Congrats on your 10K Helen. Ennay, good job on your 7 miler.

I did 10 miles today, and it was a rough run! I am so wiped out. Running pace was about 12min/mile and I had 3 scheduled walk breaks, which I took. I needed them. I tried some Clif Bloks and let's just say that is another thing I shouldn't be consuming on the run--I guess I'll be sticking with gels. I also got some massive chafing on my collar-bones of all places, so one more place for BodyGlide. These are the kinds of runs that are discouraging, but I keep telling myself that these are the runs where I get the most training effect.

I'm only running twice next week, a 4 miler on Thursday and a 7 miler on Sunday. The 7 mile run has no scheduled walk breaks, so we'll just have to see how I do. I'm scheduled to bike twice though and I just got a new mountain bike, so I'm pretty excited about getting it properly broken in this week.

Anne

I get chafing on my collar bones too Anne - I guess they stick out too much now! It was the only place I got anything (including my feet) when I ran the marathon.

I, on the other hand, chafe everywhere--I need one of those sunless tanner spray booths loaded up with b.g. because it keeps moving

And dont you just love when you dont notice the chafe til you hit the shower?

I fianlly ran outside today 6.2k, it was hard and I was slow ... but I really enjoyed it, it had been about 6 weeks since the last time I ran outside... Because of "life getting in the way" reasons/excuses I was running the dreadmill...

Bravo girls on your runs and races, you certainly inspire me to continue...

Yeah, that is pretty much the worst. DH one time just started screaming, and that was it. We go through a lot of BG around here.

Good for you for getting out Ilene. I've been wondering where you've been.

Anne

Hey runners...I have a question about upping mileage. I usually run 4-5 miles 3 times per week, but I signed up for a half marathon (why????) The longest race I have done is a 10k, so I'm wondering if there is a certain training program someone could suggest to get me prepared for the half.

I do a lot of others types of workouts during the week so I don't want to increase the number of days I run, I think if I do that I would start to look at it as a chore instead of enjoying it. I'm just looking for some guidelines that would help me get to where I need to be to do the half without dropping on the course

The race isn't until June so I have some time. If anyone has a website or something I'd appreciate it. Thanks

There are decent training plans at runnersworld.com and coolrunning.com. I do most of my long distance racing on 3-4 runs per week, with a decent amount of crosstraining (biking, swimming, strength training). Just make sure they are quality runs (speedwork, tempo, long run) and not 'junk' miles.

I'm also pretty slow, and to get faster one of the things most recommended is more mileage. So I'd say you can do it if your goal is to finish rather than finish in a specific time (unless you are just naturally talented).

Anne

Snow....I got up to run this morning and there was snow. It doesnt snow here, especially not in November.

Hey redsoxgirl - Your story sounds almost exactly like mine, The longest I had done was a 10K and then signed up for a half... on a local running web site they advertised the Galloway program which incorporates scheduled walk breaks into the running so that you recover better and it does less strain on your body... If there's a local running web site they might have something similar

A hilly 6.1 miles with running club today, just what I fancied after yesterday's race! I'm not a huge fan of running with the club the day after races, but this time of year I make the effort to avoid having to run in the dark on my own. I did go a fair bit slower than normal!

I got the placings through for the race, I finished in the top half of the field overall, and 349/1599 for women, which is just outside the top 20%. I'm pretty happy with that

Awesome race Helen! Someday I would love to finish in the top 20% .

Lol, I did figure out this summer while racing preggo, that if you do the short race in an event set (like the 5K of a 5K/10K event) you have a better chance of placing - all the fast people do the long event I almost always do the long event though.

So I went to the only gym in town today, I need to start lifting and I just dont seem to be able to get the dust off my weights. With everything I only had about 30 minutes to workout and since I didnt run this morning I decided to break my cardinal gym rule and run on the tread. (My philosophy is if I am at the gym I should Xtrain since I run plenty) Well about 5 minutes in the city loses power. So I switched over to an exercise bike since they were self power generating and still had displays. First bike ride since LAST August--yikes.

Guess the exercise gods were trying to hold me to my "no treadmill" promises.

So...is it worth $60/month (with childcare) to have a gym membership at a not so great gym? $70/month in the summer when my daughter isnt in school. I could join a better gym for less, but I only have the short time dd is in preschool to workout and its about a 35 minute drive.

I figure what I spend at the gym, I'm saving in hospital bills and medications. My grandmother died at the age of 47, and my brother had a heart attack at 40! I'm sure I'd have had a bypass in my future, the way I was going. Even with insurance, surgery is expensive! That's how I rationalize it, anyway.

Rationalizing new clothes is harder for me. Not impossible, just harder

Ennay, if you have the space, you could always spend a couple months gym fees, buy yourself a decent set of weights and save the commute. Time and money.

Woo-hoo, Helen!

Anne

I have TONS of weights at home. The problem is childcare. I get up early to run but to run AND lift before dh leaves for work I would need to get up at 4. Not gonna happen, especially since the baby refuses to go to bed before 10:30. I need a place to leave my child while I work out.

Anyway, went today. Its not a terrible gym, its just small and doesnt have a pool. I am shocked that it is as expensive as the big fancy brand new gym, but hey, when you are the only game in town you can be steep.

BTW Kudos to anyone who manages cardio at a gym or on a treadmill, I ran for awhile after I finished lifting today and after 10 minutes I was clockwatching.

Ennay -- I was strictly an outside runner till October or so when I had to go inside because of time and scheduling... The dreadmills ( that's what I call 'em ) at the gym each have a TV monitor and I always make sure that I go on them when a good program will be on... If there are no TVs at your gym try a MP3 or iPod with music, or books on tape, to pass the time away... I also do intervals and play mind games, do one minute runs all out, then walk for a minute, or hills the same way... Hope this helps...

Today I did only 2 miles on the dreadmill, for some reason my monitor konked out, so I step on another dreadmill and the TV monitor konks out on that one too ... so I threw in the towel after that ...