Oh I am sooo envious of people who have beautiful scenic areas to run through, running trails, or a waterfront! I'm not saying the desert isn't beautiful, I think the desert where I live is very beautiful, but I can't just step out my front door and be right in the middle of it. My city doesn't have the funds to have created running and biking trails either, so if I wanted something like that I'd have to drive somewhere else to get to one. I grew up in WA state and I used to love running on the Ruston waterfront, if I parked at one end and ran all the way down and back it was roughly 4.5 miles, scenic, nice flat sidewalk, and lots and lots of people driving by (and great places to eat). The only downside was that the weather wasn't always gorgeous, I ran in the rain a lot. I can't bring myself to do that any more.

Lucy, it sounds like you're pretty much set for the half.I've enjoyed watching your progress.

I am still having pain in my left Achilles tendon area. Years ago I had 2 friends, who were runners, have their Achilles tendon separate. Ouch! Not what I want to happen.  I am closely approaching the point where the marathon will just become a charitable donation as I will be in no shape for it. At that point, I will probably go back to lifting weights and just ride the bicycle to work for arobic exercise and just enjoy the summer.

During a race, when should I turn it on?  Run the fastest at the end?  How far from the finish line to start sprinting?

If my 5k pace is 9 minutes per mile, what should my 10k pace be?

-Ron

Great advice.  I agree with having fun.  I really don't push it.  I should get a good gauge on my time at my next race.  Yes I am very new to racing, and novice runner.

-Ron

It's been awfully quiet around here for the last week or so . Has everyone caught the flu, or just quit running ? 

Unlike speedrun096, I find it hard to run after work. My run yesterday was hard  - my legs felt heavy and my energy low. It was intended as an easy 3 mile recovery run, but I bettered my last 5K time

I ran my first 15 mile training run yesterday. It was interesting to say the least.

I ran this  long run on a Wednesday instead of Saturday because of scheduling conflicts.

This was the first time I had done a long run the day after another run. I had done a comfortable 3 miler the day before. This was also the first time I had run a long run at the time of day the marathon will take place.

I chose this run to try a new fueling/hydration combination. Instead of only Powerade the whole way, I used water and Twizzlers. I did this because Powerade or Gatorade don't ride well and my stomach becomes upset. I've never used gels on runs but they make me queasy just trying them in a non-running situation. Gels also make my throat burn regardless of water intake. The Twizzlers/water combo did not upset my stomach at all so I was pleased. I'm not sold on changing from the energy drink though.

I said this run was interesting but here is why:

About 8 miles in my right hamstring started cramping. The cramping subsided about a mile later

At 12 miles I started running out of gas. I had two distinct moments when my brain said STOP! I can't really explain the feeling but my brain was telling me something like - hey you better stop or you will pass out or fall down. Walking for 45 seconds helped these feelings pass but when I started running again I couldn't maintain my previous pace. I didn't have any quit in me so I slogged out the last three miles and finished although more slowly than planned.