Hi everybody.

Mary Kay - saddened to hear about your mother's passing and gallbladder surgery.  You are one tough lady. Here you are a few weeks out of surgery and already out running.  I really admire your tenacity and persistence.  Wishing you well in your training.

Right now, my mindset is not 100% into training either for my HM and Tri events.  Discovered that my significant other got another girl pregnant.  Obviously, I was the last person who knew about it.  So I had to move out.  He was my training partner so when I tried to do my running workout, I just felt so miserable to the point I had to stop because I was having difficulty breathing.   Working out was one of our activities that we enjoy doing together.  Running routes can bring back memories.  I need to travel 30 minutes farther just to swim in another pool to avoid him.  Right now, I have zero motivation to train.  Btw, we both registered for the HM & Tri, so I do not know what will happen when I see him again.  I am trying my best to keep my composure and not suddenly cry.  Really hate feeling this way.  Maybe I can better handle a stress fracture in my ankle than a broken heart.

Anyways, sorry for a non-related running post.  Just needed to vent this out.

Penny, what you are living is horrid hard!!!. I am so sorry! You need to show him and yourself that your life will go on, you will be strong and you will be happy again. The best way to do that would be to get back out there on different routes with different music. Forget the races for now. You may or may not want to do them later but you just need to take care of yourself for the moment. Deal with it like a physical injury. After you take an initial break get back out there asap with shorter runs. When a wave of saddness hits you, focus on it, breathe into it and recognize that it hurts but it will pass ... or it will kill you (NOT), but it will not stop you. One hour at a time eventually becomes one day at a time and then it gets better. Or, and I hate saying this, try something new? I took up running to get over my last bf and was scheduled instead to learn to ride motorcycles. Good luck!!

Andy, glad you enjoyed your tri!!! Altitude knocks me out. A little dizzy is amazing considering.

94 degrees, 3.5 mi. in 42 min. and it didn't feel all that hard. I'm coming baaackk.

Run fearless! 

I just decided yesterday to plan a half marathon for the end of April next year! I am a little nervous since I completed 2 5k's this past spring and only have 1 other 5k schedule for this fall.  (I'm looking for a 10k to do this fall.)

I am working through HH's plans and taking things easy.  I've got 8 months to train so I'm hoping by then I'll be ready!! I'm super excited to take on this challenge!!!

Hi Mary Kay,

I meant to reply to your post right away and then it never happened... so sorry and sad that your mother died :-( and that you had to undergo surgery. How are you doing? did you run the trail HM in September? I hope all is well with you and all the others in our group here...seems like everybody is very busy and hardly posts here anymore!

Mountain Runner, your 10k time is fabulous! And did you already run the HM in October or is it coming up? Your road trip and trail running sounds aweswome, what a great experience for you!

Update about me... I am struggling with running... somehow I never recovered mentally from the injury in February. Summer got really busy, plus I started a new relationship meaning combining/juggling two families... well then weather was really hot until recently plus we went back to school in mid-August... so there were many reasons why I didn't get back into running like I did before. I had started a training plan for the HM, but had to give up after about 3 weeks. Also still same problem, hormones make me feel weak and keep me from performing well - twice a month... anyway I have been thinking about why I am also not so motivated about running anymore (besides all the reasons I mentioned) and I noticed that the emotional need is not there anymore. Last winter when I got seriously into running I had been at the end of an relationship, then the breakup and the painful post-break-up time.... I just needed the running. Now I am in a much better place and happy so the emotional need is not there anymore....plus all those other things are keeping me from running..... Makes me sad though, as I was such a strong runner in the spring and now not anymore.

Currently I am running 3 miles about 2x a week (weather only lately started cooling down a bit, I am assuming I should be able to run more soon)... better than nothing but I am not really happy about it. So, now my question... as you guys might remember, I registered for the HM in Monterey on November 18th... obviously I am not in shape to run a HM.. part of me is thinking about giving up that idea, esp. as it means a long travel, overnighting, expenses etc... and the other part of me thinks, maybe there is a way how I can finish the HM? Meaning running here and there but also lots of walking and just finish my 1st HM... any advice from you guys? Would that be doable? If yes... how would a possible training plan look like? There are about 4 weeks left.. how far should I push my running? 5 Miles and then walking and a bit of running here and there? or better give up on that HM and try for one in the spring (training in winter should be easier)... what is your input on this?

Thanks...

Britta