Jo - I'm killing myself giggling about pelican poops! I'm so glad you share these stories with us. :D

Cakses - WTG on getting back into running! I'm fully of the opinion that the first few weeks are the hardest part so go you! :carrot:

Pink - I've done a little bit of trail running but I haven't focused on it too much. Some of my long runs have had a fairly good chunk (7-10K) of trail and I've always enjoyed it. There's something about getting off the concrete and into the trees that's very refreshing!

So in my news...I ran my half-marathon today!!! :hyper: My goal was to come in somewhere between 2:15 and 2:30, and I finished at 2:20:07. Yeehaw!

I started out feeling really great and the lack of any ouch in my legs and knee made me really appreciate the 11-day taper. It's been a long time since I've done a run that hasn't hurt. I think I ran on adrenaline for the first 10K then my energy dipped a bit between the 12-15K mark. With the help of my shot blocks and my running buddy's pep talks, I pushed through and we picked up our pace at the 17K mark. The last 3K were harsh and I kept telling myself "Only 3 more...Only 2 more...Only 1 more". We made it to the home stretch and as we rounded the last block I picked up to a sprint and my friend and I dashed full out across the finish line.

It was a really fantastic run. Nothing on my body hurt and I was able to run based on my energy level and my breathing. I really felt like I gave it my all and although I didn't beat my time from 6 years ago (2:14) this finish time for where my body is right now is fantastic. And not beating my old time just gives me a really good excuse to run another half! ;)

Tonight, my running buddy is having a going away party (she's moving to China later this week) and I'm looking forward to a good celebration with just a wee bit of alcohol. :D

Oh, and here's a pic of me and my friend at the finish line (I'm on the right!):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...cture026-1.jpg

Congrats!

Congratulations, Kim! You know how proud I am of you. It's not about the time, though. I was proud of you before you ever set foot on the track.

Tyler Durden: A little pelican poop DOES go a long way. 6.05 miles, if I read it right.

I got jealous of Kim's running so much that I decided to go for a 9k run. It was nice. It took me past the old condo and the trail I used to take to work on the bike.

Kim, how incredible! I can't even imagine how great you must be feeling! Congratulations on your race. Enjoy your friend's going away party.

Josephine, sorry about that darn bird getting you. I had a bird keep diving at my head the other day. It was really funny and annoying at the same time.

hadaad, one day I'll be able to run a 9K. I'm glad you had a nice run.

CONGRATULATIONS KIM!!!!! :bravo:

It sounds like you had a wonderful race! When I think of all the training you've put it, you certainly DESERVED to have a great race. Have you added up how many miles you ran in total preparing for this race? That will be an impressive number!

The picture is great, you look FABULOUS and so HAPPY! I'm so thrilled for you!

WAY TO GO!

Kim - YAY!!! :cp::bravo::hat:

Lovely picture and is sounds like a fabulous run. The celebration later in the day was more than well deserved. Although, can you please tell me how you manage to run a half-marathon with nary a bead of sweat on you? There is a 5K and a 10K run in my town in October but I don't think I can run in public - I look like I fell into a pool when I am done.

I hanging my head in shame - the last time I ran was Friday of last week. I was scheduled to run on Sunday morning, but I was visiting a friend (out of town) on Saturday evening and got home past midnight, and then watched TV for about an hour - I need some downtime before going to bed. I woke up at 10 am !!!!! so not only I did not do the treadmill (I was thinking maybe later) but I also missed my half hour core class. Grr. Although I have to say I did some gardening - almost 5 hours.
I thought I would run this morning but one of my dogs is very ill so I kept her in my bed and I kept waking up every time she moved (thinking she may need to go out) and when 5:30 came, I was a total zombie.
Don't know if I can run tonight but I will run tomorrow morning for sure.
I will think of victorious, sweat-free Kim for an inspiration. :D

Tomato - The picture is very deceiving! I actually had sweat soaking the armpits of my shirt before I even crossed the start line. It was a really hot day (it was 22C/71F by the time I finished but went up to 32C/90F by later in the afternoon!) and the race organizers put out a bunch of extra water stations to help us cope. I took to drinking one cup and dumping one cup over my head at each station. So yeah, I was good and sweaty and occasionally soaked with water too!

I have a question for the "seasoned runners" (and anyone else who might know the answer:D). I started doing HIIT several weeks ago. I am running on a track to do it. Today, I noticed that there was a different sound when my left foot hit than when my right foot hit. Paying closer attention, I noticed that the left foot was hitting a lot harder, then I noticed that while my right foot was hitting in a heel to toe manner, my left foot was hitting almost completely flat. I also do this when I walk, but it's not as noticeable because I don't make as much noise when I walk. Has anyone else experienced this? Do you have any suggestions to remedy this problem? Thanks in advance.
Michelle

I am feeling somewhat better today as I got on the treadmill this morning. It was getting humid and hot yesterday so I did not even want to think about running (but I did a good job cleaning the kitchen and even washed the window). We got a bit of a storm last night - YAY to that and it is much cooler today although it won't last long.

I felt I need to step it up after skipping one run so I actually ran 4 miles for the first time today. Although the speed is nothing to write home about - it took me almost 51 minutes to cover 4.05 miles. Oh well, that's alright, I am of the snail species. :-)

150reasons - sorry, I don't know the answer to your question.

Hi Ladies
well yesterday I ran 6 minutes!!!! I did 6min run/3min walk!! for about 30mins and then walked fast the rest of the time getting to 2.5miles!!
I am so happy, I cannot beleive I have progressed from where I could not run more than 2 minutes!!
I have a major issue with boredom, so I am fianlly getting a TV for the rommwhere my treadmill is! that should help me to stop looking on the watch and go for longer on the runs!
I actually experienced the groove you get when you just feel like your body is wokring together and not dying!!
KimProbable Congrats on the Marathon! wow, you look good, I think I would have died!! you make it sound fun!

Parveen, great job!!! :cp:

I don't know the answer to your question but I have some advice. It seems like this could get to be a problem if you're going to start doing long-distance running, so I would, if I were you, talk to a running coach. In Edmonton, we have stores called The Running Room where they help fit you for shoes by watching your stride. The one who helped me with my shoes was also my wife's Clinic instructor for the half-marathon. I'm sure that someone like that could help you with your stride as well, or at least tell you if you risk doing damage to your knee or legs by landing flat-footed.

As far as home-brewed suggestions, all I can think of is to try to pull your toes up and make sure you land on your heel. Try it for a bit and see if it helps. Maybe try unbending your leg a little bit more,too, since that would point your heel to the ground a little more as well, but make sure you don't lock your knee. I could be full of it, but if you want a heel-to-toe stride, those are things that I would try.

MY UPDATE: Well, last week was really good. I got lots of runs in, including a 9km run on Sunday, but work has seriously interfered with my ability to get out. I've been glued to the computer running performance tests and I haven't gotten out.

Thanks, Hadaad! I really just want to be balanced, in more ways than one;) I found out I have some issues in my hips as well, which may be contributing. I have been working to really pull the left toe up, which has resulted in a really sore left shin, which has resulted in me having to go easy on the running:( I would definitely rather slow down than have an injury stop me, but it's frustrating to just get going and already have to slow down.

Parveen, Great Job on your run!

I ran 3 miles tonight in a little over 32 minutes. I pretty happy with that. If I can do that for my 5K I should be okay?

With the days getting shorter it is really hard for me to get my runs in. I work at 6:30AM so I normally run before work. It is still dark out at 5:30 so I can't go before work anymore. I have my kiddos during the day, no run for me then. My Dh doesn't get home until after 6PM. We have dinner @6:25ish, clean up, let my tummy settle and then I get out close to 8PM to run. It's getting dark as I finish my run. I really am going to miss my AM runs. :(

I did a 5.51 mile run this morning and a 4.01 mile run yesterday midday where I threw in lots of sprint repeats on the football field again (yippee!). Finally I got out of the house, Tropical Fay has had me homebound for days, going crazy.


150reasons -- I agree with Hadaad that it might be good idea to get your gait analyzed. I am not a heel striker, I strike much more in the midfoot area. Lots of information about heel striking versus midfoot striking available online, but it seems that there are proponents for both styles. For all I know I'm a very loud runner! :)

Lene -- you're looking GREAT for your 5k! I do almost all my runs in the dark, I actually prefer it. When I was working I used to go around 4:30 am. Now I usually go around 5:30 am. If I miss the morning I'll usually wait until after sunset to go. My midday run yesterday was a rarity, but I was afraid there wouldn't be another break in the tropical storm so I went as soon as the radar showed a brief break in the weather!

Parveen -- GREAT JOB! I bet a TV will REALLY help you start stretching out the distance. I rarely run on a treadmill, but when I do I HAVE to have a tv going!