Hello fellow penguins!  I had no idea there were so many others out there and I'm very glad that I'm not the only SLOW runner on the road.  I'm trying to lose weight, get in shape and just get healthy at 47.  It's long overdue and I really like running...or waddling...or plodding, whatever you call it.  I am hoping to build my distance, lower my time and lose weight all at the same time, but it's been a month and I'm getting a little discouraged.  But...I'll keep going as long as you all do!  Take care and happy trails.  Mary Beth

Rocky - I am SO GLAD you decided to join this message board.  Finally there is someone who is near my speed.  Most of the people who post on here are a lot faster than me, and some of them I don't even consider to be Penguins, although that is only my opinion.  Although I have gone faster in a few rare moments, my running (or jogging) speed is usually anywhere from a 16-18 or 19 minute mile, and yes, I am not kidding either.   I have done some jogging in the 12-15 minute mile range, but I can't seem to sustain it for very long.  In the official longer runs that I have done, it seems to average out at around 17-18 or so, when they post the final results.  I have been told by others who have seen me jog that it appears as if I am walking, but I don't care about those remarks. I generally don't like to run or walk with others due to my (lack of) speed, but if you were in my area, it would be great to walk or run with you.  What area do you live in?

Today was a nice day weather-wise (it was in the upper 60s or it possibly may have even hit 70), so I went out and walked 8 miles.  I was going to do more, but my feet began to hurt, and I have learned from past experience to listen to my body when it is telling me that I have done enough for the day.  My friend pointed out that I need to get out of the walking phase of my training for the half marathon fairly quickly, since it is coming up soon.  So I will only do it a few more weeks before I start the walking/jogging phase.  When I begin alternating walking and jogging, I was thinking of doing the following - jog one mile, walk one mile, and so on.  What does everyone think of that plan?  Or should I switch it up every half mile instead?  I don't want to alternate every minute, because I need at least a few minutes of jogging to build up my momentum, and a few minutes of walking to recover.  Hope everyone has been having the nice weather that we have.

Thanks Art,Scruffy and Mimi on the garmin advice...I think the 305 will be a good fit. Just curious Mimi how has it helped improve your times?

I have taken a much needed "mental health" week...no running since the race last weekend..just slept,worked and got caught up from our trip. Now I am ready to hit the road tomorrow for an easy three miler and meet the girls for our Sunday morning run along the river! I feel completely re-energized!!

Happy running all!

Today is a day off from running, tomorrow I am running 20 miles training for the Southern Indiana Classic in April.

I took it a little easy this week running so far I have ran 14.1 miles and then I hope to cover 20 miles tomorrow.

My goal for is to run the entire marathon without stopping and walking.

Art

Hi, If its easier for you and you have a Garmin why don't you do run/walk intervals. start with 3min run and 3 mins walk and as it gets easier extend the time to a 5R/3w and then 6R/3w and then slowly cut the walk time down to a 1 min walk and longer run...you can set your Garmin to do the timing for you..

I started that way and loved it..no guilt and it seemed like I picked up pace as I warmed up..Also I tend to get into the "Zone" and stay there for a while..another thing.. there is a book out there called Chi Running..I loved it. Read it about 4 times..sometimes I will pick it up and re read pages..and try and incorporate the essence into my runs..well worth the expense its written by Danny Dreyer comes with a DVD so that you know what he is talking about..rent it from your library and if you like it get you own copy you'll end up highlighting passages and using it without realising..Sorry to go on about this 

But the bottom line is.. keep at it..you are getting healthy and fit and speed does not matter Its TIME ON FEET!!!

Ha ha -- thanks for the tip on the book, MB.  "Slow, fat triathlete" pretty much sums me up -- I'm definitely slow, still fat, and I'm trying to be a triathlete.  I'll have to go seek out that book -- thanks for the tip.  By the way, I waddle along (run/walk) in broad daylight -- I'm proud of myself for getting and going out.  At least I'm doing something!

Hello and Welcome! Congrats for starting the c25k and WOW your on week 6!, doing great... just a few more weeks and you will have graduated!

Congrats on starting C25K... You are making great progress. 15mm ave is the speed I settled into for quite a while and it did me fine.  It's taken me a long time and a lot of miles, to finally move past that.  Having said that.....

Today is the first "fast" race I've run since October.  All of the other 5K's have been either recover runs from longer events, or I've just not been in top shape.  It was a very flat course today, near 60deg.  Finished with a new PR of 37:02, and finally beat 12mm pace.  Yaa-hoo!  Speed intervals on the TM were a great tool to help me maintain a near steady pace.

I'm race director for a new 5K next weekend to support our library.  I look forward to "micro-managing" every detail on race day. Still hoping for good weather.