GoRunIrish - Where in Ireland are you guys planning to go? I lived there all of last year doing research for my thesis (in Cork, which is currently several feet underwater due to extreme flooding ) and I have many favorite haunts and only wish I had been a runner when I was there! (Granted, the Irish tend to look at recreational runners as being more than a little bit crazy...not that I can blame them! ) 500+ days will just FLY by! Enjoy the engagement!

I second the motion for a 200+ One Hour Runner thread.

That will be a place for current 1-hour runners to talk now, and those of you in C25K will be able to hop on board when you're done.  There is something very special about being able to talk to other heavies who are running.   We understand each other's challenges, pains and triumphs.

OK fine....I'll go start it now.  Why wait.  I'll edit this post with the link when I'm done.

200+ lb One Hour Runner thread is here:  http://community.active.com/message/680100

Jasmine, you have been a PROGRAM SAVER by condoning the slower paces. I know that I would have just plain stopped if last week's bad experience trying to go 15 mm had kept up.

My earlier thing about me running closer to 18 mm was wrong. I realized I put in the entire workout, whereas I was only running for an intermittent 16 minutes of it. I think the actual runs are just over 16 minutes per mile.

I put Week 5 Day 1 of C25K in the can tonight!

And for all those who are feeling stressed, I will just mention that I've been under some tremendous stress and fear lately with a medical issue in my family. Vigorous exercise is the one thing that has kept me calm and grounded throughout this ordeal. I started learning to run at just the perfect time.

"And for all those who are feeling stressed, I will just mention that I've been under some tremendous stress and fear lately with a medical issue in my family. Vigorous exercise is the one thing that has kept me calm and grounded throughout this ordeal. I started learning to run at just the perfect time."

Amen!  I too have been under INSANE stress with an imminent job loss and ill mother. Yesterday was The Day we had to have the talk with her about not moving back into her own home.  So about 3 hours prior, I went to the gym and did the stationary bike for 20 minutes, weights for 15 minutes, and dry sauna for 15 minutes.  Earlier in the day I thought I was going to cry throughout the whole discussion, but I arrived to the nursing home feeling calm and peaceful, and didn't freak out at all during the meeting (which was very good for mom, too.)   Using exercise as a preemptive strike against the effects of emotional stress really worked wonders.

Great job Andrew!

Jasmine - I was just happy to finish the 1/2 marathon, the time was a bonus. You can do a 1/2 for sure. Find a training plan that works for you and stick to it. Just like C25K, its all in the training, race day is just the icing on the cake.

Thanks again for starting the new thread.  I honestly look forward to reading everyones posts.  I always learn something new or get inspired and I love it.  So thanks!

Transplanted - Thank you, thank you for sharing your "set my intention", I think it's a wonderful idea.  I think I'm going to "steal" it from you.  After all, I have been in that funk too.

HotMoma - Welcome.  I'm new too!  I'm on W1D2 of the C25K.

Irish - Congratulations.  I hear you on the many "500 days", seems my whole life past 19 have been "500 days"