Half marathon - Support and Motivation!

earthymom

Great job pinbotchick! And what an impressive weight loss you have had!

I ran 2.6 miles at an 11.5 pace. It's so humid here in Austin! I felt like I ran 5 miles at a 10 mile pace.

girlruns

Well, I didn't wake up and do Jillian this morning--hopefully after work. For some time now, my alarm clock light has been broken so I don't know what time it is when I wake up in the night. Finally got a new one last night so I could see when I woke up at 3:11, 4:15, 4:45, before my alarm went off at 5. I hated not seeing the time, but I think KNOWING I woke up 3 times made me feel even more tired. Sadly, I didn't really sleep well when I went back to bed either, so I just don't have the energy I want for today. I don't know why I'm not sleeping, but that is going to have to change if I want to do well with my training!

curlytop89

Marcie...i use mapmyrun.com to map out my runs before i go (or after sometimes)...it is free and easy you can create a login and save your runs in a training log and you can calculate your distance and miles per hour...not quite as fancy as a gps watch but it has helped me a lot in training
good job to everyone on the training...its crunch time for me and it is unfortunately a really busy time with the school year starting...iam trying hard to get the milage in that i need on my timetable without burning myself out...i think i'm ready for my run...i almost wish it was this weekend instead of next!

Thanks, I will have to try that. I am going to do long run in the am so I might try it out. It will beat driving up and down the road watching the odometer.

a1schwei

okay so i have to ask...has anyone else found that you are CONSTANTLY hungry the further you get in the training...even on your off or less intense days? i can't stop feeling hungry...and for the most part i've been eating relatively healthy things but i can't stop the hungry feeling in my stomach!!! i haven't really gained any weight to speak of (0.5 to 1.5 lbs depending on the day) but i have been having a hard time keeping to my set calorie goal even with exercise calories unless it is my super long run day! is this normal? i just started back to school/work and i do tend to munch more during the school year than the summer but my hunger is a little much even for me! just curious!

pinbotchick

Well gang, I haven't really dropped off the face of the earth but I've uber busy with work, getting the dang book read (bookclub is tonight - why isn't it on audio?) and running. Managed a 7 mile run on the treadmill ave 14:40 pace. After the second mile, I got lost in my book and it wasn't so bad. Rain and cold weather not to mention the dark kept me inside today. I probably won't be able to catch up on posts until tomorrow night or Sat. My thoughts are with you all.

curlytop89

Good job Victoria! 7 miles on the treadmill is not easy, it just seems to go by so slowly.

a1schwei- the last time I trained for a half marathon, I actually gained weight. Not a lot, maybe 5 pounds, but still. I did eat more and I think I thought that because I was running so much that I would burn off any extra I ate, not the case. Are you getting plenty of protein. When I was on the biggest loser club, the dietician stressed getting plenty of protein, probably more than recommended on the daily allowance when you are running long distances to help your muscles recover. Just an idea. By the way, I checked out the mapmyrun site and it is neat. There are several runs mapped out in my area and I was able to map the run I did today, plus it gives the elevation and what not. My path looked Like this/VVVV\ ha ha. The hills are good for me.

Today was my long run. Did 7 miles at a 10:30 pace. Wahoo! Felt pretty good.

Keep up the good work everyone!

pinbotchick

Marcie - nice pace on that 7 mile run!!! I was shocked that after the first 2 miles on Mr. Tready, I got into the zone and the time flew. My book on tape was really good and in the last 2 hours which really did help. I never dreamed I'd do 7 on a treadmill. My plan was to do the first 2 to 3 on the treadmill until the weather cleared up but it never did (*sighs*).

a1shwei - I've been training 10 weeks now and gained 2 pounds but the last 2 weeks have really worked to get them off. YEAH I'm uber hungry after running - What the heck!!! I've been hearing from others that you don't lose weight with distance training - I don't know why.

earthymom - I hate running in humidity. Not so sure that I'm going to like running frost any better. I live in northern Michigan. It seems like we go from 90 heat to frost overnight. It was 32 degrees on yesterday's cross training bike ride at 7 am - yeah we could see see our breath - I was fearful of frostbite!!!

girlruns - it must be the moon keeping us up. I was up 2 times last night - I blamed thunder and cats (*sighs*). 5am was really early today. At least I can sleep in til 7 tomorrow. Hope you got your energy back!!!

Go Kristina Go!!! I agree that you should sign up for the race - but maybe that's me being selfish and wanting you there with me!!! You are doing so well with you increasing your speed - nice job!!

pinbotchick

Made my longest run yet yesterday afternoon - 10 miles at 14:31 pace. The temp was beautiful in the 50s and the fall colors were spectacular...

curlytop89

Way to go Victoria on the 10 miles. Wow. I was off Friday and did the elliptical yesterday so today was my 4.5 mile run with some speedwork in there. Actually did the first 3 in 28 minutes even with the slowdowns. Wasn't in the mood for a run today at all, but I was sitting around doing nothing and thought, I could be getting my run done, and so there it is. Have to run some more tomorrow, so I don't know when I will get that done. Will probably have to do it on the treadmill or with the stroller and it is in the mid 90's here outside, yuck! Come on rain and give us a cool down.

cmw72

Hi everybody! I'm late to the game, and I'm not sure this is the right place, but here goes.

I just did my first 10k on Saturday and it was such an amazing experience. My time was 71:49 with a pace of 11:33. This was my first race of any kind.

I don't consider myself a runner, and while I have no problem spending hours at the gym, I can't imagine getting up at 5:00 in the morning to go running. That being said, I'm seriously considering registering for a half-marathon on May 1st. I think it would give me focus, and a fitness goal that is not solely calorie based.

I guess the question is ... Does this seem doable? Should I just "go for it"? I would have seven months to train for it. I suppose just finishing should be my primary goal, though I would love to at least meet my 10k pace. I'd also like to think that by then I will have lost significantly more weight. At the very least, I'd like to be under 200 (though 180 would be awesome).

A year ago, pushing 370 pounds, I never would have considered such a thing ... But something about losing 120 pounds makes me wonder what else I can achieve. And what can I say ... This place is inspirational.

Thanks in advance!

pinbotchick

Chris - congrats all you've achieved!! I'm not sure why but most people don't lose weight while training for distance races. 7 months is more than enough time. I didn't run my first 10k until July 4th. My 1/2 marathon is Oct 17th. I feel that I'll be more than ready. I run slow but at least I'm out doing it. I'd make your focus to finish. I'm afraid you may get burnt out if start intensly trainging now. You may want to look into Fartlek training for ways to increase speed. Welcome to our group and keep us posted on your progress.

Marcie - 90 degrees - eeeekkkk. Great job getting the run in.

Go Kristina Go!!! I'm so proud of you for getting that 10 miler in!!!

earthymom

Congratulations Chris! You've done an amazing job. I think 7 months is plenty of time. Good luck to you!

curlytop89

Chris, I'm with Victoria, you might try some other running goals before focusing on the half marathon if it's not until next summer. Maybe 4 months out start. As long as your able to do 3 or 4 miles at a time that should be plenty of time. Great job so far though, wow! I wish my mother could get motivated to do something. She has been overweight her whole life and not I think she is at her heaviest and doesn't feel like doing anything. It is hard to motivate someone from 9 hours away as well.

Anyway, I had a busy day, but did get my 4.5 in on the treadmill, ugh! I did put my wii fit on the free run on my television in front of me, so it looked like i was going somewhere, ha! Something different. Anyway, had to take my husband to the airport to be deployed to afghanistan, another reason i just didn't feel like doing anything today. So it is just me and the kids for awhile. Hopefully I will stay motivated.

pinbotchick

2 miles on treadmill at 13:30 pace.

lisajuly

Hi everyone! I have internet at home today, so I'm hoping the problems are resolved and i can be back to posting and logging.

Yesterday, I ran 5.15 at 10:40 pace. today is speedwork, and hopefully, I'll be back to log about it.

Chris, welcome! Congrats on your successes so far. Most half marathon plans are 12 weeks long, so if you have a race in mind, I'd count back 12 weeks from that and that would be the start of your training. In the meantime, I'd "base build"--run a couple of times a week and just get your body used to running some miles (at different tempos and distances) so that when you start training, you're not starting from scratch.

Curlytop, sorry to hear that dh was deployed. I thank him for his service and will keep you and your family in my thoughts for his safe return.

Kristina--nice job on the 10 miler!

Justine, if you're talking about the pink watch, that's my heart rate monitor. I also use an (older model) Garmin to track my distances and speed. mapmyrun is a good website to use if you don't have a Garmin, but if you check with Amazon, every once in a while, they have GREAT deals on Garmins, especially on the older models when a new model is released.

See you all later!
Lisa

lisajuly

Woohoo! Able to post my run today

5.8 mi speedwork tm

1 mi w/u @ 5.5 mph
6x400 @ 6.4 mph
2x400 @ 7mph
4x400 @ 6.8 mph
1 mi c/d @ 5.8 mph
recoveries @ 4mph, 45-75 seconds.
.4 mi walk @ 4mph

I am always so happy when speedwork is done!

akasullengal

Keeping on schedule with my runs. Did a 10-miler on Sunday (very slow, but still competed). Hoping to bump up to 11 this weekend.

Did 5.4 yesterday at just under a 12min/mile pace, which is speedy for me. Plan to hit the stationary bike this week and will do another 5 miler either tomorrow or Friday with my two coworkers who are probably running the half, though they are both much faster runners than me, so I don't know if I'd be able to cut it. It's crazy how quickly the half is approaching. I signed up for a 10K run for next weekend in town.

lisajuly

Keeping on schedule with my runs. Did a 10-miler on Sunday (very slow, but still competed). Hoping to bump up to 11 this weekend.

Great job!

Don't forget to post a race report! I love reading how everyone's races go.

tamcrit

Hi Group - I am fairly new to MFP and to these boards. I have been on Biggest Loser Club website since Jan. 1, but am ending that, now that I have found such a great free site here. I just began running this year. I ran my first 5K in May, and am running a 10K at the Twin Cities Marathon in St. Paul, MN next weekend. Ten ladies who met on BLC are all meeting and doing it together!! I can't wait!! It has been such an awesome journey. My next goal after that is to run the Carlsbad Half Marathon here in San Diego, CA in January 2011. Since I have been training for the 10K, I am half way there and will begin to bump up my distance in mid October after the 10K. I am so glad to have found a running group on MFP...can't wait to get to know everyone.
Speedy Feet to All,
Tammy

curlytop89

Well, I did my long run today 8 miles. Felt kinda sluggish at the start but tried to pick up the pace the last half and ended up averaging a 10 min mile for the whole 8 miles! Wow, that is great for me. I guess some of that interval training is paying off. I had my gps app on my phone set, but am having trouble downloading the info to my computer which I would like to do to see how fast i ran when. It sounds dumb, but since I am not a serious "racer" out for first place, I don't like to see my time until the end because if I am feeling like I am running fast and then I check my time and am really going slow, it makes me feel like "WHAT!?, I feel like I am dying here, I can't be going that slow!" Anyway, I am thrilled with the 10 minute miles, for sure. May have to go back to my old route next week, this one was not very interesting. We'll see.

Tammy, congratulations on your weight loss and running progress. I was on biggest loser the beginning of this year as well, but this site is just as good and not fees. Of course I did enjoy being able to talk to a nutritionist or what have you sometimes.

Keep up the good work everyone. Seems like everyone is doing so well.

pinbotchick

Great job on the runs everyone.

It was chilly and rainy this morning so I ran my 8 miles on the treadmill at slow 15 min pace. I had to start soooo early at 6:30 that I was still so asleep.

lisajuly

11.05 miles at 10:42/mi pace.

welcome Tammy, glad you joined us here.

Great job everyone.

a1schwei

keep up the great work everyone!!!
i finished my first ever half marathon this morning in 2 hours and 11 minutes!!!!!!!! i am not the worlds fastest runner but i did it and i am feeling soooo accomplished if i can do it you all are golden!!! i am already itching to sign up for another one

akasullengal

Congrats a1schwei!!

Did a 5.16 miler yesterday with a friend, who's a much faster runner than me, and was able to push me more than I normally would run (I'm usually around 12 min/mile for that distance, and I was closer to 11 min/mile yesterday). A little bit sore today, so taking the day off and have a long run planned for tomorrow. The weather should be good for it.

pinbotchick

Welcome to all the new people!!!

I actually ran 20 miles this week. 2 on Tues, 8 on Thurs and 10 yesterday. The 1/2 marathon is now 3 weeks away - eeeekkkk... I really am excited. Time for yesterday's run 2 hrs 24 min for pace of 14:25. I bump up to 11 miles next weekend.

Congrats on completing your race a1schwei!!! That's a fantastic time.

Kristina - good luck on the long run today. Nice time on the the short 5 miler (he-he who would've dreamed a year ago we'd say 5 miles was a short run - I feel like we just completed C25K!!!)

Lisa - wonderful job on the 11 miles and at such a good pace.

xlizzislegend

Hey Folks!

I need some advice! Is it crazy to register for a half marathon in early Nov (13th) if I am only at 6-7 mile long runs right now?

pinbotchick

Hey Folks!

I need some advice! Is it crazy to register for a half marathon in early Nov (13th) if I am only at 6-7 mile long runs right now?

This is my first 1/2 so I'm not sure. If you've been running at that level several times a week for a month or more, you would probably be okay. If you've only run that long once or twice, I'd get concerned about injury. You have about 7 weeks to train and the recommended is 12. Look up the novice training by Hal Higdon http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/index.htm or the runners world training free schedule and see if it looks realistic. Good luck and let us know what you do.

a1schwei

Hey Folks!

I need some advice! Is it crazy to register for a half marathon in early Nov (13th) if I am only at 6-7 mile long runs right now?

I am definitely not an expert but I trained for mine in 9 weeks and the longest I had ran prior to starting training was 6...i loosely used this training plan: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244--6851-2-2X5X8-4,00.html
a runner friend of mine suggested increasing long runs by a mile a week (so 7 miles the first week, 8 the next and so on) and i ran 12 miles 2 weeks before the half...best of luck

fraiseroja

Hey! I have been training for a bit now and am now up to six miles this weekend. My half marathon is on Nov. 13th so I think you will be good to go. I am following Hal Higdon's plan. You can google his name and half marathon for the plan. It's a great plan and I'm enjoying it so far.

I want to join this group to post my runs as well!! Finished six miles today and ran at a 9:30 pace so I'm pretty happy with that. Does anyone else wish that their neighborhood wasn't so hilly???

pinbotchick

Hey! I have been training for a bit now and am now up to six miles this weekend. My half marathon is on Nov. 13th so I think you will be good to go. I am following Hal Higdon's plan. You can google his name and half marathon for the plan. It's a great plan and I'm enjoying it so far.

I want to join this group to post my runs as well!! Finished six miles today and ran at a 9:30 pace so I'm pretty happy with that. Does anyone else wish that their neighborhood wasn't so hilly???

I curse the hills all the time but they are real life and many courses have you going up/down them - so secretly bless them as you will be better than other runners that train only on flat courses... My friend that lives near me and ran the Detroit 1/2 last year said he really pulled ahead on runners going up the bridge...