Eve - at the local parks and rec center near me, they have a number of pool workout classes. Some are for seniors only but a lot are for anyone - they use kickboards and some sort of dumbbell things - presumably not weights but definitely resistance. That might be something that would keep you interested, because I know swimming laps can be a nightmare of boredom for me!

Marjolein - I run around 35 minutes for a 5k, but when I did one with my mother (her first, at 67!) we finished in 44 minutes. It was all rolling hills and we walked a lot, so I think 45 minutes is very reasonable for you, considering you can already run for 30 minutes straight. I'd go for it - you'd be surprised about how much you'll progress between now and then.

Blue - I read about the 1% incline in Runner's World a while ago, and I didn't think it would have much impact, but boy, does it! Now I always use an incline on the TM, and I definitely feel better for it - it means when I get back outside, I feel like I've progressed during the TM runs.

My knee is sore today, thanks to a rough horse riding session yesterday, so I'm resting it. But tomorrow, I will run before I ride - that seems to work a lot better, knee-wise! Just signed up for my first 5k of the year, February 20, so I know I need to stay on top of the runs, even if all I do is keep the distance and just finish the race - probably not going for a PR this time of year!

GAH I AM SO FRUSTRATED!

I am practically crawling out of my skin wanting to run! I planned on going to the gym today to do the darned elliptical, but when I got there, they were closed! The pool is closed too. RAR! I really want to do my clx cardio workouts, but I'm worried they may be too high impact and would impede the 'healing' process of my hip. Fat, you have clx too what do you think? Should I just follow Donna in the dvd's and modify it so it's not has hard?

I am really having a hard time of this, and it's only day 2! Sorry for all the b**ching and complaining but I had to get it out.

Julesp, whenever the pool is actually open, I will check and see if they have any classes. Thanks for the idea!

Blue, congrats on budging the scale! You will get there!

Hey Eve, from what I remember the cardio interval workout wasn't too high impact so I say go ahead and do it. Definitely do the modified moves if it's going to impact your hip too much. When you do get back into the gym, the stationary bike will be your best friend!

Our unreasonable cold spell continues in South Florida... I ran a very cold AND rainy 10K on Saturday morning. Only about 55 insane, er, dedicated runners did the 10K and maybe another 50 did the 5K. It was very near a PR for me at 55:51, and it was good enough to get me a first in my age group! (and yes, there was more than one in my age group!!). It was 52 and raining when we started and 44 and still raining when we finished. Major brrrrr!

I intentionally pushed my long run off until Sunday afternoon, then bailed halfway through my planned 14 miler. It wasn't just the cold (46 degrees), it was the darned WIND! I admit it, I'm a wimp. Fortunately, the weather is due to warm up later in the week to something more like normal for us.

At least I didn't do Disney this year ... several of my friends ran the Goofy, which is running both the half on Saturday AND the full marathon on Sunday! The weather was truly miserable for them, and I'm sure I'll hear all about it during our next Sunday long run.

I'm happy to see everyone is doing so well! I sustained a strained ankle...very minor..but staying off it for a few days before I start running/training full-swing!

MBN: That Disney one sounds intense... I'm going to work towards a half and maybe in the future, i'll look into that one.

MBN: I sure hope that cold spell snaps soon. My family and I are headed to Orlando for a family vacation next month and I am looking forward to some warm weather running.

I think it would be SO fun to run a race through Disney World but that Goofy sounds CRAZY!!

Just wanted to update you all on my first foray into the pool as cross-training: I rested on Sunday and then yesterday spent a good 40 minutes in the pool doing laps and water-running. Pretty simple - just got in the deep end where I couldn't touch and 'ran laps' in the pool. Nice because it is just as much upper body workout as lower body. I took my pulse a few times and while it was not as high as it gets when I run, it was definitely elevated the whole time. I really need to get a pair of goggles so I can do laps better. So for anyone looking at swimming as cross-training, I recommend it, and plan to do it once a week or so just to mix things up.

Still cold here (like it is everywhere it seems...) so headed to the gym for TM workout. My goal is to run 4 miles (longest distance I've ever run!) at a slow, easy pace between 12 and 12:30 minutes per mile.

MBN: congrats on first in your age group! Sounds like quite a race.

Eve - sorry to hear about your frustration. Hang in there - this too shall pass!

loquacious - hope your ankle heals soon!

jules - I don't ride much, but when I do it definitely causes soreness in knees and hips for me!

Hello everyone! We have had some nice weather (ok, nice for HERE - 55 degrees today) lately so I've been able to get outside for my runs. I officially started half marathon training this week and it starts out with 4 miles for my long runs. Seems kind of easy, but I'm determined to stick with what the expert (Hal Higdon) says and follow the plan. I'm sure it will get difficult soon enough. I've also added back the weight lifting and a few classes during the week...spin, ultimate conditioning, yoga, etc. I'm looking forward to more variety on my cross-training days.

I'm finding the most difficult part about getting back into the swing of things is not the exercise, but the diet. I catch myself a lot eating when I'm not hungry. Argh!

Hello chickies.

mbn- congrats on first in your age group! You pushed through even though the weather was so crappy, great job!

blue- your pool workout sounds good! I wish I could listen to my ipod in the pool without breaking it, lol.

fat- I'm excited for you starting your half marathon training! I would be starting along with you, but....darned hip. You are going to do awesome!

I REALLY hope that I can heal and get back to running in time to train for my half in June. I already dropped so much money into the darn thing (registration and training 'camp') that I will walk the whole thing if I have too! I'm wondering when I get back to running, how far back I will have to take my milege....I was at 3 miles or 36 mins without stopping to walk....maybe when I start back up I will just do 2 miles? Or should I do less....decisions decisions....What do you guys think?

I have an hour long cardio class today so I'm feeling good. I hate the elliptical...after running outside and on a track, it's just hard for me to stare at a wall for 30+ minutes...

I hope those of you nursing injuries can get back at it soon! I never thought I would ever be one of "those people" that wanted to run...nor did I ever anticipate understanding those that did but...

Here I am! Finally got a 3 mile run in today and it felt great (even if I was only on my treadmill). Woohoo! I hadn't run since my New Year's event and I was missing it.

I have decided to register for a half marathon relay in my community this May. 6.55 miles is further than I have ever run but I am really looking forward to it (I can hardly believe I am saying that!). I started Hal Higdon's 10 training schedule this week. It is an eight week program and my event is almost double that away but I know that I may end up repeating or missing some weeks while on our Florida vacation etc so this will give me tons of time to prepare.

At least it is something to plan for/prepare for/ stay motivated for. My biggest fear is that once I have made it to goal (just over 20 pounds to go!!) my motivation for running will go too. This way, I know I can't start slacking...no matter what my weight.

Not sure if that's crazy or not but, right now, it's working

Hi ladies!

I'd like to join your wonderful thread here. A little about me: I was an avid cross-country gal in high school, in top shape. My fastest mile split was 6:18. I got horrible shin splints at the end of XC season my senior year, and had to stop running altogether 2 weeks before league finals because I was on the verge of stress fractures. I came back and ran league finals through the pain... it was the most painful thing I've ever experienced. I stopped running and haven't really gotten back into it... until now.

I went away to college and started putting on weight like crazy. My once active body was being fed junk food and alcohol and not getting exercise. Fast forward to the present. I'm a recent college grad who wants her high school body back! I went from a svelte 125 pounds to a size 16 189 pounds. I've been working hard, and I'm down to 177, and I've discovered running again.

I've been doing consistent cardio for about 2 months now, and I'm ready to train for my first 5K in 5 years on February 20th. That gives me 6 weeks to train! I'm not concerned about a fast time or anything. I just want to feel the feeling... I'm sure you all know what I mean. I made a training schedule for myself:



Any comments, advice, or encouragement will be very much appreciated!

I did my first round of intervals today. Oh baby.... burns so good...

momof5k- congrats on signing up for the relay! It sounds like a great idea! I totally understand what you mean by wanting something other than weightloss to look forward to and work for. That's what running is for me too. I can't wait to get back at it!

Welcome Jazz! Glad that you are back to running and here with us to tell us all about it!

I've been such a grump this week because I haven't been able to run OR work out with as much intensity as I'm used too. Yesterday at my aerobics class, my instructor found out about my doctor's orders and she took my step away! I had to finish the class flat on the ground with no incline and my heart rate was sooooo low. I'm really looking forward to spinning class today because I can do that as hard as I can without worrying about my stupid hip!

That's what I did too -- once I reached my weight goal, I just set other kinds of goals. That's why I keep signing up for races - they are loads of fun and keep me in training. If I training right (which includes eating right), then the weight maintenance follows naturally.

My friends are already signing up for next year's Goofy. My husband is encouraging me to go for it. I'm on the fence ... Oh the peer pressure ...

Jazz Welcome...
if you are still trying to build up your base mileage, and are not worried about speed, why ar eyou doing 2speed sessions a week?? In all honesty, if your 5 K is in 6 weeks, and you are a "begginner" runner again, i would just build up distance and mileage....you dont want your shin splints bak, do you? Personally, i couldnt LIVE without my weekly speed sessions, then again, i already have a goOd base... just my two cents!!! at least cut it down to just one a week! (to be honest, doing speed work for 6 weeks, you wont see a noticable improvement because of them, in such a short amount of time).... Good luck, and welcome!

MBN: congrats that's pretty cool.
Eve: have fun at spin, I love spin. I hope your injury heals soon.
Jazz: Welcome, and good luck with your plans, don't be to hard on yourself
momof5kids: I need events to keep me inline as well. They're fun so it's not all bad.
BRMG: The pool is great cross training especially for runners. And they do make all kind of cool music stuff to liven up your swim. some a lot of $ some not as much.
FP We are on the same post holiday page. Exercise not hard for me to get back to. I love i, I need it. Getting the food back in line is harder for me too. I'm not eating bad stuff, just when, and how are my problems.

After much more stretching and consistent yoga my leg problem seems to be on the way to much better. I'm still getting a falm roller though. My whole lower half is still so tight it might just snap any day. So last night I ran a very tough 4 in the rain in the dark. Why so awesome you ask. because 6 months ago any one of those things would have sent me indoors. three months ago any combo of those things would have sent me indoors. There's nothing wrong with the treadmill, I just enjoy outside running so much more. I put up with the tread. Here's to getting over your stuff. This loop will form now on be known as the beast. It is down a great big hill up another turn around repeat. Walking on the steepest part only or my heart would have exploded. There is maybe two block of flat in the whole four miles. No wonder my dh is getting stronger by the second.