Hi folks,

I've been away for a while.  I was able to increase my long run to a long (and slow) of 6 miles. I was starting to see and taste a half marathon  finish line on May 6th.  I could run and I was (finally) enjoying the good and bad runs.  Then, I had a set back- broken ribs which kept me out for 3 long weeks.  My first run back I was able to do 2 miles with walk breaks, then 3.  Now, I'm trying to stage my comeback - I'm just not sure how much/ how fast (or slow).  My plan for the next week is to do all three runs at 3 miles, trying to increase the distance between my walk breaks which are currently at 1 minute every half mile.  After that, I'm not sure. Do I increase my long run by a mile or a half mile every week, and take a recovery week 3 weeks? I'm ready to admit I cant do the May 6 half marathon, but would a June 9th one be out of the question.  What are your thoughts?

Stephanie

Completed my second to last c25k run this morning. One more to go.

WOO HOO! I did W1D1 this Morning. I couldn't wait for Monday and plan to just do the next couple of weeks by running every other day. Untill I am running the 25 minutes.

I am thinking about joining this local 5k (the whale run) but it is in only 3 weeks, If I run every other day I will be at W4D3. I don't want to get hurt but I am excited to run in a race. I think I could do it. Any suggestions or opinions would be appreciated.

thanks

Kristi

Once you can do the 20 minute monster you are probably ready, I walked for my first 4 races at least 3 or 4 minutes. One thing you find out is at the races you run faster and tire out, so walking is kind of expected when you start out. Most 5k's allow/encourage walkers. My first 5k was a walker/runner one and if it is called "fun run" it's a low stress thing.  You can find all the races near you here: http://www.coolrunning.com/eventcal/search/

Go you!!!

HELLO EVERYONE! HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH YOU! IT HAS BEEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS SINCE I CONVERSED IN THIS FORUM AND I AM STILL GOING STRONG WITH A 30 POUND LOSS (AND STILL COUNTING).

I HAVE A SERIOUS QUESTION...DOES ANYONE IN HERE HAVE PLANS ON PARTICIPATING IN THE TOUGH MUDDER RACE IN AUSTIN, TX (OCTOBER) THIS YEAR? I DEFINITELY WILL BE SIGNING UP FOR THIS RACE AND NEED A TEAM!

IF NOT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO? IT IS A 10-12 MILE OBSTACLE COURSE SIMILAR TO A WARRIOR DASH THAT HAS NO TIME LIMIT AND NO REAL WINNERS, ITS ALL ABOUT FINISHING. I NEED AN ULTIMATE GOAL THIS YEAR TO KEEP ME FOCUSED AND I THINK THIS IS PERFECT! THIS RACE PROBABLY CANNOT BE COMPLETED ALONE AND I NEED SOME WARRIORS!

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT TO DO IT WITH ME, I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER!

It has as well been a while since I've been on the forum.  I started training last april ( in an effort to lose the weight and get in shape so I can play with my kids and not get winded).  To date I've lost 51 pounds!!  Pretty happy but I have the goal of dropping 50 more this year to get to a 'good' weight for me..considering I started at 330!  Should preface that and say I'm a 32 year old male with 2 kids...

Dmonet19, since you brought up the Tough Mudder, My wife and I are planning on doing the one in Ohio this year.  It's only 6 weeks away!  YIKES!  We keep asking ourselves..what did we sign up for!  OH MAN!   If nothing else, it has been a great inspiration to keep working out..to keep running and to get into a better shape than i've been since I graduated high school.  Sad to think how easy it was to let go of our bodies.....

Either way, I started running again more consistantly this year.  I tried running thru the C25K program again and I jst finished my 20min run yesterday.  I guess that puts me at week 5 day 3.  It really wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  I ran at our metropark in Toledo and kept running to finish the 2.2mile loop which put me at about 23.5 minutes total of straight running.  At an 11min per mile pace I was pretty proud!  I was also running in a brand new pair of shoes so I was nervous.  I bought the La Sportiva Crosslites for our Tough mudder and wanted to start running in them so they were broken in before race day.  Going from my cushy New Balance shoes they were a big difference but even with my big ol 280lb body my feet didn't hurt and the run felt great!

Don't let that run scare you guys...if you made it to week 5, you'll be able to do this run!  Keep up the good work and thanks for the inspirational stories.  These help keep me going!!

It will definitely be an experience!  I will be happy to finish, I"ve never competed in any race longer than a 5K so to jump RIGHT into this is insane.  AND I remind my wife this daily!  If you want to get nervous, go to youtube and search 75 shocking scenes (or something like that), there is a video where someone compile 45minutes straight of the shock therapy and condensed it into about a 5min video.  OH god..it looks painful just watching! 

but none the less, it is a big motivator to keep running..and keep going!  As you said, you don't win per se by being first over the finish line....you win by finishing!  So, if that takes 4 hours or more...so be it!  I'm sure your TM will be a lot warmer than mine will be in April up here in Ohio!  Good luck and look forward to hearing about your training results as you go!!