I took a week off from running (on purpose, for rest and recuperation) and got back out there for the first time today. A kind of meh 6 miles, but it feels good to have it done.

I've found that listening to podcasts makes the treadmill much more bearable. I use the treadmill at the gym, so I also do some people watching and watch the giant TVs. If it's the afternoon I might watch Oprah, and in the mornings I watch ESPN or NFL network. I don't know why, but running, listening to This American Life on podcast, and watching a rerun of an old football game seems to work for me. :D

When I had a treadmill at home, I found it incredibly boring, so I made a rule that I could only watch trashy reality TV (one of my guilty pleasures) or Sex and the City if I was on the treadmill. I passes many a mile with the Real Housewives of Orange County. :o

I have to share my small victory...

I recently bought a pair of Vibram fivefinger shoes after reading the book, Born to Run, about barefoot running. It's been a slow start because it takes a while to adjust to that type of running without your calves killing you and I haven't had much time to run lately...and it doesn't help that it gets dark so early!

Anyway, I usually use a Nike+ chip in my shoe that connects to my ipod and tracks how fast/far I run. I knew that the nike+ was miscalibrated for my vibram shoes and I was running farther than it said, so today I figured that I probably ran 2 miles or so, but I decided to map my run on google maps to see how far I really ran. It turns out that I actually ran almost 3.2 miles! And I'm pretty sure that it was a personal best 5k time for me!

From May through October, I was running a 5k probably 4-5 times/week as my workout, focusing on getting faster. Today I ran my best time in 40 degree weather without even exercising regularly. I'm liking this barefoot running thing!

Cheryl, I am intrigued by the barefoot running but can't even imagine it! Maybe I will try a pair some day... I've been meaning to read Born to Run, maybe I will get it as an audiobook and listen while on the treadmill. It's going to be COLD this week so I'm sure I will be running at the gym.

Ran 6.6 today in the cold & damp. Second run back after a break is always better than the first! Felt like I could have gone forever but my hip was nagging a bit, figured better safe than sorry.

Turned out to be a great week. I pushed hard for 10 miles today and came in at 24 miles for the week.

I'm making some pretty lofty goals for next year. I'm running my next half marathon in august and want to get my time under two hours. I'd also like to see myself log 1000 miles next year. My next goal would be the LA marathon in 2012, but the jury is still out on that one.

I've injured myself somehow by wearing tight street shoes. After looking up my symptoms all over the Internet, it seems likely that this is Achilles bursitis - acute, sharp pain/soreness at the back of the heel that feels like metatarsalgia. Looks like it's open-backed shoes for me. I'm going to be very upset if this mucks up my vacation. Meanwhile I will be stretching, icing, and trying to stay off my feet.

:(

I'm new here, but I thought I'd post my running, I'm just getting back into it. Yesterday was 2.7 miles and today was a bit over 4. I'll be busy tomorrow and Thursday, so I don't know if I'll be able to get another run in this week, since I am flying to San Diego for 2 weeks on Friday. However, I'll be running and going to the gym while I'm there!

Sorry Krampus! :(

Ugh. Take a break from running and get healed. Hopefully a few days rest will be all you need.

This week I'm determined to run 4 days and at least 3 miles each time. Who is going to join me to run tonight? (virtually of course). If you agree to go out and run, so will I :)

So I'm working back into running again. Tonight I did a little bit over 3 miles.

Sorry MIA for the last few days! Finishing up my College Semester!

Saturday I had a 5k RAce- Came in 356 out of 806 over all- 12 out of 56 in my age group with a time of 28:42, not a PR but still...I'll certainly take it with a smile! The cold killed my lungs, but I best get used to it!

4 Miles in the pouring Rain on Sunday.

2 miles then 20 min stair climb finished up with another 2 miles on the treadmill yesterday.

Rest day today!

Happy Running and WTG Folks!

This happened to me once, wearing a pair of shoes where the screw to the heal was felt through the shoe, felt fine wearing them but I wore them all day and as the day progressed my feet became sore. I had that tender heal pain for well over a week, I kept running though. I learned my lesson, comfort before injury! Hope you heal up quickly! You should!

Well this is my last week running in the old neighborhood. I'm getting nervous about my new running routes. I've already staked out the area and found what appears to be some safe routes. The nice thing is that for my long runs when it's later in the day and don't have to worry about coyotes and people, I'll have some amazingly beautiful routes to run.

I picked up some pepper spray, so hopefully all my loved ones will feel a little more at ease. I have a back up plan if I feel too uncomfortable.

I'm on track this week. 3 miles yesterday and I'm thinking 4+ tomorrow morning. This afternoon is a gym day, but I'm thinking I may through in 15 mins of intervals to start working on my speed. I registered for my second half marathon and I want to improve my time. My original goal was under 2 hrs, but that would require shaving 1:39mins off my original time and I'm not sure how doable that is. I'm also running it with my BIL who is planning on running a 10 min mile pace and I'd like to run it together. But DH says I have to beat him, boy are we competitive:).

Anyway, have a great week everyone!

Ncueno- your best bet for improving your time is to work on your lactic acid threshold....not so much with the intervals and speed work.... you need to improve your bodies ability to process lactic acid as opposed to Vo2Max (that doesnt mean you shouldnt do intervals, but that shouldnt be your focus) And when you DO do intervals, you are going to want to focus on LONGER repetitions......800 to 1600 meters (.5 mile to 1 mile repeats) Start with doing 1 mile repeats at goal 1/2 marathon pace (9 min miles) with a 400 to 800 meter recovery in between) these work well when doing mid-distance runs--- the 6 to 9 mile range... if you are interested in learning more about the LA Threshold workouts, i can give you some good workouts :) Building your threshold will allow you run at faster paces for sustained periods of time....... it is the buildup of the lactic acid that slows us down... the good news is that your half marathon pace should not be near your threshold pace (which is generally going to be closer to your 5k or 10K pace, for a seasoned, focused runner)
my other best piece of advice that is appropriate for you at this point, is to get comfortable being uncomfortable (see tagline) :)
I think you are prob faster than you give yourself credit for, you are just scared of being uncomfortable..... you lack the confidence

My foot feels better than it did yesterday already. Going to take it relatively easy just to make sure. Barefoot exercise is unaffected so I'll be continuing Tae Bo and body weight resistance stuff. If I feel better by Friday I might run in the school 4k race. I was really looking forward to it.

Yes MK, please send those workouts my way! Great info, thank you!

I'm glad it is feeling better and that you might be able to run in the 4K :)

Tonight I'm determined to run again even though it is SO COLD. It is the coldest day of the year here so far. It is like 10F and probably below zero facturing in the wind chill.

15 degrees a tad windy but I went out there and got in an amazing street run. 5.42 miles in just under an hour, forgot my garmin and it felt good to run comfy and not worry about pace! Could of ran another 5 easily!

That is so awesome!!! I hope to build up my endurance to run like that. I better start doing that soon as I have registered for some longer distance races (a 10k in February and a half marathon in May).

Thanks! You TOTALLY can do it too! I started training for a half over the summer through Hal Higdons Novice Half Schedule. I think he has them for 10k's too! Look it up, it's very useful! It's amazing to watch ones own progress!

I am gearing up to start training for my First Full Marathon Training starting January 3rd and the Marathon is in May, hoping to be at Goal Weight at that time, so it will be a double victory for me!

I'm love to do a marathon in the fall (Oct 2011). I think it would be a natural progression if I'm running a half marathon in May. It will certainly be easier to train over the summer than it is in the winter ;)

Speaking of winter running, is there anybody planning to run tonight in a cold climate? Lets make a bet. I'll get out there and run if you do! It worked last time for me. :)

Well Matt I ran 5 miles this morning (5am) does that count. Probably not because I live in So Cal and it was 55, but I'm running again Friday morning and it's supposed to be in the low 40s, which might as well be below 0 for me:) get out there! Dont let a little cold weather hold you back:)

Okay, so I didn't run outside. I just couldn't, it was painfully cold.

However...all is not lost as I did go to the gym and run 3 miles on the treadmill :). I'm going to run 3 miles on Friday and then I have my 5k on Sunday which will put me slightly over 12 miles for the week.

Next week, I'd like to build that up to 14 or 15 miles.

Matt, I am impressed you even consider running in the cold if you have access to a gym. I was assuming you didn't have a gym membership. I far prefer running outside, but not when it's absolutely [below] freezing!

I just got my pace group assignment for the half-marathon training program I'm starting in January. They put me in the 9:00/mile group, which is ambitious but right where I want to be! Conservatively, I wanted to get "down around 2 hours" but in my heart I know I want to be under. Nine per mile should put me right there. I am so excited for training to start in just a couple weeks.

In the meantime, I have gotten so bored on the treadmill that I've tried two new machines at the gym -- the rowing machine and one of the many stepping machines they have. Enjoyed them both but really I feel like running is simply the best workout. Hopefully will get outside this weekend. Come on plows -- clear me a running route!

WE are in the same page , i want to run a half in may and a full on October

I saw it to late , that may be get my to run ..... lats time it works perfect .

I'm going to run tonight...you?

I ran Monday and Wednesday. I want to do an easy 3 mile run tonight and then have a day of rest before my 5K on Sunday. I'm not at the stage in my running life where I really pay attention to time, I just like to finish them :)

Pat on the back today please:) Despite my son waking up at 2:30 am with a fever, TOM starting just before bed last night and the fact that I'm about to lose my mind from stress of moving this weekend, I eeked out a 2.75 mile jog this morning. It was supposed to be a 3 mile run, but I figured it was better than skipping it all together.

Too hot for running here. I know i'm not going to get any sympathy on that one from everyone who's complaining it's too cold!

Last weekend i did a 13km trail race up an escarpment and along an undulating ridge, but it was just too hot. It was 28C when we started and 31C at the end, but really high humidity too. I'm not telling you my time because it was embarrassingly slow.

Cooler this morning though and i did 10km which was good. I've been a bit slack with running the last few weeks and have been decorating instead, so really enjoyed getting out again!

I normally do the Sydney half marathon which is in May - so can i join you lot in the May-half-marathon club?! I'd love to do under 2hrs too but it's not going to happen unless i really get stuck in. I did 2:06 last year and 2:08 the year before. I've never done one under 2hr.

Kudos ncuneo for running despite some obstacles!

Ange, it looks like a bunch of us are doing halfs in May, awesome!!!

Alrighty, so I ran 3 miles in the gym tonight. I feel pretty good. My 5K race in Sunday morning. After the race, I'll have made my weekly goal of running 4 times at least 3 miles each time. :D

4 miles yesterday in 38:41.
Not sure what I'm doing today, I think I said rest cause tomorrow is suppose to be sunny out and I would love to get in a LR - of whatever my body will let me! We shall see!

Edit to add that yesterday I hit my 650 mile Goal. Anything between now and the end of the year is GRavy! My running anniversary is January 17th my Newest Goal for my Anniversary Date is 700 and thats an easy score!

Twinmon - like your target setting. That's good.

I was thinking of setting a 2011km goal for 2011. That's averaging 5.5km per day (what's that - about 3 miles?)

It's a bit too ambitious really as i didn't do anything like that much this year - but it's just a tempting target......

My 5k race is this morning. Its "fun run" with LOTS of participants and a lot of people dress up in costume. It isn't the kind of race you run to get a good time as it will take a long time for the crowd to thin out and for you to have room to run freely. I'm not really concerned about the time when I run and I'm wicked slow....;)

All of my friends that were supposed to run this race with me have bailed out. It is going to be cold, but I'm still looking forward to it :). I think I'm going to bring my camera and try to take a few photos before the event and after.

I just finished the jingle bell run! I think my time is pretty good (don't know what it is yet, but I think close to 30 minutes). You should be able to view a few photos here even if you don't have facebook. :)

Congrats whit your run .
It looks super fun.

I'm joining this thread quite a bit late, but I don't care. I've finally been able to run without pain this past week since I got a new pair of shoes. I've always really enjoyed running, but I get shin splints that feel like death. Now that I've finally invested in a pair of good running shoes, I was able to run two miles this week and not feel any pain the next day. I'm truly amazed at what a difference shoes can make...

Anyway! My goal for the rest of this month is to run at least three times a week, as far as I can go on the treadmill (still getting a feel for my limits--it's around 1 mile without stopping at this point). :)

Still grounded and I feel like my legs have doubled in flab and circumference. My heel still hurts to walk on and I'm really not sure what to do. It hurts in all different kinds of shoes - nowhere near as bad as it was a week ago, but it's noticeable whenever I'm on my feet.

Great job Matt, the pics are great, way more festive than our Holiday 5k!

Welcome EuryDice.

Krampush, give it another week, I'm confident your heal will cure itself!

I ran 6.35 yesterday and my legs screamed at me the entire time, I came to the conclusion that I have not been drinking enough, once I increased my fluids yesterday My leg soreness went away and I actually lost 3lbs in one day from it. so Hooray!

Congrats on the 6.35 miles and the loss!

Krampus, if it isn't better in another week, maybe it is something more serious? You might want to get it checked out. Hopefully you will be out running soon.

I want to run again tonight. I haven't really done many back to back runs, but I think I need to change that as it will help with muscle endurance. Maybe I'll take it easy and do 3 or 4 miles at the gym (at a 5.0 speed, 12 min miles).

At the gym will be a nice change, I bet Bahston is wicked cold (see what I did there?) to be outside.

As for my foot, I'm wondering if my 2 miles each way walking commute to work is slowing the healing process. I'm wearing beat-up puma street sneakers today which are more supportive than my usual loafers/flats and there is still pain. Sadly walking is really the only option I have to get here. Ah well. I went dancing on Saturday night and that was fine.

I really miss running and can't wait to get back into it. Exercise videos are nothing like it.

It is SO snowy here and the city I live in literally ran out of salt. So, Sunday, determined to jog, I took my chances. The snow was like running through deep sand. My normal job of 50 minutes (approx. 5 miles) took 1:15 minutes and I felt dead after it was finished.... but it was also nice in a way, I really felt like I worked a whole new group of thigh muscles.

Eurydice- the correct shoes can make ALL the difference. I was also amazed.

Krampus - I agree, no exercise video compares to jogging! What caused the heel problem?

I'm starting to feel like the odd ball here...I LOVE my treadmill!:o I HATE the cold (strong aversion...STRONG)....Sure, I much prefer running outdoors on a nice cool sunny day, but with my current choices, I do enjoy my treadmill. I have a Landice that I bought off craigslist just a few months ago. I usually listen to podcast or watch a video while running. I prefer the podcast...I find it very relaxing and I totally forget where I'm at.

Yesterday during my 3.5 mile run, my daughter was playing her Wii game. I was watching Mario run around and it felt like I was in the video game!!! That got me thinking...wow...it would totally be cool if there was some kind of virtual reality running game/video.

Does anyone know of anything like that?

Hi Everyone! I love this thread, I hope it's not to late for me to join. I didn't run today but I will be running tomorrow, likely indoor if the weather is frightful, but I prefer outdoor runs. I have great trails all around me.

I too am planning a half this spring, in May.

Enjoy your next run, whatever it is. :D