PL, Glad you got the clearance to start running again!!  I've grown to love being out running again after many years of not and it would be so sad to not be able to...You must be very happy...take it slow...

Hi Just- - -

Even if you finally get to where it is inadvisable to run, you can always try walking. On my last two 5Ks, I didn't do any running at all - just made my feet go as fast as I could. I really surprised myself that I bettered my previous times where I "cheated" and did a little running. At the end of these events, I wasn't even aware of my bumb knee.

There are a lot of tips and links in this web site on fast walking - even if you don't want to actually do race walking. I've ordered a book on fast walking. After it arrives, I'll put up a little review of it.

Jasmine 1972,

Thanks for all your suggestions. I do play my ipod. I have several play lists, but use one in particular when I run. That doesn't always work though. I like the idea of counting 1 per 4 steps. You really have to focus on counting and you can't attend to anything else. I have been wearing a pedomiter and periodically looking at it to see how far I have run, but if I can count and use the pedomiter the first time I try to count I'll be able to get at an approximate number like your 600 per mile.  So far the only run I have done that I couldn't wear my headphones is called "Girls on the Run". I had a student as my partner.  Thanks again. I will try counting tomorrow... One thing I am is persistant:)

Hip Flexor

Earlier this week I got a very tight hip flexor. For a couple of days I did almost nothing except rest and ice. Now I am starting to stretch and do some walking. I can get to the point were I feel almost normal with the stretching. But I don't dare change directions or stop and start quickly. The other thing is the first time I put weight on the leg there is a sharp pain, but it goes away mostly after about two steps. I can lessen the pain if I apply weight slowly. Most of what I find on the Internet mentions ice and stretching. Does anyone have any suggestions beyond this?

On the positive side my wife has almost fully recovered from her heal pain and is planning to do her first 20 minute run Saturday.

Ron

Been lurking for a few weeks but had to jump in....I call my voices the 'quit monkey'...as in "The quit monkey just jumped on my back".  I'm having a lot more problems fighting the QM now that I'm older. In my 30's it were there but I rarely surrendered on a run. Now, it's a 50/50 proposition .... once the quit monkey really starts working on me. It helps me to conjure up an external motivation to push through the suffering....have a runner (or even a walker) on the trail ahead of me to catch helps.

The running gods of motivation were really smiled on me today! About one minute from my turnaround I passed a runner going the other way (forest preserve trail). I could tell he was catchable and sure enough he was in my sights about 2 miles from my finish. The best part was when he felt me coming up on him....he picked up the pace and tried to run away from me! Every time I came up on his shoulder he put in a little kick to keep ahead. I had never had this happen on a training run before....all the sudden I was in 'race' mode.  I knew a little hill was coming up so I figured that's where I would put this guy out of his misery. But he pushed it up the hill to the trail head (just at the top) and stopped before I could get by him....I had to give him a 'thumbs up' as I went by to finish off my run.

The quit monkey was nowhere in sight today.

I started running in 2009. I am now 55. I was inspired by a book, "Younger Next Year". This book advocates getting at least 40 minutes of cardio exercise at least 6 days a week. It works for me. I have lost 60 pounds and have gone from having difficulty running 1 mile to completing my first marathon in January. I even qualified for the Boston Marathon and plan to run it next year. For me, consistancy is the key. I plan to exercise every day. When I miss a day, I feel like I missed out. I almost never go 2 days in succession without a workout. I also do sprint triathlons. Sprint triathlons usually include a 5k run along with a 12-14 mile bike ride and 400-500 meter swim. They are a lot of fun (although I am a terrible swimmer). Doing 3 different events helps balance your fitness since you use difference muscles. A little resistance training helps a lot too; twice a week, light weights, high reps.

Way to go Melissa! You're going to rock that Half in October. I got up this morning and checked the weather. It was 82 at 6:10! I thought about shortening my planned run because I know how miserable I've felt during and after long, hot runs. I ate my oatmeal, washed it down with ice water and decided to get out and just do what I could do. By relaxing, not worrying about pace and sticking to short running intervals with walk breaks, I made it through all ten miles. I didn't break any speed records either, but I did complete the run and felt pretty good at the end. Now it's time to relax and enjoy the rest of the day. I hope everyone had a great weekend with happy runs and happy families.