Dott - the post is up! We moved to Denver just shy of a month ago So there will be many more adventures to come I'm sure. Can't wait to hear about yours!!! Congrats on graduating and moving to the beach. I think I remember you really loving where you fiance lived so hopefully you're just as happy now that you are there

I've been running about 4 times a week, mostly because my runs are so short these days. In fact I need to get off my butt and go...

Ries - That's actually a fantastic idea and it makes sense. Let us know how it goes!!! Its so easy to get caught up in distances, especially when you're running outside and you know that the next block marks a half mile or whatever, ya know?

Ok, time to finish this coffee and do a run. I'm not feeling like a very long run today but maybe I can try for 2.5 on the path. If I can do that, then I can "reward" myself this weekend with a run at the park

Rie-You convinced me to come back I like running based off time too. Distances have been a little discouraging to me. That looks like a really good training plan!

NNS-Thanks Congrats on your move! I bet its so beautiful and I'm jealous of all the hiking you have near you (only downside of living at the beach is no hiking). I do like it here though, the weather is nice and its pretty. I've always felt a strong connection to the ocean too. I hope you're able to do your park run this weekend

So I took two days off to recover and went out again today and ended up running faster than I ever have I'm SOO excited right now because I've always had this goal in my mind of running 6mph for 30min straight. After couch to 5k I was so slow and even though I was doing couch to 10k, I was still pretty slow. So I decided to just focus on speed for a couple weeks and have finally reached my goal! There's this running group I really want to join, but I feel like I'm not good enough yet. Once I can sustain the speed for an hour I'm going to reward myself by joining the group. So that's like my ultimate goal right now. Sorry to go on, but I was just so freakin excited

So today I started my half marathon training based on time rather than distance, I'd say it was a success! I felt like I could measure the time based on songs that I was listening to rather than looking into the distance and checking my Garmin to see if I'd reached the end yet. I felt a lot more happier this way, it allowed me to focus more on the music I was listening to rather than thinking "am I there yet?" Great start I'd say!

Today was a 20 minute run, which didn't seem like much at first but it felt like a long time! I ran 1.67 miles in that time, so a 11:58 min/mi. I had to walk a couple of a times due to getting a stitch in my right side, always my right side! I do the inhale and exhale on the strike of the opposite foot trick and it seems to work, but I find myself ending up walking when I struggle like that. Do you find yourself getting stitches when you run?

NNS - How did your run go?

Dott - Woohoo, congrats on your fastest run ever! I love when that happens! I know what you mean about the running group, there's a group that meets on Tuesdays and do a 4 mile loop but they say that you can run as much of it as you want. I feel a little intimidated! An hours worth of running is no easy thing, what's the longest you've run for?

Rie-Thanks! The longest I've run for is 45minutes, but its pretty slow. I'm so glad you're liking your training! I notice I only get stitches if I eat something before hand...do you think that could be it?

I went on a little run yesterday. My fiance wanted to go which was super strange bc he's not as into exercise as I am. Lately he's been a little competitive though about my running bc when he was younger he was a decent runner. So I asked him if he wanted to do an interval run and he was adamant I take him on my exact route because he was sure he could easily run it at my speed. So I did and right away he started having problems(not pacing himself, bad form, breathing ragged etc) but he was so stubborn and kept going. After about 15min though he was completely done and really couldn't run anymore. I'm proud he gave it his all and it was a little funny because he now actually appreciates how hard it can be! He admitted before he thought my running wasn't that big of a deal

Today I had placement exams for school so didn't go running. This week is a little weird since its the week before school starts and my schedule is still being figured out. I'm looking forward to falling into a new routine once classes start.

Dott - Hmm, that could be it. I'll look into it some more. I remember I ran on no food once and it was awful. I try and wait for an hour before I run after eating. Hahaha, that's so funny about your fiance!! Acting all tough then getting his a$$ handed to him . You show him, girl!

Hi there I am wondering if you have room for one more? I used to run to stay in shape when I was in college but as I got older and heavier it became more and more unpleasant! I am 29 now and on a serious weight loss program and starting to run again...at 17lbs down I can already tell how much easier it is! Right now I am not tracking distance as much as time...I am not very scientific about this all but I have to keep track of minutes of exercise for my doc, so that is easiest. My first running goal is to run for 30min straight without a walk break. Right now I am going out for 40 min and taking some breaks from running to walk briskly. I have a handout on HIIT from my program that I am thinking of adding in...maybe tonight!

Dott - Sounds like you will just have to plan a few extra mountain weekends! Are they close enough for a short trip? Congrats on the fast run! So funny about your fiance. Must have felt awesome for you

Ries - How are your timed runs going? As far as stitches, I don't usually get them but I also don't usually eat before a run (at most I'll have a piece of fruit and coffee an hour before). As long as you have a good, protein-rich meal the night before, fasted runs can be really awesome. What do you usually eat before your run? A meal or snack?

HaveDogWillDiet - The more the merrier!!! Another time based runner...you guys have got my wheels turning! I should give it a shot. Did you try HIIT?

So last week I managed to run a full 2.5 miles on the trail so this week I rode my bike to the park and did the 2.5 mile loop! It was awesome and so rewarding. The park is gorgeous and since its not on a bike trail I was actually able to wear headphones, which I missed a lot. I think I'll try to do that at least once a week. Unfortunately my running is on the back burner a bit because I've been biking so much. We rode 20 miles last night and my legs are burning! So I have to take the day off.

Hmm noname, so that was Wednesday I posted...ah right. Wednesday I took my dog with me for a run, and he is not into keeping it together for intervals. So we just did our usual run until we need a walk break. Yesterday after two days in a row running I felt like I need to cross train so I went for a bike ride.

I want to try HIIT but I am also worried about adding in a lot of structure. I am worried I won't have enough patience to stick with it. As soon as I enter a class, yoga, spinning, whatever, I am looking at the clock to see when it is over because it seems like someone is making me stay. I can't quite explain it...and so I want to keep my runs both productive, but relaxing and enjoyable. Maybe I just need to do HIIT once or twice a week and let the other runs just...flow

^^ Once or twice a week is more than enough for HIIT! I do it only once a week and within just a week of starting it, I noticed a HUGE improvement in my other runs - my speed increased and I was able to run longer.

It only has to be as structured as you want. Some people don't even use a watch or anything, they just sprint/walk/sprint/walk whenever they feel like it. I made a 30 minute interval program with 2 minute walks and 1 minute sprints. It just beeps at me after each segment is done and then lets me know when 30 minutes is over. Definitely not high stress or structure! Its actually my favorite run of the week.

Hey everyone! So yesterday I went on my second run of my new training program based on time. I thought I did a LOT better this time, I didn't take one walking break, but I must have generally been going a lot slower because I did the exact same distance as my other 20 minute run - 1.67 miles! I had to laugh when I stopped my Garmin and saw the distance, I couldn't believe I got the exact same results! There's a competitive streak in me that was disappointed, but then I realised that I had a nice time running so it's not about winning or losing, it's just about getting out there and doing it.

As for stitches, I got a very slight stitch in my left side this time around, but it wasn't bad enough for me to stop like previous runs. Not sure what I did differently, but happy that it wasn't flaring up again like last time. Still need to try running without eating beforehand though!

It's definitely grasshopper season, as I was running along there were hundreds of grasshoppers bouncing out of my way. It was insane! One of the reasons I love running outside - seeing the nature. Even if it's just looking at a bird flying overhead or seeing butterflies, it's enough to keep me distracted while I'm going.

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HaveDog - Welcome!! Glad to see another runner join . Running definitely is easier when you shed more weight, I remember starting at 200 lbs and feeling like I was going to die every step I took. At my lightest it became more like a hobby! I'm going by time also, I think it's really helped with my mentality towards running. I miss having a dog to run with me, though I would always tire the family Lab after the 2 mile mark. She'd be all bouncy for a while then suddenly trot very close to my legs.

NNS - I eat oatmeal an hour before I run and drink plenty of water to hydrate. I'm one of those people who wakes up hungry...my Mum made sure I always had breakfast no matter what so I think it's sort of programmed into my head to always eat before doing anything in the day! Like I said in the other thread, congrats on your run! Running with music is so much better...I get a bit bored without it.

I did a half hour of HIIT today...it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. Thanks for the encouragement!

NNS-Great job on being able to do the loop! That's so cool you're getting into biking now too

Rie-I'm so glad your new program is going well. Don't worry about not going faster than the previous time, the important thing is you are enjoying yourself and you're making progress regardless. I saw the Halloween Challenge is up and I can't wait to join

HaveDog-Welcome! Glad the HIIT is working out for you.

I notice there's been a lot of mention of cross training. What are everyone's favorite cross training activities? Also, I'm super jealous of the people who get to run in nature! Although there are a flock of wild parrots here(????) that keep me company on my runs

I did week 11 day 1 of 10k training yesterday and it didn't go so well. I've come to realize I really can only run in the evenings while its still summer because its way too hot and humid I like exercising in the morning too, but its just miserable out right now. Sigh. Also, I'm really not enjoying the 10k program so much. I took a couple weeks where I just did my own thing and enjoyed it so much more and saw more progress so I might just stop the 10k program. Idk, I'll probably do it a few more times before making a final decision.

Right now, biking. But the weather in Wisconsin is not favorable to outdoor exercise many months of the year so I am not sure what the future holds. I am trying rely without a gym membership, but once it gets colder out I may have to re-evaluate. Them cross training options are much more accessible. I have also considered just getting a treadmill for my house as it is a lot easier to motivate to exercise when it is right there, not driving somewhere. Then cross training would be more like walking briskly up inclines or riding the indoor bike- I have something called a trainer that you put your bike into and it turns it into a stationary bike essentially.

Hey guys!

No running update today, but I did go out and get myself another tattoo yesterday. It was my second tattoo in memory of my friend who passed away last year. It's right on my ribs, it hurt like crazy in places, but I'm so happy with the results. It actually looks better than I expected it too, which is crazy since I'm really picky and notice little errors (especially in my first tattoo). I've been doing some research on exercising with it, I'm not sure what to think really. People say 48 hours with no exercise and use cling film to cover it if you do exercise for a few weeks because of the sweat that might affect it. Other people say wait 48 hours then don't do things that will aggravate it i.e. if you get a bicep tattoo don't do curls. Not sure what to think about a rib tattoo? I mean, I don't twist my body in a way that will stretch the skin while running but I do sweat a lot in the summer. Either way, I'm gonna wait another day until I exercise, but since my other exercise options are Insanity and lifting weights which WILL include stretching that skin area I might be exclusively running for a couple of weeks.

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Dott - Thanks!! You're right. It's about getting out there and doing it instead of being lazy. My favourite cross training is either Insanity or Kickboxing. I think if I did a dance lesson that would be my favourite though! I love Insanity because it's so difficult and I feel so epic when I've finished one, plus I know it's helping me become stronger and faster. Kickboxing is great because I feel powerful when I'm doing it, I feel like I'm using all my muscles for a practical purpose.
Woah, you get wild parrots?! That's awesome! Even though I'm by the mountains, I still have to run alongside a road which can suck. My favourite run is still where I grew up alongside a canal! Except when a pack of swans would gather in the path and I had to stop to scare them away but they're so stubborn so it would take forever.
I know what you mean, I have to run in the morning or I don't run at all + the heat is not pleasant to run in. In Japan I would wait until about 5pm - 6pm to do it when the sun was down and the humidity wasn't so "heavy" feeling. If you're not enjoying your program and it's making you not want to run then I would recommend finding a new one or planning one for yourself. The amount of times I've re-started a program because I got bummed out by it...only to get into the same cycle again. Who knows, maybe this timing one I'm doing will become harder to me in time, but for now I'm happy so until I get frustrated with it I'll do it!

I haven't been doing as much running as I would like since I have had so much else going on (activity wise!), but I did get in an HIIT run this morning and tomorrow I'd like to do a run at the park if I get my butt up early enough. Yall are not alone in the heat being a problem. Thankfully since I'm not working, I don't have to get up SUPER early, but the evenings are out here. It does not cool down until much later in the evening than I'm used to!

Ries - I would think a bowl of oatmeal would cause side stitches, its not like its a ton of food! Very weird. I hope it stops for you! Also, congrats on the tattoo! I am sure you will figure out what's best. I don't have any so I can't offer any insight there haha It looks great though!

Dott - That sucks that you aren't enjoying it at all. Instead of just stopping, can you mentally give yourself a date where you can start again when the weather is nicer? Or is the problem more with the program itself? That is so crazy that you have parrots!!!

As for cross training, I haven't really had to plan anything! I bike to to the store when I can and my bf and I have been going on rides for fun. We packed a picnic last week and rode out to an area where there are prairie dogs! Plus the running and so much hiking on the weekends, that's all I can take. Usually on my run days I add in a few core exercises and that's it.

HaveDogWillDiet - Glad you gave HIIT a shot! I'm worried I will be in the same boat as you come this winter, but I don't think the winters are quite as bad here as I've heard they are so hopefully it will be a nonissue. I guess you will figure it out when the time comes. My parents always had either a treadmill or elliptical in the house, but it's amazing how many excuses I found to not use it even though it was RIGHT THERE. There's something to be said for a routine that involves leaving the house to go to the gym vs. exercising at home. Just food for thought.