http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/20...ts/BRIEFS.html

Thought some of ya'll might like this picture!

ADORABLE pic!

I did another interval workout today and it was great. Did five 400m repeats with 400m recovery and did the repeats slightly faster than last week. The recovery sections actually seem slow when you get used to running faster, it's great! I'm wondering if it's getting time for me to up my steady speed slightly, but think I'll wait til after my race and just play about with it til then.

Both pregnant and both looking fabulous! Love the pic... gives me hope that I can continue running while pregnant.

Evel : I want to hear about your half.

Just gonna jump in here. Hey ladies...I have been MIA for a while too do to...life. But just to let you know i am running my first FULL Marathon in January at Disney and and half this coming September. it will be my third. I haven't stopped running obviously. I will up from here on out. Glad to see all the ladies again.

hey there cake long time.

My half is this Saturday. I'm skeeeerd. I did my lat long run last Friday and realized that there was no way I could run long in my current shoes. They don't offer the support I need when I get tired and less light on my feet. I'm going to run in new shoes. It may be the worst idea I've ever had. I have had success with this kind of shoe before. I'm hoping the love will continue....... Fingers crossed. on the up side I ran 11 hilly miles in less than optimal supportive shoes, did a Costco run and wore heels out to dinner in the same afternoon/ evening and lived to tell the tale. OK the heel are super super comfy, but still. I feel good about being able to cover the distance which is my primary goal.

How are everyone eases race plans coming along?

My Dh is tapering for the full Mary and it is putting a bit of a strain on my ability to not be driven nuts by him. He's veeeeeeeeeeeeeeery excited and ready to go. too much energy to be contained.

SGeranium--
im not trying to make you scared, but i do think that is the worst idea i have ever heard.
i wish it wasnt
but good luck!!

+1 sorry chicka...I dont think it is a great idea. Stiff shoes + speed + distance.

I won't say it's the worst idea I've ever heard, only because I totally tempted fate and ate at at Brazilian steakhouse (new food + LOTS of it) the night before my half mary. The worrying about whether or not I'd have a gut explosion during my race was enough to keep me up for most of the night. (for the record, I did NOT, but I did puke in a port o potty post-race..)

How bad are the shoes? I probably wouldn't tempt fate if I were you. You survived 11 miles in them; you can survive 13 more.

And then reward yourself for finishing your first half marathon with a new pair of running shoes!

SGeranium - i am skeeeerd right along with you.
Know what else is a bad idea? Getting a pedicure just before a race
I had a pedi on Monday and my big toe is sore - should have left the unruly feet until after the run.

Good luck SG - see you at the finish line!!

S

Hello everyone, finally get back into running this week after a really bad month. I jammed my toe at karate two weeks ago and it is still sore but I haven't had any issues this week so far, I'm hoping that will continue.

I'm at a loss as to what to do for my training right now. I have a half marathon scheduled for July 10th, and the last month I have basically not run due to stupidity and injury. I did 2 miles Monday and 1 yesterday, I'm aiming for 3 today. I'm just not sure where to go from here! What would you do as far as increasing mileage with 2 1/2 weeks to go? My longest run before I stopped was 6 miles I think. I'm fairly certain I can go the distance no matter what, whether or not I should well, we'll see. I appreciate any input

I suppose I should add that my foot doesn't hurt when I run since the shoes cushion it.

Hey everyone! Hope all is well and I am excited for those of you who have an upcoming half marathon! SGeranium, sznn, bigknitter, soo excited!

I totally tempted fate as well, my husband took me out for sushi the night before my race. Surprisingly enough my nerves weren't really that bad. I only got a little jittery right at the starting line waiting for the gun to go off. We got there pretty early, and I picked up my timing chip and walked around a bit. All the vendors were still setting up though so there wasn't much to look at. I met up with my friend who was there to support me and her mother in law. She planned on meeting her mil every few miles with water, aspirin, gu chewies whatever she may need and she volunteered to help me out as well. She also has a very expensive and sexy camera that she took pictures with. Haven't seen the pics yet, but I am excited and can't wait! (hope my face isn't too red, lol) Anyway, they had an 80's type warm up where we jumped around a bit and then stretched and we were soon on our way. I was not worried about speed at all, I took my time but also tried to stay with my friends mil. She was definitely faster than me, but I kept her in sight for most of the race. This was the most well organized race I have ever participated in. There were water stations and porta potties every 2 miles and I even got some extra water and encouragement from my friend in between water stations. They had powerade and water as well as a huge group of very encouraging up-beat volunteers. The scenery was beautiful, and there were only a few stretches where there was no shade and the sun was beating down on me. I forgot to wear sunscreen but didn't even get burnt. I was so worried the whole time that i would get injured or something would happen to prevent me from crossing that finish line, but I just kept pushing forward. At mile 6 they had water, powerade, and chocolate flavored guu. I grabbed it and held on to it until mile 8. It was very yummy! Tasted just like cake frosting. yum. I'm thinking my shoes are pretty much done because I started getting knee pain during the race. I never had any knee pain at all during my training so I was a bit worried. My mantra became "FORWARD not UP" to remind myself not to bounce so much and cause my knees any more stress. Shortly after mile 10 I looked up and my wonderful husband was walking towards me! He ran with me and helped push me when I wanted to start walking. He was such an amazing encouragement. When I had only about a mile left he went to the finish line to cheer me on. When there was only half a mile left there began to be so many people along the road side yelling and cheering. It was so amazing. I was pretty much by myself at that point i couldn't see any other runners ahead of me so it felt great that they were cheering for *me.* I almost teared up when I saw the finish line ahead of me but for fear of my throat closing up I got a grip. I sprinted across the finish line and got handed my finisher's medal and was met by my friend and my hubby. My legs were jello but I've never felt so good in my life. It was amazing! DH kept handing me things to refuel (water, bagel, fruit,). I had such a blast! My finish time ended up being 2 hours and 40 minutes and I took the number gladly. My main focus was simply to finish and I had met that goal. I was on top of the world.

The race was so amazing. The support was completely awesome and it really touched me. I would love to do this race again, but I won't be in the area this time next year. Oh well, I will have to look up local races back home. I am so glad I signed up for this race and even gladder that I stuck with the training and crossed that finish line. I am still sore!

EveL sounds like you had a great experience - congratulations!!! Gotta love a well organized race!

EVE - How awesome a story. I am sooo glad you had such a great experience. There is no other feeling is all i can say...

SGeranium - HI!!

I did fartleks on tuesday and skipped wed because my niece was born so i was at the hospital. But tuesday work out was awesome. Did some fartleks 4 X 400 and then some high knees and backwards running combo for 2 X400 . Then I just jogged a couple miles. I have really been working on my strength as well...trying so hard to improve speed and strength.