jelynn - your run sounded like some of my earlier ones. And, I'm sorry to say, some of my current ones. Some days it takes me 10-20 minutes to find my groove and then the last minutes something just clicks. I've read where this actually happens to seasoned runners too, so I'm figuring it is normal and we just have to push through. I started thinking of my first minutes as removing my cobwebs and I pay more attention to my form and relaxing, then later my run seems to take over.

Tonight my easy run is scheduled (2.75 miles), will post later.

Hey all, i know i haven't been posting lately, but i wanted to let you know i sucessfully "graduated" yesterday. I can run 2.5 miles in 30 minutes, and not feel dead on my feet, so i guess now im going to work on improving speed and upping my mileage a bit. I'm running a five k in two weeks, and im excited to know that i can do 30 minutes without stopping... :-D

WTG eadavenp and Congratulations on graduating! Looks like me and you have the same pace. I'm adding mileage right now to my program to try to get to 5, maybe 6 miles for a 10k coming up.

Got my easy run in. I really did not want to run last night. We had some bad weather so I knew that I would need to go to the Comm Center to run and I hate the tight laps and I always lose count because 16 laps makes a mile, so for my 2.75 I would have to count to 40 which is a mind depressor. So I forced myself and used my watch instead. Knowing that it takes me about 33 minutes for my 2.75, that's how far I went without counting laps. Not too bad doing it that way. Tomorrow my goal is 4miles

Hey runners, I need some advice! I posted before about how I did 15 minutes of jogging during my walk last Saturday (in 3-minute intervals) and my knees were KILLing me all weekend. Well, they STILL hurt! I've still been working out all week. I've been walking on the treadmill, though on one day I did the elliptical instead for half of the workout. Last night after the treadmill my knees were DEAD, and they still hurt. I haven't iced them or anything, and maybe I should. I'm taking today off because I have to stay at school all evening and I just won't be able to get to the gym (which is kind of annoying me).

Anyway -- here's my question: do you think I should try a bit of jogging during my walk tomorrow even if my knees are still sore?

Depends on what type of 'pain' you are experiencing. If it feels like muscle soreness, IMO, I would continue through. However, if it is sharp pain I would not do any stress activities, like jogging.

Muscle soreness can be alleviated with ice and ibuprofen for a few days. What type shoes do you have? This can play a big part in the stress to joints. Make sure you have a good pair of shoes that are designed for running.

I have a pair of Brooks shoes -- I was fitted for them at a running shoe store by the same people my husband uses (he's a hardcore runner and a running coach). The shoes seem great, actually. I honestly think it's just the stress of this much weight pounding my joints. It doesn't really feel sharp -- it's just VERY sore, to the point where it's almost difficult to walk sometimes. I still can, obviously -- I've kept it up all week -- but I don't want to run again and injure myself. Then again, I want to push through it if that's the best thing. My husband says I can probably push through it but he's not completely sure either.

What kind of surface are you running on? If you're on concrete, maybe give it a few more days, take an Advil before you try again, and try running on something softer (dirt or track or asphalt). IME the surface can make a big difference.

Have you checked out the knee pain info at Cool Running?

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_5/194.shtml

The thing that has helped me most with my particular knee problem is strengthening the muscles around my knee. I've not had any pain for a while, and prior to really working hard at that, I was having to ice and take Advil all the time. The only time I run on concrete is when I do a 5K because the race is usually run on blocked off streets.

Hello all,

Congrats on graduating eadavenp!

I had my husband drop me off today and I ran home. I enjoyed this much better than running laps around my sub division. I ran 2.5 miles in 27 minutes. The fall weather and sights were delightful. Unfortunately the roads are kind of tight and 40-50 mph so it's not ideal but I'll have to check into some other options. Happy running!

Great run Shrinking Mama!!

Well, I have had 2 runs since posting last...Friday did w2d3 and it was great, much better than Wednesdays. Then today I started week 3. Kinda weird that it was only 23 minutes, but decided not to push it since I plan to do Tues/Thurs/Sat as well. I will add intervals later in the week if I'm feeling good.

The 3 minutes weren't bad at all- feels so good to be running again! I love it.

Lisa, I agree with the other runners regarding exercise focus on strengthening the knee area. And, the type of surface you are running on; go for the softer surfaces. I am just now able to run on pavement without my knees hurting too bad. I don't know if it is because of the mileage I've built up or the weight loss since I first tried.

Got in 4+ miles Saturday. My goal was to complete 4miles, and I ended up doing one extra lap to make it 4.25 I figured if I increase my Saturday runs a little more than I originally planned I may be able to run 6miles before the 10k.

Softballmom, you are doing so great! I'm so impressed with your dedication to running. Can't wait to hear how the 10K goes.

Since running the 5K, I've been trying to do shorter, but faster, runs. My goal is to better my time. Part of me wants to do a 10K, but at 53 with bad knees (although quad exercises and icing have really helped) and exercise-induced asthma, I don't know if my body can take it. It doesn't help that I told my new doctor that I'd been running--she wasn't thrilled. I'm really curious if anyone else started running later in life and what their experience was (or is)?

My new fun thing to do is park, run 1.5 miles on the bikepath to a Starbuck's, get a Coffee Light frappucino (2 pts. for people on Weight Watchers), and then run back. My DH, who walks while I run, wants us to park farther away, like 2 miles, which would work for me. I think it's a good way for me to work on my speed.

Hello everyone.

I did my 10K. It was great. I finished in 1hr and 5mins on a hilly course with some rain showers. I felt fantastic for the rest of the day, I guess some endorphins were released! I managed to up my speed for the last 2k (0.5 of which was a steep uphill - ) and do a sprint finnish - although by this time I was literally grunting with the effort! It was a beautiful place to run, and the weather rather than being the awful weather that was predicted, was just a little light rain which was nice and cooling. My biggest gripe was the behaviour of other runners on hills. I was determined to run the whole thing so there I was jogging up the hills past all these people who stopped and walked, and once we got to a downhill stretch they all came flying past me again after their nice rest while I was trying to catch my breath! Of course I passed some of them again on the next hill , and the last stretch was uphill....

I only have two weeks before I go away now. I'm wondering about taking my running shoes with me, but I don't know how much time or energy I'll have to run. I think it will be a last minute decision.

Congratulations on all the running everyone, and well done to eadavenp for graduating.

One thing though - never take pain killers before you run! It reduces the pain, but that is what you need to tell if you are doing real damage to yourself. If you read up on running and injuries you'll find that that is really important. If the pain is bad enough that you feel like you can't or really don't want to walk then you need to rest for a couple of weeks or until it feels better. Take that time to improve your muscles around the knee to strengthen and support it. Don't do anything that could lead to long-term chronic problems. I know that it is frustrating when you want to progress in the programme, I've been there myself, but if you keep going when you have sharp pains then you could take yourself out of the programme for even longer. I hope I don't sound naggy or patronising, but I've read so many stories of people who have been out of action through injuries for many months because they didn't rest soon enough. Shiela is right that Coolrunnings is a great site for information on injuries and exercises to strengthen the knee. In the meantime, swimming or running/walking in water is a great low-stress exercise to replace the running.

WTG Pachy on your 10K Doesn't it feel like just yesterday we were struggling with the 20 minutes, no walk? I have another 5k scheduled next weekend, and after completing 4miles this past weekend, I'm thinking piece of cake - better watch that attitude, uh? I'm currently training for the 10k mid-November, so that's what my brain is wrapped around right now.

Tonight is a planned 3.75miles run, but may try to sneak in a lap to make it 4.

Great job on the 10 k Pachy!!

I did my w3d2 this morning and added an interval for a total of 30 minutes instead of 23... (figured since I am doing this for weight loss too every little bit helps! lol) Felt good and I know I could have run longer than the 3 minutes. I will do it again on Thursday and Saturday and move on to week 4 on Monday!

softballmom- I'll bet your 5K will be a piece of cake! good luck