Mk - Glad to hear you're doing so well with the quitting smoking! It seems like a marathon in 3 months is sooo soon but I can understand how you wouldn't wanna wait until march. Maybe you can do a couple of halfs until then? I'm sure it's not the same and you obviously know your body better than anyone else, so I'm sure you'll make the right decision!

For my 10K, I'd obviously like to run it a little faster than last time, even if just a few seconds so I can say it's a PR! I'm just gonna give it a go and see how I do. If nothing else, it'll just be another Sunday long run, which I haven't been doing much of lately and I really need to get back into it. My training plan calls for 7 miles next Sunday so I really have to step it up!

Loquacious - Good luck with all your work! Hope you can get back into running soon!

i've been lurking here for a while and am so motivated by all you guys!!--what an inspiration at ALL levels.
i am kinda nervous--i just signed up for my first 1/2 marathon which is in a week and half--i'm not looking for time--just to finish kinda strong (for me)!!
i have been running two longer runs each week 6-7miles and a 10 miler with a couple days of rest and a couple days of 3 milers--don't seem to have any trouble with them--sometimes my legs do get quite tired the day after a long run but no real aches or pains--i average just under 10 min miles no matter what distance i run--i think i'm in a rut!!

well i hope you all don't mind me joining in your conversation--if it wasn't for reading about how you all do i never would of had the nerve to sign up for a race!!

thanks for your inspiration~caroline

Don't discount the half marathons -- they are loads of fun!! They are my favorite race distance. Also, there are an increasing number of half-only events (rather than half and full), because the half marathon distance is so popular. It's easier to train for and easier on your body, but you get all of the fun of an "event". Plus you can do more of them with less wear and tear. During last year's running "season" (Oct-Mar) I did 5 half marathons, one 10K, and three 5K's without injury. For some reason, when I hit those >18 mile runs, that's when my knees and feet start to really feel it. That's one of the biggest reasons why I stick to the halfs - my body handles the training better. I train with friends who love the marathon distance and do several a year, so I would never discourage anyone from going for that. I just know what works for me.

MK - I'm so sorry about your stress fracture and here's hoping that it heals soon!!

I am excited because I am nearing the 1000 mile mark for the year. I joined the "1000 miles in 2009" thread and started tracking for fun - I hadn't tracked my running mileage for several years. The last time I tracked it, I made something like 750 miles, so this is definitely the most-ever miles in a year! It makes sense, though, because I've consistently run more weekly mileage this year than I ever have. If I do the planned 16 miler on Sunday, and my other usual shorter runs, I should hit 1000 miles by the end of next week!

Ok, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who is starting to incorporate strength training into their running program. I've lost 55 lbs but I'm still so flabby (except for my legs of course, LOL). Anyway two weeks ago I started with the strength training and even though I'm cursing for DAYS after doing squats and lunges I can totally tell it's having a positive effect on my running (which is really the goal anyway, right?) They do not get fatigued as nearly as quickly now and I can go for longer, faster.

Which brings me to an interesting point. It's been difficult for me to figure out how to diet (restrict calories) and still fuel myself properly for running. If I restrict too much I don't have any fuel to run. If I don't restrict, my weight loss slows or stalls. I think I'm finally starting to figure it out but we'll see. I HAVE figured out that I don't restrict the day before a race and that gives me a lot of extra energy.

Which brings me to my last point. I forgot I'm racing on Saturday! Just a 5k, but the weather should be great and I'm excited to race! I had a GREAT run on the treadmill yesterday (unusual for me, I hate running on the TM) so now I'm pumped!!!

MBN-WAHOOS on the 1000 miles!! You are hitting it way early too! Congrats! Ive never tracked my mileage, cept weekly mileage!
Im not "discounting" a half marathon. i do REALLY enjoy the distance, and i would love to shave some time off my PREVIOUS best ( i KNOW i could shatter that now). My trainer has me running up to 2 half marathons a week in the morning before work (we used the distance for lactic threashold training). I enjoy running those "middle" distances---10K to half marathon--because they are still challenging, but short enough that i can really work with pushing the pace. In anycase, no halfs OR fulls around here in Denver till the spring, and im not going to TRAVEL anywhere to do a half. I think its only be worth the travel exepnses if i was doing a full, Soooooo.......

Loquacious--sorry you havent had training time!! it will pick up next week though! No worries!!! And thank you for the compliment!!! Ive worked SO HARD to bring my BF down enough that now all my muscles stick out!! Its a good thing!

TakingCharge---I think you should go for a PR on that 10K!!! I bet you could PR by more than a few seconds!! Try starting out running the first half of it at your "normal pace" then try pushing during the second half, JUST A LITTLE BIT faster, like 10-15 seconds per mile, or even faster if you feel comfy!! Its called negative splitting.

Caroline--so glad you decided to join us!!! Are you running the NYC half, or is it a different one?? I think with the training plan you just described you will do really well!! Have you run further than 10 yet? There no worry if you havent. You seem more than strong enough to go those extra 3 miles, NO PROBLEM! How long have you been running? Will this be your first Hlaf? First race?

Well, i managed to eek out 2 miles on the treadmill (couldnt contain myself, and i NEEDED to know how my foot would feel). The verdict? Foot was angry, foot DID NOT like running. HOWEVER< i found that when i substantially increased the incline on the treamill, up to between 3% and 5%, my foot stopped bothering me. Im sure its becuz i strike with a different part of my foot when runninguphill. SO at least now i know i can run hills on treadmills. Cant do em too fast or anything, but at least with running uphill im getting a pretty good workout! I will try treadmill running again on saturday, i guess. DOnt wanna try outside yet. Maybe in a week or so if it keeps feeling *ok* on the tread.... BLghhh.

FatPants--once your body gets used to the strength training, if you wanna REALLY help your leg strength/running strength, then start incorporating plyometrics into your leg days. Its just another form of LActic Acid threshold training, and you will see improvements FAST if you start doing them, both in your plyos themselves, AND in your running!

You are the ONLY PERSON ive ever met who *Forgets* they have races coming up!! Good luck on it!!!!

I think the program I'm going to start on Sunday (ChaLEAN extreme) incorporates plyometrics but I'm not 100% sure. Either way it might be easy to incorporate them!

Yeah, I have so much going on right now that I keep forgetting about racing in two days! It's good for me, though... it gives me less time to be nervous about it.

Mk - Thanks for the advice on my race. Sounds like a great plan! I'll give it my best shot and hopefully have good news to report back. Glad that you got in a short run today without too much pain! Hope you feel better soon!

FatPants - Good luck on your race!!!

No run for me today. I've been running around in heels all day (not actual running, haha) and my shins are just not having it, so I don't wanna freak them out too much before the race. An extra rest day won't kill me! Have a great weekend everyone!

I've been avoiding this thread a little bit since I haven't ran since SATURDAY... but I did do 2.25 miles today on the treadmill. I just feel so slow and out of shape. I never felt this way when I first started running! I think the issue is that when I'd never done it before, every accomplishment was new and exciting for me. After starting to run again after not doing it for awhile, I think I am just frustrated that I'm incapable of picking up where I left off.

Anyway - saturday group training is 8-9 miles. YIKES! I'm really afraid I won't be able to keep up.

I did 3.5 miles this morning and it went okay. I won't likely be able to run now until Sunday so I hope to do 4 miles that day.

We'll see!

Have a great weekend everyone!

It's just temporary - you'll get your running mojo back quicker than you think. I can have those slow/sluggish/painful runs for lots of reasons -- laid off for a while, have trained TOO hard (or recovering from a race), up a few pounds, not enough sleep/rest, didn't fuel right, or the weather is really hot. If you just keep at it, you'll bounce right back after a few runs.

My philosophy on the long runs is just to go out and do them no matter how long it takes. Even if I have to walk it. So what if you don't keep up? Just drop back and go at your own pace. What matters is training your body to keep moving through the distance. It's far better to run/walk your 8 or 9 miles than to skip the long run! And once you get out there, you will probably do better than you think you will. But, I feel less stressed when I give myself permission to do it as slowly as I need to - increasing distance is enough challenge without expecting speed too! Also, when I start a very long run, I refuse to think about just low long I'm slated to go - I just go. This distance running thing is so much of a head game.

We've got 16 miles planned for Sunday .... that's the longest I've done in years. Last year, I only went up to 15 miles (once). It's going to be hot again, so we'll be taking plenty of walk/hydration breaks. And if I end up walking the last mile, so be it. It will still be 16 miles. And I will feel GREAT when I'm done!

Hi runners! Happy Friday!

Since we were discussing the 3 marathoners at the Detroit Marathon/Half Marathon that died this week, I thought I'd pass along this article from John Bingham. Inevitably I've had people ask me if it's safe to run a marathon! I thought John made some great points.

Fat--Ive never had anyone ask me if Marathoning was dangerous, but i HAVE had several people ask "How far is the marathon youre running in?" Non-runners dont realize that a marathon, just like 10Ks and every other race, has a STANDARDIZED measurement!

What a sh**ty coincidence that that had to happen at the Detroit Marathon.....

TO ALL--- If you guys are into reading, i have two FANTASTIC Running-themed novels for you to check out..
--- Born to Run
---- Once a runner

Once a runner is a fictional novel written in the 70s and has become a "right of passage" that all runners MUST read, etc etc. Ive been actually LISTENING to it on audio book during my long runs, and it is GREAT. Rreally funny.

Born to Run is a new book that just came out i think this year, and is SO PHENOMINAL. Im reading it right now, and im scared becasue im almost done with it, and i dont want to EVER FINISH it because im enjoying reading it so much!! Its writen LIKE a novel, but is actually a true story and is filled With all kinds of great running "stuff" You guys will love it

It's seems like that article implies the runners pushed too far - but - all runners ever do is push themselves. (I say this as a runner, not as a criticism). Running threads are all about pushing. It didn't seem to me like the article explained anything.