Yes...its ADDICTIVE! I had to actually STOP myself from going out this morning for my run (I normally don't like to run consecutive days to avoid injuries). It was a near perfect mix of cool and sunny.

Hopefully weather is good tomorrow morning...cuz I'll be a running fool again!

Joyful - I run consecutively only on Fri/Sat - but I do a very easy run on Friday and my "long" run on Saturday. I also run Mon/Wed but like you, I prefer not to put runs back to back. But I was tempted today as well - the weather is near perfect for running at 6am right now. We only get a couple of weeks of this before it starts to be a bit too warm to run - even though I run through the summer because at 5am, it's the coolest it's going to be during the day!

I have a 2.5 mile very easy run planned for tomorrow, and a 3.7 mile run for Saturday. Yes, that's my long run! I'm building up super slowly as I don't want to risk my knee falling apart again - one surgery was enough on that. The following weekend I have a 5k, so while I won't get my "long" run in, I'll be doing that one with a time goal - if the weather cooperates, I'm aiming for under 34 minutes, which is fast for me. I am the very definition of a Penguin, per John Bingham!

I am starting the C25K program next week (getting fitted for a proper pair of running shoes this weekend). You've all got me very excited to start. I've tried running before but approached it with the lack of knowledge but head on enthusiasm of a 4 year old on the playgroud Needless to say without proper footwear and with poor technique I wasn't very successful. This time I'm feeling much better about it and know it's not a race. Take my time and methodically become the runner I always hoped I could be!

I did have a question for you all. Do you alternate indoor and outdoor running? I plan to run outdoors and got rid of my treadmill a few years back (kicking myself for that decision now). Any other tips anyone has would be welcome.

Congrats on starting to run again! I prefer to run outdoors. I do have a treadmill in my home and use it if my ankle feels less than 100%(I've had some sprains) or if it's super windy (often it is here). I traveled a lot this winter to warmer climates, and all my runs were outdoors when I traveled. Back home in NS, I ran indoors to avoid the ice and further ankle injuries. Long runs really need to be outdoors for me, I can't spend 90-120 minutes on the treadmill, I would go insane.

Today I wore my adidas, not my vibrams, since it was a 5.75 mile interval run and I wanted to focus on speed during the fast bits.

Cheryl, I have read lots of reports of people who need lots of time to gradually adjust their stride, luckily I am not a heavy heel striker, which I knew when I ordered the five fingers. I also have super high arches, which are a plus for getting used to them too. My calves were a bit more sore today than they normally would have been after a 3 mile run.

Have fun with it! I started the C25K plan three years ago, but didn't get past one mile because I hurt my knee walking up to the track, go figure. I finally got around to beginning the program again in late January and ran my first race in March. I did most of my training on a treadmill because of the cold weather, and I think it was much easier on my knees. They are getting stronger though; I ran outside today with absolutely no knee pain, which is a first for an outside run.
As for tips, I found a C25K app on my ipod to be very helpful.

First of all, I ran into Marshall's today to exchange my size medium running shorts for a large, tried on the large, and found the large to be way too....large. How frustrating. BUT I tried on a couple sports bras while I was there. I have tried on at least 50 bras, and have not found a single one I liked. Today, I put one on and was like WOW! This feels great! This keeps the girls in place! This went on easy! This is $12.99! Much better than the one I had settled on last month and had to double-up on. This is big exciting news for me! LOL The perfect sports bra search has finally paid off!

Secondly, I then took a run outside. I have only ran a handful of times outside for three reasons, the weather, my knees prefer the treadmill, and I was still feeling like I didn't quite belong outside running like a "real" runner (silly!). But it is easier to run outside. I am faster even with slopes and wind, don't struggle as much with breathing, and the time flies by. Today, I finished running and said "That was fun!" My kids were there, so at least I wasn't talking aloud to myself! LOL I felt like a runner.

Thanks for the feedback

River: I'm in NS too coincidentally. I'm starting now so I will have until next winter before I have to worry about the weather interfereing too much I hope. If I am successful at this and start running with any regularity I might invest in another treadmill to get me through the wintery months.

Aimeebell: Thanks. I just found an app for my smartphone!

Let's see...I did 7 Monday, I had the day off and thought I'd take advantage. I then decided to take Tuesday and Wednesday off to rest my ankle. Yesterday I did a 2 mile warm up before ST and 4.5 this morning. Now someone explain this to me. My ankle was more swollen on my days off then on the days I ran. And going into a run my ankle was a little swollen then hardly swollen at all after the run, and now hours later still not much swelling. Still no pain really and getting better any day. So I'm at a loss. I guess I'll just keep montitoring my body.

This weekend, just my normal 8-10 long run on Sunday.

Happy running all!

Wow ncuneo, that IS weird. I can say that after many ankle sprains I have never experienced that.

Hlthgrl, is there a Running Room store around you? Runners of all abilities go to those run groups, it may be a good place for you to check out. Lots of people here do run outdoors all year round, I however, am a cold weather wimp. The blisteringly cold wind we have been getting the past few months when the weather looks so innocent from the indoors is really pissing me off.

Today was a regularly scheduled off day for me, so I just did 30 minutes of yoga, no run.

River: I was at a Running Room today to get a proper pair of running shoes but there's none enough for me to join a group. DH and I are planning to run together. Hopefully we can keep each other motivated. I'll focus on the short term and becoming a runner and if I'm still at it this fall I'll have a back up plan. I'm not one for the cold either and our area is very windy! A treadmill might be in my future if I get good at this

Blah. Friday was an awful run. I couldn't run continuously. I don't know if it was motivation or heat or what. I ended up doing intervals of 10 min running/2.5 walking for 45 minutes. Saturday was fine, a regular 4K run.

Why is it with running, more than any other sport it seems, off-days seem REALLY off? What makes a bad running day and are they avoidable?

EDIT: Took Sunday off, then did a 30 minute/5K today. Yip yip! Not what I would have considered impressive a few years ago in college, but the longest I've run since my hip impingement diagnosis. Having some discomfort in that hip but nothing I'm going to let keep me sidelined.. for now.

If you're an RN (guessing from your screen name), you should know that wheezing is NEVER normal. You likely have mild exercise-induced asthma that flairs up with dual triggers of cold and exercise. The cheapie option is to wear a scarf or balaclava to cover your mouth so your're breathing in warm air. The less cheapie option is to see your PCP and discuss the possibilities of medical treatment, most likely an albuterol inhaler taken before exercise. But I'm not YOUR medical provider, so consider this general friendly advice.

I've just been stupidly busy and haven't even been on this site since I last posted! But I've been running. Let's see... I posted last Thursday. Friday I ran 2.5 miles and it was nice and easy. Saturday I ran 3.9 which is my longest run to date - I went on our local 35 mile bike loop and it was perfect weather so I really enjoyed that one. Sunday I took the day off. Monday I did 2.5 miles of speed drills, Tuesday I did weights, and this morning I did 3 miles. I ran part of this morning way faster than I should - or thought I could - because some guy, who appeared to be homeless and possibly high or drunk, was following me and yelling at me, so I sped up. I checked my Garmin after my run and my max. pace was 8:28 - clearly being scared by a strange man is good for my pace! I have an easy run planned for Friday and a 5k on Saturday that, if the weather stays in the 70's, could be a PR for me - I really would love to do a sub 30 5k at some point, but I'm not there yet. We'll see what Saturday brings!

Anyone do trail runs? I'd love to try some. There's a trail running club not far from my house but I freak out at the idea of running with a group as I'm sure I'd be the slowest by far...

Where did everyone go?

I took yesterday off, but had to run this morning for sanity - just 2 miles, nice and easy, as I have a 5k tomorrow and I'm hoping to put a good time in. But my brain needed to run more than the rest of me, so I just did an easy one. Tomorrow's "race" should be really fun - it's on the university campus so no traffic or streets to deal with, and it's billed as "fast and flat" so I may even see a PR! It's about time I improved - my PR right now is from three years ago. Sucks to get older!

Hi Jules, yes I do trail runs, I did my 16k on the trails a few weeks ago. I try to be extra careful to watch my footing since I have some stretched ankle ligaments, but I have dogs and I love the trails so I don't let it keep me off them.

While not a group runner myself, I have run with groups before, and you may find it fun or that it elevates your pace. You should give it a try, just to see if you enjoy it. Good luck with the 5k.

Indie- I don't know why but I agree, a bad run makes me wonder WHY I run. But a good run is amazing and makes up for it. I usually get myself through those bad runs by telling myself that it's the hard runs that make me a stronger runner/person.

Hlthgrl- keep us up to date on your running adventures. We're moving into the fun running season here in NS.

ncuneo- how's the ankle?

My training is going along well, just a few blisters that are making things a little more difficult that they need to be, I'm trying different socks/2nd skin/glide/different shoes, etc. I cannot wait for my half to be over next month so I can fully transition to my vibrams.