I'm not actually sure I'll feel like the beer, but I might just try it to see... I've got a sachet of a recovery drink I'm going to make up and put in my bag when I get over there, and I'll have more sensible food in my bag to soak up some of the beer. I've also got some gels for the way round, but I'm still undecided about sports drink. They're using some bizarre German brand you can't get in this country (Basica Sport) and I really don't want to have a bad reaction to it. But the weather forecast is hot so I'm going to try to get hold of some on Saturday, at least see what it tastes like and hopefully it won't cause a nasty reaction on Sunday.

I've just packed, race gear is in my hand luggage, but not my trainers yet because I'm doing one more short run before I leave. Must make sure I don't forget them...

Anne, missed your post on your anniversary race. I love the concept of going back next year and doing my first run race again; I hadn't thought about it until your post. Your DD is a very lucky little girl to have an active mom like yourself to teach her to live healthy from birth on up.

Last night's run was a planned easy run (for me) at 2.5miles. The first mile, once again, gave me problems until I started relaxing into it. I'm so pumped when I start, then my body starts yelling at me when I do. It takes about .5-1mile to get all the cobwebs out of my system. I still only run every other day, I wonder if that's why? I'm keeping my pace during the first mile, so I know it's not that.

Hi there I am a new runner sort of well trying to catch into the running spirit. I am walking and jogging combination at the moment about a mile everyother day. I am really out of shape and I do want to be a runner so I am doing heavy cardio aerobics inside and every other day walk/run with dog ( Which i hate ,hes such a pain in the buttox, he never listens and always runs the leash in front of me) or with my mom whos trying to walk more to ease stress, so I am hoping for a welcome here and mabey some stories and tips from pepole who have lost a bunch of weight and was at my running starting point previously.

Vouge .... The only thing I can tell you is to start gradually as to not get hurt and it seems you are doing just that, so keep on running...

:-)

Hello, I did it!!! Not as fast as I'd have liked (or am capable of) for a mixture of reasons - heat, my cold/cough and crippling stomach pain, but I made it round in 4:51:26. The full report is on my blog...

Congratulations, Helen!! What an accomplishment!!

Edited: Just read your blog. You had rather a rough time so it's doubly an accomplishment to even finish, AND to be thinking about your next race. I'm so proud of you!

First, Congratulations, Helen!! It's wonderful!! I read your blog, and I'm inspired! You certainly had your obstacles, but you didn't give up!

As for me, I haven't been around for a while. I was running (and posting here) fairly regularly throughout the summer. Then, I became pregnant, and I was just too plain tired to run! I was exhausted. Unfortunately, I experienced a miscarriage during my 8th week of pregnancy. I waited a couple of weeks to heal (physically and emotionally), and now I'm back training. I ran 2 miles today, and it was pretty much torture. I'm going to try to keep at it though. We're hoping for another pregnancy soon, but I want to also get back into shape. It's amazing how long it takes to become a "runner," yet how quickly the endurance fades. I look forward to your inspiration!

WTG, Helen. Just finishing your first marathon, IMO, is a great accomplishment! I'll read your blog later to see how it went for you.

iowasteph, glad to have you back, but so sorry about your loss.


I did my planned 3.75miles yesterday. I surprised myself since I went in with a headache and overall "not feeling well". I even did it in my pace for the entire run. A runner I see all the time at the park ended up running my pace for the middle, and that helped a lot to have someone to run behind that was basically going my speed. Too bad his 5 miles were over before my final laps, but he encouraged me on to finish the final mile. And, of course, DH was encouraging me from the sideline. He's doing the C25K, so his run ended a lot sooner than my 45minutes.

Congrats Helen! I think you should get double stars after reading your race report, and you should be really proud of yourself for sticking it out.

iowasteph, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Welcome back to running--it is very hard to start over again, but you'll get there.

I ran 3 yesterday and it went pretty well. All the grandparents are here for the big birthday, so I have lots of help. I needed that run, because I way way overdid it on birthday cake and ice cream, but DD turns 1 only once, and it was an occasion and not a habit.

Anne

Congrats Helen!! Sounds like you had quite the experience!! Don't worry too much about the 'gory' details - you had to keep it real, right?? And I love the idea of 'treating' yourself to your little candies at each mile - I may steal that idea!

You are definitely an inspiration for my training - that's for sure!

I am definitely signing up for the Dallas Marathon this December. Funny though - my reasons are more that I feel like this is my 'last chance' for a long time to train for one. DH and I plan on starting a family next year and this is the last one available around here in cooler months (ok -that's a lie - there is one next February in a neighboring town that I will sign up for if for some reason I am unable to get to this one but I don't want to use that as an excuse for not training for December).

So, hopefully by next December I'll be preggers so that puts me out to 2008 if i'm up to it!

Anyhoo - training has been going ok. I was on travel 80% of last week and I ran over 30 miles last week!!! I didn't have any 'long runs' but I ran 6 days to stay in shape! I'm pretty happy about that but I feel like I've gained weight! Hopefully in a couple of days my weight will have settled a bit and I'll feel a little more normal...after all - I still have a bridesmaid dress to fit into later this year!!

Once again Helen - way to go!!!!!

Thanks everyone, I seem to have recovered pretty much OK now. My legs feel surprisingly good (so much so that I am itching to get out for a run tomorrow!) so I know that I had more endurance in my legs than I got the chance to use yesterday, and I've got my appetite back - I thought that yesterday I'd be eating and drinking anything that moved, and was surprised to find that even drinking water was a struggle, and I only managed to summon up the desire to eat something at about 10pm - and then left half of it! I spent a few hours wandering round Berlin this morning doing some sightseeing (proudly wearing my finishers t-shirt!) before my flight home.

Still, I'm already plotting my next race(s) - I've got the Amsterdam half coming up, a 10 in November and then a very popular local half in January (it filled up within 3 days of entries opening so it must be good - I've never run it before so it will be a new experience). And I'm sure I will do another marathon, but I've not decided when yet. I'll get my London application in, but realistically I won't get a place (but I want to apply to start building up my number of rejections so I can get a guaranteed place eventually), and I'm not going to think about the next marathon properly just yet... honest!

Helen!!! Congrats! What a gritty story! I have a question for you that I will PM if that is ok.

Iowasteph, I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs to you....It is very hard.

Happy birthday to your little one, Anne. I remember when she was born...

I've just done a 2 mile recovery run and I feel human again now! My legs seem to have tightened up a bit overnight, but a bit of a run and a stretch seems to have sorted them out, hopefully for the rest of the day.

I'm trying to take it gently, but not lose too much endurance because I've got a half in less than 3 weeks. I'm not going to race it as such, but I want to make sure I get to the start line in a fit state to get round, even if I don't do a PB.

Oh wow, Helen. I just got the opportunity to read your blog, tearing up as I read it. What an inspiration you are to me. Thanks for sharing, even the graphics - it brought it fully into picture

Keep running, I'm looking up to you..