I can get up early now, when it is light and cool, but I am worried about fall. Evenings are so terrible for me cause we are busy, busy, busy, but to run and be home before DH leaves for work means running at 5 am.

I think it is time to repair the old jogging stroller so I can take the smallest one with me as the days grow shorter and just run in the later mornings or afternoons.

No Excuses! ( I am yelling to myself! Haha!)

I run 4-6 times a week, mostly 3 milers with one longer run (last long run was 6.6 miles). This week my long run will be 7 miles and I think I will plan on doing that Sat am.

StephieWilliams - Let me know how those last weeks in the C25K are going. I'm currently w4d2 and, with the heat, it has been challenging. I feel so good afterwards, though. We will be on vacation next week, so I will probably repeat w4 since that schedule is ingrained in my head and then may add a couple of minutes at the end to make it more a challenge in preparation for w5, which ends in a 20 minute run with no walk

Everyone else, I love to lurk on this forum to get ideas and motivation. Thanks! Just like I was wondering how many days I could do once I graduate from the C25K program in about 4-5 weeks. Enjoyed your responses on how many days you run.

YP1, Read your post in Goals. You are an inspiration to running. I liked your *advice* to keep training for the next thing. And, most of all, taking your dream and getting out there to do it!

I've been out for 4.4 miles this morning. I thought it looked a bit cooler, big mistake, it seemed even warmer than every other morning this week, and very muggy with no air to take the sweat away. Eek! That was really hard.

My runs tend to break down as 2 short (3 - 5 miles), 2 medium (5 - 8 miles) and one long (currently 15 miles, but increasing). I'm just about getting to the part of my programme where everything seems to be at the top end of those ranges rather than the bottom end!

I forgot to log my treadmill run yesterday! I had it on an incline and managed a 9 minute mile then the next mile was about 12 or 13, but still not bad. So 2 miles on the dreadmill yesterday. Aiming for a morning fat-burning run tomorrow morning and then a 5K on Sunday

Stephie - I should clarify - I did the 6 miles on two different days - 4 on Monday and 2 yesterday...SB is really kicking my rear in the past few days. When I was on day one of SB I did my 7-mile run - it was ok, mainly because I still had all those carbs still in me!!

This weekend's long run will definitely be a challenge...it may turn into more of a walk

You guys have been busy! Good for you! Hello midwife, webweevil, skinnyjeans, Ilene, Helen, Emily, Pat, kookiemonster, Stephie, softballmom and 2frustrated. Pretty sure I got everybody this time.

I have been running twice a week for a while now, one 3-4 miler and one 5-6. Or at least that's the way it's worked on the weeks I'm not sick. I've been doing a series of aquathlons this summer with a 5K run, and I'm trying to bump up the running to about 3x/week to get better. I'm a triathlete, so I also swim and bike a couple times a week each. I'm finally back up to 0.5-2 mile running segments where my pace is about 12min/mile or 5mph, with walk breaks in between.

Went to visit my in-laws this week and show off the baby. Did one nice 3 miler while I was there, which went very well, and then attempted a 4.2mile road race my SIL signed us up for. Except that I got stomach flu or food poisoning or something that day and just about died 2 miles into the run. Once again I had what felt like a death march to the finish line, and then just laid in the shade of a nice tree for a while.

Racing used to be such fun--and this year has just SUCKED! I'm getting so frustrated. I keep going though, even though progress seems just glacial, I do see progress, so I'm just going to have to find a way to deal.

Anne

Anne -- Your body has gone through amazing changes in the last year, I think you're doing fantasticly (hope that's a word ) , you'll be back to your ole self in no time

Today I did not run, but I biked and did weights... Tomorrow I will run

Wndranne, the amount of exercise you are doing sounds exhausting to me. You have a new baby and you're running, swimming, and biking. You're doing great! Try not to be so hard on yourself.

3 miles today! My typical pace is 12 min/miles, but I did my first 1.5 miles at a sub-10 minute/mile pace, then I got a cramp and slowed down and my overall time was 1 minute faster than usual.

Hmmm! I can go faster than a slow choo-choo train (the I think I can I think I can mode!)

Great job with the consistent training and working out, ya'll!

good job midwife! It always feels good to run a little faster than our normal pace!

I got in 5 miles last night in 49 minutes...considering my energy levels these days, I'll take that for sure!

I think I pulled my groin is a little at my softball game the other night. I may take tonight off before my 7-miler this weekend.

em

Hey ladies, glad to see you are all doing so well. I have been so stressed out lately due to financial problems. I tried running my frustrations out but my heart just wasn't in it. I am going to get my training run in today no excuses- whether I feel like it or not at the beginning I know that I will feel so much better once it is done. When you are running (not in a race or anything) how often do you stop for water? DO any of you carry a water bottle with you?

softball mom - I am not going to lie it is a challenge to complete the program. But as it gets harder the sense of "I did it" when all is said and done gets bigger and bigger. Good luck with week 5!

2frustrated - good luck on Sat with that 5k.

wndranne - omg I cannot imagine running after food poisoning. You are a trooper for finishing.

midwife - great job on the increased pace. That is something I need to work on. I also sometimes feel like the little engine that could lol.

Hey Stephie! Good for you for running today in spite of life!

I don't have water breaks while I am running, and that is something I will need to fix as my distance goes up...I will be interested in reading some of our more experienced long distance runners have to say.

Lucky13, you are a very speedy runner! I am impressed!

I carry water if it is longer than about an hour, or really hot. I have a small camelback waistpack, that holds about 16 oz of water, and can fit a couple of gels and car keys. Works really nicely. DH sometimes puts water bottles out along his course in a little cooler--he'll do a loop 2-3 times and just load up when he passes by. You can also run where you know water is available, but it is too critical here in the desert, so I always have a backup if there is even a chance of needing it.

Thanks for the encouragement on the running. Webweevil, the 2x each S/B/R is during a healthy week, and I think I've had a grand total of about 6 of those this year. Consistency does wonders, and apparently that is a luxury I don't have any more. Hope it returns soon, and in the meantime I'll sneak it in while I can. I'm still dealing with that stomach issue and wondering exactly where my immune system went! Going for a nap now, maybe this will help.

Anne

I had a really good run this morning, 16.7 miles at just a bit faster than 10 minute mile pace, which is the fastest I've run my long run for a while (but it still felt comfortable). I only took one walk break (I usually take two) and it was shorter than normal (there's one very steep hill that I never run all of, but I attempted a bit more of it today), and I walked for about 90 seconds in all out of nearly 2 and three quarter hours.

I usually do my long run on Sunday with a 6 - 7 miler on Saturday, so I suspect the reason I went faster was because I was fresher. I moved it today because I'm off on holiday to Spain tonight, and wanted to get my long run done here in the comparative cool so I can relax on holiday and know I'm just skipping short runs rather than the crucial long ones. I might do a couple of 3 - 4 milers if I'm in the mood, but I'm not going to force myself and if I feel like my body needs rest before the rest of my marathon training, that's exactly what I'll give it!

I'll speak to you all when I get back.

Enjoy your holiday in Spain Helen!