crossing the street into someone’s yard, look back about 4 blocks later, still trailing us, but at a respectful distance. As soon as I crossed the street that boarders the conservatory he was gone. I have a feeling he was just escorting us off his property. Guess I’ll have to stick to road runs for my early mornings out with the dog, save the trails for longer runs on my own on the weekend.

thank you everyone for your encouragement, I think the mojo might be coming back. I haven't actually run yet, but I played netball this evening and didn't have any pain so I might be ready to go back to running club tomorrow. The only problem is that I don't have a car at the moment (well, I do, but it doesn't work), so I'll have to cycle there. That bit isn't the problem, it's the 4 mile ride back uphill after the run that I struggle with! I'll see how I feel tomorrow before deciding whether to run or not, but I'm feeling a lot more positive about the possibility now.

Two miles again this morning. I'm still getting back in the groove, and did two walk breaks, both on uphill sections, but it was way better than my last couple of runs went. I also didn't want to go (!) but dragged my backside out there.

Helen, I'm thinking positive for you.

Shenanigans, I find my dogs attract wildlife too. I actually prefer to run without them, although they are both too old now for it really to be an issue any more.

Tricia, I found my pace picks up over time, but I sort of plateau after a while. Then I have to do speedwork if I want to pick it up. If I take a layoff for any length of time, I have to start over. onthetee, I think the constant time thing is a good plan. Hi Heather, Lisa and cakses. Hi everybody else (apologizing for being too lazy to go back a page!).

Anne

I need a little advice from my running buddies. I had mentally decided to work up to a marathon next year, since registration for the Chicago marathon this fall is already closed. Well, someome put a little idea in my head that I should go somewhere else where there are still open slots for a marathon. So, I started poking around on the web, and discovered that the Portland Marathon in October is still open. I have some good friends in Portland, so could stay with them for the weekend and do the marathon on Sunday.

The only thing is, I'm feeling unsure about the distance still. I am running some fairly decent distances these days, up to 16 miles for a long run, and am averaging 35 miles a week. But, 16 miles is still 10 miles short of a marathon. Do you think two months is enough time to get me where I need to be for a full marathon? Part of me really wants to do it, part of me is a little freaked out at the idea. I am also planning on doing a half marathon in September, about a month before the full marathon.

Any words of advice???

Rachel -- I have no wise words for your question but I just wanted to comment on your pics... OMG you look amazing!!!

Rachel, for a first time marathon, you'd probably want to build up to a long run of about 20 miles, and since you are already at 16, you can build up to 20 in about 3 weeks to a month. That leaves time for a 2-3 week taper, so, yeah, I think you can do it. The question is are you mentally ready, because I think the marathon is about half mental. If you are ready to do this for yourself and go out and have a good experience, then great, go. If you are doing this on someone else's schedule, then you might want to wait. You sound excited about the possibility though!

My marathon was done on a good 16 mile long run and an 18 miler that I totally bonked on (bear in mind I was doing a LOT of cycling at the time which was also a big aerobic help). Not that it wasn't painful, but it was a good race.

Wow, Rachel - I'm so impressed that you're thinking about it that I have nothing helpful to say - I'm so new to running, and can't even imagine doing a marathon! - except WOWEE!! Let us know what you do decide

Heather

I'm doing portland!!!! Come join me!

You are on pace to train for a full if you feel up to ramping it up. I'm not running that much farther than you and the only reason I am doing more now is I have Hood to coast 6 weeks before the marathon so I will be scaling back for a bit

If you did 16 you are right on pace...you only build to 20 in most programs.

I'm back. I made it back to running club tonight, I didn't intend to run particularly far or long, and started off with the slow group (the whole of the middle group seemed to have gone awol and I wasn't going with the fast lads), but ended up doing almsot dot on 6 miles at 8:30 pace which I was really pleased with - particularly because I've been cycling everywhere this week which sometimes tires me out, and I haven't done a proper run for about 10 days. Fingers crossed I'll be OK to get a long run in at the weekend, I've got a bit of confidence back now at least.