Mk - Glad to hear you're doing so well with the quitting smoking! It seems like a marathon in 3 months is sooo soon but I can understand how you wouldn't wanna wait until march. Maybe you can do a couple of halfs until then? I'm sure it's not the same and you obviously know your body better than anyone else, so I'm sure you'll make the right decision!

For my 10K, I'd obviously like to run it a little faster than last time, even if just a few seconds so I can say it's a PR! I'm just gonna give it a go and see how I do. If nothing else, it'll just be another Sunday long run, which I haven't been doing much of lately and I really need to get back into it. My training plan calls for 7 miles next Sunday so I really have to step it up!

Loquacious - Good luck with all your work! Hope you can get back into running soon!

i've been lurking here for a while and am so motivated by all you guys!!--what an inspiration at ALL levels.
i am kinda nervous--i just signed up for my first 1/2 marathon which is in a week and half--i'm not looking for time--just to finish kinda strong (for me)!!
i have been running two longer runs each week 6-7miles and a 10 miler with a couple days of rest and a couple days of 3 milers--don't seem to have any trouble with them--sometimes my legs do get quite tired the day after a long run but no real aches or pains--i average just under 10 min miles no matter what distance i run--i think i'm in a rut!!

well i hope you all don't mind me joining in your conversation--if it wasn't for reading about how you all do i never would of had the nerve to sign up for a race!!

thanks for your inspiration~caroline

Don't discount the half marathons -- they are loads of fun!! They are my favorite race distance. Also, there are an increasing number of half-only events (rather than half and full), because the half marathon distance is so popular. It's easier to train for and easier on your body, but you get all of the fun of an "event". Plus you can do more of them with less wear and tear. During last year's running "season" (Oct-Mar) I did 5 half marathons, one 10K, and three 5K's without injury. For some reason, when I hit those >18 mile runs, that's when my knees and feet start to really feel it. That's one of the biggest reasons why I stick to the halfs - my body handles the training better. I train with friends who love the marathon distance and do several a year, so I would never discourage anyone from going for that. I just know what works for me.

MK - I'm so sorry about your stress fracture and here's hoping that it heals soon!!

I am excited because I am nearing the 1000 mile mark for the year. I joined the "1000 miles in 2009" thread and started tracking for fun - I hadn't tracked my running mileage for several years. The last time I tracked it, I made something like 750 miles, so this is definitely the most-ever miles in a year! It makes sense, though, because I've consistently run more weekly mileage this year than I ever have. If I do the planned 16 miler on Sunday, and my other usual shorter runs, I should hit 1000 miles by the end of next week!

Ok, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who is starting to incorporate strength training into their running program. I've lost 55 lbs but I'm still so flabby (except for my legs of course, LOL). Anyway two weeks ago I started with the strength training and even though I'm cursing for DAYS after doing squats and lunges I can totally tell it's having a positive effect on my running (which is really the goal anyway, right?) They do not get fatigued as nearly as quickly now and I can go for longer, faster.

Which brings me to an interesting point. It's been difficult for me to figure out how to diet (restrict calories) and still fuel myself properly for running. If I restrict too much I don't have any fuel to run. If I don't restrict, my weight loss slows or stalls. I think I'm finally starting to figure it out but we'll see. I HAVE figured out that I don't restrict the day before a race and that gives me a lot of extra energy.

Which brings me to my last point. I forgot I'm racing on Saturday! Just a 5k, but the weather should be great and I'm excited to race! I had a GREAT run on the treadmill yesterday (unusual for me, I hate running on the TM) so now I'm pumped!!!

MBN-WAHOOS on the 1000 miles!! You are hitting it way early too! Congrats! :) Ive never tracked my mileage, cept weekly mileage!
Im not "discounting" a half marathon. i do REALLY enjoy the distance, and i would love to shave some time off my PREVIOUS best ( i KNOW i could shatter that now). My trainer has me running up to 2 half marathons a week in the morning before work (we used the distance for lactic threashold training). I enjoy running those "middle" distances---10K to half marathon--because they are still challenging, but short enough that i can really work with pushing the pace. In anycase, no halfs OR fulls around here in Denver till the spring, and im not going to TRAVEL anywhere to do a half. I think its only be worth the travel exepnses if i was doing a full, Soooooo.......

Loquacious--sorry you havent had training time!! it will pick up next week though! No worries!!! And thank you for the compliment!!! Ive worked SO HARD to bring my BF down enough that now all my muscles stick out!! :) Its a good thing!

TakingCharge---I think you should go for a PR on that 10K!!! I bet you could PR by more than a few seconds!! Try starting out running the first half of it at your "normal pace" then try pushing during the second half, JUST A LITTLE BIT faster, like 10-15 seconds per mile, or even faster if you feel comfy!! Its called negative splitting.

Caroline--so glad you decided to join us!!! Are you running the NYC half, or is it a different one?? I think with the training plan you just described you will do really well!! Have you run further than 10 yet? There no worry if you havent. You seem more than strong enough to go those extra 3 miles, NO PROBLEM! :) How long have you been running? Will this be your first Hlaf? First race?

Well, i managed to eek out 2 miles on the treadmill (couldnt contain myself, and i NEEDED to know how my foot would feel). The verdict? Foot was angry, foot DID NOT like running. HOWEVER< i found that when i substantially increased the incline on the treamill, up to between 3% and 5%, my foot stopped bothering me. Im sure its becuz i strike with a different part of my foot when runninguphill. SO at least now i know i can run hills on treadmills. Cant do em too fast or anything, but at least with running uphill im getting a pretty good workout! :) I will try treadmill running again on saturday, i guess. DOnt wanna try outside yet. Maybe in a week or so if it keeps feeling *ok* on the tread.... BLghhh.

FatPants--once your body gets used to the strength training, if you wanna REALLY help your leg strength/running strength, then start incorporating plyometrics into your leg days. Its just another form of LActic Acid threshold training, and you will see improvements FAST if you start doing them, both in your plyos themselves, AND in your running!

You are the ONLY PERSON ive ever met who *Forgets* they have races coming up!! :) Good luck on it!!!!

I think the program I'm going to start on Sunday (ChaLEAN extreme) incorporates plyometrics but I'm not 100% sure. Either way it might be easy to incorporate them!

Yeah, I have so much going on right now that I keep forgetting about racing in two days! It's good for me, though... it gives me less time to be nervous about it. :)

Mk - Thanks for the advice on my race. Sounds like a great plan! I'll give it my best shot and hopefully have good news to report back. Glad that you got in a short run today without too much pain! Hope you feel better soon!

FatPants - Good luck on your race!!!

No run for me today. I've been running around in heels all day (not actual running, haha) and my shins are just not having it, so I don't wanna freak them out too much before the race. An extra rest day won't kill me! Have a great weekend everyone!

I've been avoiding this thread a little bit since I haven't ran since SATURDAY... but I did do 2.25 miles today on the treadmill. I just feel so slow and out of shape. I never felt this way when I first started running! I think the issue is that when I'd never done it before, every accomplishment was new and exciting for me. After starting to run again after not doing it for awhile, I think I am just frustrated that I'm incapable of picking up where I left off.

Anyway - saturday group training is 8-9 miles. YIKES! I'm really afraid I won't be able to keep up.

I did 3.5 miles this morning and it went okay. I won't likely be able to run now until Sunday so I hope to do 4 miles that day.

We'll see!

Have a great weekend everyone!

It's just temporary - you'll get your running mojo back quicker than you think. I can have those slow/sluggish/painful runs for lots of reasons -- laid off for a while, have trained TOO hard (or recovering from a race), up a few pounds, not enough sleep/rest, didn't fuel right, or the weather is really hot. If you just keep at it, you'll bounce right back after a few runs.

My philosophy on the long runs is just to go out and do them no matter how long it takes. Even if I have to walk it. So what if you don't keep up? Just drop back and go at your own pace. What matters is training your body to keep moving through the distance. It's far better to run/walk your 8 or 9 miles than to skip the long run! And once you get out there, you will probably do better than you think you will. But, I feel less stressed when I give myself permission to do it as slowly as I need to - increasing distance is enough challenge without expecting speed too! Also, when I start a very long run, I refuse to think about just low long I'm slated to go - I just go. This distance running thing is so much of a head game.

We've got 16 miles planned for Sunday .... that's the longest I've done in years. Last year, I only went up to 15 miles (once). It's going to be hot again, so we'll be taking plenty of walk/hydration breaks. And if I end up walking the last mile, so be it. It will still be 16 miles. And I will feel GREAT when I'm done! :D

Hi runners! Happy Friday!

Since we were discussing the 3 marathoners at the Detroit Marathon/Half Marathon that died this week, I thought I'd pass along this article from John Bingham. Inevitably I've had people ask me if it's safe to run a marathon! I thought John made some great points.

Fat--Ive never had anyone ask me if Marathoning was dangerous, but i HAVE had several people ask "How far is the marathon youre running in?" Non-runners dont realize that a marathon, just like 10Ks and every other race, has a STANDARDIZED measurement!

What a sh**ty coincidence that that had to happen at the Detroit Marathon.....

TO ALL--- If you guys are into reading, i have two FANTASTIC Running-themed novels for you to check out..
--- Born to Run
---- Once a runner

Once a runner is a fictional novel written in the 70s and has become a "right of passage" that all runners MUST read, etc etc. Ive been actually LISTENING to it on audio book during my long runs, and it is GREAT. Rreally funny.

Born to Run is a new book that just came out i think this year, and is SO PHENOMINAL. Im reading it right now, and im scared becasue im almost done with it, and i dont want to EVER FINISH it because im enjoying reading it so much!! Its writen LIKE a novel, but is actually a true story and is filled With all kinds of great running "stuff" You guys will love it

It's seems like that article implies the runners pushed too far - but - all runners ever do is push themselves. (I say this as a runner, not as a criticism). Running threads are all about pushing. It didn't seem to me like the article explained anything.

Everyone..."congrats," "too bad," "go you," "keep it up", etc., and everything else from all the comments I'm behind on! I'm super super super busy/freaked out/excited with my big move just a week away. I can't wait to take the leap of faith, but I'm also terrified that I'm ruining my life, if you know what I mean :p

But I've kept faith with my running at least - nothing awesome, but three pretty good 3-4 mile runs this week. And tomorrow a 5K - the last one with my sweet running buddy (sob). It's weird to be going into a 5K with no anxiety whatsoever. And I'm sure it'll have its challenges, but I'm looking forward to it just being fun and exciting!

I'll try to keep popping in, at least, because y'all help keep me inspired and accountable! And once I get settled in NYC, I'll be good about giving the support right back :)

Happy running!!

I agree we push ourselves. Aren't we always trying to run faster or further? Have a better race time? Runners are usually competitive by nature.

I think the point of the article was to know when to push yourself and when to know when it becomes unhealthy to do so in terms of the affects it has on your body or health. I think - and this goes for any physical activity, not just running - that people can start to think that just because you're doing physical activity that doing more than what your body is capable of handling is good for you. Though, I don't like that he assumes that the reason they died is because they were pushing themselves. There is just no way to know that unless an autopsy is done.

There is pushing yourself, and pushing yourself until it becomes dangerous.

FatPants, I agree. I even agree with him that if they all died near the finish line, you have to wonder if they were pushing themselves too far.

I just think that suggesting that those runners pushed themselves too far, and therefore others will be OK if they push themselves, but not too far, is exceedingly vague and unhelpful.

hello runners
 

I'm migrating over from the triathlon thread. I did my first triathlon at the end of the season this year and loved it. There will definitely be more in my future, faster and longer hopefully. I'm focusing more on running in the off season to increase my endurance. I've been lurking over here for a bit, so I thought I would jump in and say Hi. I have a 10K trail run in a few weeks that will be my first run only event. I signed up for this particular event to get over my fear of running hills. I'm still working on it. I've hiked the course so I know what to expect, hilly and beautiful the story of my life..... My running has felt less than grand the past couple of weeks, I know it will turn around, but I'm getting a little impatient for it.

TOTALLY agree about it being vague. What is "too far"? What's too far for one person may not be too far for the other person. Plus if you don't push yourself, you'll never improve. It's hard to quantify what's "too far."

Hey girls. Interesting conversation about knowing your own body and its limitations. I think that's a big part of this whole weightloss/fitness journey - learning to listen to your body and know what is right for YOU and not for anyone else.

Iris, MBN, Sharon - Good luck on your races/long runs this weekend!

Mk - Thanks for the book recommendations! I'm gonna go to the library today and see if I can find them. How are you feeling??

SGeranium - Welcome! How cool that you did a triathlon! I've been thinking a lot of looking into those, but (and this is a bit embarassing...) I don't know how to ride a bike! Just never learned as a kid. Maybe one of these days though. I'm impressed that you signed up for a trail race. Those scare the **** out of me! You've inspired me to incorporate hill runs into my training! Your running will definitely pick up. Just stick with it and come here to get inspiration from these amazing ladies!

As for me, I got in a nice 4 mile run today and am excited for my 10K on Sunday. I haven't felt as strong on my runs lately but I think it's just one of those weeks, so hopefully next week will be good and I'll attempt a 7 mile run (ahhh!!!). Oh, I tried out of my running shorts! Sadly, after about 10 minutes, they started to ride up and got so uncomfortable that I ran up to my apartment to change into capris. Bummer. I felt like a real runner in shorts! I know it's silly but it's just one of those images I've always had in my mind. Guess I have some experimenting with running shorts to do!

Taking-dont give up on shorts!! keep trying different brands!! ALso, you can try going a size UP to make them baggier...that seems to help too!!!
I am feeling "ok". Tried to run today, but my foot was having none of it...Grrrrr......

WelCome Sgeranium!!! You will have to regal us with stories of training for tris!!! SOmething ive always wanted to do, unfortunately, I cant SWIM!!
Taking Charge--- I will do the bike, you do the swim!!! I mean, i Know HOW to make it from one end of the pool to the other without drowning, but that is really the extent of my ability!

Dont worry about your running funk either! We all get them! Youll pop outta it. All it takes is one really Stellar Run and youll have "it" back :)

TakingCharge--BTW Hot mama!!!! You are SO close to goal now!! :) You and i weigh the same!! :) I weighed in today at 137...BOO...but thats ok, because i havent GAINED any weight the past couple weeks, plus i had a total oink fest on Sunday and then tuesday at work. The nicotine patch comes off TOMORROW, for better or for worse, i guess.

Mk - Thanks for your nice words! I needed them today :( PMS has taken over and I feel like total crap and like a big fatty fatterson (it's ridiculous, I know). I even bought a cookie! I haven't done that in months. My original goal was 130 but I ended up at 137 about 4 months ago and have just maintained since then. I know I could get down lower but I can't seem to reign in my eating so I've hovered around 137. One of these days, I WILL get down into the low 130's because I think I'll feel more comfortable there, but I'm just not ready to push myself to that point yet. Hopefully soon! I totally wish we could do a triathlon together!! I have no friends here who are into health and fitness and it's kind of a bummer! Sorry your foot's not feeling better, but hopefully if you give it some rest, it'll appreciate it and get better!

wanted to *try* to run outside today........ no bueno . . . . NO FREAKIN' BUENO..... i give up..... :( i LOVE RUNNING, and i miss it!! and if ANYTHING running in that marathon just made me want to get out and RUN even more!! GRRRrrr.....

5.25 mi Short tempo run---1 mile easy warmup... 4 miles 7:40 pace avg; .25 mi cooldown.

If you guys want to ***** and warn me about running on my foot i will give you my BFs number.... :) The first couple miles hurt like a *****. Then i think my foot went numb(?). No good....but AAAHhhhhhhhh....it felt GREAT to be running outside!

SkinnyPAnts---new avatar?? IS that from this weekends 5K??? Lets hear about it then :)

mk - ouch! but glad you got outside - we sure get addicted to the runner's high, don't we?

TC - you are a skinny minny and look fabulous! Sorry you're not feeling that way this weekend but I'm sure you'll get your mojo back soon!

Had a great run yesterday - 4.4 miles at under 11min/mile which is fast for me at that distance. I was in a hurry as I had a dinner to get ready for and didn't want to be late - maybe I need a deadline to push me all the time! Am planning on taking my time on a longer run this morning - hope you're all enjoying some leisurely Sunday runs today....

Mk - You crazy girl! I totally understand though. I'm glad you got in a decent run but I will ask that you take care of yourself and make sure not to push yourself toooo much. :)

Dancer- Thank for your sweet words! I really appreciate it. And damn girl, that sounds like a great run!! You're really pushing yourself and kicking butt. Wtg!!

My race today was freakin awesome!! I'll report back a little later as I'm in desperate need of a nap but I can say with 100% certainty that I beat my first time by atleast a minute!! I'll post the official time when they put it up. Yay!!

it's never to late.....
 

to learn how to ride a bike or swim. There should be a deck chair to 800M program somewhere right. The internet has everything else.

The wind, rain, and a very sick child forced me in the gym for a Friday night run. I'm going to have to toughen up if I'm going to survive the Seattle rainy winter outdoors. Totally my own personal opinion but, more than 45 minutes on the TM blows. Aside from mind numbing boredom that almost sabotaged my goal around minute 50 I had a pretty good time. Still not great, but definitely good enough. I am happy with good enough for today. I'm supposed to have a six mile long and comfortable today. I spent much of the night up with my other sick child, so I'm not exactly feeling it today. We'll see how it goes....

Everyone take care of yourselves

TC -woohoo on a great race - WTG!

sgeranium - I hear you on the TM boredom threshold thing - I have to have multiple forms of entertainment to make me stick with it when I'm traveling and have to use the hotel gyms - tv with closed captioning and my ipod. Craziness! Let me know if you discover any good tricks to make you keep going!

Back with the official time..56:41!!! I wrote a long recap but for some reason it got deleted and now I'm too tired to rewrite it :(

Basically, it was an awesome race! The course was WAY hillier than I'm used to, considering I don't run hills at all, so it was tough but it was fun to push myself and fight the pain! Somehow, I managed to keep a pretty good pace (around 9 - 9:30) the whole time, slowing down a little on the uphills and speeding up on the downhills, and I felt pretty good for most of the race, except for a small mental hurdle (or was it that steep hill??) around mile 3. Overall, it was a really great day and it felt wonderful to get up early, support a worthy cause (pancreatic cancer research) and challenge myself. It was really touching to see family members and big groups of people honoring their friends and family who had passed away from pancreatic cancer and I'm so happy I was able to be a part of that. It really makes you appreciate your health and your loved ones.

Well, I'm officially pooped...but I hope you all had great weekends and can't wait to hear about all your runs!

Ugh what do you want to hear? It wasn't pretty LOL

I think my offical time was 38:02. HRM time was a little shorter but not much. I wanted to get comfortable with racing becuase I tend to get very nervous and overwhelmed running with so many people. I did accomplish that. And I didn't die, nor did I finish LAST so hey maybe it was sucessful after all :)

The course, however, SUCKED. Very poor planning on their part. The first 2 miles were fine, I think I was around 11:30 pace which is what I wanted. But they were having a Halloween festival in town and didn't close the street down for the race. Said we coculd run in the bike lane but everyone was parked in the bike lane! So, had to run on the sidewalk and dodge people. I must have stopped at least 5 or 6 times to yell/wait for people to get out of the way. Honestly think I would have had a decent race if it wasn't for that. ALSO - I came into the finish area and the clock said 37:30 and they announced my name as I finished... I'm looking around for a finish banner or something... NOTHING! So I just stop.. I have no clue if I have actually crossed the finish line or not. And then I hear people yelling fo rme to keep running and I look and there is ONE guy standing there at what is supposedly the actual finish line? It was strange. And stupid. Manitou Springs is the Boulder of Colorado Springs.

You know, I was bummed yesterday but I'm over it today. I have no other choice but to keep practicing. :p

Hey ladies Im new to the forum!! I would like to join the running chat. Quick history. I ran track in HS could of went somewhere for college but was burnt out by my senior year so I cheered competivitely in college. I cheered for 4yrs and would run every once in awhile. I was never a distance runner...would cry when they made me do the 400...lol!!! But once I was done with cheerleading running was the only thing I knew that would get my body back into shape. I started running in 05-06 daily running up to 7miles a day w/o fail. Then I decided to run a mini just to push myself. So I completed my first and only mini in April 06 with a time of 2:09 with a rolled ankle by the 7th mile....lol! My goal was to be under 2hr but my time was fine for me (someone who never liked distances). I havent ran one since it killed my knees (yrs of pounding from sports/tumbling). I would like to try just have mental blocks when I go to sign up. I am back to running due to some wt gain from stress the last yr. I am up to 6miles 2-3x a week with 4-5 on other days. I just got my 6miles down to 57:11. Im trying not to run for time but I get real competitive and push myself to beat my last.
Ive been reading thru this thread for quite some time and you all rock:carrot: I would like to get some encouragement and advice from u all in hopes to motivate myself to run the mini in St. Louis this April. I also plan to do the Chalean to keep my muscle tone while I run. I dont want to bulk up as running keeps me really lean but I need something else to do to burn more calories.
Sorry this was long!!! ;)

welcome, bablou!

Finished a long 16 miler on Sunday morning with the gang. It was the longest run I had done since I was full-marathon training back in 2002; I think the longest I did last year was one 15 miler. It felt good, but now I remember why I like to stick with halfs -- runs approaching 3 hours long (or more) are for the birds! It just starts becoming too much like work! :p

MK/TakingCharge -- I also have this little nagging urge to do a tri. But, my swimming skills are dismal and the idea of open ocean swims en masse pretty much freak me out. I wish my gym coached multi-sport, or at least offered swim lessons. If I could get more proficient, then I think I'd feel more comfortable trying out a sprint tri. We have them down here all of the time. Maybe some day. For now, I'm sticking with lots of running, kayaking, hiking and gym classes ....

ugh - my knee pain issue appears to have returned so I may end up doing the strengthening exercises and sticking to the elliptical only this week. With the snow they're expecting tonight, it may be a good plan anyway.

Hope all your runs are great ones!

FatPants - Sorry to hear about the crappy 5K! It sounds like it was a total organizational mess...what a bummer! You did the best you could under those circumstances and now you have another 5K under your belt, so that's what really matters. Hope you've had a few good runs since then!

Bablou - Welcome! It sounds like you already have a really solid running base, so it's just about getting back into it and slowly increasing mileage/speed and getting more comfortable. You should totally do another half marathon if you're not feeling any pain or anything like that. I'm doing my first in February and am super excited! We're all definitely here to cheer you on!

MBN - 16 miles...you're a rockstar!

Daner - Sorry to hear about your knee issue! That totally sucks! Hopefully if you take care of yourself this week, you'll be back at running in no time.

I'm doing pretty well this week. I've been sooooo tired though, not sure why. I had to come home from school this afternoon so I could take a nap! And my run this morning was sluggish, at best. Maybe it's left over tiredness from the 10K? I know it's not a long distance, but waking up early, all that excitement...I don't know. Anyone experience intense post-race fatigue? Happy almost humpday!

Yes! Running races take more out of you than you think. You are running much harder than normal due to all of the race adrenaline. You may not be sore, but your muscles are still recovering. Give it a few days, don't stop running, but make them easy runs, and you will bounce right back.

Last January, I ran the best 10K of my life - PR and 2nd in my age group. I was thrilled that I broke into sub-9 miles (55:42 time, and I may never do that well again!) I didn't allow for recovery time -- kept training hard. I ran a half marathon the next weekend and boy, did I bonk! It didn't help that I went out for 3 hours of kayaking the day before the half, either. I felt fine, but those muscles can only handle so much before they just get too tired to perform. So, moral of the story, do allow for at least some level of recovery after a hard race!

And you'd think I'd lose weight when I'm training at that level but noooooo, I tend to gain! :rolleyes: