Calling all current and aspiring RUNNERS!

joyzy

I'm looking to add some running friends to my MFP list.

I started out with a spinal cord injury in June 2011 and I was in a wheelchair. I never wanted to run a day in my life until I was in a rehab hospital stuck in that chair, doing hours of grueling physical therapy every day.

My recovery over the past year has lead me to running.

I LOVE to run. Now I can't quit. I run 6-7 days/week. I am running my 7th 5k race this year on Thursday morning and I'm so pumped. I love competing against myself and my own personal bests.

Are you a runner? Are you training for any events right now? Let's share!

Joy

amybg1

Legally blind runner running since April 2011! have 5 5Ks under my belt, recovering from a serious knee injury, running Resolution 5 but training runs average close to, if not 10K currently and goign to train for the 10K I had been hoping to do when I got injured

KourtneyP83

Just finished Week 2 Day 1 of C25K...it's a start!!

_canuckrunner_

Hi feel free to add me. I ran my first half marathon last month and am looking to stay motivated through the cold, snowy winter!

sdsue

I don't have a great story like you but I really like to run. I'm thinking about trying for a half marathon next year.

teletubbie87

I dream of running 5k events as well...
I run from time to time, not as often as you do, probably 2 times a week...
Running with an app called Learn 2 Run, I am not the fastest at running but I enjoy
running outdoors and I know I will reach my goal, just like you reached yours.

You are already my friend on MFP, and I love your story. Such an inspiration!

KimertRuns13_1

I've been running for about 3-4 yrs and have done anything from a 5k to a marathon. Half marathons are my favorite. I recently started working with a coach to help me reach some of my current running goals. Feel free to add me!

gettinfitaus

I keep starting to run, then get off track, kids, house stuff, life. I currently have a 7 year old, 2 year old and a 10 month old and so am getting a running pram from one of my friends so that I can walk our oldest to school and then run home with the babies, which will be a start. I would love to join in if that's ok?

hannibal28

I sarted run in feb. I have run 5 10k's and am currently training for my first half marathon on 15 Dec. i run 4-6 miles 5 days a week and one long run a week. My longest distance is 11 miles. I am up for a friend request.

trogalicious

I started in March of this past year. With a 5k and 8k under the belt, I've been running 6+ miles. Training for a half marathon and a few obstacle course runs this coming year... if not more.

1PoisonIvy

I am just now starting the c25k program, I still have 80 lbs to lose and hoping that starting to run will help in the loss. I have to repeat several weeks before I graduate to the next week. But I am trying!! Ivy

michellekicks

Oh my you guys are inspiring! Great stories of overcoming obstacles!!

I'm a runner who is taking a bit of a hiatus from full time running to pump some iron this winter. I'm lifting heavy weights right now on a rotating schedule - running, lifting, rest, running, lifting, rest...

I'm going to go for more mileage again in the new year in order to get back up to half marathon distance by June for the Tough Mudder

CoffeeNBooze

I run! Love doing it. I never did any events. Feel free to add me, seeing everyone logging their running exercises will give me a push to get going too.

Fred4point0

I love to run. I ran a 5k two weekends ago. I ran my first marathon late September and will be running my second one in Las Vegas on December 2nd. I'm signed up for a 10k on December 23rd, a half marathon on my birthday(Jan. 13th), the L.A. Marathon scheduled for Mar. 17th. You name it...I love to run it. I'm a running man. You can add me if you like.

arc918

Add me if you see fit, I run quite a bit (about to hit 2,200 miles for the year).

I love to race half marathons, 5Ks are way too painful, 10Ks are like 5Ks but twice a long. Marathons are a whole 'nother problem, still trying to decide whether or not I like them...

moonmistmm

I just finished my first half marathon in October, but of course now I'm injured from it. I'm going to do my six weeks of physical therapy for my knees, and then I hope to run another half marathon sometime in the spring or summer.

I like running, but it's my father who is truly addicted to it. He ran his first two half marathons this fall and finished faster than me at 57. (I'm 19).

Part of the reason I'm losing weight is to run faster. I can't wait to see my times after I finish PT and start running again!

dorianaldyn

I just ran my third half marathon yesterday. I've got another in April and I'm going to start training in January for a full marathon in May. Feel free to add me :-)

marikevr

An inspiring story! Feel free to add me. I am a middle distance runner, mostly half marathoms, and then once in a while I will go further. Why? every marathon I ask myself that question at about 20 miles.:bigsmile:

GiddyupTim

Friend me!
I have run since I was 20 years old. But I have not been able to run for the past two years, due to a knee injury. I am recovering and slowly redeeming my abilities and piling up the miles.
Never been much of a racer, but I have done them. We lived in Boston one year, and ran the marathon without a number, as many people do. What an experience! Crowds line the course the entire way, and the cheering can be deafening, particularly at the mid-way point of the race, as you pass by Wellesley College. The entire student body comes out to cheer, it seems.
The start of the race is rather humorous. The gun goes off and everyone starts to move forward slowly. (The people without numbers line up behind those with numbers.) At first, progress is halting and gradual, as the crush of runners tries to move forward onto the relatively narrow road. Then the speed picks up, and, just about the time you get up to your stride, you have to pee, as does everyone else, because your blood starts moving, and you have been too nervous to really pee before.
So, the crowd moves about four-five blocks up the road, and, all of a sudden, it disperses, as people head off to the bushes, to do what they have been trying to do all morning. Then they all file back on to the course and head down the road.
I haven't seen this in other marathons I have watched. But, it certainly happened there, the year that I ran.

jessicalynn75

Just starting running this summer! I've done five 5Ks within the last 7 weeks! The Color Run the best so far! I'm not very fast...my fastest time is 30:08, but I am training for a 10K right now. Got 5 miles down...now need the other 1.2 miles! Anyone feel free to add me! Got a whole list on my profile of races I want to run!

tamcrit

Wow, your story is very inspirational, and really helps me to see that I have no excuses. Congratulations on your achievements!!

In Feb. 2010, I started running using the Couch to 5K Program. When I first started, I could barely make it through a 60 second interval of running. I completed my first 5K in May 2010. I kept building up from there, going a little longer and a little farther each week, and like you, I was quickly hooked and just wanted to keep going. I ran my first 10K in Oct. 2010. And then, I completed my first half marathon on 1/23/2011.

My 2011 New Years resolution was to complete at least one running event per month for the whole year. I exceeded that by completing six 5Ks, four 10Ks, and FIVE half marathons in 2011!! I truly had no intentions of stopping, but have been dealing with some injuries this year...tendonitis in both feet and ankles, and some sciatic pain due to a herniated disc in my lumbar. But even through that I have managed to do two 5Ks, a 10K, a 15K and two half marathons this year. I am currently working on getting back on track with my training and building back up again, as I am currently registered for half marathons in January, February, and March 2013, so I guess I better get moving again...lol!! I am hoping to repeat my 2011 New Years Resolution for 2013, with at least one event per month.

After having to cut back on my running this year, and even have periods where I could not run, I can now say that I LOVE to run...this was not always true, but it has grown on me and I found that I missed it when I could not do it. I love being outdoors and enjoying the freedom and stress relief that it brings to my life. It is also about setting a goal and then achieving it, and I like the feeling of accomplishment that brings.

I now feel like I am starting over again, and have even gone back to doing the Couch to 5K program in order to build back up. But I now know that I can do it and I know that I will get back to where I was. Feel free to add me.

mandersatx

I'll claim aspiring runner. Currently in week 3 of c52k, though I participated in my first (and only to date) 5k in February.

I love running. I love the runner's high. I love pushing myself past the "this sucks & why am I doing this!" to the "this feels fantastic & I'm Rocky on those stairs!"

My dad's now confined to a wheelchair. He's my inspiration. After having a spinal cord tumor removed at 37, he's gone from wheelchair to walker to cane back to walker and has now regressed back to a chair since he turned 65 almost 2 years ago. Before the tumor, he had achieved his 3rd degree black belt in karate. He taught me not to take any of my abilities for granted - the reason enough to do anything is because I can.

Congrats on your amazing journey of recovery and health.

tehzephyrsong

I'm on week 6 of a 12-week C25K program right now, signed up for my first 5K in February of next year. I never used to like running, because I was too heavy and tried to do too much, too quickly. Around this time last year, I started the same C25K program and got discouraged because I wasn't progressing as fast as I thought I should've been (i.e., having to repeat days and stuff). 30 pounds and a new sports bra later, and I feel like a "legitimate" runner. I'm not sure I could manage more than 4 or 5 minutes at a stretch right now, without stopping to walk for a minute, but I do enjoy running and I'm excited to see how I improve because 6 weeks ago I know I couldn't run for four minutes if I wanted to. When I got my new bra, I was looking forward to my next workout with all the excitement and anticipation that a kid has for summer vacation or Christmas. I think that was mostly a desire to be absolutely certain that I didn't just waste $60 on an undergarment, since the store probably wouldn't let me "test drive" the bra by running around for 30 minutes before I bought it. Even now, though, having had the bra for a couple of weeks, I look forward to running days.

I'm thinking of adding some bodyweight strength training to my weekly regimen; next time I have some money lying around, there are some apps I want to buy. 100pushups, 200situps, 200squats and 150dips, specifically. Those are 6-week programs that, like C25K, promise to take you from wherever you are now to doing the aforementioned number of each of those exercises in a row. They have websites, too.

zombiesama

I run!!! Only race thing I've done is tough mudder. I usually run 6 miles a day.

RunMyOregonBunsOff

I just ran my first half marathon yesterday! Add me if you wish. I love having runner friends!

ETA: I did 1 duathlon (12 mile bike ride and 3.1 mile run), a 5K, Warrior Dash and now the half marathon. I was a sprinter in high school and am still new to distance running.

Also becareful and be sure to get your rest days in so you don't get injured.

andlux

Joy,

Cogratulations on your recovery and your running success! Running is something I continually return to in my life, like an old friend. I was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes. I am counting on my "friend" to get me out of this mess. On the day I was diagnosed my son called me and asked me to train and run a half marathon with him. It will be my second and his first. Getting out on the road the first couple of days was challenging, but I know that I am literally in a race for my life now. Thanks for sharing your story, you inspire me!!!!

Andrea

m3dreamer2011

Hi - I love running too and usually run 4 - 5 times per week for between 8 and 18kms. Please feel free to add me if you like

DivaMoe40

Since I have been working out and getting more fit, I want take it to the next level. With that said, I have decided I want to run my very first 5K. I have a friend who runs all of the time and I have caught the bug and want to run. I bought a book a few weeks ago titled, "Half Marathon Training (The Busy Girls Half Marathon Training Handbook - A Step By Step Guide To Running Your First Half Marathon)". I am really enjoying it and getting a lot of info and getting even more excited.

I would appreciate any beginner tips that you experienced runners have.

041jackson

I'm a beginner runner as well - I can only do about 2.5km of straight running and then alternating running with walking.

I have my first 5km scheduled for February 13, 2013 and my first 10km May 26!

Can we please make this a group to keep better track of everyone's progress?

Thanks!

shrinkingislander

I have just started running over the past few months, well run/walking but lately I have really been increasing my actually running portion of my daily 5.3km (I know a wierd distance but it's my route that follows the water and the forest trails with some steep hills thrown in for good measure). I've completed one 8km on Thanksgiving and am training for my first 10km in the end of January.

spazzyshorty

I'm a beginner, currently running a couple miles 4-5 times a week. I just signed up for my first 5k race!