I got my Nike+ data uploaded.  W7d1 was nearly identical to w6d3...at least I'm consistent.  According to my pace between miles 1 and 2, I actually did shave about 7 seconds off my pace.

I actually did c25k the last time I deployed but I did the whole thing on the treadmill.  By the time I quit I was running 40 or 50 minutes at a time, but it turns out I was cheating myself.  I would set zero elevation and 5 m.p.h. and go.  It also got really boring running in one spot for so long.  Running outside is definitely much more difficult but it is also more rewarding.

Nicollette-  Not sure any of the tips would help anyone but me but here they are.   My stride was too short so he had me stretch it out a little more so I was hitting mid foot, no longer than if you stepped in a lunge and your foot and knee were in one line.  Run smooth, no bouncing up and down. relaxing my lower back and hips was a big one. I tighten up because I have a lower disc issue and I think i'm protecting it.  He did complement me on my breathing and said never take it faster than 2 breaths in 2 breaths out until i was to the point I wanted to do sprints.  The lacing of the shoes though was huge!!!!!   I really recommend finding a good running store with knowledgeable people and discussing all your aches and pains they may have solutions for some or all of them.

So today I got my biggest motivation for running today when I got on the scale and for the first time in 10+ years the first number was not a 3.  I enjoy running becuase I love what it's doing for me. and this summer  we will not have to skip activities or hikes becuase I can't do them. I'll be the one saying  "come on lets do that 3 mi trail to the lighthouse."

Welcome, Kim!  Congrats on quitting smoking! 

You asked where we're all from, so I guess I'll go first (after you)...I am from California, near San Francisco.

Anyone else want to share?

Hi Looney and Jeb,

Thanks so much for the welcome and replies.  Also, thanks for the congrats, Looney.  I appreciate it!  

I finally finished W3.  I've only been doing this for 6 weeks or so!  This week, though, I feel like I am "getting it".  I am keeping my pace slow so that I can finish the 'timed' running and I find that by going so slow, I am breathing much easier than I had been. Go figure!!   It must be all the reading (about running) I've been doing lately, and more importantly, understanding what I am reading.  I just feel like it is now clicking... which is really a good thing because I was not enjoying running at all. Now, I go home, change quickly and shoot out the door.  Maybe I was overpreparing before and working myself up to exhaustion.  I don't know.  Although, I will probably find out how much I enjoy running tomorrow, when I begin W4.  Ugh!

What happened to running like a kid?  Why do I now have to 'learn' to run?  It has become a science!  I like the fun of a kid!  Maybe I will find that tomorrow.  Right now, I am off to read a blog... by Jeb!

Completed W5D2 tonight. It went well. I extended my 5 min runs to 10 and decreased my 5 min beak to 3 min. I took 3 min of my cool down than ran the rest of my 5K. I broke all of my records but I am still really in a lot of pain.

I started my Nike+ app after I completed my 5 minute warm up so I could get a more accurate read on my pace.

Check out my run and my new badges...

Well its been a rough week for me.  And the storm didn't help.  I live in a west side suburb of Cleveland, Ohio and we really didn't have it too bad.  Definately not like New York and NJ did. 

Kim, welcome! Glad to have you with us.  Everyone is so encouraging on this forum.  I was surprised to see your post so soon after the storm.  Glad you are ok.  My heart goes out to everyone affected by this.  It has been a weird week here and like I said, we really didn't get much. 

Nicolette, I was nearly crying while reading your post from Sunday!  You DID IT!  Yeeeeeee haw!  I am doing a 5K on Thanksgiving Day in Detroit and I'm quite nervous and excited too.  I am hearing how huge it is (over 20,000 runners) and how fast it is (top runners finish in under 15 minutes).  I really don't care.  I'm not doing this for speed.  I'm doing it for me. You are my inspiration!

Interesting events have transpired regarding my bilateral knee pain.  Seems how the doctor said nothing was wrong, I went and did a 2.5 mile Heart Walk last Saturday in Akron.  I was nervous I would have too much pain to do it.  I didn't.  I walked it and without any issues.  I actually felt so much better.  I found a running group nearby and they were going for a run at a local park that night so I met up with them because I felt fine.  I was soooooooooooo slow!  I felt really bad.  They were 1/2 marathoners and I was so pokey.  It was getting dark out so they didn't want to leave me by myself.  I ended up causing one of them to basically skip their run.  I couldn't keep up with them at all and it didn't bother me that I was slow as much as it bothered me that I messed up their run. I'm not getting hung up on speed at this point but I had to keep stopping to walk becasue their strides were huge. They were super nice about it and said they didn't mind at all.  They wanted to encourage people to run so they were fine with my pokiness.  Anyways, I felt it was a good run.  I couldn't use my app or anything.  One girl kept trying to talk to me while we ran.  FORGET THAT! 

So on Sunday I was sore again.  I had gone to a Fleet Feet store Saturday after the HeartWalk thing and the guy told me about the foam roller so I bought it.  I have used it everyday and it really works well.  I am just super tight.  My hamstrings are like finely tuned guitar strings!  They are so tight! On Sunday it was really yucky out so I went to the gym and got on an elliptical.  That was the magic trick for me.  On Monday my left leg was completely fine but my right knee hurt still.  On Monday night the storm hit and there was no way I could run outside.  I went to the local Y that night and ran the track. I started back up on week 5D2 and by the last run I hit the "runners high".  I suddenly was able to lengthen my stride and I felt like I was flying.  My breathing was synced with my pace and I just took off.  Sadly though, my app didn't work right and I have no idea what my pace was.  It was an incredible feeling and I am hooked!

On Tuesday, everything was closed because of the storm. The power was out in half the city and trees and power lines were blocking many of the roads.  It was a do nothing day for me. I was also very sore once again.  With the awful weather I have not been able to run outside and I haven't gone to the gym since Monday.  I'm not feeling good about it.  I'm kinda discouraged.  This right knee pain is ridiculous.  I think its nerve pain from the swelling.  I have had too many things come up to steer me away from running.  I used to go out running in the mornings but with the weather being so bad, I can't do that so I have to wait until after work.  By the time I'm done with work, I don't want to do anything.  The weather is supposed to improve in the next few days and I am hoping to get out in the mornings again. 

So thats my story,  I am not giving up.  I WILL do the 5K in Detroit.  I WILL get back outside and run.  This pain WILL improve.  Also, I'm not losing ANY weight.  I am definately smaller though.  I am fitting into clothes I couldn't fit into a year ago, so I'm just going to keep on going.  I have been thinking that I have to be able to run the entire 5K on Thanksgiving.  Now, from reading Nicolette's posts I see that I don't.  I just need to DO IT!

Cleveland wasn't hit that bad really.  Just alot of old trees falling over.  One freeway close to the lake flooded for 1/2 a day.  Everything is pretty much normal now.  Today I went to the gym and did the elliptical and some core work.  I think my biggest issue is doing something everyday.  Tomoorrow I am running 20 minutes outside! Hopefully it will be a good run.  Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Hey Maureen0131, I'm in Cleveland, too.  Our track at work was flooded, so I had to hit the treadmill. Not the same, but I got it done. Tomorrow, I'm doing the Run for the Shelter 5K at Edgewater Park.  I'm nervous/anxious/excited.  Wish me luck everyone!!  

Good luck to everyone! Keep up the great work!  Thanks for the encouragment.

shelly