I did my run tonight, 2 minute walk, 2 minute run. It was actually a bit difficult mentally because I wasn't sure if I could run 2 minutes without stopping. I did it though!

good going nelie!

Oh I should also say that it was a 20 minute period of time last night. (Actually 23 but..) But the intervals were 2 minute walk/2 minute run. In 2 weeks, we switch to 3 minute run, 1 minute walk... after that we drop walking! EEk!!

Hi everyone. I neglect this forum, sorry. I have been trying to run 3 days a week on Mon/Wed/Fri and I swim on Tu/Th/Sat. I am having endurance issues this month though. I started strong and got 2 miles in, but I haven't been able to repeat that and am stuck at 1-1/5 miles. My swimming has taken off though and I am wondering why that isn't helping me with running. I know that swimming uses all my muscles but obviously in a different way but I figured it would help with strengthening my legs and would help my endurance. It's strange to me that my running is suffering. I am just trying to plug through it as well as I can though and hoping it's just a bump in the road. I would really like to be able to run for 45 minutes straight. For now, when I crap out, I walk on an incline so I am burning as many calories as I can. Anyone have any ideas? I have also started to lift (light) weights a few days a week for 20-30 minutes to help strengthen my body.

Even though swimming works muscles differently, it is still working them. It could be that you are experiencing a little residual fatigue that is impeding your performance a bit. I'd suggest slowing down a bit on your run. Either run at a slower pace that you can sustain longer, or incorporate structured walking breaks. (like: run 10 min / walk 1 min / repeat 4 times) You may feel that you're going backwards, but as your body adjusts to the increased demands, you will be able to work a little more on speed.

I'm actually a big fan of run/walking intervals. I did that for years and found that I could go WAY farther and longer that way ... and it doesn't slow you down all that much. Eventually, I found I got to the point where I could run continuously for extended periods, but that took quite a while.

Just a suggestion!

Hi cakses, I swim and run too and I've found that they compliment each other but the results from swimming don't necessarily show up right away in running and vice versa. I know when I started running I was surprised at how sore and tired my legs and really, my whole body got, after a pretty short run, though my cardio fitness from swimming meant that I wasn't gasping for breath. I just couldn't make my legs go any further. Took time for my body to adjust to running so that I could take advantage of my swimming fitness.

I can also tell in swimming now how much stronger my legs and lower body are - I get a lot more out of my kick esp. in butterfly and backstroke. I'm even thinking of trying a Masters meet now (still just thinking...we'll see!)

I think if you give it a chance you'll see a breakthrough. I agree with maybe slowing down and seeing if that will extend your distance. That tactic did help me a lot. My running kind of hovered around the same level for a while and then suddenly got better. I think I just had to adjust to the new demands? Keep going, you'll get there!

Race update - I did the women only 5K xcountry this weekend and it was a lot of fun. Beautiful cool day, sunny, the course was quite hilly with a little creek crossing and some steep rocky ground to cover plus a long hill into the finish, why, oh why??? Very fast group of ladies on this event and mostly in their 40's and 50's, it was really great to see. Although the girl who was 3rd over all was 10 years old and ran like the wind. I did 25:18 and was more than thrilled with that, as previous cross country runs have been more like 28 to 30 minutes and I was hoping to get into the 27's. I really think the other women pulled me along.

I really enjoy this format, more challenging than being on the road, but not as dangerous to the near-sighted balance-deprived as a trail run. Looking forward to next summer and finding more of them around here.

I decided to shake my routine up a little bit. I ran 1 mile then I did sprints, hills and grapevines. Thurs. I'll run my normal 3.2 but I just wanted a little change tonight.

Pink, you are just coming up with awesome times for your 5K's. Congrats on another great run!

Great job Nelie!

Does anyone know where Kimpossible is? My computer was sick last month and I haven't seen any posts from her during this month. I hope all is well Kim!

Thanks everyone for all the nice compliments and encouragement about my 5K's. I find this group really inspirational esp. since no one else I know runs and many think I've gone kind of nuts with this fitness thing, anyway (except my husband, but then he's also into this health and exercise life now, too, and that makes his opinion just as out there as mine). I appreciate the help.

This morning I ran 6.25 miles on a neighborhood park track, 1 mile around. Very peaceful as the sun came up! I am trying to make this distance 3x a week, with one session maybe a little bit longer. My first 10K is in 3 weeks and now I think I'll be ready for it.

Pink Geranium-good luck with ur 10k!

i jogged 2 miles on the bike path, on monday i had to stop a couple times cause i wasnt used to jogging on anything but a treadmill but today i didnt have to stop, also my path has a couple baby hills that i am also new too and boy it makes a difference lol

Jenguin and Tyler, belated thanks for the running advice. I will definitely try not to start off too fast. My Mum runs a slightly slower pace than me so I will start out running with her and then maybe speed up after a couple of miles.

Well done to everyone else, you all seem to be doing many and varied types of activity. I like swimming but my pace is rubbish. I think I should have a couple of lessons. It takes me about 40 mins to swim a mile.

cakses - I'm a big fan of run/walk intervals and/or just slowing down to build endurance. I've found that for me run/walk intervals worked better and actually made my per mile time faster.

Pink - I'm totally jealous of your 5K times! It's awesome that you are doing so well. I have a couple of friends that run, but most of my friends think I'm crazy too. They may be right, but it's probably not because I like running - lol.

Runner chicks that have marathoned or plan to marathon...

Do you use an 18 week training plan or the 30 week plan? (I'm asking after spending some time on Hal Higdon's site)

I want to do a may marathon in New Jersey. I want to preserve my joints so that the marathon is not my last running experience. I want it to be the first of more to be completed in my lifetime.

Thoughts, advice??

I just reread that ideally a marathoner, even a first timer should have been running for a year and should run occasional races (5k and 10k). This is not my situation. It is hard for me to get to real races b/c I am running with my kids- all over town. Also, while I have been an on and off runner, my recent stint has been since end march of 2008.
whadya think? too much for me?

kitty - what is your current running level? How many miles do you run on a regular basis? (per week?)

I went to my running class and I had the most horrible side stitch! It was horrible.

Well, Nelie, I'm trying to figure that out right now. I run anywhere from 15-25 miles per week. (this is for the last 4ish months)
My goals in training and completing a marathon are fitness and weight control as well as the pride of doing it.

Those side stiches are a real biatch. How did you handle it?

kitty - I think it is possible, but I wouldn't shoot for a time goal. I'd also consider signing up for a half marathon or 20K somewhere between now and May. If you're worried about preserving your joints you might want to consider Jeff Galloway's training plan, which incorporates planned walk breaks into both your training plan and your race. In one of his books he also lays out a training plan for either weight loss or weight control (I can't remember which).

Right now there's a weekly(?) first time marathoners thread on the beginners forum at runnersworld.com that has some good tips from people sometimes. You may want to check that out.

Side stitches are no fun. I read that it helps to push in where the stitch is with your fist. I've also read that exhaling while stepping down with the foot that is on the opposite side of the side stitch works. I've tried the first one and sometimes it helps. I'm not coordinated enough to get the second one down - lol.

kitty - if you are already running 15-25 miles per week, I think the 18 week plan would work for you. If you find it too much for some reason, you could always switch to the 30 week plan.

As for the side stitch, I slowed down my running a bit and tried to stretch it out. My coach said that I should firm the side of the stitch like preparing for a punch, then lean over to that side.

Kittycat -- when I did my (one and only) full marathon, I trained for approximately 6 months, loosely following a plan that was a hybrid of Hal Higdon and Jeff Galloway's beginner schedules. I had already been running for a couple of years and had done several shorter races, including 2 or 3 half marathons, before I decided to go for a full.

I don't think that doing other races is necessarily a pre-requisite for marathon training. The main thing that it gives you is race experience -- learning what it's like to participate in an actual event, which is very different from regular training. I think you could certainly go out and do a marathon as a first race, but doing others helps give you experience on pacing yourself, handling the crowds, fueling/hydrating, clothing, etc. It's an advantage, I think.

I think most anyone of reasonably good health can complete a marathon given sufficient motivation AND preparation. Training for and completing a marathon is a huge goal and a very rewarding and worthwhile one! But, 26.2 miles is a very, very long way. You have to respect the distance. As a relative beginner, it's hard to know yet how your body will respond to the series of progressively longer long-runs each week, and how much time that will demand from your schedule.

You are already running 20-25 miles per week, which is a good amount. But what is your long run distance ... that is the key to distance training. If your longest weekly run is 10 miles or so, then extending it by a mile every week or two isn't so bad. But if your longest run is 5 miles, then you've got a long way to go. And depending on your speed, those 15-20 mile long runs may take upwards of 3-4 hours. Also consider, when you're done with a 20 miler, frankly, you'll be pretty wiped out, which impacts what you can physically do the rest of that day. You have to make time for that in your schedule. And, I don't know where you are physically located, but also consider that you will be training over the winter. If outdoor weather conditions aren't favorable, do you have an indoor-running alternative for long distance runs? Your longest runs will occur in the Feb/March/April time frame.

Bottom line - what is your goal? If it is to finish a full marathon, then you just need to construct your training schedule based on your timeline, and decide if now is the time to go for it based on how you feel and ability to put in the training time. If your goal is fun, fitness, weight loss, and the incentive to step up your training ... then there are other race distances to consider that may offer the same benefits, like a half marathon or a 10K. Another option to consider is to start the marathon training schedule, with the half marathon as a fall-back, if the full distance turns out to be a bit too much.

I have to give the disclaimer that my favorite race distance is the half marathon. I found the marathon distance to just be a little too much, it got to be more like work than fun. I did it, and I work full time, am married with 2 school age boys, AND with a busy volunteer schedule (I was music director at my church at that time). I'm glad I did it, wouldn't change a thing, but I have no overwhelming desire to go out and do a full marathon again. So you have to take what I say with a grain of salt, because I do have a bias. ;)

But, I know others that do several marathons a year and love them! If you do decide to go for the full, I'd also recommend hooking up with some kind of training group (formal or informal) if at all possible. It really helps the long runs go faster when you've got a group to talk to, and they can help with training advice and moral support. Good luck!!

THX cool runners. I appreciate the advise.

I'll update with progress as usual ;)

Kitty -- how exciting! Someday I'd like to do a full, but I have to admit that every time I've started training for one the really, really long runs suck the joy out of running for me and I started to dread them. So I decided to give myself a couple of years of steady running with the half-mary as my long race distance and then try again.

I can't wait to hear how it goes, I bet you'll do great!

Thanks for the advice everyone. I started a new work schedule and have learned the hard way that I am going to have to schedule in my work outs and not assume I can do them while my kids are in their YMCA classes LOL.

Today is a run day. I have tried intervals and I lose all momentum when I stop running and walk. It's like I have zero endurance. I am going to try again today though and just push through it. We will see how far I get!

HEY JENGUIN and MIDWIFE:

HAVE A GREAT RACE!!! :)

Thanks Jo, I'm going to start training and see which direction (half or whole) I go. Or my knees go, for that matter ;)

Today I did 10 miles and felt pretty good. I set my alarm for 5:45a so I could leave early enough that I could be home to carpool to my 1st grader's school. In my concern for time, I fear I pounded a bit too hard and am looking forward, not, to some shin splints. love motrin. I brought the 3 little guys to preschool a little late so I could have a wonderful hot shower :)
Re: the weekly long runs, they have been anywhere from 7.5 to 12 so I'm going to increase them to a regular 10 plus and see how that goes. One of the reasons I want to schedule a big challenging race is so that I have some accountability in following thru with my scheduled work outs, not allowing myself get distracted.

Happy Friday cool runner chicks!

Slowed it down a bit and ran 2.8 miles. Would have done 3 but it was set on a program and my time ran out haha. Well at least I know I *can* do it! Will attempt another 2+ miler on Monday. Yay!

I did my training plan today (2 min walk, 2 min run for 20 minutes). My legs were a bit tired and one of my last run intervals was up a hill. Phew was I tired!! Tomorrow is 28 minutes of 2 min walk/run intervals. How am I going to survive?!

I ran my 3.2 miles Sunday perfect conditions and struggled through the entire flat run. Tonight it was dark, cold and very windy and I ran the 3.2 miles with hills and it was barely an effort. Funny how the body works.

I'm eager to hear how the racers did this past weekend.

26.2 miles - check!
 

So I had a great weekend! But fair warning - super long post ahead!

My mom, sister and sister's kids showed up on Saturday afternoon. My sister and kids went to visit a friend and my mom went with me, dh and kids to the marathon expo. The expo wasn't exceptionally huge, but it did have some cool stuff. Of note were the cowbells provided for cheering on runners - we grabbed several for my cheering squad - lol! My kids and mom also made some signs and grabbed a couple more to make at home from the Brooks running booth. Team Prevention was giving out bags that included inflatable slap sticks and we ended up with a couple of those as well. We wandered around to the other booths and checked everything out, picked up my packet and activated my chip. That night my sister and kids were back and my brother and his girlfriend joined us. My mom had offered to make a spaghetti dinner so I took her up on it! We had a good evening chatting and having dinner. Before I went to bed that night I set out all of my clothes, my race number and my timing chip next to the closet upstairs. Downstairs on the counter I set out my Garmin, my FuelBelt (packed with a keychain cross my dad made and a handkerchief that was my grandmother's as well as my energy gels) and a towel to hook onto my FuelBelt.

I woke up Sunday morning feeling pretty good. Amazingly I had gotten a decent night's sleep the night before. I grabbed yogurt, a banana and water for breakfast. I was wandering around a little, making sure I felt hydrated but not over-hydrated and getting ready to, ahem, clean out my system - lol. The plan was for my sister and her kids to meet my family later as she didn't think they'd be up in time for the start. As it turned out, everyone was awake so plans changed and everyone was going to go to the start together. My nephew was getting some breakfast at the breakfast bar counter and handed me my FuelBelt (I guess it was in his way - lol) so I took that and grabbed my bottle of water, towel and cell phone and set it in a different spot. I called my friend who was running the half to figure out what time we should meet and discuss where would be a good parking spot for her. We decided on meeting at 7:30ish by the port-a-johns.

After a couple of pictures and me running up and down the stairs for various reasons and my brief stop at the door where I said "I feel like I'm forgetting something" but we were already behind schedule. We headed out the door and were on our way to downtown Des Moines in a couple of cars. I called my friend and let her know I was a little behind but should be there close to 7:40. We made a slight change to the plans to meet at the baggage check. We get to the parking ramp and my family was really slow getting out of the cars while I impatiently asked "should I just go ahead?" I did end up taking the stairs while they took the elevator and they beat me downstairs anyway - lol! I found my friend and then my dh found us, took our picture and she and I headed off to the start. We moved towards the back, both because we're not super fast runners and we thought it would help us to not go out too fast. As soon as I had a second to think at the start I realized I forgot my Garmin!!!!!!!! I pulled my phone out of my belt and texted dh to tell him. There really wasn't anything he could do as the start was in less than 5 mins but he later told me he did think about trying to go get it for me so I could have my mile splits from mile 12 on as that was where they planned to see me first.

We heard a quartet sing the National Anthem and soon the runners were off! It was a little chilly to start, but it ended up being perfect weather for the marathon (high of around 65 degrees with pretty much no humidity and for the most part not a lot of wind). It took about 4 minutes to get to the start line. I ran with my friend until shortly before the mile 3 marker as that's where the half and full marathon courses split. While running with her we did catch up with the 5:15 hr pace group. I felt pretty good running and just kept going on my own. Miles 3-8 were slightly hilly, but also gorgeous. I had read that they were considered more than "rolling hills" but didn't think they felt too bad. Probably around mile 8 I caught up with the 5 hr pace group. It was just the pacer and a couple of other people. I asked them how close they were to being on pace and they let me know they were slightly ahead. I was excited as my main goal was to finish but my more secret desire was to finish in less than 5 hours. I decided to not get too excited as there were a lot of miles to go! One of the girls said "Join us" so I figured this would be a good way to stay on pace. I ran and chatted with them for awhile and found out the pace leader's name was Tom (which was my dad's name - and as some of you know, he passed away in August). It might be corny, but I took that as a sign my dad was there with me. I ran with the girl who invited me to join for awhile and asked her about her marathon experience (it was her 7th) and talked about getting to run around the Drake track during the course. At about mile 10 I heard someone screaming "Jen!! Go Jen!!" I turned and saw someone I recognized but couldn't place. He was on his cell phone and hollered "They said keep going!!" so I thought I'd figure out who was cheering for me later! We hit the 11 mile marker and I knew it was only about a 1/2 mile before I'd see my family and told the other runner they'd be waiting there. I then turned to look behind me and realized we couldn't see the 5 hr pacer any longer - lol. I rounded the corner into the track and my family was going crazy, screaming and ringing cowbells. It was super cool! I got to the side they were on and handed my jacket off to them. I attached a picture below - hopefully it works!I still felt really good at this point and later everyone told me they couldn't believe I was still smiling at that point! Shortly after the Drake track loop I the other runner was going at a faster pace than I thought I could keep up with so I wished her luck and she went on her way. I hit the 13.1 mile marker, which was one of the spots the chip was tracked and thought of my friend running the half, wondering if she was done. In our training runs she tends to be the faster runner (I found out later I was slightly ahead of her). I hit about mile 14 and saw my older daughter, her dad and his wife. It was super cool they were out there cheering for me! I then saw my family again around mile 15 and high fived the little ones. I attached a picture of that one too but I look a little cross-eyed! I didn't expect to see them that soon so I was really excited! Then at about mile 16 I saw my older daughter, her dad and his wife again. I told dd that I had high fived younger dd so it was her turn - she's a teenager so she rolled her eyes but then obliged. Off to a trail so there wasn't a ton of crowd support but the few people along the way were super supportive. At about mile 18-19 one woman was on a bicycle on a bridge above the trail cheering on runners. I hollered "thank you!" and she said "you're looking good - still smiling at mile [can't remember what mile]". I felt even better hearing that! Around that time I was kind of passing and being passed by a guy from Minneapolis who was cursing the hills and said he'd been hoping for a 4:30 finish. I got to the mile 21 water stop and it was the American Cancer Society water stop so I got a big boost there (I had raised $ in memory of my dad) and lots of cheering, hooting and hollering. Shortly after that, older dd, her dad and his wife were at that spot cheering and dd said "dad wants me to high five you again" - he was trying to document the moment in pictures. I haven't gotten the pics from him yet or I would share. She also told me my family was waiting at mile 23. At this point I was really chasing the 4:45 pacer, but my legs were starting to hurt quite a bit - I think those early hills were hitting me just then. I did a slight walk break but wanted to push to run so got back to running fairly quickly and caught up with two girls who said something that made me laugh and comment - I don't remember what it was though! I ran with and talked to them for a little bit, but ended up having to slow up a couple of times. I got to the 23 mile marker and realized I had to pee! I thought to myself that it's only 3 miles and I can make it that far! Shortly after that I saw my family. Younger dd was trying to take a picture and threw the camera (the digital one that was a gift to me this year!) on the ground! Luckily, she threw it in the grass and it is okay! I also saw my brother's girlfriend's face just bursting with pride (she's been one of my regular running partners lately as she's been trying to up her mileage) and I thought I might start crying. I got through it though and kept going, but slowed down considerably at that point. I ended up doing run/walk intervals, cursing the fact that I hadn't stopped at the last port-a-johns to relieve myself - lol! I also lost sight of the 4:45 pacer at this point. I got to the 25 mile marker and was sooo excited that I only had 1.2 miles left. Shortly after that, I saw an empty line of port-a-johns, looked at my cell phone and realized even if I stopped to pee I was still going to make it under 5 hours clock time. I still can't believe I stopped with only about a mile to go, but I couldn't stand it any longer! I finished my business and got back on the course quickly. Shortly before the 26 mile marker I saw older dd, her dad and his wife again cheering me on. I was excited but knew I needed to slow down until I hit that mile marker as I had promised myself the final .2 miles were for twin girls who were fighting a battle with cancer while my dad was (one of them lost her battle a week before my dad did and the other one is in remission and currently doing well) and I wanted to have it in me to run strong for those .2 miles. My daughter ran up to me and said "Run! You have to run!" I told her it was all part of my plan and got up to the 26 mile marker and started to run as fast as I could, which at that point really wasn't all that fast - lol! As I was running I heard my name from my left and looked and saw my friend who ran the half and her dd, then heard my name from the right and saw my family cheering me on! I felt on top of the world crossing that finish line and can't even explain what an amazing feeling of accomplishment I had! My family broke the rules and crossed through a little past the chute after I'd had my chip removed and received my medal to hug and congratulate me. My mom saw me and cried while hugging me. The same day would have been my parents' 40th wedding anniversary so it was a very emotional day for her all around, but she was so proud of me. It was very cool. My clock time was 4:58:17 and my chip time was 4:54:27, which worked out to about an 11:15 pace.

After talking to some people at the finish line I dragged my family over the ACS tent and they were very generous, letting the kids have cookies, snacks and drinks. There was also a massage therapist there so I took advantage of that and let her work on my legs. I'm also attaching a picture of me after the massage, which is probably within a half hour of having run the marathon. I think I look pretty good for having just gone 26.2 miles - what do you guys think? :carrot:

Ok, so if you made it this far, thanks for reading! If you have ever considered running a marathon I want to tell you that all the hard training miles were so worth it, and some of those training miles were very, very hard! But the ice bath after the marathon was ridiculously painful and cold - lol! I do think that helped me though. I work on the 7th floor and took the stairs this morning (although I did take the day off yesterday, but walked to the park and the grocery store with my 3-year-old). I feel a little sore today but have felt worse from a good weight lifting session. I'm so excited that I accomplished this goal!

Oh Jen, what a great story! I love that you took the time to give us the details. Under 5 hours is ridiculous and you look amazing after running 26.2 miles! I'm so sorry about your Dad but it sounds like he was with you all along your journey. Congratulations!:hug:

Jenguin-
I'm smiling as wide as you are in that last picture. Wow, so great. I can't even say which part was most wonderful... just all of it. Fabulous!!
Kitty

Jenguin, thanks for posting the blow-by-blow. It is inspiring!

Thanks so much for posting your race report. You clocked an AWESOME time !!!! Wear that medal with pride!

Congrats, Jen!! I enjoyed reading your story. What a great time you had for your marathon!

My half marathon was Sunday as well.

I worked at a booth on Saturday at our marathon registration to raise $$ for my dd's cross country team, so I was pretty busy and didn't have time to get too nervous. Most of my family had other obligations Sunday morning but my dd (whose team worked the finish line), my running partner and my sister in law drove down together Sunday morning. I must've peed 4 times in the hour before my race started and then when we were lining up, I felt like I needed to pee again.

My running partner ran the full marathon and that started before my race so my sister in law and I lined up for the half. She is a lot faster than I am so she took off and I just kind of hit my pace. I felt really good and at mile 1 I was at 10:36. It made me a little nervous cause I wasn't sure I could maintain that pace.

I never did practice drinking on my training runs which was foolish. I tried some water at mile 3 and almost puked, cause I didn't walk while I drank. So I just kept on keeping on. At mile 9 my time was 93 minutes, so I was keeping my pace pretty well. I did stop and walk a few steps a mile 10 to drink a couple of ounces of gatorade. I kept thinking---3 more miles, such an easy run. The last mile seemed so long though. I thought briefly I would hit 2:15, but when that thought crossed my mind I still had the 3 miles to go and I would have had to run them in 25 minutes, which would have been world record pace for me! So I just kept to my pace and came in at 2:19, which means I ran my last 3 miles in 29 minutes (and that is my fastest 5K time ever anyway). My avg mile time was about 10:30 which for me is really good. My daughter and her friends were working at the finish line so that was fun to have them cheer for me at the end. Even her coach cheered for me, so that was kind of fun.

Then I foolishly worked the night of my race and only slept about 2 hours between Sunday morning and Monday night.

So next time: I need to practice drinking while I run so it doesn't trigger my gag reflex and I am NOT working the night of any race over 10 miles ever again. Nope, not me.

Next year I want to do a marathon. It seems....survivable.

Congrats again, Jen!!

Midwife, thx for the update.... been waitin on it!!
and you came away thinking about a full... super cool :)
Congrats to you on an awesome race!!

Jen -- Fantastic report! Thanks so much for sharing, you make it all sound like so much fun! You should be so proud of yourself. All the miles you ran in training paid off and you had a wonderful race, CONGRATULATIONS!! And you LOOK fantastic!! I look worse after 5 milers!

Midwife -- Great job!!! What a fabulous pace and to have your fastest 5k ever right at the end -- INCREDIBLE! Way to go! CONGRATULATIONS! It will definitely be a good idea to practice drinking if you're going to tackle a full now!

Thanks for sharing your race reports, you two! They were both so INSPIRING!! If I hadn't already done my morning run I would suit up right now and go bang one out! I'll be thinking of you both on my next one, that's for sure!

Midwife~great job on the 1/2! Doing your best 5K time at the end is fantastic! I love that you guys gave us all the details. I'm always wondering what others are thinking about or going through during these long runs. (besides "am I almost there yet")
Congratulations!!!!

You may be more coordinated than I am, but I have never been successful at drinking while running!! My few attempts really weren't pretty. I STILL have to walk to get a drink. But in the longer races, it's a welcome break anyway.

GREAT time and a great race report!! Thanks for sharing, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Congratulations, ladies, on the long-distance runs. I am in awe of both of you. And it sounds so nice to have your friends and family supporting you! I found all the detail interesting. And of good future use. Thanks for taking the time.

On the drinking water thing, I have to say I can run and drink water. (I did not know this skill was in demand!) But I almost never drink as I hate the sloshy feeling and since I run only short distances, I don't have time to get thirsty. I do throw the water on me if it's a hot day. Refreshing. Life-saving.

I ran 6.9 miles this AM. Miserable experience. My asthma is troubling me these days and they had just mowed the grass at the park, so...uggh. On the brighter side, last week I ran the same 5.6 mile loop at a different park 2x in opposite directions. The first time, I got lost (I did have a map) and ended up out of the park, but at least I knew I was lost and there was only one other way to go, so...I knew I should have taken the hint when those ladies in front of me went the other way. Add 4/10 of a mile to the run.

The next time you would think I'd know where I was going, but I made a turn into someone's driveway (it was kind of long, seemed like it should be the turnoff I was looking for). But I realized I was going wrong when I saw the house and realized I did not remember a house from the other day. That was only about 1/10 mile, hardly noticed it. I still had the same map with me, so I'm blaming the map. Sigh...I continue to perform true to form, it's comforting to know I'm so consistent!

Well, anything extra won't hurt me. I am doing a 5K in this same park this weekend. Luckily others will be in front of me to keep me out of trouble.

Jen and Midwife-i read your posts right before my jog today and i was so inspired i went 3 miles which is 1 mile more than i usually can muster the energy to do, THANKS!

Is it about the cups or something? Because I always drink while I run.

Hi...I'm new here, but I'm getting ready to sign up for my first 5K, and I need some advice. It's a women's only run/walk 5K, scheduled two weeks from Saturday. My questions are:

How can I best prepare for a 5K? (besides daily jogging)
What are some tips for the actual 5K?
And...I'm not used to running outside in the cold. What clothes are good?