Slow R  I am so impressed with your running.  "I expected that I would be done after the first mile but I felt so good  I ran 3.5 before heading home.  Then I worked out at the gym that night  and felt good.  so I was temped to go running the next day but new I  should wait until yesterday for my long run.  I did 9 miles on my long  run and felt really good so I must have needed the rest."

I am 5 months into my runing restart and 9 miles is so far off for me. Yesterday I had my best run since my Nov 5k race. I did 5k in about 32 minutes. I'm finally finished with my recovery from a 1 Jan minor calf/achillies injury.  I want to increase my comfort distance, but the progress is so slow.  My personality is one that tends to over do things and I have been careful to keep a lid on my increasing distance or pace.  I really want to build a good distance base like yours but running is still pretty hard for me.  I tend to exceed my theoretical max heart rate on my runs, so  I know my conditioning still has a long way to go.

I am learning dicipline and integrating a shift to natural/pose/chi running in minimalist shoes. So many changes at once sounds a bit stupid, but I am paying close atetion to my body to keep from over doing it.  So reading posts like yours are very encouraging and inspiring and a great help on my re-entry into the running community.

Thanks for sharing and good running!

Jack

Jo Ann- you've been an inspiration to me for over a year..you've worked hard and accomplished amazing goals! You will get back out there I'm sure, maybe you needed a break...not to worry and please quit beating yourself up (coming from someone else who is an EXPERT at doing that LOL!) Just one foot in front of the other and you'll cross the finish line of the HM...I tried the Gu,Gels etc and found that the "sport beans" helped me, they were the easiest to take before and during a run..I think Jellybelly makes them...another marathon runner suggested them to me.

Slowrunning- I am trying to get my distances back after struggling for a few months and I'm finding the run/walk intervals to help...I envy your 9 miler just not your conditions that you have to run in!!

I just came back from a nice run on the river with a fellow penguin, it's really nice to have a partner , I've always run alone thinking I couldn't keep up with someone but we seem to have a good time she doesn't mind if I go ahead and I don't mind if she does...plus our dogs love it!!

The one mile straight uphill to get back to my car kicks my behind however LOl!!!!!

Happy running all and thanks L for the run this morning! Remember next time will be a "gazelle" run!!

Well, I finally got that long run in!  It was a "no deadlines to meet" and "no weather excuses" kind of day, and since I do care about football too much, nothing to rush home to.  40 deg, calm, overcast. Luckily it was cool enough that my legs were too cold to differentiate sore muscles. I wore tights and a long sleeve tech shirt, but when it got near the end, it felt like my legs were bare. I did 10.5 mi, and didn't try to add more, 'cause I'm still building up.  But in the back of my mind, I wanted to do 12 mi. I managed the first 6 miles <14mm, and the last 4.5 mi @ 14:38mm.

I felt great afterwards as I did my cool down walk, though I did feel some tighteing.  But when I tried to drive away, my calves cramped up again, so I had to pull over, stretch more, raise my leg up and massage it a little too.  I've got to get this figured out.  I had Gatorade & Shot Bloks for electrolytes-maybe I just need to use more. I had a banana before, and about 48 oz fluids total.  The run felt good, but I don't know if I had another 2.6 mi in me.  To beat 3 hrs for the HM, I need to do a little faster pace - while including 4 miles of rolling hills.

Kudos to runningangelinvt and everyone else who's running outside right now. We got more snow and the roads are a mess. I know. I know. Yaktraks and other such footie things. I can't remember who said they were a goldilocks runner, but I think that might be me. I ran in 20 degree weather with 11 degree wind chill and could easily run in colder weather, but the snow (mainly the ice - we've got a ton of it right now) has me paranoid so I'm really impressed with everyone who's out there when the streets/sidewalks are slick.

But enough about my ice-phobia. I need some half marathon training plan advice. So it's January 24th. The Columbus Half Marathon is May 8th. That's 15 weeks. Most of the training programs I've looked at are 20 weeks. Is it prudent for me to alter a training plan so I can attempt the C-Bus Half? I ask this in light of my recurrent pain in my knee and ankle problems. I am in physical therapy and everything is getting stronger (ankle,hip,glutes,quads,and core muscles I didn't know I had) but I'm not 100 percent. I still have pain after every run - especially the day after.

I've been regularly running 3 miles - 3 times a week now for several months. I've run three 5K's (Sept., Dec., and Jan.) I did a 5-miler on Thanksgiving, but for the most part I'm just doing 3 miles as my regular runs. I only started running again last March after a 15 year hiatus. I've taken it very slow due to repeated problems. I like to put at least two days of rest between my runs to keep it from flaring up.

I ask because I feel like I'm just floating along. I do better if I have a goal. Any thoughts, cautions, possible training plans (I looked up Jeff Galloway, but they don't have a class anywhere near me), experience, strength and hope would be appreciated.

I do adore this forum.

~ Nita

Nita

I think that there is no one answer to your Half M question.

The sloppy answer is that you could probably finish the half given 15 weeks more prep. But you may find the pain and injury potential not to be worth it.

There is an old metric that you need to average about 1/3 the race distance daily, (not your average run) to be in shape to run the race.

So the question to me is: if you are trying to do what amounts to a 20 week program in 15 weeks: does your current training amount to the equivalent of week 6 in the 20 week schedule?  It doesn't have to be exact, but it will give you a good idea of your status in trainingg and prep for the half. Nnow to further beat the horse, I would shy away form getting too agressive if you are still trying to strengthen yourself via phys therapy.  The last thing you want to do is to un do what you have built up so far by trying to move too fast.

There will always be another half to run so don't be in a hurry to rune one. Be sure you are totally prepared and you will enjoy the experience.

Back when I was running regularly I ran three marathons. In one I was not realy prepared and paid for it. Big blisters, leg soreness, some minor foot problems were my reward and I was in my 30's and a very healthy person. The other two (just under 4 hours) were actually very enjoyable because I could run the whole distance and didn't feel as if I was in a car wreck the next day.

Good luck in whatever you decide and let us know how you're doing.

Jack

Chocolate: I agree with what Scrufffy says - if your current level of fitness meets the level in week 5 or 6 of the 20 week plan, then follow it.  And if you find you just need more time, then like he says, there is always another one.  I am not one to follow a training plan rigidly, but I do look at the "gist" of how the plan is structured, and then adapt that to my capabilites.  Having said that, I've still got to get past 11 mi without calf cramps.

Turtle- Sounds like you are still out there, putting in the miles, but just not enjoying the endorphins like you should.  Since this is sort of a recovery season anyway, you need to shake things up a little and do something different.  Skip a race or two (which sound like they are tempo runs now).  Find something ELSE you can do (considering the weather and what is nearby) like hike or spin or yoga or aerobics or swimming. Drive away somewhere else to do a long easy run.  Do something that refreshes your spirit and brings back the JOY of activity.  Do this for 2-4 weeks, or until your enthusiasm returns, then sign up for a SPECIAL race somewhere and train for that. Two Cents.

Scruffy, Jasmine, and Mimi - Thanks so much for the input. I am nowhere near the fitness level of week 6 of any of the plans! That answers it for me. Plus, as you folks mentioned, I'm still in PT. That's what I needed - a reality check.

I think I'm having a little bit of what Turtle has. The winter blahs? My 3 mile runs are good, but not fun like when I'm training for something specific. Lately I've been mixing it up with weights, rowing, water walking, stretchy band exercises and jumping rope. I still get my 3 runs in per week, but it feels less boring to have something a little different going on as well. Because I don't like to run outside when it's ice (see my many previous ice-phobia posts), that leaves me with the dreadmill or the track. Still better than sitting still, but yawn.

Turtle - I have to echo what was said about the weekly race. That would get old really fast and puts a huge strain on the body to push to the 9's every week. It might be the winter blahs or it might be burnout. Find the joy again. Great suggestion.

Lovin' me some penguins!!!

Kelly:  For what it's worth, I agree with Jack and JoAnn.  Put away the running shoes, forget the weekly 5K races and go do something else for a few weeks.  You're getting to the compulsive stage and that spells trouble.  This is temporary unless you allow it to become permanent.  You're running now because you think you have to, but you started because it was something fun that you wanted to do.  Do cross-training (rowing, elliptical, weights, bike, swim), go for walks, anything but running.

You also said "I have to start HM training soon".  No, you don't have to start HM training.  Maybe it's time not to do HMs, especially since it appears that you don't want to at this point.  I don't know where you live except that it's obviously a cold-weather climate, but there are probably lots of HMs through the spring, summer and fall months.  Give yourself a vacation from running and, as long as you're staying active, you won't lose fitness.  You may actually be strengthening muscles that will help you run stronger.