Hi Runners!

Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Kelley, and I started running this past January. I completed the Couch to 5K program with encouragement from my neighbor, who is a marathon runner. I ran my first 5K in May, and was excited to have done it in under 30 minutes. Since May, I have still been running, but I admittedly slacked a little once it got ungodly hot! I have been trying to get my husband into running, but he hasn't embraced it quite like me. He tries, though! Currently, I run 3 to 3 1/2 miles about three times a week. My neighbor asked me to run in three 5k races this November, so I'm going to try to do them with her. I have ambitions to run a 5 mile race next March, and maybe some longer distances someday.

I really never imagined I could be a runner. It's really amazing, especially since I was so overweight for such a long time. It feels great to actually think of myself as a runner!

Today I actually got fitted for running shoes at a specialty running store near me. It was amazing how they knew just exactly the right shoes for me. They even watched me run and analyzed my gait in the shoes. It was pretty neat!

I look forward to chatting about running with all of you!

Pink- So glad your foot handled the run well. Nothing worse than coming back from an injury and wanting so badly to get back in the 'game'. I'm really bad about taking down time.

When you run flats after running a lot of hills does I feel like an easy run or do you just spend the whole run feeling off stride? I kid you not, my routes are more hills than flats. I get short stretches of flats between hills (usually the top of a hill). My favorite route is a slow 1/2 mile climb from the start. Makes that already miserable first mile that much worse. It's great coming home though!

Fafadhali - most of my runs round home are hilly too. My problem with running a long way on the flat is that i feel that it's too repetative and that i'm more likely to get an injury! Doesn't make sense, it's just a perception, but i'm used to a few hills so prefer the variation of going up and down - ideally on trails! Flat is definitely easier and faster though.

kelly - congratulations on finding running. Great result for your first 5km. Wow you've lost heaps of weight too. Fantastic effort.

I'm in transit tonight in germany on my way to turkey (yes, not the shortest way to get there from australia) so am just planning on going out for a trot round from the hotel this afternoon. Looks to be pretty rural round here - but good running temp. Hope i don't get lost!!

Just ran 5 miles, it felt great! My foot is still fine and I couldn't be happier. Today while I was running I couldn't stop thinking about all the running gear I want!! Which of course is some warmer clothes for the temperature change coming soon, new shoes and some vibram 5 fingers, and lastly I want some lovely electronics (I don't even have a music player or a watch!!)

Tafadhali--It just feels easier to me to run on the flat. Sometimes though hen its really flat I get excited about the hills because I feel a little bored. I love the way my muscles feel when going up hills.

Pinkalarm, so glad your foot is feeling better! Mine is a little sore and I really hope it's not cooking up something bad.

My routes tend to be hilly. When I'm really tired going up a big one, I think to myself, "Arms, you aren't just along for the ride!" I make them work, too, and that gives me a little boost.

Tafadhali, I think you will find that you can run faster for a flat race when you train on hills. I have a friend who drives to a not-super-close park specifically for the flat course. I think, where's the fun in that?!?!?

hey guys, i've been off here for a bit. Started running again...will do more this week. No races planned; just enjoying it.

Just measured my body fat (navy-method) = 29%. My scale is wonky (all my friends who weigh themselves keep telling me, so since I have no idea what weight I'm at, I'll keep working at reducing the body fat %.

First 20 miler down... 1 more to go before the marathon. 4 weeks and counting

Finally did a trail run this morning. Wow! It was awesome! I did a little over a 1.5 mile loop out in our big pasture. It's slightly hilly and the trail varies from pretty good to absolutely non-existent. At one point I ran out of trail and just ran the fence line for a bit until I found a trail again. Many are goat/cow/deer tracks. I got soaking wet from the knee down (wet grass), dirty, navigated a creek and had a total blast.

Today is my short run (just added a 4th day of running so keeping it short) but I was so hyped up I did a 1/2 mile on the road to wind down. LOL!! It's really hard to stick to 1.5 miles, I feel like I'm just getting good and warmed up at that point.

I'm gonna work this trail in as my short run from now on and I'm on the look out for some more (longer) trails.

I put in 21.65 miles total last week (running and walking). It was a good week.

Liz

yay ran again today. about a 50 minute run, about 5.25 miles. Man that half marathon has really made me running obsessed! Most of my time on the internet is looking at stuff running related.

thesame7lbs.--oh no i hope your foot is fine! i'm crossing my fingers for you.

mkroyer--20 miles! that is impressive! i keep thinking that maybe in a year I'll do a marathon instead of a half. how do you not get bored when running that long? my longer runs I always have problems with that and almost always bring someone with me. i'm thinking of buying a mp3 player to help.

tafadhali--i've been interested in trail running lately. i did run on a trail this summer back in my hometown and it was great! there is one trail here that I ran on a little, I think I'm going to look into it more. trail running is definitely more interesting than roads in my opinion.

Pinkalarm- audiobooks.

haha what an excellent idea! I would have never thought of it. of course when I mentioned it to my bf he just huffed and was like duh thats why I listen to them on all car trips they're perfect for that.

still running, been going strong one week now into my training program for a half marathon right before thanksgiving. oh and i had a horrible dream last night that I couldn't make it to the race on time TWICE and missed them. LOL! Today is suppose to be a short run about 20 minutes with 30 second intervals between 8 minute miles and an easy pace. But I have two exams today so it will have to wait till later.

Pink--i cant do music for uber long runs.... the idea is to go slow when you run that far, and music pumps me up and i end up running faster to match the beat! Its actually quite relaxing to listen to audiobooks on long runs-- makes the time pass quickly!

i havent run much this week. Just one 8 miler yesterday. WIll prob go for a 6 miler during my lunch

anyone racing this weekend?
im planning on taking a step-back weekend and doing 15 or so.
The best part about running so long is that i pretty much get to eat whatever i want all day! I actually look forward to these runs because i can eat guilt free afterwards usually do subway for lunch and then ill treat myself to ice cream... munch on candy... graze on all my daughters snack food. its great

Tadfali - congrats on your progress, you've come a long way. WTG on completing 5k in under 40 minutes. I live in the blue ridge mountains (hence my name) so all my training is hills. I'd have to get in my car and drive 15 minutes to run some place which is flat, which I'm not willing to do, so I just run hills. I have found though that when I race on a flatter route it is so much easier for me. I was up in Boston for a month this summer and did some running that was relatively flat and felt like a rock star.

pinkalarm - glad foot is better

Kelley - hello and welcome. Congrats on your first 5k - my goal is to run one in under 30 min.

Did a treadmill run Saturday at a hotel (was on vacation at family wedding for 3 days) but haven't gotten to run again this week. Slammed at work. Planning to get one in tomorrow.

just signed up for a 10k on October 30th! Its the Wicked 10k in Virginia Beach. I've heard such good things about it, a lot of people dress and run in the costumes. there is a costume contest, its a big family thing since there is also a Monster Mash 1 mile run too so a lot of kids come out. I'm pretty excited! Plus its part of a series and if you do all the three races you get a free commemorative cooler, and if you also do there new race you get a commemorative pint glass!

Anyway, long run is planned for tomorrow (11 miles). Its the first time I'm doing a long run without someone else running with me, or with me at all! Plus I still don't have a music player to listen to anything, lol. Maybe I'll look up some good philosophical questions before I go.

MK, I totally agree about the long run + eating. I really enjoyed that in the run-up to the half. I am thinking about continuing my long runs on the weekends. I typically will do 5 or 6, so I was thinking about doing a rotation of 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, (increasing 1 mile each week) then dropping back down to 6. A little harder to fit in now that it's dark until almost 7.

Pinkalarm, that 10K sounds like so much fun! BTW, do you really have a pink alarm clock? I used to, back in the 80s. Loved it.

Ran 7.25 this morning. It was a little warm and humid. A cold front is coming in tonight and my run tomorrow will be much more brisk - yea!!! May need full tights soon (normally wear knee pants).