dancer - just to follow up on the weight thing. Its often hard to say because most people who lose weight while running are ALSO gaining fitness. I had a bout of depression this spring and gained about 8-10lbs over where I was this time last year. My running is back, I think from a fitness standpoint I am close. But on the same races, on the same courses I am pretty consistantly 20 seconds per mile slower which fits very well with the 2-3 second/mile/lb rule.

But dont think that weight loss is all the gain you will get in speed. Fitness and consistancy over the long haul will do far more.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Mine do that too, sometimes! Particularly up hills. I suddenly find myself walking and wonder how it happened. That's when my brain tells my legs to get moving, and they have this little argument.

My brain usually wins, but it's tough sometimes...

ennay - your formula sounds about right - I was a few minutes per mile faster when I was 60lbs lighter. Totally agree that fitness makes a big difference too of course.

wndranne and primm - love the walking without the brain's permission : )

I'm struggling running in the heat lately - you guys too?

Hi runners! I've never posted here before but I'm really trying to challenge myself with running and this is definitely an inspirational place! Right now, I'm running 2-3x/week (no more due to shin splints), usually 3-3.5 miles (10min/mi) and am really enjoying it. I've been running on the treadmill and would love to run outside but have found it so much harder! I just started running on a slight incline on the treadmill since that apparently mimics running outside, so I think that'll be good training and maybe it'll convince me that I'm ready to take it outside and prep for the 5K I've been dying to enter!

Quick question for those of you who run in the morning - do you eat before you go? I'm planning a pre-work run on Thursday because I know I'll be busy after work, so I'm thinking 1/2 a banana? Yesterday, I had 1/2 english muffin with peanut butter before running and it did NOT go over well, so I'm a little afraid of eating beforehand!

Thanks!

I personally don't. I run at odd times of the day due to work committments, and if I get up and run first thing it's just on a glass of water. If I run later in the day it's at least 2 hours after I've eaten, usually about 4pm.

I get very nauseated if I run on anything resembling a full/semi-full stomach.

I agree with Primm. I don't eat anything before I run for at least an hour or more. And whatever it was, it eas very light such as a pear or an apple. I too get nauseated.

Hi runners - first time I've posted on here too I think. I have been running since starting with the C25K last November. Did a 10K in May in 61.30 official time - although it was so busy we walked the first few minutes.

I'm booked in for another 10K in August, then I plan to do a 10 miler in October, and a half marathon in February before the BIG one - a marathon in April.

I started my pre-pre-marathon training this week - I'm very excited. I did my first 4 mile run this morning since the 10K. I hurt my foot and couldn't run for a few weeks after the 10K so I've been building back up again carefully. It went well!

I only eat before a morning run if I am doing a long run (12 miles +) or planning hard intervals. Then I always eat something that is some carbs some protein. PB toast with banana is a common breakfast for a long run.

The longer I have been a runner the less sensitive my system has become to what I eat and how long before running I eat. Plus since I spend MOST of my running time at lower intensity its easier to run with food.

Thanks for the all the responses! I'm hoping I can get my butt out of bed tomorrow morning and run outside, so I'll let you know how it goes!

Sooo....I set my alarm for 7am, but for some crazy reason, hopped out of bed at 6:20, wide awake. It was cloudy and cool outside so I went for it and finished my first nonstop 3.2 mi outdoor run!!! It was awesome!

Seriously, it would've taken me months to push myself to just do it and stop thinking "I can't", but thanks to you guys, I now know that I can! You're all so inspirational and gave me the motivation I need, so thank you!!

What a great way to start the day! Happy Thursday everyone! :carrot:

Well done - glad you enjoyed it. I have only ever run on a treadmill twice - both times in the runup to a race when the weather was absolutely atrocious, but I couldn't afford not to run. I loathed it!! I much prefer to run outside.

takingcharge - way to go!

Taking charge that is AWESOME!

Robsia - Welcome

Well I guess the 11 miles in the last two days wore me out because yesterday I could only squeeze out 3.5 before my body told me to stop. I still have 14.5 for the week and I will have a light for tomorrow or sunday. My ultimate goal of HM is seeming more and mmore tangible. I can do this.

I did three miles this morning but it was too hot to do four : ( Will try again this weekend...

WTG TakingCharge! :carrot:

Been waaaay to hot and humid to run outside here this week. Hitting the dreaded treadmill, did 5 miles yesterday with a little speed work mixed in. Hope it's decent out by the time I hit my long run this weekend, I can't handle the treadmill for more than maybe 5 or 6 miles at a time max.

I did a really short run after my Spin class today (2miles) it amazing how much I have improved. It hardly felt like I did anything at all. It was a great feeling. i think I am going out for a run in the morning before church. IDK yet but I think I am going to make an effort.

Well, I'm not sure what to do - I did 2 x 4 mile runs on Wed and Fri and made a blister on my big toe on the outside edge. Yesterday I covered it with a plaster and went out and did a 3 miler. When I came back it had turned into a massive blood blister and is sore to the touch, although not when I run funnily enough.

Next week, my schedule is M - 4 miles, W - 4 miles, F - 4 miles, Sa - 3 miles.

I'm not sure whether to stick to the schedule or have Monday off to let the blister start to heal - I'm only in week 2 of my pre-marathon training, I don't really want to disrupt it so soon.

Anyone have any experience with blisters - what do you do with them?

blisters - pop or not pop is a HUGE debate. Seriously you can get pages on a running board. If the blister is affecting your gait you want to pop so you dont cause muscle strain by running with a limp. However then you need to use Neosporin or other antibiotic cream and watch carefully for infection. Sometimes releasing the fluid makes it less painful and since it flattens out it irritates less.

Moleskin is good for covering although you dont want moleskin directly on broken or loose skin as it will NOT come off easily. Secondskin or liquid bandaids can help protect it during runs.

But definitely lube your feet before running. Vaseline, bodyglide, blister shield. If your shoes are large enough (which may be your problem) double socks can sometimes prevent blisters.

I hate blisters!! I'm sorry you have to deal with that. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of popping them because you risk a nasty infection, but if you take good care of it (wash thoroughly, apply antibiotic cream, clean bandaids, etc) then it should be fine. If you can, get one of those super strong bandaids that ennay mentioned and double sock it, which should cut down on the irritation. Good luck!

hey ladies!

I did 5km yesterday, the longest I've gone in a while.... I have signed up for a 10km charity run Aug 23, in order to keep me on track for my half marathon in October. I'm very excited and have already raised almost $400 for a good cause!

I also reached a new low weight today...156.4lbs...WOOT! I'm so happy that my clean eating and running is showing up on the scale...it keeps me that much more motivated!

Hey! I've been MIA from the running world (tsk tsk). But I went out this morning and it was sooo lovely. I love how this whole city is asleep at 6am, it makes for a relaxing run.
I signed up for a 5k at the end of August! So excited, races are what motivate me. I discovered unfortunately that my endurance is shot! Taking a few weeks off running was not good lol.
This time around I'm working on speed, so all my runs will be short (30-40min) and fast! I'm aiming for an 8min mile race pace. Wish me luck!

Well, for those who are interested (and not squeamish), I carefully punctured my blister, as it was no longer painful, squeezed it out and slathered it with antiseptic cream and covered it with a plaster. I'll leave it open to heal overnight and plaster it up again tomorrow before I run, and we'll see what happens.

Robsia - I am glad yur blister is better

analeh - Welcome back

I ran outside yesterday mornig. Very short run before church ....2 miles. However I noticed it really tooka bit of adjusting for runnin outside. if anybody runs out and in could you give me some pointers. I am going to start running half and half from now on so I won;t be worn out for my upcoming races.

WOW! I got my arse out there and ran the three mile trail around my house and boy was I winded! FOr One I haven't been running outside much (this is my second day since like forever) and FOR TWO i ran my first mile in under 10:00. WOOT WOOT!

Anyway going back out there this evening. I have a race on the 4th. An 8K hope I can makeit. IT is a bit different than on the old TM> But ya'll know my motto, it doesn't matter how long as long as I finish.

Cakebatter - I'm having the same issues with the treadmill/outside switch! One day I can do a great 3 mile run outside and then 2 days later, I can barely do 15 minutes! But now, when I run on the treadmill, its always at an incline of 1, which is definitely harder, but builds your endurance and strength to make running outside a little easier. Good luck with your race training!

My guess is the reason the treadmill seems easier is when you start outside without the pace regulation you start too fast. I know a lot of people struggle with that transition and I cant think of any other reason. (Well unless this time of year you are moving from a/c to HOT) Because I cant run on a treadmill to save my life.

The 1% incline on a treadmill is a good rule of thumb, not to make it harder but because it better mimicks the normal stride you would use outside. My physical therapist said that running on 0% incline is much harder on your back than running outside.

Also if you NEVER use incline on a TM unless you live someplace pancake flat the little hills might be throwing you more than you think. Do little bursts on the treadmill of varying inclines to practice.

I also think sometimes people get used to the metronome like pacing of a tm, when in natural gait it is more normal to speed and slow and vary the pacing more often.