I know I'm a little late, but I just wanted to jump in.

I'm in the peak of my half marathon training and starting to panic a little!

I had a pretty good 11 mile long run on Sunday, not my best, but good. Afterwards though I was really sore, which is why I'm panicing, I don't usually get sore after runs anymore. I couldn't do my recovering run Monday because of it, but I made up last night with 4 miles on the treadmill.

I did another 4 miles this morning, it was supposed to be 5 but I ran out of time, so I'll do 5 instead of 4 Friday and all will be well. Again, though a little sore. I'm a little worried I may have a small tear in my calf. When I did my 10 miler a couple weeks back I tweaked it because there was something on the bottome of my shoe.

This Sunday is the big peak 12 miles! I'm nervous, mostly about my calf. Then another 4,5,4 and then the taper!

I'm looking forward to my taper, the milage has been getting a little much for me and I'm looking forward to getting back to shorter distances with the occassional longer push.

Anyway, I'm babbling. Great job everyone - keep it up! And MK lots of hugs.

Ncuneo, are you stretching a lot? Now is a good time to add even more stretches to your post-run routine. It's not surprising that you're getting sore -- 11, 12 miles is a long way! Pop an Advil for sure. Have you ever used a foam roller to work on your muscles? I think there are videos on youtube of how to use them. It really helps!

I got awesome new running shoes today. Saucony. I've never worn that brand. I've been in Mizunos for years, before that I think I wore Nikes. They were a splurge but thankfully I had a coupon for 20% off. When I tested them on the treadmill I felt like I could run forever -- and that was after my 6 miler this morning! Can't wait to get out there tomorrow morning. I will run tomorrow morning before heading out of town for my high school reunion. I'm planning on running Saturday morning, too, a 6 miler through my hometown in NJ. Hopefully won't be too tired from going out Friday night...

MK -- are you out there? How are you doing?

16km trail run for me this morning. It was great! Started off with 3km of uphill (not especially steep, but relentless!) then a nice plateau and finishing off with a steep rocky downhill and then retrace steps back to start (finishing off with 3km downhill - yippee!!!).

This was further than i've been since i broke my foot in April so i'm pretty happy and have a post-run high!!

12km trail race in the Blue Mountains next weekend so that should be interesting....

I second this motion! Just got a pair early this week and I LOVE THEM!!! I got the Saucony Pro 3 (never heard of the brand either). Before I got them I was having achilles tendon problems...but now NO PAIN!

Unfortunately, I can't even DREAM about running the mileage you gals run (9, 10, 11 miles....) but I'm steadily climbing in mileage. Currently I'm up to 1 1/2 miles without walking. I jog/run (outdoors) a total of 4 miles 5-6 days/week. I think I'll my mileage will continue to climb as I lose the weight. I'm bottom heavy (thighs, hips) so that in itself makes my run more difficult...more weight to thrust forward...

That's a great motivator for me to continue to lose the weight cuz I really love running. Been doing it now for 6 weeks and only started at being able to run 30 seconds non stop! When I see the "skinny girls" flying pass me on the track, that motivates me...as I also think..."I'm carrying twice the bottom load she is...which makes me stronger!" haha!

Oh and I'm a native NY'r too (NJ..NY..same thing..haha)

My last pair were saucony. I liked them, but as my milaged increased they started pinching my toes. I'm about 1/2 way through a pair of asic kayanos that I'm in love with! A little pricey but worth it.

I'm notorious for not stretching, I'm a very bad girl! I always forget for some reason. I actually think the cramping may have been from incorporating gatorade prime pre run and gatorade during my run. I'm going to test this tomorrow durning 12 and go water only.

Holy crap, I just registered for my first half maraton

After taking a really light running week, like 5 days off I think... I have had a few great, rejuvenating runs. I came home from a crisp, autumn run and had an email about registering for the colfax half marathon here in denver. I just thought, what the heck! If anything it'll keep me from turning lazy this winter

woo hoo, well done wickedlady.

Have you done halves before?

newp... furthest distance I have mastered is the 10k... it's good to have something to work towards

Have fun wickedlady, it is most certainly a challenge. I'm running my first Nov. 14th and just finished the peak of my training at 12 miles. I ran every last mile and did not stop. The training was challenge but rewarding.

The hardest part was keeping an eye on my nutrition and eating enough and accepting that weight loss is not a priority right now. I'm excited for my taper til the race and getting back to a more managable weekly milage and maybe a little more weight loss.

Good luck!

From a nutritional standpoint... are you referring to gels and whatnot when you are running for that long? Or just eating more in general? I'd like to keep losing weight.. but the race isn't until May. My plan is an extremely slow weekly mileage build... if it's gradual I'm hoping it won't be constant trauma to the body and therefore I might be able to continue losing without my body rebelling on me? I don't know, wishful thinking maybe

No I'm speaking of more just nutrition in general. In the begining you shouldn't have too much trouble continuing to lose, but as your milage increases it's really hard on your body to be in a deficit and train. I had a 18 week schedule and was only able to lose 5 lbs roughly. I will say though that I do struggle with binging at times and I don't know if this current rash was just my body begging me to eat more or what, but I know I was under eating by the shear exhaustion I was experiencing. I'm not saying you won't continue to lose, but be prepared as your milage increases to see a possible slow down and dont be afraid to eat more and don't be afraid to eat whole grain pasta (it really helps). I'm still a rookie, but these are just sone of the tips others have shared with me and some of the things I've discovers on my own. I'm actually anticipating a big loss these next few weeks durning the taper in milage before my race, just because my body will be under less stress. I wish I had better info and more concrete data for you. Good luck and listen to you body and fuel it well.

Wow, good luck to everyone on their races! I'm nowhere near Speed Racer territory yet, but I do have a gross question.

When you're running in colder temperatures and in wind, do you often find phlegm and snot buildup that sort of nags and drips the entire way?

This is where trail running comes in. No-one around to see, so you just snort it out with a flick of the head as you go....

Eff that. Where I live I see at least 2-3 old men's dongs per week since they pee outside like hillbillies. I'm already the only female jogger I've ever seen; might as well be the only snot-rocketing female jogger too!

Is there anything that can be done to combat the drippage? It's really irritating and distracting...

Ok, sometimes if i'm going somewhere populous i take a hanky, but that's not as much fun as the snot-rocket.