Cherry - you are SO fast - way to go that's an awesome time!!

Binge - congrats on your new best time! That is a lot of hill climbing...

Beck - I love those runs where everything connects & I hear you about the TOM, but I recently read some stuff that says that women usually run faster & longer while having their TOMS!

Did an easy 2 miles before a 90 minute charity boxing class on Saturday just to get the legs ready. I must have been drunk [lol] last night b/c I signed up for my SECOND half marathon in two weeks - it's this Sunday...I'm really excited though b/c it's going to be totally different - it's a muddy, hilly, trail half marathon which I've never gotten to do before.

Here is the link: http://www.painetopain.com/

It says that you should average an extra minute per mile for this race from what you would normally run a half in - last weekend I did my first half in 2:04:25 so I'm going to shoot for beating 2 hrs, 15 min. but we'll see...

I did it 11 miles this morning my husband now has me wearing a SPOT on top of my cell phone. Yes he is a little parinoid and I am not we are kinda remote, I saw no one but cows ,birds a coyote and an eagle this morning.... but today was the first day with the spot and he couldn't find me so I heard my cell phone about 2 miles out over my music...answered it was him lost about 3 min....till we got the bugs out.then I needed to stretch at about mile 8 {myIT band about another min....So took 2hrs 10min..
You guys all rock on your times and energy and IM another 1/2 WOW can't wait to find one I can sighn up for!

3.5+ lunch time run.

Wow, I'm so impressed by the various times and distances of you ladies! Equally impressive is your collective positive attitude toward getting out their and hitting the pavement/trails.

Question--how many of you mix in strength training along with your running? I've been doing a Body Pump class for a few months and I've noticed that how my body feels before, during, and after is much different than when I don't include strength training. I feel stronger and more confident in my running abilities and what I can achieve. Anyone else have a similar experience.

BTW, for those not familiar with BP, it is a weight lifting class with a bar and adjustable weights. It works all the major muscle groups through reps that are set to music tracks. While not heavy lifting like some of the chicks do on this site, it has enabled me to build muscle and shave inches from my body.

Today I decided to try and see how long I could run for, and I was able to go for 5 minutes without stopping! The distance was roughly a third of a mile, which means at this pace I'd do a 5k in 45 minutes, likely longer because I like to take walking breaks... ugh. I know I've definitely improved, but man, I also still feel so far away.

I try to incorporate strength training every now and then, but not as often as I should. I'm going to try to start doing it more because I'm sure it helps a lot.

Curvy - I do weight training 2x/week on Mon/Wed and I run on Tues/Thurs/Sat - I also add a day or two days of heavy bag kickboxing as I find that actually helps keep my muscles loose! Hope that helps. I really like the combo and it really helps me for all these endurance/mud races like tough mudder & super spartan I've been doing.

Thanks lm3898! It seems like we have very similar routines. I envy your heavy bag kickboxing; I do a Turbo Kick aerobic kickboxing class. It's not the same but, like you, it does help keep my body loose and feeling good.

6 miles today - was a beautiful run! These new Vibrams are working out AWESOME. Was about 60 degrees and sunny - I felt like I was crusing and was right - 6.1 miles at about an 8MM.

Curvy - I do a lot of strength training. At least 3 heavy lifting sessions 3X per week, plus core training in addition. I think both cardio and strength training is important for overall fitness. They are 2 totally different workout experiences for me.

We have a downstairs workout room and I am considering buying a heavy bag for boxing and kickboxing - LM, do you use a DVD or freestyle it?

Jen

Ran 5 miles this evening- another cool, dry, invigorating run. Love it!!

Curvy- I also do strength training a couple times a week. I mainly use the weight machines at the gym, but I'd like to start doing some free weights.

Im- sounds like a fun 1/2 and great time on your first 1/2. I'm hoping to complete my first half in under 2:30. I'm also thinking about signing up for some others in the coming months, but not sure if I can continue to commit the time to training.

I'm curious for all of you who are training for long races how you manage family, jobs, friends, etc with the time commitment of training. I try to fit some of my training during the day when my kids are at school, but it doesn't always work out, then I need to do it in the evening when kids have homework that needs supervising and I feel bad leaving as soon as my husband steps in the door from his long day. I know I need to have me time, but sometimes it feels selfish. I haven't seen some of my friends for ages and they all joke that they'll see me after Nov. 4 (race day). I'd love some ideas on how to find a balance.

Curvy -- I do a strength training workout that works my core and legs and shoulders 3x per week. Once I get done with my half-marathon, I'll do boot camp as well.

Today's workout with the trainer was squats and overhead presses with a big, two handed kettlebell, situps, pushups, lunges, and three different kinds of planks. Then after three sets of all of that, I did a quick sprint on the rowing ergometer.

My abs are a little bit sore tonight.

Missed my long run this week. Got pulled off of the trail only 4k into the run to go deliver a baby. Too tired to make it up later, so I'm going to forgive myself and let it go.

Hello everyone!!! I am just getting back from an injury so I am only running twice a week and a pretty slow pace (at least slow compared to before). I cannot wait to get back to 9 minute miles...but for now I am just happy to be running. Right now I am doing about 6-8 miles a week and I will SLOWLY work my way back to 25 miles a week.

Curvy - I strength train 3 times a week. I notice the stronger my entire body is the better I run.

Beck - I wish I could on the time management thing, but I do not have kids. I go to school online and I have a boyfriend but he makes sure I have time to train for races and workout.

Cherry Your weightloss is IMPRESSIVE WTG. Impressive run times as well...what an inspiration

Hi everyone:

Welcome back cake!

Beck - I work out as soon as I get home everyday - I walk the dogs, then go...I'm lucky b/c my nights are mostly free but that's mainly because I stopped doing happy hours & refuse to cancel my workout for dinner - those that understand will meet me after. I work every day from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. so I leave my house at 6:50 and am home at 6 p.m. It's a long day but worth it to me.

On totally bad, lame news....

Tried to do 5 miles last night - what a fail - haven't had a run that bad in a long time - stopped first after 2 miles and ended it at 3 miles. Felt very asthmatic and my shoes felt off...just a bad, off night that I'm hoping to forget since my next half marathon is Sunday.

Ran 4 miles today,no ill effects from my 11 miler Monday.We are leaving on a trip so don't know if I can break away from time with hubby and dog to run. We are headed for the beach....might be able to sneak away one afternoon or two {fingers crossed the weather will be much cooler there than here.
Curvey: I weight train 2 days a week it def. helps. Would like to do 3 but just can break out of this running habit!
Beck: I am very lucky I only work 2 days a week {but am a waitress so I run around alot working}.So can usually run M-W-F and sometimes on the weekend if we don't go hiking.MY hardest thing was the heat now that its cooling down I have been bumping up my miles.
IM 3898 So days are just OFF you will do great on your 1/2
Cherry I am so impressed with your time! WOW you continue to amaze me!
Cakebatter welcome back SLOW and EASY so you can stay out there
Defenstrator: Sometimes things take prioty over running...like helping someone INTO this world KUDOS!!!

Beck: I'm finding it very hard to get a nice balance with a family and a full time job. At the moment I'm trying to run three times a week and do not have a lot of time left for friends. and I'm not even doing long distances (yet).

CherryPie: Awesome! It's so great when everything just runs smooth. You're so fast.
I had a very nice one yesterday: It was only 7k but I felt like I was flying through the rain. Could have gone on forever. Average pace was 5:31 and if i didn't mess up the maths, that's about 8:50MM. Which is pretty fast for me.

Like most of you I'm trying to get some strength training done and lift weights at least once a week. but since time is rather precious and I very much prefer to run... I don't always make it to the gym.

Im: oh wow, another half... you're really going for it! wish you a great run!

yay I found the perfect thread. I'm going to sign up very soon for the Austin half marathon in February. I'm starting training this week, and am super nervous to get out there. I haven't been challenging myself enough though, and haven't been pushing my body, so I haven't gotten the results I want. Can't wait to get started and hear more about you guys.

10/10
ran 4
walked 4