Hi All

It looks like we still have our 50 and Over group still accessable - hurray! I would be lost without this "family" of friends who keep encouraging me. I was thinking that perhaps we should start up a facebook group so we can keep in contact if Active ever decides to discontinue this feature. I do miss not getting the email notices. I guess I just have to build in a habit of checking in frequently.

I hope all the health issues are solvable - some sound pretty mean. God bless you all.

I am past the three quarters way on my half marathon training. Last Saturday our TIT team did a 10 mile walk at a 17.00 min/mi pace. I felt I could do another five miles after, so am no longer concerned about finishing the HM. I want to not just finish, but to come in before they open the streets to car traffic. We have been doing hills on Thursdays for the last three weeks - and these hills are killers - but even if my race will be flat, I know my endurance will be improved for the effort. Tomorrow we will do a 2 1/2 hour walk (flat trail) - I will try for more than 10 miles in that time. A week from Sunday, I'll racewalk a 10K race; which will be sort of a test of my endurance under race conditions. This will be my first race at that distance, but I expect/hope to come in close to 15 min/mi.

I've also had some nice contributions so that my fund raising is past 3/4. I am not an agressive fund raiser, so am pleased with where I am on that aspect of my training committment.

Keep moving

Phyllis

Phyllis, so glad you checked in!!! You've been on my mind. That's wonderful progress you're making and will be a huge bonus for your race performance and after, when you go to the senior games. Congratulations also on fundraising!! I found that part overwhelming. I've been taking cold soaks regularly now and recommending them to the ladies I run with. Trouble is water isn't very cold in this heat. Any suggestions how to cool it down?

AZ - great job on your runs and feeling strong again! Isn't it the best feeling ever? Well, I'm jumping the gun a little for myself but I'm almost there. I'm close enough that I have to push to find out what's going to hurt, except for the pesky knee injury I had before my gall bladder journey.

Steve, enjoy every minute of your visit! They grow so quickly. When in Sept is your HM?

Yesterday was recovery so had my first training session at the gym. Found I still can't do some moves without pain so Brad focused on legs and arms. Today tried for a long run but was pulling the plow through 100% humidity and 84 degrees. A lot was mental but might have residual strain from yesterday, too. Will try again on Monday and hopefully will be able to get some better weather, like Isaac. Ha!

Run strong and fierce, my friends!!

Spoke with our son yesterday and we will be going to Des Moines on Wednesday of this week.  That will be the day after their next pediatrician visit.

Mary Kay:  The HM is Sept. 16th, so two weeks from today.  It's the Fox Valley Marathon in St. Charles, IL.

Phyllis:  I'm very glad to read that your training is going well and that you feel confident in finishing your half marathon.  That will make it far easier on your nerves.

Tony:  Enjoy your cruise.

Tony-enjoy the cruise!  Maybe running around the deck when it's quiet would be an alternative to the dreadmill.

Marie-isn't it interesting that our pace seems the same no matter how we run the training runs?  Might as well take it easy on our bodies by using the walk breaks.

I did the long run Saturday at Devil's Lake, which was fortuitous: since it was formed by last glacial period, it fit my glacial running pace just fine!  lol.  The amount of walking to keep the heart rate down was frustrating, but I finished 21 miles, so I'm happy for that.  I cannot remember when I've slept as hard as I did the last 2 nights!  Exhaustion will do that to you!  Easy 5 miles this morning, but didn't get out as early as usual since I didn't have to go to work.

I'll try to run regularly this week, then take it easy the next week before the HM on the 15th.

Run strong and safe this week friends!

Marie:  Very humid here too this morning, even at 6AM.  After two miles I was wringing wet, so I cut the run short and did only four instead of the 6-7 I had planned.  We are due for cooler and less humid this weekend, so that should improve things.

At least your Phillies are doing better than the Cubs.

Ron, also ran my first 5 miler this weekend (yesterday).  Mine turned out to be slightly less and a much smaller venue.  But, it also included a half-marathon and everyone starting together.  Wouldn't have been so bad except it was on a bike trail that was only about 8 feet wide.  A little crowded for the start and no attempt at getting people sorted.  Although we were chipped, no sensors at the start.  Started in the back with my wife and it took us a good 25 seconds to get to the start.  Oh, well - things are rarely perfect.  Official time was 37:15 (7:45 pace), but watch had 36:50 for 4.8 miles.  Finished 13th of 78 (there were 200 hundred half marathoners) and 2nd in AG.  Wasn't perfect, but it was fun and didn't get chicked at the end either ;-)

Run strong!

Ray

Ray and Ron, Congratulations to both of you on your awesome 5 mi. race times!! They are amazing! Had to stop and think for a minute about what "chicked" was.tsk tsk tsk.

So, guess who got too excited about her 10 mi. run and pulled her hamstring tring to do too much too fast? You got it. I'm on rest for a week and maybe more. I may be the most stubborn person ever but I'm seeing this as a creative challenge and not giving up on the 9/29 race yet. I'm cleared to do anything that doesn't strain my hamstrings so I'm thinking of maybe hiking local trails, spending much more time standing at work, and working out on machines at the gym. Any suggestions?

Run strong and fierce!

Hello all! I haven't checked in for a few days so I'm going to have to play catch up.

I've had a few months of hum-drum runs to the point of causing real frustration. Two weeks ago I sat down to make plane reservations for the Milwaukee Marathon and when I looked at the calendar and the other trips we would be making around that time in addition to how I was feeling about my running, I decided to scrub the trip. I pulled back on my miles, adjusted my training plan to shoot for the November marathon and picked a training plan with a maximum long run of 22 miles. I'm a much happier camper! My body has recovered from the summer miles and I am mentally energized to face the training ahead. I have had three good runs in a row this week - finally!! I am not injured and I plan on staying that way. I may not PR in November, but I will be a much happier and healthy runner.

Marie, I remember your surprise when I told you about the pace being about the same regardless of the interval used in a run/walk/run program. The body is a remarkable thing and makes adjustments!! I've found my sweet spot right now is 2/1. Relax during your 10K and I bet you'll surprise yourself.

Congratulations to all on your great races and super times! We may not be as young as some of the other runners, but we've got spunk!