MK - Congratulations on your 8 days. That's fantastic. You can so do this... and your marathon too.

Windchime - I've never run in the winter although I will be trying it this winter, but my mother has been doing it for a couple of years. She has "YakTrax" for the bottoms of her shoes which help her keep traction on icy streets. You can look them up. It's kind of like putting chains on your tires in the winter.

I've been feeling less than 100% healthwise over the past week and I've been taking unplanned walk breaks during my last couple of 5km runs so this morning I decided just to do 3km and I made it all the way through without a walking break at all. I think I'm going to stick with 3km for the next few days so I know I have a solid base to build from again.

Ahh! So much to catch up on!

sharongrace - my first 10k is in November so I had quite a bit of time to work up to 6 miles, but ya know, even though I am not running 6 miles right now I still feel I could do it. I think it's amazing what the body can do when we really put our mind to it. Honestly it feels like the work from 0-3 miles was much harder than 3-6 (or 3-5 as is my case right now). I spent a lot of the first 6 months running just shedding the weight and building up my leg muscle and improving my cardiovascular abilities. So I think if you up your long runs by half a mile each week, at the very latest race time, you should be up to 4.5-5 miles, and if you can't run the whole thing, so what? That's also how I feel about my 5k/10k... I was really dead set on being able to run the entire 5k and for the 10k my goal is to just finish. :D I am accepting that I may have to take a walking break but I also know in the back of my mind that if I can do 5 miles, an extra mile shouldn't be that bad (at least that's what I tell myself!) :)

jayjay- so glad you decided to do the 5k! I have done some trail running around here (which is probably slightly different than cross country because I'm running up and down mountains) and it's a lot of fun! The thought of running through a wooded forest with the fall colors on the trees sounds like an amazing experience! Good luck!

TC - Glad your 4 miles went well!

mkroyer - omg yes, those 3 "options" for running outside during winter is the exact thought I had yesterday!! Don't know how bad it was up where you are but it was WINDY and COLD yesterday afternoon! I just ordered all my new gear so hopefully it'll be arriving soon. I am going to have to suck it up and run outside!! :brr:

Cake - I'm so proud of you and your new pace time! Gosh look at you go! And already close to running 10 miles..did I read that right? I need to catch up! :lol: Thanks for asking about my knee, it's doing so much better!

Sylvied - hope you get to feeling better soon!

:wave: to everyone that I missed...this thread has really grown! AWESOME!

--------------------------------
So my rehab plan for my knee is working (finally). Honestly ladies for a few weeks there I was scared to death I was going to have to give up running for a few months (the thought made me want to cry!!) But I am sticking to my "every other day" running rule, cross training on my off days, and really stretching/rolling the heck out of my hip every single night. I ran 3 miles yesterday (adventures in winter running.. I'll get to that later) and am SO HAPPY to report MINIMAL knee pain yesterday... I'm ecstatic! I wanted to cry happy tears when I got home, lol. I guess when you are faced with the possibility of giving up something that you absolutely love, it can really overwhelm you. While I would love to run every day I know my knee needs the rest so I'm happy to stick with the every other day rule for now. :D :carrot: :broc:

As for running outside yesterday... it was 40 degrees out when I got home. I bundled up (no gear yet so I put on a huge windbreaker) and went out. I don't think the temps are the killer here... it's the freakin WIND!! First of all it slows me down majorly when running into it... and secondly it's COLD!

So I decided all I need is maybe some ear warmers or a beanie or something to keep my head warm... I had a wicked headache when I got done from my body being hot but the outside temps being cold.

But yes, I'll suck it up and do it. Except maybe when the wind is bad like it was yesterday.. problem is... winter in Colorado..when is the wind NOT blowing? LOL

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone, and for sharing your own 10k experiences! I'm glad to know the scope of the challenge, and that I'm not being crazy - I don't want to have eyes too big for my legs, so to speak! :D

Btw, I also just wanted to say how great it is to have this thread where little babies like me aren't too intimidated to talk to the marathoners and half-marathoners! When I was just a couple weeks into running, I went to a running specialty store to ask some questions and start researching shoes, and I was totally ignored and dismissed the moment the word "weeks" came out of my mouth. So thanks for being so supportive and friendly and down-to-earth! It makes me excited to keep setting big goals for myself!

Good afternoon ladies! Only have a quick sec to post but saw the thread last night and wanted to say a big thanks for all the replies about the pre-race eating! :)

No run for me today, just my HIIT and ST'ing today. Hope everyone is having a wonderful day! :)

I want to echo this sentiment...I think there tends to be a class of runners (I see this a lot on the Runner's World forums) that act elite. Sharon I also had the same experience when I went into a running store and tried on shoes... I'd only been running for about a month or two. I went with my marathoner friend and the sales person paid so much attention to her instead of me... even though we were both looking for shoes! I was still 200 lbs then so maybe I looked like I didn't belong in a running store.. I don't know. I have learned SO much from the veterans in this thread...THANKS LADIES!

Sharon--that is so wonderful to hear!! I think the atmosphere of 3FC encourages everyone to be open honest and supportive, and to make us feel like we can ask even the "stupidest" of questions.....I cant vouch for anyone else, but i love to help fellow runners out by sharing my own hard-earned knowledge.....just wish ID had a support thread to go to as i was getting into running. I didnt have anyone to tell me that running everyday, for 6 months straight was BAD for me, or that there was no way i could train to run a 10K, from no running to 6.2 miles in a couple weeks! HA!! Showed them (whoever THEY are!! :)

Fatpants---you snuck your reply in while i was typing...so DITTO ! :)
Re: Colorado Winter-- its FRICKIN COLD here today ( i think the cold temps are more of a shock than anything else. Lets be honest, this weather would be HEAVENLY in february... I agree about the wind. it SUX....but once again, we have to remember we live in colorado, or "Colorado, Baby!!" We get 300 + days of sunshine a year. I think youll feel differently about running outside in the cold when the skies are blue and the sun is shining and the chill in the air is INVIGORATING. As for now though, these grey, gloomy skys are DEPRESSING. YUCK. And last i heard, its going to be back in the upper 70s this weekend......Did it snow down where youre at today?? The weather lady on 9 news LIED to us. i was promised SNOW when i awoke.....

Yep you are absolutely right, I really don't mind if it's cold out as long as the wind isn't blowing. But down here in the Springs it seems like the wind is constantly blowing from about January-end of April. I live on the east side of town so I don't get the nice blockage from the foothills! But I am originally from the great plains (Oklahoma) so I don't know if I'll ever be converted to a cold weather gal! ;) We had the winter storm watch all yesterday and we even watched the storm blow in over Pike's Peak yesterday afternoon but it didn't snow a flake here! I woke up this morning expecting the ground to at least be covered, but we got nothing. Now it's just WINDY! Glad today is cross training inside the gym today... and ready again for the warm weather this weekend since we're going to the Rockies game on Saturday. :D

OOoohhhh... sounds the weather will be PERFECT for the rockies game!!

Ok, everyone...I registered for the 10K AND wrote about it on my blog. It's official now! Ack!

I'm feeling nervous about winter running...I'm not so much worried about my body being cold - all of your discussions about what to wear are very helpful. But how do you handle breathing when the air is so cold? Doesn't it hurt?! And how cold is TOO cold to be safe for outdoor running?

the breathing doesnt really hurt, after a while.....:) it might take a few minutes of each run to get used to it. IMHO TOO cold is anything under approx 15 degrees. here in colorado that really doesnt happen so often...maybe a couple spells through out the whole winter.....but, we all have our limits. if you are concerned about breathing the cold cold air, buy a face mask!! or at least one of those chin ones that cover your chin/mouth and nose

I did 2.2 miles today, and felt great after. It was one of my better times, at 28:21.

And as a side note, I think I finally found my running shoes. I have yet to wear them outside on an actual run, but I think these are it. They are a size 11, which I was surprised at, but they feel good. Not much slippage in the heel, and when I tie them with the loops, it helps even more. And my 2nd toe is NOT hitting the end, so hopefully this black toenail that is plaguing me (it wont fall off) will be my last.

http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.ph...uct_id=1358687

I've stayed away as long as I could, and it's been very disheartening. I think my sprain is worse than I thought, and now I'm thinking possible fracture? My outer ankle is still grossly swollen, and while it isn't discoloured, it still hurts when I walk a long time, when I go up or down stairs, when I sit for a long time... Heck, it seems like I breathe and it hurts. So tomorrow I'm gonna break down and call my doc so I can get a referral for an x-ray.

And to make matters even worse, one of our ferrets died over the weekend. I'm still heartbroken because she was so fun. Our male ferret still looks for her every once in a while, which just kills me. They weren't completely bonded, but she made her way to his hideyhole when she died.

Thankfully I have orchestra, work and rehab to take my mind off it. We have a performance coming up in October and I've been asked to work with a pair of flute-playing twins in my section on a flute trio, with possibly playing as part of the concert. We also have a piece I'm trying to transcribe- unsuccessfully- for fife, and we also have another Brandenburg piece. It's Bach,a nd if you haven't listened to them, go find them on YouTube. I just love them. I also found that Sir James Galway hosted a flute symposium here in Dallas a few years ago and gave some fantastic information on playing the flute better. I'll be listening and following his instructions. :)

I know, kinda boring. It's sucking not running and I can only walk for a short period of time before the pain moves to my knee. Hopefully the docs will have some good news and get me fixed up. Until then, I'm totally living vicariously through the boards. :)

Hi to any new members! :)

I've run in -20C that's -4F, as long as the weather is sunny and not windy it's gorgeous, the winter is my very favourite time of year to run... I'm looking forward to the colder weather actually...

Tonight I ran in the rain and it was gorgeous, I think it was 5k, or close to it...

Sharon, I DREAD going to the running store. Somehow they just know I'm an amateur and definitely treat me like it. No one's ever been outright rude, just condescending, you know?

Anyway, a ton of posts popped up here and I need to get lots of work done tonight so hopefully I can catch up tomorrow... or Friday? (Is tomorrow really only Thursday???)

I did 3 miles this evening in walk/run intervals and I feel great! Running really makes me feel positive. Kind of like coffee, but minus the jitters when I over do it.

TC~ You are such a sweetheart! :hug:

MK~ I guess I can tell the truth now.....I waited until the last minute to sign up for my HM and the fee turned out to $130 bucks, originally 75ish. But since I waited so long the fee went up and I just couldn't shell out the money after putting adeposit down for our wedding....SO I AM REGISTERED FOR THE 11/14 MCDONALD's HM!!!!!! And congratulations on 8 DAYS

Sharon~ I totally understand what you mean. I love this thread, it helped me a great deal when first starting out. It is how I learned of C25K, of course I made my own version of that but it is where I started. Glad this thread helped someone else

Smee~ I hope you feel better dear. :hug:

FatPants~ I am soooooo happy you didn't have to give up running and it is all working out! And you are the confy pace really does mark your improvement. You and MK and Ilene are the bravest ppl I know running in that cold weather. nuh-un not me :snooty:

Great run this morning - except cut short today because a SKUNK was at the track and we just got too scared of it! Ack! But we had a strong 2 miles, so tomorrow will be a rest day before 5K on Saturday. Then HARDCORE training for the next 2 weeks!

Cake, Ilene and the rest of you cold-runners - I think I will enjoy cold running more than summer running. I do like winter better than summer. And I KNOW I will enjoy the fall in-between time! I'll just have to set my mind that it's NOT too cold to breathe and just do it!

Iris - totally know what you mean about the positive feelings. I have much better days, emotionally, after running than on rest days. I love it!

Cake - WHOOO HOO on the HM! Maybe that will be me in the spring! What's your training schedule like?

Cake, just out of curiosity, is that Mcdonald's HM as in the fast food restaurant is sponsoring??

Sharon, I'd be afraid of the skunk too! Two miles is still good. Good luck on your 5k this weekend.

Props to all of the cold weather runners... I HATE being cold. Of course in Arizona I like to make the excuse that it's too hot. Hence the group training is good for me... gets me out regardless of the weather!

Sharon my training schedule is pretty all over the place because I actually trained for a past HM a couple weekends ago. I am just tunning right now doing one or two longs runs a week. I can run up to 10 miles but I haven't gone past that yet. So I dropped it back to 8 (for the long run) and I am slowing building back up to 12 in time for the HM in November. SInce I have more time I felt like I can stretch it out a bit. BUT INITIALLY I used Hal Higdon's HM Novice program as I guide. At that point I had a 6 mile base I guess

Iris - Yeah the Fast Food Place....HAHAHA Maybe they'll pass out fries at the finish line....LMBO

Howdy girls - I'm catching up on a few pages I missed but wanted to post a quick Hi from Boston. Gotta love running at sea level, even if it's on a treadmill - you can go for miles and miles and there's so much oxygen!

Happy running...

Howdy girls - I'm catching up on a few pages I missed but wanted to post a quick Hi from Boston. Gotta love running at sea level, even if it's on a treadmill - you can go for miles and miles and there's so much oxygen!

Happy running...

Cake, I just can't get over the idea that McDonald's is sponsoring a running event!

I'm exhausted today. I know I need a decent night's sleep to be positive and motivated, and I really do almost always make myself get to bed at a decent hour - I'm just not able to control when I actually fall asleep! Last night I tossed and turned till after 2 am and today all I could muster was a walk. I feel defeated. Hopefully I will sleep well tonight, but fridays are off days for me for running anyway.

Hey ladies! Happy Friday!

Got out for 3 miles yesterday with again no knee pain.. very excited about that! Though my last two runs have felt like my legs are dead weights... anyone ever experience that? It's like it takes extra effort to make them move. I don't think it's dehydration - I drink water all day long. Are they just exhausted? I worked out five straight days this week, with my cross training focusing a lot on my legs. :shrug:

It's a true rest day for me...finally rewarding my 50 lbs lost with a new haircut and color for the fall...yippee!

Thanks, Cake! I will look up that program if (when?!) I decide to go for the half.

Happy Friday!!!! Tomorrow is 5K Day - and I think this will be a totally different race experience as it's a much bigger event. I'm excited!

hey all--
smoke free day 11...etting easier...did my 12 mile lactic acid threshold run yesterday....it went very well.....excellent, strong run, very satisfying, and yet, still not much joy...:( but ill take it....each day gets a little better!

I woke up this morning, planning on running, but it was raining!! Pretty hard, actually. I normally wouldnt let that stop me, but it was cold too, like 40 degrees, and the LAST thing i need is a COLD or upper respiratory thing right beofre my marathon!! So i went to the gym, and had an unproeductive workout.
The kicker--- i got on the gym scale this morning...STUPID STUPID STUPID. Let me start off by sating WARNING TMI: since i quit smoking ive only, err.....gone to the bathroom......you know what i mean....TWICE. 2 freaking times in 11 days!! let me tell you i am VERY UNCOMFY and VERY Bloated.....The scale shows ive gained 5.5 pounds in one week!! I am trying to laugh about it (its not funny) but I KNOW i didnt dine at macaroni grill every night the past week, which is the ONLY way i couldnt consumed enough calories to gain 5 pounds!! :) Ive eaten exactly like i always do, im am just so constipated! I am literally FULL OF S**T! :) Thats my rant...... i do NOT want to even bother going in formy weigh in today

Hello ladies! Wow! So much to catch up on! Congrats on all the miles this week ladies!

FatPants~ glad to hear your knee is feeling better!! My knee issue is weak tendons all around the kneecap--it can dislocate pretty easily and has done so while running (my one and only cross country race in HS) so I definitely keep an eye on it. ;)

Sharon~ congrats on deciding to enter the 10K!! I can't wait to hear all about it! :)

MK~ 11 days is awesome!!! :carrot: I'm sorry you're not loving your runs right now, but I'm sure you'll get your mojo back!

I'll be facing cold weather running too--my biggest concern is the ice as well, they don't plow our subdivision very often (which is pretty much the only place I run) and not everyone shovels or salts the sidewalks so I'll be running on snow and ice--eek! Might have to look for those thingies to put on my shoes!

I wanted to second Sharon's post about how wonderful you ladies are! I'm truly a newbie to running and it is so nice to find a group of girls who are snotty and cliquey about running and are sweet enough to offer up so much helpful advice! :)

Well, I got my 3 miles in on Tues & Thurs and both were pretty good runs so that makes me feel even better about the subpar run last week. I have another one tomorrow and I'm going to stick to my usual routine and try not to sleep in like I usually do--hopefully that will help. Or maybe I should try to run at 9:30 and try eating before hand to see how it goes (I forgot who suggested that--great idea!)...we'll have to see what our plans for tomorrow are.

I've been working on baking up some breakfast cookie type things that maybe I could nosh on before running--something not to heavy, but healthy so that I'm not going crazy with calories or sugar...I'm going to try making another batch today with some protein powder thrown in--wish me luck! ;) If I can't come up with anything, I'll probably do some wheat toast w/pb--unfortunately I'm not a fan of bananas unless I'm pg (weird, I know) and well...I'm definitely not now, nor will I ever be again (God willing) be pg!! ;)

Okay girls, computer time is up! I hope everyone is having a great day and to all of those I missed, thanks for all the great advice and posts about your runs--they're totally inspiring!!! :)

Cake - Congrats on HM registration!! Woohoo!

Dancer - Welcome to my world at sea level. Glorious, isn't it? Haha.

Sharon - Good luck on the 5K! You're gonna do so great and I can't wait to hear about it!


FatPants - I've totally had dead leg days. I still can't really figure out why they happen because it's usually so random, but I guess you just have to run through it, make sure to hydrate and refuel well and stretch. Glad to hear you're feeling ok!

Mk - You're doing this! You're really quitting smoking! That's so amazing. Sorry about the unfortunate side effect though. Have you tried laxatives? I know it's kind of gross but it'll make you feel SO much better. Or increase fiber intake at least? That 5.5lbs is absolutely a result of the back up so don't even worry about it. Keep up the happy running!

Idream - Yay for good runs!

Ok girls, I desperately need motivation today. I actually want to run, but I can't seem to get off my butt to do it. I know it'll feel good and I'll love it once I do it, but I'm sooo lazy! Kick in the butt please?

:kickbutt:

There ya go! Now get out there and RUN!!!!

:D

Hi girls -

Well that was a new experience. I had my first exercise induced tossing of the cookies. I ran for 45mins (about 3 miles) yesterday and was overheating so stopped for 10mins to cool down drank probably too much water and then walked for another hour (slow but on incline 8) 5-10 mins after finishing I had a yogurt... which all proceeded to make an appearance again. Yuck!

I think I figure its an overheating dehydration and trying to over hydrate issue but who knows it could have just been my choice of post workout recovery snack. Its a good reminder for me to be more cautious about my nutrition while racing/training.

Okay sorry if that was TMI!

Idream - THANK YOU! I must've read your message about 5 times and finally got off my butt and ran a great 4 miles. I needed that kick!

Ideal - Yikes! Sorry to hear about that. I guess it happens to everyone at some point, so just take what you can from the experience and hope it doesn't happen again!

Hope everyone else is doing well!

Ran 11km (6.5 miles) today in one hour on the treadmill. Am so proud of myself as two weeks ago I could only run 10km in an hour, so pleased I've increased my speed.
Was really struggling today as well, just found it a long time and never really felt in that 'zone' where I could go for ages, but struggled through it and didn't stop.
I tried on some clothes this afternoon and am starting to look good, so have to hang in there with the running!

Great to read all the hard work you are all doing. Very inspiring stuff. xx

miss may--dont you LOVE it when clothes start to look "good"??? i love shopping nowadays!! BIG CONGRATS ON THE DROP IN TIME on your 10K...and in ONLY 2 weeks!! Thats fantastic!! Imagin if yo ucould shave a couple minutes off EVERY couple weeks or month!! Youll see, the better you get, the FASTER youll get better!!

Hey all-- TMI warning AGIAN---(day 12). So last night i got to thinking, what will, INEVITABLY, without FAIL get things MOVING again for me? so to speak (please refer to my above post so i dont have to go into detail again! ) :)
A RACE!! a race ALWAYS gets me going in the morning...... so MY BF and i are going to a race this am, hes going to do the 5k fun run (hes VERY outta shape, and might have to be carried off by paramedics) and i will do the 10K.
and it WORKED!! it worked like a charm!!! Things have started moving again!! I just hop i can get them to stop, before the race and all! Havent decided yet if im just going to RUN the race, or COMPETE in the race (ill decide after i get there and "size up" the competition...how horrible is THAT? :)

oh and by the way, one of the BEST things about marathon training is that i can race just about any distance now, on a whim...... im already more than trained to half marathons, or 10Ks or whatever.... so bonus!!
Love you guys!!

Just a super quick fly by post for me as we're heading out the door soon but had to come and report my quickest 3 mile run to date! 30:58!! :carrot: Still no speed demon, but that'll come in time. Also wanted to report that I woke up at 7:30, at a pumpkin breakfast cookie and a tbsp of natural pb and a little water--waited about 45 mins or so then headed out the door--I'm happy to say there was no barfy feeling and no side stitches!! (I was worried about the water since I get side stitches super easy when I drink before running) :yay: So I think I'll be set if I stick to that next Saturday. :)

I can't believe it...one week until my first 5K!!! :hyper: I'm getting excited!!

Have a great day girls! I'll be back later for personals and such!!! :)

I'm starting to get really bummed about how slow I'm running and how hard I'm finding it. This morning in our group training we did just over 5 miles in intervals of 1:10 running and 2:00 walking. We finished in about an hour and 15 minutes. The group that walked the whole distance were probably only 15 minutes behind us. I know it's fine - I'm out there going the distance - I just feel kind of discouraged.

iDream.... what is a pumpkin breakfast cookie? It sounds very tasty!

MK - glad you're not all plugged up anymore! ;)

I just finished my first trail run of 2.5 miles and it was so much fun! I think this is the first time I have every used "fun" in connection with running, usually it's words like "torture" LOL! The only thing I wasn't prepared for was dirt getting blown into my eyes, but now I know to be aware of this. I was SO slow but next time I will up the pace a little, but right now just slowly ramping up to 3 miles.

Iris -- I'm slow too, but I'm sure the speed will come if that's your goal
mkroyer -- have fun at the 10K!
iDream -- pumpkin breakfast cookie sounds delic! yummy!
missmay -- 6.5 miles in an hour sounds fantastic!

Everyone have a great weekend!

10K race Report
 

not much to report about the 10K i just decided to run on a whim this am....... Oh, except that i TOOK FIRST PLACE FEMALE!!!!!! WAHOOS:carrot::carrot::carrot::D:carrot:
So, i guess thats not TOOO Shabby....! :) I got a cool medal that says first place female in my age division, and then i ALSO got a cool backpack and a gift certificate to a local running store that sponsored the race for winning first place OVERALL!! :carrot::carrot:

More importantly, howeve,r i shaved 2 MINUTES OFF OF MY previous best 10K PR!!! Thats BIG for a 10K!! If you'll notice my signature i have updated my PRs......!! a 46 minute 10K puts me in the "BB" wave for the Bolder Boulder!! FANTASTIC! For those of you who dont know, the Bolder Boulder is a BIG TIME 10K with workd class athletes and over 50,000 runners in it each memorial wave. Because there are SO MANY runners, you have to qualify for certain waves..... they also have waves for non-qualifying times, but they are way later in the morning......in any case there are the "A" waves (elites" the "B" waves (thats me!!) and then C and then D and then E..you get the picture! My overall pace was a 7:30 min mile.....so im quite pleased....

:congrat: MK that is awesome!! Congrats!

Congrats mkroyer!!! Woot!

I was trying to plan more races but it looks like most of the 2010 ones aren't announced yet. When do those usually start popping up? After the new year? A little frustrating because I'm trying to plan my time between now and Ironman Wisconsin. I found an early Dec 8k though I might do but it depends on if I enjoy my Nov 1st 10k I think. I haven't actually done any running races yet just the run portions of Triathlons.

Mk - Gooooo Girl! Oh and glad you got things moving in all types of ways...hehe

iris - pls don't worry about your time. From what I can tell I have been running the longest on thread other than MK (i think so don't bite my head off if I am worng) and I am actually the slowest. I just started running a confortable 10:42 that I can run longer than 2 or 3 miles. I started running in January. But you know I am still inpressed each time I improve even a little bit. And everyone around thinks I am like super psycho runner even I am slow....they don't think so...

okay so I did 8 today in 89:00. pretty good.

Congrats MK!!!


I finally wore my new shoes outside yesterday, and loved them. I was afraid I'd wear them outside, hate them, and waste $100.