Reading the posts are motivating me to consider doing a 5K again. I've done a lot of 5Ks, a couple 5 miles, 1 10K and a 10 mile. I get extremely nervous before every race, even though I ran cross country for 3 seasons in school.

Training for races gives me an extra boost in weight loss. Maybe it was the increased mileage or maybe the speedwork. It works like magic almost.

I agree with everybody saying running is addictive. It is the only form of exercise that I count as a work out. I love walking and biking, but I never can get my heart rate up with that exercise for a long period of time. On my bike, I coast down the hills & am not working it like I should up the hills.

This is it for me exactly! I can CONTROL running and mileage. It's all within my control and my realistic time frame.

May I post on this thread? I'm a bit more of a "wannabe runner" at this point than a real runner, but I'm determined to get there sooner rather than later. I used to run and then fell out of it and now running about kills me, but I'm not doing a C25k program or anything like that so I couldn't really find any other thread where I might remotely fit in.

I'm signed up for a 5k on May 31. I hope to be able to jog at least most of the race.

40 minutes on the indoor track yesterday. I'm incredibly excited that I think I'm going to receive my new GPS/HR monitor in the mail today. I've been running based on time, but I really want to see what my distances are.

Wow, lots of posts to catch up on! Welcome, new folks.

evoo - of course you can post. congrats on signing up for your first 5k!

And yes, I definitely agree with what has been said: running for me has been a bigger accomplishment than losing the weight. It has boosted my confidence more and been a bigger challenge, and a bigger mental hurdle to overcome. As Eliana said, you can control your running. I have no idea what the scale will do from one day to the next, but I know I can make good choices about both my eating as well as my mileage, pace, etc of my workouts. So it has been really helpful to me to focus on that instead of the ongoings ups and downs (and slowing creeping downs...) of the scale.

Had a wonderful 45 minute run last night after dinner on a lovely, breezy spring evening here in the foothills of the blue ridge...aahhh! Happiness!

Uber, did you order the new Garmin 110?
I'm still waiting for mine , their arrival in the UK has been delayed due to the volcanic ash cloud which stopped flights in and out of the UK. I keep hoping for an email confirming it's despatch each day

YES!!!! On your recommendation! I was supposed to get it a couple of days ago so I'm not sure what's up. I can't WAIT!

Exciting! We'll have to compare notes when we both get them and have had time to try them out. I can't wait to be able to see my pace and distance accurately, think it will be so much more motivating.

Perfect! We can swap notes! I "think" I'm running a little faster now, but I really don't know how far I go in 40 minutes.

A thing that I really like about running outside, is that other runners/walkers are always so supportive, while at the gym it seems that everyone there keeps to themselves and offers no form of moral support whatsoever.

I know how you feel. I was terrified of getting terrified before my first 5K.... I read on here that someone got so worked up she didn't perform as well as she could have. The one thing that always amazes me when I get nervous about a run (that race, or when I up my mileage) is that I always remember how to run. I'm so nervous, and then when it comes time to start running, I just begin to trot at the same speed I always do. It's like I'm scared I won't remember how to push one foot in front of the other lol.

And me too. Last week I honestly ate everything but the kitchen sink. Not literally haha, but I had quite a few off-plan snacks/meals. And I still lost 2.6. It was great! A fluke, but great lol.

Today I did my 3.5 miles. It wasn't too bad. It was cooler today, and breezy. The extra distance was a skosh hard, but I handled it. 3 days until my next 5K! Wooohoooo.

yeah for all the new people.

Oodles: I just wanted to say a big congrats to you for quitting smoking. It is some hard business that.

Hi Everyone! Can I join in? I'm so excited to find a running thread on here...

A little background... I've been an on-again, off-again jogger/runner for about 18 years (since college). I've done a bunch of 5ks, a couple 10ks, and one 1/2 marathon three years ago. Last year, I was training to do it again when I got a stress fracture and tendonitis, which sidelined me for months. I was cleared to run again in March and I've been making up for lost time!

I'm planning on running a 1/2 marathon this fall, and I'm using the Hal Higdon intermediate program that includes speed work, which I've never done... should be interesting... normally i just trudge along with a "slow but steady" mentality...

Eliana, you asked about running in the heat. When I was running regularly with a friend a few years ago, we did our runs at 5:30 in the morning -- partially to beat the heat and partially to finish before our husbands left for work (and left us with the kids). I LOVE SLEEP! So it was not easy for me. I was tired a lot that summer. But it was a great way to start the day. It's also crucial to stay hydrated when running in hot/humid weather.

Nice to "meet" you all and read about what you're doing!

So...uh... how long before the weight loss kicks in? *sigh*

Just been to the gym and did my "last chance workout" before official weigh in day tomorrow lol.
After 20mins on the treadmill I thought there was no way I'd be able to do a full 5k today but I did it and actually shaved 6 seconds off my PB to 39mins 13secs and did 1min at my fastest speed yet 9.1kph lol.