Hey NNS, I'm going to google speed training apps but I will try to get to the gym once a week. The only other running app I use is Zombies Run, to stay motivated when running. I wish I'd known about it in time to use their version of C25K training but ah well... It's pretty fun and I'm not even a zombie fiction/RPG person. Running is going... Still wet, drizzly, puddly and a little rainy. I'm improving in speed SLOWLY (ha! see what I did there #PunLife) but I think I'm also improving in stamina which is great as well. I want to start incorporating more strength workouts into my routine. It's tough because I dread weights and I'm a bit of a cardioholic, but I definitely need to build some muscle, tone up and develop some functional strength. I'm a bit of a weakling, tbh which isn't great. I'm not yet sure what I'm going to do. Do you do anything for strength or are you a cardio head too?

The Zombies Run app does sound fun! Stinks that the weather isn't being nicer to you but you seem to be getting out there a lot and it must feel awesome to notice an improvement in time! And you always seem to do pretty long runs!

I do strength once a week at the gym right now. Used to be twice a week but I cut back to make more time for running.

Last night I was going to do a 2 mile run. I had eaten dinner, waited a couple hours, and then ran. And man, TMI alert! I had to go to the bathroom so bad in the middle of that run. Didn't quite make it to two miles lol Ugh! That's one of the things that sucks about running is trying to make sure your bathroom and eating schedule all lines up so that its not unpleasant. Haha! But it was too hot to run outside when I got home from work.

Zombies Run is a great app! Though I've found myself not using it anymore, I still used it for a good couple of years and it helped with my motivation. My favourite element to it was the "Zombie chase" feature that would make you run 10% faster for 1 minute and it would really push me to my limits! I remember running in Inokashira park in Japan and a Zombie chase happened and I had to barge by loads of people so I didn't get caught!

Yesterday I went on a 1.5 mile run, boy it was tough. It was an out and back run in a new location since I'm dog sitting, all the way out it was gradual inclines. Even though it didn't look like I was going uphill I sure as heck could feel it! On the way back though it was super fun, felt like I was flying! I did it in 18 minutes something (I forget!) with an 11:50 min/mi pace. So 11 seconds faster than my previous run, so I'm really happy!

NNS, isn't it the worse when that happens?! One time I drank way too much water before I left and needed to pee so badly when I was out! To the point where running made it twice as worse so I had to walk about 2 miles home. There was no where I could go to relieve myself, it was the worse!

Hey ladies. I took a nice break from running (and, well, exercising) over the weekend. "Only" ran about 4 miles last week. My body's been a bit sore so I think I needed it! Back on track this week for Ries's summer challenge! Trying to get as much running in as I can before we have to move out of our house. Lease is up July 20th and we still don't know where we are going...haha

Ries - That's great that you're already making progress, plus the added hill! Man I think those slow climbs are the WORST. Sounds like getting back to basics is working for you.

I'm only doing about 2 1/2 miles straight right now. Can I still join this thread? I have done a half marathon in the past but it's been a while since I've done any running and I am getting back into it. I really want to work on my speed while I'm going through this.

Hey NNS. Sorry for the disappearing act. I travelled for work to a really rural and remote part of the country I live and there was no gym and it wasn't "culturally appropriate" to run. I saw your runs on Map My Run. Get it!!!! Well done!!!

July is supposed to be my month of starting strength training and so far nothing doing. I'm going to get it together though! I'm debating between Chalene Extreme or doing Jessica Smith's YouTube Summer of Strength challenge that started this week. I'm still not yet sure how I'm going to marry the strength and the running yet especially since I workout in the mornings and have limited time (maybe an hour and some change tops!) and am naturally incredibly lazy about physical activity (I dream of telekinetic powers so I can lie abed and read all day). Who does strength? What's your schedule?

Hey greenviolets please join in!!! Do you use any running apps??? I'm on Fitbit and Map My Run. I've never run as far as a half marathon and I currently average about 4-5km a week so in that 2.5-mi range too.

greenviolets - Yes, please post away! "Only" 2.5 miles? That's fantastic!

toastedsmoke - I noticed I didn't see any runs from you in a while! The strength training challenge sounds good! Maybe just back off on runs for a bit? You don't want to overdo it.

We move in just over a week. I'm going to try to go for a run tomorrow morning. I just need the stress relief. Other than that, don't expect to see posts on MapMyRun from me for the next week or two eep! We'll be living close to a park with a 2.5 mile loop, so I can't wait to try that and maybe find a running buddy in person.

I went on a 2 mile run yesterday! It was my first one in a while, thought I was doing terribly but turns out it was my fastest run yet since I started my new routine! 11:28 min/mi. It was a nice confidence boost and it still feels good doing these shorter distances too. I walked a couple of times just for a few seconds, so hopefully when I do more cross training with Insanity my fitness will improve and I won't need to stop as much.

NNS - Good luck with your move! Have fun with the change in altitude, I'd recommend not running for a couple of days! Maybe even a week. I'm sure there'll be plenty of running groups on Meetup.com for you to try. If I was a little closer to the city centre I would, but unfortunately I am transportless

Hey NNS, I hope your move is going/went awesome and that settling in is coming along well. Moving is stressful, so just get back into it when you can. Look forward to seeing your runs again!

Hey guys! Wow I feel like it has been so long. Three weeks since my last run, but I gave it a shot yesterday and did about two miles (with tons of walking breaks). It felt so good but it was definitely hard! Gonna need to get my butt up early though because running in the heat of the day is suffocating (I'm sure I don't need to tell Ries that). I will be without a gym membership for a while so running will be my primary exercise.

Toasted- I saw you've logged a few walks and runs lately. Woohoo! Has the weather improved at all?

Ries, how's your new routine working for you?

toasted - Did you ever download an interval training app?

I definitely need to add intervals back to my routine. I'm used to doing it on a treadmill, but I'm doing all my running outside now due to lack of a gym. I'll take a look at what's out there but please let me know if you found one you like!

Hey guys

Are you still looking for running partners? I started running since moving to the beach since I no longer have the option of hiking everyday. I took a break from 3fc for several reasons, but now would like to join back into a group

Dottington, you're back! I was just thinking of you. I have a few posts to add to the "exercise as adventure" thread and you crossed my mind.

I'd love to have more buddies, I think we all would! Do you use MapMyRun? I keep up with toastedsmoke on there, and otherwise I just post here.

You moved? How are you? Are you done school?

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On that note, my last post was about interval apps. I downloaded "Interval Timer" for the iPhone and it worked really well on my first interval run. I used that app plus had MapMyRun in the background.

After the move I was really struggling with pacing myself, making myself run slower so I could go farther. I did really well with that today and only had to take one walking break. I'm still so far off from the distances I was running before the move, but I'm slowly getting there. Today's run was my longest, aside from my interval run...2.22 miles. I should be able to run the 2.5 mile loop at the park soon!

Noname-I was so glad to find you were still on here I've kept up with Rie outside and really missed you!

I have to add some adventure posts there too!(Climbed Whitney plus a Death Valley trip) Would love to hear about your hiking so please post there when you get a chance

I graduated and moved to Long Beach where my fiance has been living all this time. I got into grad school here and am about to start. Moving to the beach has been a huge change from living in the desert. You moved too?

Great job pacing yourself!

Man, I'm such a slow runner but at least I've gotten faster after a few months now. How often does everyone here run? I was supposed to do a longer run today(W11D1 of C210K) but had a fever so didn't go. But I had run 30min for the past 4 days which is the most consecutive days I've ever done so I don't feel too bad.

Hey ladies! Yay, I'm so glad you're here Dott . I hope your fever subsides soon, feel better and take care! NNS, pacing is such a hard thing about running - especially during a race! You'll be on that 2.5 mile loop in no time.

So I think I'm going to make a leap and go into training based on time rather than distance. I think the distances are putting me off running recently, I can't really explain why to be honest. I think I like the idea of going for a run based on time and seeing how far I get rather than going on a run based on distance and seeing how fast I can do it. Does that make any sense? I found this plan: http://www.brianmac.co.uk/longdist/tphmartime.htm and I might give it a go. I won't follow it strictly, I'll still be following my cardio, strength, cross (and repeat) plan, but it's nice to see something to guide me so I gradually get stronger. I'm still all about reaching a goal of some sort and I would love to do a half marathon sooner rather than later!

To answer your question, Dott, I probably run once maybe twice a week since I do other workouts too to mix things up.