I agree, we could all probably use more cross-training.  Now might be your time.   Whether it is a HM or a Full, you don't want to hurry the training and risk injury.  If you are a "Penguin" be prepared to settle for a even slower pace when it comes to longer distances.  I'm having a rough time of it and I am only putting up with 20 deg. days.   So, maybe pick a later HM and hope for an early Spring - I know I do.   Good Luck & Hang in There!  

Good morning everyone! I see that you are all doing well with your various trainings and goals!

Emmaleigh47! Good luck with your HM this weekend! I know that this is not the politically correct advice, but here goes.....HAVE FUN!!!! You only have 1 chance at your first Half Marathon! It is an awesome experience and full of energy. I did my first 3 weeks ago and I loved every minute of it! Like you, my goal was to not crawl across the finish line! I told my husband that as long as I could at least walk across, with a smile on my face I would be happy no matter what my time was. I was shooting for a 3:00 hr finish. I came across the finish line running, with a huge smile on my face, arms up in the air and hollering Woooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooo!!!! I came in 12 min under my 3 hr goal! It has been my experience that I always have a better time in events (5K's, HM's 10K's) than I do in training and I contribute that to the environment and adrenaline!

You are going to do much better than you think and I cannot wait to read your race report! I am so excited for you!

Mimi

Oh, and I agree wholeheartedly with you on the medocrity. You know that is absolutely nothing wrong with being average in this sport! We cannot all be ultra athletes after all! Someone has to hold down the positions of average!

Kerry. Robert Ullrey has a C25K podcast that is very good and is what I used when I did C25K. You can download it free from the internet.

Someone on here was discussing mid run energy supplements and mentioned the Jelly Belly Sport beans. If anyone wants to try them, let me know. I have ALOT of them and I need to get rid of some of them.

I'm feeling awesome, I finished w5D3 this morning and I am in shock.  I thought that I would need to loose some weight before being able to run for that long and not have my heart rate go through the roof.   I just took the penguin mentality it's not how fast it's just getting it accomplished.  Sometimes I would think I could walk faster than this but I told myself nope I working toward a goal and this is going to help me get there. i am looking forward to finishing the program before my birthday in March and since I just did a 20minute run this morning I am feeling I am well on my way.

Jasmine, congratulations on a 10+ mile run! 

I am just discovering this site, and am thrilled to see fellow double-digit-mile runners here.  I am a very slow runner but I do love running.  I did 2 half marathons last year (2:54 and 3:02) and I signed up to do a 10 miler in February (in Maine).  I didn't think too much about it before I signed up because I thought "yeah, I can run 10 miles".  But then, the other day, I looked at the results from the last few years and it looks like I very well may finish last.  I didn't consider that only hardcore runners will run 10 miles in the winter in New England.  So, I'm desperately trying to improve my speed in the next few weeks.  If I can get to 12 min miles, I probably won't be dead last! 

Reading this thread has really helped me to feel better about my pace though.   

Speaking of energy gels/beans, etc., has anyone tried the Chocolate #9 energy gel?  It's simply agave nectar and chocolate (my kinda boost!).  Actually, with all the food allergies that I have, it looks great for its simplicity.

I'm planning on trying it when I start to train for longer runs, after the snow melts.

Wondering if anyone has tried it...likes it...hates it, etc.

EmmaLeigh.....good luck w/ your HM. We'll all be cheering you on!

I've had the same problem w/ posts as others.

Emmaleigh- Have a wonderful time with your first half! I too just wanted to finish upright and with a smile!! Had a blast and I will never forget it! I kept my finisher's medal in my office along with all my bibs with times written on them ...just packed them all so had a few moments to "relive" each one! We will be cheering you on!!

Mimi- thanks so much for the sports beans I will happily pay for shipping...will email you..

Would love to PM you here but as all of you have said I have problems posting also...now I can post but can't get to my "your stuff"!!! I actually called them and they told me to empty my cookies that it was a browser issue...problem was it happened on 3 different computers, then all the sudden I could post again!!

Steve- what I have found with turning off the email notifications that as soon as I posted or read ANY thread it automatically turns it back on so I have to remember to turn it off each time I come on the site

Looking forward to having a nice run along the river tomorrow which is a great treat for a weekday...funny how beautiful surroundings sometimes makes it easier! Can't wait to run along the beach!!