Bodyglide does not make a mess, it tends to stay on your skin. I tend to use it all around the bra bands and under the boobs. It doesnt stain at all.

Vaseline makes a mess and will stain.

I tend to use body glide only where i will chafe (such as thighs and under my arms) and it isnt messy at all....Are you wanting to use it on your feet because of blisters?? if so, you might want to invest in a pair of anti-blister socks....wright makes a really good pair, and they arent "too expensive" if 8-10 dollars for a pair of socks doesnt sound like a rip off! :) But they really do work- i havent had a blister since i started using them....

well- this weekend marked the end of my "step back" week, and now also the beginning of my "big boy" marathon training! The first month or so wasnt any distance or any mileage i havent already run in the past, so no big deal...but this next block of three weeks will include my first 15 miler!! im uber excited (hope that doesnt sound too crazy)...Im lucky, because i usually have to do all my long runs alone, and "unsupported" (as far as aid stations and other people) but the weekend i do my 15 miler, the local road runners club is have a fully supported marathon training run/race of 15 miles! The only thing that sucks is that its going to be on this long mostly dirt bike path, and i prefer to run on the road (but thats just preference because its what im used to).... No real races for me for a while, actually, cant seem to fit them in appropriately into my training schedule....anyone run any fourth of july 5 or 10ks??? How did everyones holiday weekend go?

Hey runners!! I did my 9-miler HM training run yesterday, and it went great! (I am coming back from a tendon problem, so this is especially exciting for me.)

My only issue is that I am black and blue under the toenails on the second toe (next to the big toe) on both feet. I've read a bit online about this, and some sites say to see a podiatrist, and others say to wait it out. The right one hurts more than the left, and both are better today, but they're still noticable. Have any of my distance runner Chicks run into (pun intended :) ) this problem?

Losing toenails/black and blue tonails is a fairly common problem. Number one is making sure you arent wearing too small a shoe. Many people need to go up a half size when they start getting into serious distance and/or in the summer when feet swell.

Too BIG a shoe can also cause a problem if you are sliding around, although there are lacing patterns that can help.

Sad to say, you may just be one of those people who carries their toes in a way that bangs on the top of the shoe and many many distance runners have seriously ugly feet because of bruised and or missing toenails.

Hey ladies,

I ran my Freedom Run 8K yesterday. I am uber stoked because it takes me an hour in the gym and I finished in 56:45!!! I was very nervous before the start. All these ppl that actually lok like runners! What was I doing out there. But the moment my foot hit pavemetn after the gun and i just went and kept telling myself "steady wins the race". It was a pretty hilly route and I have never run hills. I was stoked! I am adding a link to pics if you guys are interested!

http://s570.photobucket.com/albums/s...current=4th+8K

Irishrose - 9 miles! WTG! I am scared of my week when that comes. But then I always get scared and the minute my foot hits the pavement I just go!

Mkroyer - WOW! You are quite the inspiration! Great job

Ennay - Ugh sorry about the stinky run yesterday. I hope you feel better today. I always say "not all runs are good runs....but all runs are a step forward". And the hand sanitizer ouch!!!

IrishRose-- Looks like you just joined the endurance runners club! :) Congrats on your toenail (is that the right word?) I have personally never lost a toenail, but some marathoners feel it is their "badge of honor"!!
Ennay- I am one of those runners that suffers from ugly runners feet!! Theyre disgusting!! Callaused and blistered and dries and cracked and in general very USED and beat up looking!! They are in desperate need of a pedicure, but i am WAY too embarrassed to have another living soul that close to my disgusting feet!!

Thanks, ladies, for the congrats for the toenail "situation". They are better today-- I am supposed to have a "cross" day today, but I am going to take it easy and give those toes some more time to heal. I am supposed to run 5 tomorrow, so I am going to tape up my toes tomorrow morning and give the 5 miler a try.

Cakebatter-- Congrats on the 8K! :carrot: That is a great time! Isn't it great when you finish under what you hope for? You said you have a 9-miler coming up-- are you training for a full or half marathon?

Irish - I am training for a HM. I am excited and frightened all at the same time.

Mkroyer - I have ugly feet too.

I'm new at running (I just ran 2 mi today!) and have a question I hope you can help me with. I'm currently running a 13 min mile and definitely want to get it down. I plan on running a 5k in October and would like to come in at 10-11 min/mi if possible. Should I work on speed as I increase distance, or should I get myself to 3 miles and then work on speed?

Since you have so much time ....you could work on each thing once a week. Like you run 3X's a week, one day is long runs, one day is speedwork and the other an easy pace. I am not the greates expert here but I think this is what I would do.

Heeeeey Runners. I am doing so speedwork tonight guys! I beat 3 senior citizens (55 -80) out of like 50. LMBO! I cam in number 26 in my age group out of like 33. I want to work on getting my 5k under 34 minutes. Do you guys do speedwork outside or inside???

Oh Question: Are any of you a part of a running club?

CakeBatter-
I belong to the local road runners club here and another running club that meets more for "fun" runs on sat morning.....definitely find one and get involved if you can..it helps keep you motivated, and if you are training for an upcoming race, it is great to have some companionship for the longer runs....As far as speedwor goes, i used to do it exclusively on a treadmill..much easier to set and maintain a pace, for obvious reasons..however, several months ago i settled in an outside route that i like to use for speedwork now..its around a local lake and almost exaclty a mile around, plus its pretty flat, as most lake paths are....If you DO want to do speedwork outside, try and find a nice flat route to do it on, or even a HS track......speedwork is hard to do if you have to work around hills also......

Distance first,if you have time build yourself up to a 4-5 mile distance once a week. That will do more for your speed than anything else. Consistancy and miles. Trying to do both at the same time increases the risk for injury. You have a fair bit of time so if you can get yourself where you are running 2-3 miles 3 days a week and 4-5 miles 1 day a week, then you could hold it steady and replace one day a week with intervals.

Also, if you live near any hills, dont avoid them. Hills are speedwork in disguise. They help you build leg muscle and lung power with less risk of injury (although if the down hill parts are steep consider walking down). Once a week run the hilliest route you can find even if it mean dropping even slower.

See I told I didn't know much..lol. Thanks for the advice because I can use this as well.

Mk-Thank you as well. I think I will try TM first and alternate with a local track. Sometimes I wish I had a running buddy so I think I will join one.

The air conditioning in my apartment broke over the weekend. It was 89 degrees in there last night and this morning, even with the windows open as far as I dared (didn't want Cali-kitty to be able to scratch at the screens). The ceiling fans helped, but still...

Anyway, it was a little disheartening to go out for my run knowing that I'd be coming back and *cooling off* in a space that was actually hotter than outside.

I did it though. Nice easy 30 minute run, 45 minutes total. I seem to be sustaining that faster pace (13 minute mile) so things are looking up for my next 5k. It's only two weeks away now.