Early this summer I was running daily and increasing my distance and trying my hardest to get faster - even doing "speed laps" at the track to try to train myself to run at a faster pace. Nothing worked. I ran the same pace whether I did 3 miles or 10 miles (like, to the second NO MATTER WHAT). It was really frustrating.

Then I took a break for 2 months (moved to Manhattan and started working), and I thought I'd be worse. But I started running on a once every 3 days schedule, did the elliptical one of the other two days, and swam the other day. I was running much shorter distances than I ever had (usually 3 miles max, where I used to run 6-8 daily), but I signed up for a 5 mile race figuring it would be a good challenge and still doable. To my surprise, I beat my old 5 mile race times by 5 minutes, or a full minute off my pace! I was thrilled, and when I mentioned it to someone, they said cross-training was amazing, and also that the breathing in swimming helps with running.

Good luck!

I just started doing Couch to 5K and have found that I think (MUCH TO MY SURPRISE!!) that I actually might like running???? I'm only on the second workout, and the first one was WAY difficult to get trhough becaues I just kept thinking "I HAAAAAAAATE RUNNINGGGGGGG!!!!!!" but the second one today was more enjoyable. It's still difficult, but hey, what isn't????

And I was ALWAYS one of those people who would avoid running at all costs. Weird, huh?

I was always one of those people too, and now I've completed a half marathon and am preparing to do a full one next year. Plus, I'm a running coach! I guess I never actually gave running a chance before because I assumed I would hate it. I wish I'd started a long time ago! I'm glad you're here -- welcome!!

I ran 11 miles yesterday and took it nice and slow. I ran the first 4 with my sister-in-law, then she left and I finished the other 7. Felt nice, though my legs were a bit tired. These long Sunday runs are nice but they do take a big chunk of time out of my day!

Aaarrrggghhh.

We did a 4.5 mile hill session at running club tonight. It was haaard. I'm sure it will be good for me, but by the 12th rep I was really wishing they'd go easy on us!

I've made an amazing discovery! Well, probably everyone else has known it since the beginning of time, but it's a new discovery to me.

Since I stepped off the treadmill and started doing my 3.25 mile runs outside with my dog, I've been unable to run the entire distance without stopping to walk. (It's my lungs, not my legs: I'm a really heavy smoker). Anyway, it occurred to me the other day that I should force myself to run SLOWER. Today I did my run as slowly as I possibly could (more like trudging, re the other discussion) and I was able to run for much longer without stopping to walk. Hooray! I feel like I've had a kind of revelation. If I keep up this slow running, I should be able to run the whole distance without a break very soon, and then I really would be pleased. The slowest runner on earth, of course, but at least able to run for a full 30 minutes.

I also need to quit smoking or I'm never going to improve at this running lark. I need actual working lungs.

I ran 3.2 miles today. It felt really good. I'm totally off my training schedule for my 10k in February and I just found out that I have to work a 12 hour shift on the day I planned to do my "long run" so, I will have to rearrange my schedule a bit.

Baffled, good for you for slowing down! I've foudn it does wonders for me. I have to make myself slow down the first half mile because I usually start out almost sprinting. I have to tell myself that I won't last the entire time if I keep that up. Good luck with the quitting smoking. It's tough, but I know you can do it...you lost quite a bit of weight and that takes the same determination.

Baffled, that's a wonderful discovery I wish everyone would make! I think a lot of people who think they HATE running could realize that it's fun if they would just s l o w d o w n. The ironic thing is that when you slow down and build up some mileage, you get faster without even trying to.

Speaking of that, I ran 4 miles tonight and didn't intend to go under 10-minute miles, but ended up running an average pace of 9:17. My shorter runs (under 10) are much faster than they used to be, but my long runs are usually sloooooow.

Hello everyone,
I just realized I have been posting my time in Run/Walk Challenge thread but not really talking about how I've been doing with C25K in this thread. Well I am on Week 3 currently. I just completed Week 3, Day 1. I was really worried about running 3 minutes straight. But everyone was right, the 3 minutes was definitely doable. I like the progression each week. Each week is a little bit more challenging but not so much so that you want to quit. I'm saying that now but lets see what I say Week 5 when you have to run for 20 minutes straight on Day 3. Well I will be able to complete this week and move on to Week 4 based on today. I was worried about doing C25K in general. We all know what you want to do and what you can do are two different things. I am really happy with where I am currently.

Me again

Leeda, Baffled, Midwife--Slow is definitely the way for me. A few years back when I was running with my trainer outdoors she took me out to see how long I could run. I ran the whole way, 3 miles, at a very slow pace. My goal is finishing first and maybe I will worry about the speed later. I'm doing the C25K on the treadmill and I've been upping my speed .1 each week. That has worked for me. I will adjust it along the way as I need to.

Slow chicks rock!!! That's what I'll be telling myself during my 5 K tomorrow. I'm running it with DD, who averages 6-7 minute miles. I guess I'll see the back of her for about 5 seconds! :-) My goal is to finish, and I know I can do that. I would like to not be last, but if I am, oh well! Someone has to be!

My legs felt like molasses on my run this morning. I hope they have more perk and energy tomorrow.

Hey, running ladies!

I have not been around for a while. 3FC was taking up large chunks of my life, especially since I am doing the TBL challenge. I have checked on you now and then, but resisted posting and did not get email notifications for this thread.

But I have news. I am doing my my first race. I am so excited. I am going to run the short course because I am not ready for 4.5 miles, and I really want success in my first outing. 2.6 is no problem.

That is not to say that there will not be problems.....parking is going to be a nightmare. Packet pick up today was insane. I will probably have to walk a mile to and from my car. Good warm-up, right?? Nice cool down? It is only supposed to be about 37 degrees with snow at the starting line.

The shirts we got?? Extra awesome. Very nice.

I will be thinking of all the help and inspiration that I have gotten here as I trek through the course.

Now....for all you speed demons.....

Going from treadmill, and my nice 5.4 MPH to the outside world....I did the same thing. I had some really bad runs and realized that I was setting records (personal, not world )at the first half mile. The biggest issue was my playlist. When I was listening to a book or news show on the iPod, I did well. When I listened to some rockin' tunes, I was exhausting myself.

Once I remember that I am an old woman who has no need to prove anything to anyone but me. And my only goal is to finish any outing without vomiting. Better living through lowered expectations.

Shay, I'm glad you're enjoying the C25K program -- keep it up!

midwife, how was your 5K?

onthetee, good luck in your first race! How exciting!!

I had a nice 3.1 mile run with my brother today. It was so cool to be able to run with him. He's not the most athletic person in the world, but he's always been FAR more athletic than I am, and today I even had to slow my pace a little to stay with him (he pretty much always runs at a 10:00 pace no matter what). It was a gorgeous run on a flat, wide trail in the woods and we got to run around a beautiful lake. My husband was with us but of course he had to run ahead because he couldn't go that slow! But yeah, running with my brother is not something I ever would've imagined I could do, so it was pretty exciting. Now my secret goal is to beat him in the 10k we'll run together in April!! I don't think I've ever beat him at ANYthing!

Good luck onthetee!

I'm meant to be doing a 10k on sunday, but I'm not very inspired. I can still feel the marathons in my legs, and I've put on a bit of weight so feel a bit sluggish. I know it won't be near a PB, but it's the first proper 10k I did (can you believe it will be my 3rd time doing it?!) so I'd quite like to do it for that reason. I might see how I feel on Sunday, and what the weather's like before I decide. I've registered, but if I really don't feel like it it could do more harm psychologically to make myself run it and run badly, than it would to stay in bed.

I've had some mixed runs this week. I did a really good short speedwork session on the treadmill on Tuesday, trudged round the club run last night then did about 10 minutes on the treadmill this morning before the fire alarm went off! I then went for a run outside as I figured it would be better to keep moving than to stand outside in my shorts and t-shirt, but it wasn't really what I was planning to do. I'm running into work tomorrow, then taking Saturday off before the race. At the moment I seem to be running more often, but shorter runs, to keep my legs ticking over without doing too much on any one run.

OnTheTee, hope your race went well!! Give us a report tomorrow after all the festivities die down.

I did a 10K Turkey Trot this morning that went fantastically well - 52:04! That is a far better pace than any race I've ever done, even a 5K, and I'm especially thrilled because I had a few problems (lost my headband that covers my ears, about 10 mins before the race; felt a little queasy at the start; and my iPod case/strap broke about 1/2 mile in, leading to me fumbling around for a while to figure out what to do with my iPod). I'm SO proud of myself, and I definitely want to make this an annual tradition.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!