Do it! Sign up for something, it really helps you make yourself run, even if it's just through fear of humiliating yourself...

I'm worried about todays workout. I'm catching a cold or something, and my back muscles are in tight painful knots. I felt great until this afternoon when they got sore in a very short period of time, without me doing anything to aggrivate the muscles. I still need to go over to the fitness room. I hope I can get the workout in.

Okay, I made it out the door. I got W2D2 in before my body gave out. I was too sore to enjoy the work out, but I atleast completed it. I have my energy burst at night, so I usually workout in the evening.

My weight hasn't budged all week. As a matter of fact it's gone up a pound and a half, and I'm really discouraged being how this is only week 2 of my diet.

2F, it's good to have a workout buddy where I am. Good luck this week!

I had a great run this morning. I didn't want to do too much because I've got a 10k race on Sunday, but I felt like running for a while, even if it wasn't for too long. Anyway, I remembered that I'd seen something that suggested running for 20 minutes faster as a change from 30 minutes at your normal pace - I've been stuck in a bit of a rut speedwise recently, and haven't got much faster (although I've got better at running further). So, I set the treadmill at a pace roughly in the middle of my current range and increased it by 0.1km per hour every minute. I managed to go for 17 minutes and got to a top speed of 1km per hour faster than I've ever run before by the end, which I was very pleased with!

I did my first 5 mile race today! Actually it was 5.2 miles to be exact and a great way to start off Turkey Day. Finished in 42:17 which I didn't think was too bad. It was the biggest race I'd ever run in so I didn't end up placing all that great. Plus I got stuck with a size L shirt because I registered late. Oh well I had a good time and that is what matters most right?

Well done YP and Lizzbabe!

I'm feeling slightly crook today, but I am AM AM going to make the effort to get out and do some jogging this afternoon when I get home (even though it's about on freezing! BRRRRRRR!). Then I think I'm going to start doing running on a lunch time and screw what everyone at work thinks!

YP only problem with signing up for anything, I can't find any 5Ks in my area till the Race for Lifes start in March or April or whenever they are! You'd think there's be LOADS of races in London - jeesus! I might just sign up for a 10K that's in February just for a laugh! I've done 5Ks before at a "wogging" pace! I might just bite the bullet!

Do it, do it!

(Actually, I was just looking for something to sign up for after this 10k on Sunday so I've got motivation to keep on running and had a similar problem trying to find something decent)

Anyway, back to today's running, after yesterday I realised how much below my full potential I've been running recently, so I upped the speed and managed to run 5k well over a minute faster than I ever have done before (on the treadmill at least - I ran Race for Life a bit closer to this time) in 28 minutes 15. I really need to keep on pushing myself, I've got far too comfortable recently!

Boy you girls are good 5k in less than 30 minutes!! That's awesome...

I did 5k on the dreadmill today in 36 minutes...my usual time ...

Way to go on pushing yourself Helen! It's so much harder on the treadmill than when you are out during a real race. I try to do intervals or hill training to keep it somewhat challenging.

Ilene, good job running today as well. I took a day off from all exercise today (I think my first in about 3 months!) and traveled back home from seeing the fam over the holidays. Now bring on the weekend!!

Hi all. Having been away for almost a month, I had a ton to read catching up on all the posts! Congrats everyone on your awesome runs! I haven't run in about 2 months--I got the flu, got better, ran for three days, got a cold, then bronchitis. With the cold weather and my asthma, the outdoor running isn't really possible, but I am going to get back on the treadmill Monday (my 29th birthday). I figure I'd better get myself back on track if I'm going to lose the weight before I turn 30! (I gained 10 back while I was sick). Plus, I was planning to run a 10-mile race in a few weeks. I will NOT skip the race, but will probably cut back to the 5-miler, as I have gotten a bit out of shape.

my knees hurt. I finally went and got some better shoes. I realized when I got home they were crosstrainers instead of running shoes. Will this matter much?

I'm heavy and have wide feet, it's hard to find a shoe right for me.

How long before sore knees feel better? I ran anyways yesterday, and felt super sore last night.

Absolutely, positively, get proper fitting running shoes at a running speciality store. They will look at your walk and recommend a shoe that fits your foot... I change my runners every 6 months...

Concerning the knee soreness, try taking Glucosamine it works wonders...

Do you like New Balance? Those are what I tried, but the pair I bought didn't have any of the extras like cushioning, etc..

There is a running store not too far from where I live, I was going to head there on Monday. I took the crosstrainers back for a refund. If I am going to spend my money on shoes, I better get the best ones for me.

Julie -- Don't go by the company name. It's a very good idea to go to that running specialty store to fit your foot properly. Good for you for returning your cross trainers, they may not be the best kind... like you said if you're gonna pay money you may as well get something that fits YOU...