Active Community: Message List - Hey guys! I was blogging on FB but my friends don't run. I'm new here!

Re: Hey guys! I was blogging on FB but my friends don't run. I'm new here!

guest — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:28:39 GMT

Thank you to everyone for the support and encouragement! It feels so nice to have people who understand you. I know we all run for different reasons but no matter the differences among why we run, we run. I can't wait to continue sharing with everyone and learning from everyone. I have already read so many of the threads and reviewed your profiles. Wow at your accomplishments!!! Have a Happy Monday!

Re: Hey guys! I was blogging on FB but my friends don't run. I'm new here!

guest — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:21:03 GMT

welcome back! and welcome to the board... i love it here. none of my friends really run either so i love having a community to come to to ask questions, boast about successes, and gripe about hardships. it's encouraging to know there are like minded people out there who think you're normal for loving running so much!

Re: Hey guys! I was blogging on FB but my friends don't run. I'm new here!

guest — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:00:35 GMT

Just want to point out that anyone who runs 11.25 miles is certainly classified as a runner.

Great job! I love those little victories. I'm just going to echo some others that you want to slowly work up to longer distances so as not to injure yourself. Maybe 12 next time!

Re: Hey guys! I was blogging on FB but my friends don't run. I'm new here!

guest — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 04:31:48 GMT

I had a similar experience. About 5 years ago I decided to run. Just run...for stress relief, exercise...just a change. I found I loved it. Started a journal and managed to hit 40 a week with a long run of 12ish. And then the miasma hit. I moved, had to find a new running course and schedule, moved again and thought I'd never hit 10 again. I ran at least 5 times a week, but only as a sort of chore. Had no goals. But I knew I wanted to be a runner. I knew that I loved it and that what I had been missing all along was a focus. So I took 4 weeks and set my own schedule, stuck to it and took a giant leap and began to marathon train. Now I am 5 weeks into the marathon training and loving it more than ever.

Goals. They are no small things. Even if it is just pencil scratching in a notebook.

Re: Hey guys! I was blogging on FB but my friends don't run. I'm new here!

guest — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 22:45:24 GMT

Great post & welcome back to running. Congrats on your progress. I'll bm your blog and follow your journey. Post here often too. It is a great community.

Re: Hey guys! I was blogging on FB but my friends don't run. I'm new here!

guest — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 17:06:03 GMT

I think 1000 miles a year is a good goal because that's pretty much my yearly goal. It is a very doable distance - average 20 miles per week with a couple of weeks off during the year for whatever may come up like injury, illness or vacation.

You'll find lots of people here who like to talk about runinng so join right in!

Re: Hey guys! I was blogging on FB but my friends don't run. I'm new here!

guest — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:21:52 GMT

Hi Valgalgurl,

I read your post and think that 1000 miles a year is an excellent goal for your first full year of running (or getting back into running). That averages out to 19 miles per week -- manageable by running every other day if you do 5-6 mile runs. Complete this goal and you will have built up a solid base to start training for Half's and eventually a Full (after time logging just miles might lose it's luster unless you are training for an event).

I know how you feel -- the first time you conquer a new distance is an exhilareting feeling. Just be careful not to increase your distance too much too quickly or those "aches and pains" you mention will become an injury that could very easily sideline your efforts.

Keep it up and good luck! You already made it through one season and you need not worry about classificatons or by whom they come from -- if you run, you are a runner.

Hey guys! I was blogging on FB but my friends don't run. I'm new here!

guest — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 05:53:02 GMT

I thought I'd share with you all my goals and today's achievement! I would love feedback. Whether you want to give me tips, constructive criticism, share your stories with me, I invite it all!

First, a little about me...

My relationship with running in the past has always been one sided. I was always giving and putting forth the effort while running was always taking; taking its toll on my joints, shin splints, aches and pains etc. Enough was enough. In spite, I broke off my love affair with running a few years back. However, I still ran but without gusto --->without a goal. The problem here was the whole relationship adage, out of sight out of mind. Running was never out of sight or out of mind. I couldn't stop thinking about my affair with running. Meanwhile, I began to read more running and fitness magazines because I also love weightlifting. I came across an article about a woman who made her vow to run 1000 miles within one year. Talk about a commitment! These days, it's far too easy to breach such a contract!

Anyway, I read her story and though she was engaged to her running endeavor for a purpose different than my own, she inspired me.

Running 1000 miles in one year doesn't sound like much. You break it down to only 2.73 miles a day. What a breeze! Wink wink cough cough. Factor in sick days, travel days, study days, days when you can't move, lazy days (we are allowed a few, right? <--- I struggle with this) and before you know it, 2.73 miles a day becomes 6 or 7 miles during each run.

Long story short, I’m 3 ½ months into this goal and I'm addicted. Each stride lures me to run more.

I may not be classified as a runner, but I am Mad About Running.

Today's achievement...

Tonight I ran my longest distance to date!!! 11.25 miles in 1:58:37. I was not looking to run more than 6 miles this evening but once I hit the 6 mile mark, I aimed for 8. And that's when the mind tricks began. I kept telling myself that I always stop at 8. Why? And why should I stop at 8 miles today when 8 is so close to 10. Then the idea of 10 miles just stuck. I was running with a purpose! After all, what's stopping me today? I'm stuck in a hotel room in Albuquerque, NM. I don't want to eat green chili and I don't want to be confined within the four walls that echo what my neighboring guests are watching on television etc. That's why I just kept running. And Wow! 10 miles turned into 11.25 because I just couldn't get enough. That last mile was my high. I felt accomplished. I'm reminded today how much that first mile sucks, for lack of a better word. The first mile is the mile that taunts you. Then the taunting is drowned out by the little aches and pains I felt between mile 8 and 9. Come mile 10, my game face was back on and I just went for it. Today, July 14^th, 2011, I have logged my longest distance! Woot woot!

I’m a sweaty girl right now. And I wouldn’t trade this feeling for anything! :):)

I just started a blog to at http://vtoth.blogspot.com/

Please share with me!!