Congratulations ennay and Rachel! What great stories, you both did awesome. Almost makes me want to run a marathon some day. Almost.

Did 3 miles in the freezing cold and wind this morning.

Sigh....it has to be a good sign that I am saying this...

I WANNA GO RUNNING!!!! ...and I cant. Everything about me feels fine except my right foot is very sore post marathon. Hoping it will heal soon.

This marathon really was an amazing experience. Because even at 22 when I started to bonk big time I was thinking. TWENTY TWO. It took 22 miles to feel badly and the first 18 felt GOOD. WOW. This from the girl who failed the 12 minute run in highschool. WOWOWOW. I have never been so physically miserable and psychologically high at the same time before!

I'm back in the saddle - ran 4 easy slow miles today - my legs definitely were protesting the first mile (I could almost hear them saying "what, are you crazy, after what you did to us Sunday?!"). But, then they loosened up, and I feel better for having done the run.

Thanks to all of you for your congratulations. Lisa, I do feel like you and I are joined together on our journey, we share a lot in common beyond just a starting weight. And if you ever decide you want to tackle a marathon, I know you could do it - and I'll be here to cheer you on.

Finally, thanks to you. your hubby and Ennay for calling me tiny - I think that's the first time that word has ever been applied to me! While I know I'm a heck of a lot smaller than I used to be, somehow I never thought of myself as tiny...maybe I really am getting to that point. (My Jewish mother certainly thinks so )

The aftermath of the Chicago marathon continues to swirl in the news here. Seems to split down the line of those who think anyone who decided to tackle a run in that heat knew what they were getting into and deserved what they got (not my opinion) and those who think that the race organizers could have done more to make sure adequate water and medical care was available on the course. Also a lot of bitterness about how communication when the race was called was handled. Had I been here, I'm sure I would have probably made the attempt to run it - I don't think I could have walked away from all that training without giving it a shot, but I have a feeling I would have not made it to the finish line.

Rachel, great job, I loved reading your account of the whole thing, big congrats to you!

As for Chicago, if people had to stop along the way at convenience stores to buy their own water and Gatorade , then I definitely think the race organizers were at fault. Even if it had been 60 degrees, there still needs to be enough water.

I did almost 2 miles yesterday, took me 25 minutes. (with stroller)

Race organizers failed to up the water for the heat...that is their fault.

Ironically the people most likely to NOT run because of the heat are the people most likely to be ok. Experienced faster runners with lots of training and several marathons under their belts. First time marathoners are least likely to bail. I had injury after injury for my first marathon and I still ran the sucker, injured and sick. I wouldnt have bailed for WWIII.

More experienced runners tend to be more concerned about times and would pass on a 90 degree marathon, go home, and look online for a marathon in a week or two to do instead.

And tiny is DEFINITELY the word to describe you Rachel. T-I-N-Y!

I'm really enjoying reading the marathon stories. I know two people who were in Chicago. One finished in 3:30, before they called the race, and the other had about 6 miles to go when they called it and she walked to the finish line.

It's been a year since my one and only half-marathon and I have started building up mileage for another half in January.

You guys accomplish some pretty fantastic mileage.

After all the marathon talk, I almost feel silly posting my little running victory today, but here it is anyway!

It was nice and cool today and I didn't have CC practice, so I got home around 6:00 and decided to go for about 3 miles. It felt so good outside that I thought I'd try for a little speed. I made it in 26:55, which was 31 seconds faster than the last time I tried for speed on this route. It was also the first time I had an average pace time under 9:00 per mile. Sure, it was just one second under, but still! My first mile was 9:14, the second was 9:18, and the third was 8:23!! 8:23? Me? I know that to people like my husband, 8:23 is a snail's pace, but to me it's like I'm a freakin superhero all of a sudden.

THat is fantastic Lisa!!!!!

Lisa - Go you speed demon!

Was going to go for an early run but opted to wait for an afternoon run. My lower body is a little tender after my first try at Power Pump class yesterday, plus it was COLD! It will at least be in the 50s by the time I get home tonight.

Wow - as usual, you guys are all so motivating - Lisa, awesome! I'm totally sticking to my 11:30 pace - !!!

Ennay, hope your foot feels better soon; no doubt you'll be running in no time! Rachel - I've loved reading both yours and Ennay's marathon accounts - you are both just simply amazing - !

Ran my 3.25 miles yesterday... I'm so terrified of hurting myself that I'm sticking to that for a while now... I'll build endurance later... and speed? Not even thinking about it!

Heather

Lisa, that is superhuman speed as far as I am concerned hehe Good job!

I ran 28 minutes this morning. The weather is great here now. My 5k is in 15 days. I really think I might be able to run the whole thing.

Nice job on the speedwork, Lisa!! I'm v-e-r-y s-l-o-w but maybe someday I'll be a little faster!

I am so inspired by everyone on this thread. The weight loss and the running. It is amazing. It's been about 3 years since I ran. I ran with a trainer outdoors for 3 miles and ran about a 11 or 12 minute mile. We were getting to the point where we were going to work on speed. I got a new job and that was the end of that. She was funny. She told me I could run all the way to Egypt with the speed I was going. Like Heather my concern is not speed. I want to run for time. After the C25K I want to do the One Hour Runner (OHR) plan.

I'm getting a little antsy about running but I know the best thing is to wait until November. I don't want to further damage my foot. The fiona sportsbra has arrived. Nothing is moving in that. I am planning to buy a Maia next. That encapsulates and right now the Fiona is compressing. Which is fine but I want to try out the Maia too.

Shoes--Currently, I have New Balance cross trainers. Do you think I need to buy running shoes? I'll be running on the treadmill.

likenoother, it's probably a good idea to invest in some good running shoes. It's good to go to a specialty store where they can fit you with the right ones for your feet. The wrong shoes can cause some serious problems, so you want to make sure you've got good ones.

I ran 7 miles with the CC team today and my left hamstring bothered me quite a bit. It's hurt constantly since last night's speedy run, and it's been hurting off and on during runs for a while now. I'm just going to keep an eye on it and see how it feels the next few days, and then I might see someone about it.

Taking tomorrow off...

likenoother, please buy a good pair of running shoes, especially if your foot had a previous injury. I tried to run in some other shoes and hurt my ankle because of those shoes. I now have a nice pair that I love, I never knew that my feet needed such support.
I may have to try that sports bra. I like the enell, but I'm nursing and really need a larger size than the one I have now. I've been thinking of trying different types. No more walmart bras for me!