~Happy July RUNNERS~
 

Yeah I am one day early.But I had to start this new month with me wonderful experience this evening.

I went for a slight jog this evening as I have a race on the 4th. I didn't want to tire out so I left my GPS, HR Monitor, and iPod at home, laced up and headed out the front door. It was great. I didn't time myself, I didn't push too hard I just went in and out of streets I have never been on, waving at people and just enjoying the weather. I don't know how far I went probably just a couple of miles but it was the best run I had in a long time. I am going one more time tomorrow and then rest until race day.

Anyway just wanted to share with my Runner Girls.:D

It is nice sometimes to just...run.

Hey Runners!! I am new to this thread-- I have been running for about a year now. I started run/walking, and have worked my way up to training to run a half marathon in August! Exciting! Tonight I did my longest run thus far-- 7 miles. I have to do 5 tomorrow, and 9 on Saturday, so it's an intense week!

I am looking forward to hearing about all of your running successes!! :)

Irish- WTG on 7 miles. How awesome! That is an intense week. I am pretty excited about my race on saturday...8K ...the longest I have run yet (for a race).

Hey I was reading the Runners World Mag and there was mention of a Breast Cancer Marathon and HM in February 10. I would love to do it...the HM that is. My aunt struggles with BC and it the only one in the country dedicated to it. Anywho I guess I better see if I make thru the half in Sept first....lol

Happy Running Chickies!

Can I join in with you all?

I am a runner who was side tracked due to asthma a year ago and a minor knee problem In april. I have just been given the go ahead to start walk/running again so this week and next I will be just walking to get back in the groove and then the following week I want to start the C25K again to get back into my running.

Back when I was running a lot, I would do 15-20 miles a week and run an occasional 5K. I would like to get back to that.. with the thought of doing a 1/2 marathon some day.

I really miss running! I have gained over 40 pounds due to asthma and the steroids I had to take. I was at my smallest size ever and felt so good. I really need people to kick me in the butt and keep me accountable.

Hey there fellow runners...just got back in from my trip...been gone for a few weeks...I ran during the trip though...that's the great thing about running...just put on your shoes and there ya go!.....I had a track but it was an extremely modest one...

Ran this morning a short one--3 miles..I left @ 6 a.m....it is okay that time of morning but already warm...I don't think it cools here in the night like it did in Arkansas..there were a few mornings I ran there that were actually somewhat cold @ daybreak..

Happy Trails, Tracks or anything else you choose to navigate! :) Thighs.

I'm going to start joining in on this thread. My current goal is to run 3 days a week, following One Hour Runner. I also signed up for another 5K on July 18th. I really want to improve my 5k time a little.

Since I have today off, I got all ambitious last night and set my alarm for 5:30 AM. The plan was to wake up and drive over to a local park for my run. Well, 5:30 came a little too soon for me. I kept hitting snooze until I didn't have time to drive to the park and still beat the heat.

Had a nice 30 minute run (45 min total)(OHR W2D3).

Cakebatter - Good Luck with your race tomorrow!

Hi all. :wave:

I'm not a runner yet. I'm a wannabe! :D I used to run years ago, just because I liked it. I have never even considered races. It's just something that I used to love because of the joy it brought me. I could let everything go, tune out everything around me except my heartbeat and my shoes on the pavement. And that feeling of peace, calm and contentment afterwards. That's what I want again....

Two days ago, I made a half hearted try. Yesterday I made my most serious attempt in a long while. Two miles walk/run. I ran a bit more than a third of it, but much less than half. I really pushed myself, but it felt so good. Especially after.

This morning my thighs feel stressed and tingly, my lower back hurts just a little bit, my hip flexors are speaking up. But I feel a strange (and lovely) compulsion to go back!

I'm looking forward to getting to you know you guys. And the motivation.

Today, I might take my friend's dog with me, walk him for a mile, and then run as much as I can for a second mile.

Have a great day!

ugh ugh ugh...worst run today.

Started out by tripping and falling on the sidewalk less than 0.1 miles from my house. 2 bloody palms and a bloody knee. Kept going, was having an ok run but a wardrobe malfunction and a portapotty disaster later and I walked home a few miles short of target.

Note...for the love of all that is holy dont EVER get hand sanitizer anywhere NEAR an open wound.

OMG.. All I can think is OUCH!!!

Good afternoon everyone!

I walked with my hubby this morning for 4.25 miles. I realized today how badly I need new running shoes.. the old ones just dont cut it anymore! :(

I have a $30 gift certificate for Road Runner Sports.. I need to head into Seattle and get some next week!

I am exhausted. What a day!

Today for exercise I settled on walking the dog for a mile, then running a mile. I say "settled" because I just didn't physically feel like I could do it. I wanted to though.

I was doing great until I stopped for a moment. Stopped running and walking. The little voice in my head told me not to and I should have listened. I coudn't get going again. My thighs felt like slabs of cement.

I decided that what I need to do is run two days, two days doing something else (even an off day perhaps), run two days, etc. So tomorrow, I'll dust off my Callanetics video. Sunday I'll rest. Monday and Tuesday, back to the training. I may at times spend an off-run day powerwalking. For the time being though, for running, two and two. Live and learn...

Sorry for the rough day Ennay. I'm sure next time will be better. :)

Karen I need running shoes too. I've never owned a proper pair. Going shopping tomorrow!

Happy July runners! Seem slike a lot of you are gearing up for your late summer/early fall goal races!! I just wanted to offer some encouragement- Keep at it!! Who cares about the heat, when running makes us all feel so wonderful....i dont care if its 100 degrees, or zero degrees, i always feel so much better, and ready to start my day after my run..... A small word of caution for those of you out there that ARE training for a specific end of summer goal race....Ive read that come end of july and august, doctors offices are PLAGUED with runners complaining of common, overuse running injuries, due to the fact that as they are nearing the end of their training, they've piled on the miles, and their bodies are starting to feel the stress of it...make SURE you give yourselves adequate time to warm up/cool down, stretch (ALWAYS AFTER running, or at least after your body is warmed up---never stretch cold muscles) and do not be afraid to take a day off from your training schedule, if your body is begging you to back off...listen to it!! You dont want to put all this time into preparing for something, and then have an injury keep you from reaching your goal!!!
Just thought Id pass along some wisdom passed on to me......Enjoy your runs this weekend!!
Happy 4th!!

Hi runners! I have a question for you... later this year I'm going to start training for more endurance type races.

I've read that a lot of endurance runners use body glide or other similar types on products on the heels or other problem areas. Doesn't this get your shoes messy/gross quickly or does it tend to stay within your socks? Not sure how thrilled I am about the thought, but if it helps then I might try it.

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.

I've been lurking over here for a while. :wave:

I just started running May 8th. I'm sorta doing my own version of c25k to prepare for an 8 mile race on September 12th. Right now I am regularly running 5k's and have went as far as 5 miles for my long run. I also have a 6k race scheduled for August 8th.

I do have a question on lacing patterns. I run gravel roads and I seem to be getting a LOT of small rocks in my shoes. I keep my shoes loose enough that I can slip them on/off with just a little twist of my foot. I've tried just tightening them up a little to keep rocks from sliding down the sides but all that did was make my feet go numb. I've tried a standard lacing pattern that was tighter on just the top two holes but they quickly evened themselves out amongst all seven holes.

Can someone direct me somewhere to find different lacing patterns to avoid having to stop to empty rocks?

ETA: I'm gonna try lacing for a heel that slides up and down. Hopefully that will help but I am willing to explore any other ideas.

Welcome Zinkemom - Sorry don't much about lacing patterns

Rocketbunny - OMG I would have been miserable and lazy. I commend you for going out and running anyway

So today was first day back on the TM. WACK WACK WACK is all I have to say. I was bored to death! I wanted to be outside but it was raining. But what I did notice is that my last week of running outside really improved my overall performance. I was an average of 11:16 pace. I can't usually hold that pace the whole 4 miles... SO WOOT for that.

I did my best ever 4 mile time today - 35:15!! Also the LAST mile of that, believe it or not, was my best ever mile time, at 8:30. My times were: 8:43, 9:09, 8:56 and 8:30

Recently I have started doing the last half mile of a run at the fastest speed I possibly can - no sense doing it at the beginning, but if I feel I have reserves left I use them!

Today I imagined my partner racing me, trying to catch me up and there was no way I was going to let him beat me, so I just ran for it!

Re: toenails - when I did my first 10K in May I found that all under my second toes had basically turned into one big scab. They didn't hurt at all so I ignored them. I actually didn't run for a few weeks after that as I had hurt underneath one of my feet so I don't know what running with the toenails that way would have done. About 6 weeks later the scab peeled away and the entire toenail is no longer attached to the nailbed - it looks really weird. The nail is still there though and I assume it will start to grow back normally.

Robsia - way to go on your quick times! i try and sprint the last section of my run too - when i have the energy leftover!

SO, this may seen like an obvious question to you all, but as a new runner, i have been completely derailed this week, as it's been raining. i don't have a treadmill, so i have been not going out for fear of wet, blistery feet.

any running in the rain tips???? TIA!

running in rain. Wear a baseball cap to keep the water out of your eyes. Dress for ONLYabout 5 degrees cooler than it is. Other than that dont worry about it. RUN. Unless there is lightning, rain should never be an excuse to not run! And trust me, I live in Oregon so I know rain running!

If you are prone to blisters then lube your feet with bodyglide, vaseline etc before putting on your socks but unless you are going to be out there a long time in pouring rain it isnt necessary for most

If your shoes get really soaked, when you get home take out the insoles and stuff newspaper in the shoes, this will help the shoes dry.


MTA: try not to wear waterproof or windproof stuff to keep you dry. Unless it is cold out you will just get overheated. Just get wet.
Running in rain is AWESOME. So much better than running in hot sweaty sunshine. After the initial blah feeling once you are in it it is fine.

Any chance anyone has any tips to keep rocks from sliding down into my shoes? I run gravel roads and have to stop every half mile to dump out small pebbles. I tried tightening my shoes and that just made my feet numb. I searched RW and found the lacing patterns so I tried the one to tighten slipping heels. That just pulled the instep up and drove me nuts. Any other suggestions?

Billie, the place I bought my shoe from did something called a runner's loop for me for my laces. I keep them fairly tight as I'm afraid my shoe will come off. How low are your socks? Mine are ankle length. Have you tried mid calf length socks? I don't run on gravel but every now and then (not often) I do get a small pebble etc in my shoe whenever I run outside. Also, is there any non gravel path you can run on?

Hi ladies. i have been sick for three days now and have not run since Monday. If I miss this week or go out sunday do you think I will have a lost mileage. I always hear ppl say I missed a week and had to go back. Mind I am up to 6 miles runs....so IDK if a week will kill me or not. Any thoughts/

Robsia _ WT freaking G! You are awesome. That is great time

I tried the pattern with little loops to prevent heel slippage. I only wear ankle socks. The pebbles are slipping between my socks and the side of the shoes. My running choices right now are the treadmill that I refuse to use until there is snow/ice, my dirt road, the gravel sides of US 23 which is a state trunkline with way to many logging trucks to run ON the road even if I wanted to. I was running the paved shoulder but there is to much crown on the road and it bothers my hips trying to run on uneven pavement.

I'm just getting frustrated as I am sure there is some simple solution that I am overlooking. I refuse to give up.

Thanks for the great advice! At the beginning of this month I set a goal for August 1st to be able to run 2.5 mi straight. Well I read your advice on getting up to 4-5 mi and became really motivated. I'm happy to report that yesterday I ran 2.65 mi! Woot!

Robsia: 8:30? Yowza! Congratulations!