yaktracks? Please elaborate! Doesn't sound like something I will need in AZ but next year when I'm back east (which I hopefully will be) I may want to invest!

I did 4 miles today and for some reason really struggled with it. It was intervals of 2 min run/1 min walk, and overall we averaged about a 12 min mile... decent but doesn't seem like it should have been as strenuous as it felt!

Ladies...are you ready for this? We ran...6 miles this morning. !!!! SIX MILES!!! I'm so pumped! It was ****, but very do-able ****, if you know what I mean...This is our last run before our 10K on Saturday and we are SO READY!!!

Dream - congrats on the 3 mile run! Feeling better?
Iris - yay for heading back east! It's the only place to be

Hey there Ladies. I don't post often but yes, still running almost daily. I am doing between 3-4 miles now. Every now and again (about once a week) I will venture between 5-6. Love the weather this time of year for working out. It is so much easier when it's not 100 degrees outside--quite literally.

Weight was up on Monday to 134.5 and I wasn't suprised. I am back to daily weighing and being very concious of my food choices. Today it is 132.5.

Can you please tell me what you bought? I ran all last winter (daily in the sleet, ice, whatever) and nearly froze no matter what I tried. If I ever was warm enough, my gear felt way too bulky during my run.

ETA: Another question ladies!

When I run early morning in the winter I am always worried about slipping. Although it doesn't freeze every day where I am or anything, sprinkler systems that go off during the night often leave a fine sheet of ice on sidewalks. In the dark, it makes it pretty dangerous. Any ideas on what I can do to prevent slipping?

Iris~ sorry to hear your run wasn't the best yesterday. Like the ladies told me, some runs are just going to be that way. Here's hoping the next one is fantastic!!

Sharon~ WTG hun!!! 6 miles--SIX MILES!!! That's awesome!!! Feeling much better today, thanks for asking

TBG~ I hear ya, this weather is heavenly to be out running in! I can't imagine running in 100 degree weather--I hate the heat and I'm a big baby!

Not much to report here, just nursing my sore muscles from all the P90X fun! No run for me today, just HIIT. Hope everyone has a great day!!!

Yep! I got these: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-60-NIKE-Wome...item1e5885b4d6

They are warm and comfortable and surprisingly add some stability (or maybe I just feel like a real runner with the tights? lol). The Dri-fit stuff is great for keeping the moisture off so you have another layer of warmth. I've been running with those plus a dri-fit jacket, and I stay pretty toasty, but not over heated.

SHARON--big FAT CONGRATS!!! WTG!! You did it, and you are gonna rock your 10k!!! Now, for your NEXT running goal, how bout you try to allow more than 2 weeks to train for it?
BTW, i absolutely love your "dive right in and go for it!" attitude!!! It has and will continue to serve you very well!

Iris-we all have days we struggle with waht *should* be an *easy* run!! Dont sweat it....your next run will go better!! Keep up the great work!

Marathon COuntdown: 9 Days, 22 hrs 45 minutes....
Todays Taper Workout-- TREADMILL-- BOO Its snowing/raining here. not TOO bad, i def could have braved it at the track, but i was feeling like a baby.
So, did my track Workout on the treadmill
6 X 800 meters, 1 X 1200 meters. 400 meters recovery jog in between each interval.

Interval Speeds (in Min/mile) 7:19; 7:19, 7:03; 7:03; 6:48; 6:32 1200
meter at 7:03
Total Distance 6.40 miles.
This s**t is getting too damn easy guys (cardiovascularly speaking). I cant get my HR up, or my breathing heavy. Im going to have to start running my fast intervals at a decent incline to increase the intensity i think. Dont get me wrong, i LIKE that its easy, but i also DISLIKE the fact that i dont FEEL like im getting as good of a workout as i used to get. Im going to start upping the intensities after my marathon.....dont wanna STOP progressing forward!!

iris - yaktrax are stretchy things that you stick on the bottom of your running shoes that add traction - check out http://www.yaktrax.com/

They might be useful for you, Thighs be gone, if that ice gets thick. You are one of my weight loss heroes, by the way - your before and after photos made me feel it was possible when I was getting started.

sharon - woohoo on six miles! You rock, girl!!

Heading out to run in the cold drizzle - brr.

Thanks everyone!! I'm pretty proud of myself!

MK - hmmm, see I was thinking of scheduling a half marathon for Halloween and then running a marathon on Thanksgiving - no good? JK! Yes, it is pretty crazy that we trained for this is such a short amount of time - truth be told, I didn't really think we could do it! I'm pretty amazed! It makes me feel really powerful and confident, though, about any running goals I want to set in the future - and actually, any goals in any part of life! After all, in July, I was just walking around my neighborhood every night and thought the idea of me running was crazy! Now I can run for miles!!!

Don't worry, I'm going to settle into a slightly more moderate running schedule and do a few more 10Ks over the winter, I hope. Maybe a half marathon in the spring!

Just 9 days till your big day!! How exciting!! I know you'll do great - we'll all be cheering you on!! I really admire your dedicated training schedule, and it's so awesome that you want to keep getting better - never settling down to rest on one accomplishment is the attitude that separates the good from the great. You inspire us!!

dancer - thanks for the yaktrax link. Have you used them? (I can't remember or find who first mentioned them) Does it change your stride, are you more sore when you first start using them or anything?

I think my christmas wish list this year will be GIFT CARDS! So I can get running tights, yaktrax, all the cool running stuff that y'all are always talking about.

sharon - sorry, I've never actually run in them - just gone for walks on icy paths in the park or the neighborhood. I'm planning on giving them a good try this year though - hoping to gradually eliminate most of my excuses for not running when it's cold.

Hey girls!! So sorry ive been totally MIA but I have an exam tomorrow (p.s. in case anyone was wondering, the kidney is VERY boring!) so I've been completely consumed with studying. I've read through your posts though and would love to respond to each but don't have time Congrats to those who are increasing mileage/strength/confidence and all of those wonderful things! And a huge good luck to anyone racing this weekend! I'll report back after my 10k and then I'm back for good (until my next exam...). Have a great weekend everyone!

Ran a decent (for me) 5K on my treadmill this morning after a week of running avoidance.

Trying to get back on track and increase my distance slowly over the next few months.

Congrats everyone!

MK: 9 days! You are an inspiration

Sharon- thank you so much for your kind words! All of you inspire me as well, and i truly enjoy reading about and watching everyone progress in their runing before my very eyes!! Its so exciting to watch all of you take the plunge and find your strengths and your confidence!!! Im honored that you guys let me share some of MY experience and knowledge in the hopes of helping you guys out!!!
btw Sharon, ive heard michigan has some FANTASTIC marathon/half marathons
Momof5K- Thanks!!

MK - next weekend (same as your marathon!) is the Detroit Free Press Marathon/Half Marathon, which seems to be a pretty big deal around here Michigan is a beautiful state for running; however, I am (knock on wood) moving to NYC at the end of this month!!! So I will have to find new routes, new running buddies, new everything! And I'm sure NYC has one or two great events, as well

dancer - How was your run today?
Momof5K - way to hop back into the stride of things!
TC - GOOD LUCK with your exam!!