Originally Posted by JamieJo:
Julie - You really are one of my inspirations on this web site!!!

Awww, thanks. That feels good :hug:.

Stick around here ... You're a runner!

Hi guys,

Nelie, I do the shuffle far more often than I should, I'm afraid. It's funny you should use that word b/c I have been trying to come up with a descriptive noun for the way I move around when running. That kinda works ;)

This has been on my mind lately. Last week I was doing my run from the train station to work. I do this with an 8-12 pound backpack on. (I weighed it and myself this week) If the backpack feels burdensome I put no pressure on myself to move at any pace other than bare bones movement towards my final goal.

I was trudging along and this highly perky runner passed me (w/o acknowleging me-- rude- even for nyc) in the opposite direction, finished the block, turned around and passed me again in the same direction I was headed. So I had an opportunity to watch her legs as she ran along. What I noticed was that her heels popped up, almost hitting her calves as she ran. (I told you she was perky)

So I tried it and hot-damm, I was suddenly running faster. And I was so bouncy too. Then I went back to my standard trudge style/shuffle.

I tried it again today-- no pack, but a run where I had a side stitch for the first 2ish miles, no joke. I bounced after the pain finally went away. Certainly, I was bouncy. But to tell you the truth it didn't feel like proper form, necessarily.

thoughts??

After my run today I realize it is a matter of raising my knees, not my heels. That felt much more reasonable.

think it's time did some reading on running and form?? cool running.com here I come :):):)

race report
 

Yesterday I participated in the inaugural “131 Marathon” of Ft. Lauderdale. Typically, half marathons are offered along with full marathon events, but this is a new “half only” series, offered by the same company who does marathons in Miami, Chicago and Atlanta. For a brand new race, it was well-attended, with around 1400 participants. Below is the lengthy blow-by- blow account …. Fair warning!

It was a dark and blustery pre-dawn morning. A cold front was moving through and although there was blessedly no rain, it was quite cool in the mid-60’s and the north wind was gusty-freezing. Well, freezing for this thin-blooded South Florida girl! I arrived customarily early, to assure a good parking spot, then had a good hour to cool my heels (literally), waiting for the race to start. I found a spot out of the wind, and delayed checking my gear bag as long as I could – I didn’t want to give up my warm shirt. Finally, I checked in the bag and pulled on a plastic garbage bag – and it IS amazing how much thermal protection a baggie can provide! Moving to the corral, I selected my spot according to anticipated pace (I was shooting for 9:30 minute miles) and tried to keep from shivering. At least the bodies around me provided some wind protection! This is where it pays to be short. :) Finally … the national anthem … the leaders took off …the pack moved forward … I crossed the start line with mingled excitement and relief to be finally moving … and we were off!

I started out too fast, of course. The course took us through the tunnel under the New River. A live music group was strategically stationed at the mouth of the tunnel and the driving beat and jazzy sax pulled me up the tunnel’s steep slope and spit me back out onto the road. We turned toward the ocean and headed over the bridge toward A1A. I had slowed the pace down to a bit more comfortable level, and was now warmed up and feeling great. Now I found myself looking around, enjoying the view, and feeling as if I could run forever! The sunrise over the ocean was beautiful, and the formerly-frigid wind now seemed bracing and a welcome coolness to overheated bodies.

This is what brings me back to racing over and over. It’s this magical time during the race of feeling completely in the moment … just experiencing all of the runners around you, the surroundings, the feeling of happy exertion, accompanied by a sense of overwhelming gratitude to be ABLE .. able to be there, able to run freely, to breathe the brisk sea air and be alive. I feel so enormously blessed, and I hope that I NEVER take it for granted.

The course was sprinkled with a few bands and DJ’s and scattered cheering spectators. It’s amazing how motivating a bystander can be … just to have them say “You’re looking great!”, or “Keep it going!” I know they don’t know me from Adam, but it is motivating all the same to have someone tell me I’m doing an awesome job! I just LOVE that! :D I was also entertained by the other runners … I would shamelessly eavesdrop on snatches of conversation, occasionally tossing in my own unsolicited editorial comments. Then there was the one girl who was singing at the top of her lungs to the iPod that only she could hear ….

I had settled into my target pace and amidst the distractions, the miles were steadily ticking away … 6 …7 …8… We hit the turnaround point on A1A and entered the home stretch. 9 … 10 …. 11 … Now it was getting harder, as it always does. But, I felt strong and going into the last mile, picked up the pace just a bit. My legs were feeling the strain, but I could see the end in sight … at the last .1 mile, I kicked with all I had … and suddenly was through the gate and it was over! A water bottle was thrust into my hand and a finisher’s medal placed around my neck as I wandered through the finisher’s chute, slightly stunned (as always) by the abrupt end to the race.

I grabbed an orange slice and half banana from the food spread and wandered away looking for the gear pick up. I was still sweating, but knew I’d be wanting my layers in very short order! I found the gear bus, and retrieved my bag with no wait at all, and pulled on my now-welcome sweats. There was also a pancake tent, and well, I don’t pass up pancakes! I headed toward the shuttle, which bused us back to the start line parking area, and headed home.

Oh … my time? I guess that’s important too! ;) I finished in 2:01:46, an average pace of 9:20 min/mile, which beat my previous record by more than 6 minutes! I was pleased. :D

Happy running -- I hope you all have a great week!

MBN - Very cool! Congrats on your race!

As someone who aspires to do races one day, your account was very interesting and motivating! Thank you. :D

MBN-- shooting for 9:30 and acheived 9:20 woohoo! :)

MBN - Congrats on the race!

So you guys know how anxious I was about running without planned walk breaks? Uhh... I did it. I did it very slowly but I did it. It was also freezing cold :) Next run is Wednesday night with the group which tends to run a bit faster than I do at home but it'll be the same, run 2 miles.

By the time I actually run a real race, I'm gonna feel like I've already been a bunch!

Congrats, Nelie! :carrot:

Hey guys, just thought I would drop in. I'm new but training for a half marathon... only 8 weeks away so its crunch time. All of your tips have been awesome, everyone keep up all the hard work!

SarahD - welcome! Keep us posted on your progress!!

Nelie - Nicely done!

Thanks I will.
I was training for one last year and two weeks before the race I hurt my knee :o(
So I am keeping my fingers crossed this time around!

Congrats on the new PR MBN, that's awesome!

I did 12.57 miles on the race course this past Sunday, so I consider myself well prepared for the half marathon on November 30th. I hope I get cool weather and low wind for the race!

Good luck at your race, Josephine!

I ran 2 miles yesterday and felt pretty good! Being still new to running 2 miles is the farthest I've gone so far. Breathing and heart-wise I feel like I could do more, but my legs start to get heavy and I start to feel it in my knees around the 2 mile mark, so I'm trying to build up slowly.

My usual 2.75 miles this morning. Not quite as lovely as Monday, but much better than a couple weeks ago.

Hello everyone, I ran my 8.4 mile race on Sunday AM (the odd mileage is because it goes down one side of the Schuylkill River, crosses a bridge, and returns on the other side). I think it turned out pretty well. I tried to run it at a pace where I was working hard but breathing relatively easily. I have been having a lot of trouble with asthma lately and I really didn't want to have to give up, so that influenced me too. Plus, the longest run I've ever done is 9 miles, so this was a stretch for me. All this being said, I was really happy with it - I was able to run hard the whole way and keep a pretty even pace, and no asthma issues. My time was 1 hour 12 minutes.08, and I had hoped to do about 1 hour 15 minutes, so that was good. My husband did not run but instead took pictures and held up a sign to encourage me at the last 1/4 miles. It worked, I did run a bit faster. The weather was very chilly, about 42, and a 35 mile an hour gusty wind, but that didn't bother me too much, although some people were taken aback by it.

Two men who passed me at about the 2nd mile said as they passed, that they should know better than to get behind a skinny chick to try to stay out of the wind. I realized they meant me. Made me laugh! It was just great since I certainly would have provided plenty of shelter in the past, I know!

I'm really glad I did this race and it encourages me to try some more 10K's next year. Very different from the 5K's I'm used to. I like the variety.

Now I'm looking forward to a 5K in our town on Thanksgiving. My husband will run as will several friends from the gym, so that will be nice, and my son will be home from college and can watch the "stadium finish"!

Sounds great Pink! :)

Been sick so I took a week off. Ran yesterday for 1.5 miles and felt alright but got tired early. Going to try again tomorrow and see how far I can get. Sickness really takes a lot out of you. Hopefully I can do better next week and in December as well.

After my workout yesterday I felt inspired on the way home to stop at the park and try my first outdoor mile. (I always run on the treadmill.)

I completed it without too much trouble! I've had a bit of a mental block when it comes to running off the treadmill so I'm glad I overcame that some.

Pink - Congrats on your race! What an awesome compliment you received. :D

I'm sick and it sucks. I missed 2 runs, did a run on saturday which totally sucked. I'm feeling sick again. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to do the 5k I wanted to do as its less than 2 weeks from now and my longest run has been 2 miles.

Originally Posted by nelie:
I'm sick and it sucks. I missed 2 runs, did a run on saturday which totally sucked. I'm feeling sick again. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to do the 5k I wanted to do as its less than 2 weeks from now and my longest run has been 2 miles.

:hug: get well soon, nelie!

I ran my usual 2.75 today. I think my body has finally adjusted to this! I was feeling kinda stuck for a while. It will be time to increase to 5K every time after Thanksgiving :D :carrot:

I normally run M-W-F, and I want to run EZMoney's 5K Thanksgiving morning, so if I had been thinking ahead, I would have run Sun-Tues-Thur this week instead. But I didn't think ahead. So I have to choose between running M-W-Th-F, or M-Tu-Th, or M-Th-Sa. Probably it just doesn't matter, but I haven't run any days in a row so far. So probably I'll just do a short run/walk Wednesday so I'll be in good shape for Thanksgiving morning.

Originally Posted by nelie:
I'm sick and it sucks. I missed 2 runs, did a run on saturday which totally sucked. I'm feeling sick again. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to do the 5k I wanted to do as its less than 2 weeks from now and my longest run has been 2 miles.

I'm so sorry you've been sick! :hug:
But ... if you are feeling well the day of the 5K, why not participate in the event anyway and just plan to walk half of it? It's so much fun to be part of an event, and there's NO law that says you have to run all of the way ... heck lots and lots of people just walk them and don't run at all. If running the whole way is your goal, then you'll certainly make it at some point, but don't deprive yourself of the 5K fun along the way. You may find that you do better than you think!

Just a thought ....

MBN - I was thinking that I had to finish the 5k within a certain amount of time. I didn't know people walked the entire thing or walked even a good portion of it.

I am feeling a bit better. I did my elliptical last night. Tomorrow is my running class and I do expect to go although I have a lot to prep for Thanksgiving including shopping tonight!

Originally Posted by nelie:
MBN - I was thinking that I had to finish the 5k within a certain amount of time. I didn't know people walked the entire thing or walked even a good portion of it.

You might want to check the rules on your planned 5K, just to make sure there's no time limit. But, in my experience, 5Ks are very walker-friendly and attract a quite a few people who simply walk the course. And many, many more walk some portion of the course. Most 5K events are for charity, and they are looking for participation at any level. You will certainly have your bunny rabbits that take off and run 5-6 minute miles -- they will win awards. But the rest of us mortals go slower (some MUCH slower) and just have fun with it. IMO, the "back of the pack-ers" are more fun anyway! It doesn't matter how slow you go, you will still get the T-shirt! :D

My next event is a Jingle Bell Jog on Dec 6. Everyone gets a jingle bell to wear on their shoe, we sound like a giant herd of reindeer. People dress in costume, it's great fun. Last year, nearly 1000 people did the event, and I would guess that a couple of hundred simply walked it. Finishing times ranged from 15 minutes to over an hour.

So, don't hesitate to go out and do it anyway, if you run at all, it is very unlikely that you'll be last! ;)

MBN - That is what it is! a jingle bell jog and on Dec 6. I feel better now :)

Originally Posted by nelie:
MBN - That is what it is! a jingle bell jog and on Dec 6. I feel better now :)

Nelie, how did your 5K go?

I suppose we should start a December thread but...

I am injured and I actually don't mind too much. Basically, my calf started hurting within the first half mile of the race. Of course I should take a step back and say that on one of my 2 mile runs, my calf started hurting after 1.5 miles so I switched to doing the elliptical in preparation for the 5k. I was hoping my calf had 'healed' or did whatever it need to do but it didn't.

I walked and ran the race, finishing in 43 minutes. After the race and after what I presume the adrenaline left my body, my calf basically became stone and very painful. I could barely walk on Saturday after the 5k, Sunday was a bit better, yesterday a lot better and today similar to yesterday. I went to my physical therapist yesterday and he helped but I know it may take time to heal.

I had so much fun at the 5k though and we are planning another one in April and possibly the 10k in April.

I'm glad you had fun with the 5K, but I'm sorry you are injured!! Hopefully the physical therapy can get you all fixed up so that you can do one without pain next time.

My jingle bell jog 5K was fun -- nearly 1000 runners, lots of folks in costume, everyone jingling along with the free jingle bells on our shoes. It was crowded and I was recovering from a cold, so I didn't PR, but did respectably well. My DS (14 yr) ran it, and he had problems too ... he had twisted his ankle the day before while playing football and it flared up about a mile into the run. I passed him at about a mile (and 8.5 minutes in), and he didn't cross the finish line (limping in) until about 48 minutes. I was worried!! But he's fine now, just disappointed in his performance. We've got another 5K planned over the holidays, so he can try again.

I guess we should start a Dec thread ....