Today was great....I ran outside for the first time in 3 weeks. It felt wonderful & I felt energized in the outdoors.
I went the hilly route and reclaimed "my" hill. Ran 6K in 52:08.

Running outside is so much more satisfying, isn't it? And great job reclaiming your hill! Nice time.

This morning I did a nice, easy 7.7 mile run with the running group. Was shooting for 8 miles but most of the group stopped short and I didn't want to be out in the cold wind any longer. Disappointing that no bears showed up on the greenway.

Bummer you didn't see any bears. Good thing no bears saw you! Was it hard to stop at 7.7? Being that close to the next "round number" and stopping would have been very hard for me, not that running 8.0 is that different than running 7.7.

Also, I hope someday I describe a 7.7 mile run as "easy."

Thanks all!!! I dreamt about running all night

Great job bts and rdu! And sorry there were no bears Tim, lol.

Today I have a photoshoot which is interrupting my long run "date", I am sad and happy by this because I love photographing people, but I love long Sunday run day and want to go out and try out the new, new shoes!!!! But I guess photoshoots pay for new new shoes, so it's a win win all around and I'll run when I get home

Can't wait to hear a review on the new shoes once you get out for your next long run!

54.39 for my first 8k!!!!! And I blasted across at the finish line, it was awesome. Rain, cramps, ibuprofen and all!!!' I also got a personal best on my 5k time - 33.58!!!! Oh yeah, I'm in running nirvana happiness

Awesome time mad miss! Way to overcome! ;-)

Friday, I did my first run on the treadmill at the gym. It was different, but something I might be able to do from time to time when I can't get outside. I made about 3 miles.

Saturday I did a Zumba class and then some strength training.

Today I have sore muscles!

You had an active couple of days! Nice job running 3 miles on the treadmill. The first time I ran on the treadmill I went 3 miles and it felt endless. That's still about the longest I care to run on one.

Laura and my friend Kathleen have a really good plan for defeating the monotony of the 'mill that works for me. You speed up or increase incline very .5 mile. My trainer had me do both, but while walking. I found it very hard because I so badly wanted to run! Or if watching TV, speed up and then slow back down each commercial break...All just little games to keep your brain engaged, and boost your speed/endurance too. It helps the time go much more quickly!

Here's an article with some ideas for treadmill "games"...

http://www.fitbie.com/get-fit/tips/4-treadmill-workouts-are-actually-fun/tip/1

I went for my regular 5k run this afternoon. Really nice weather considering, about 35F, with a breeze, but sunny. Went with my running gloves, and headband rather than my new winter hat and was comfortable. Not as easy a run as I was expecting. I felt drained before I even started and was tired and clumsy at the end. On the last little bit, from the bike trail to the parking lot, I decided to run on the dirt next to the fence and into the lot, rather than through the grass and over the packed snow into the lot, which is how I had gotten on the bike trail. This was a mistake. Because my glasses are transitional and so turn to sunglasses in the bright sun, I couldn't see that someone had dropped a bunch of brown branches on the brown dirt/mud path. I tripped and went flying. Nothing seriously hurt and Fells licked me until I got up. I actually finished the run since I had 0.1 miles to go, then limped home.

I've had runs that felt that way. A struggle from the very start to the end. Those are the ones that make you stronger. Sorry that you fell. Kudos to you for getting up and finishing it! And I'm glad nothing was seriously hurt!

I think it's amazing that you see bears (or at least bear poo!) on your runs .... unleashed Labradors or the odd deer is as exotic as it gets around here!

Btsinmd, kudos for finishing your run after going flying - I did that a few months back and while my pride was hurt more than me, scabbed knees are not a good look on a 44yr old! lol

Madmiss that was a really great time on your run and it's good to hear lots of you are getting back outside again after doing time on the dreaded treadmill. I got out today but we're due some pretty horrible weather on Wednesday (my next scheduled run) so I might need to do a re-jig this week to get the other two runs in. They're only short so I can do them back to back days if needs must.

Out today for 7miles in the rain which was both refreshing (lovely spray on my face!) and annoying (soggy feet ... shoes felt like they weighed an extra 10lb each by the end). I took it easier than I probably should have but didn't want to risk skidding on the wet leaves so time running was 86mins which is setting no records (not even for me!) but it's all miles under foot and not on a treadmill so I'm happy enough

This month marks one year of running for me. I think I've accomplished a lot while dealing with a few injuries along the way. But more importantly, I've met a lot of great people and made many new friends. The running community is such a wonderful bunch of people. And I'm thankful my wife has been there with me on this journey every step of the way, providing a huge amount of support and motivation. We are both looking forward to what next year brings us.

Tim, congratulations on such a great year! Love the photo. That's a year of achievement.

Two weeks ago my cold was starting to get better then moved down into my chest, but it's finally gone!! It was told cold outside so I hit up the treadmill today. it's only the second time I've run on the treadmill and it wasn't as bad as the first time. I ran 3 miles and felt a bit insulted that I had to take a couple of walking breaks in that short a distance. I did figure something out though. If I run fast my calves don't hurt, but I get out of breath so much easier. When I do my normal easy pace or slower, my calves hurt. I think I might need to do various intervals at different speeds for now. I'll have to check out the treadmill links several of you posted. This winter is going to end up being a combo of treadmill and outside. I just found out that the local park district has an indoor walking track that's 1/10 of a mile, but I'm not sure I'd be able to keep track of that good enough. 50x around the track for 5 miles, I'm sure I would end up miscounting that It's supposed to be upper 20s on Wednesday so I'll be back outside.

Congratulations, Tim! My anniversary was the 13th.

You've accomplished so much. And there's so much left to learn...you probably won't peak for another 5 years or so. This is much more fun than I thought it would be when I started.

Congrats to you too Varda! Yes, much much more to learn. I still feel like a newbie. And yeah, having a ton of fun at it!

Two weeks ago my cold was starting to get better then moved down into my chest, but it's finally gone!! It was told cold outside so I hit up the treadmill today. it's only the second time I've run on the treadmill and it wasn't as bad as the first time. I ran 3 miles and felt a bit insulted that I had to take a couple of walking breaks in that short a distance. I did figure something out though. If I run fast my calves don't hurt, but I get out of breath so much easier. When I do my normal easy pace or slower, my calves hurt. I think I might need to do various intervals at different speeds for now. I'll have to check out the treadmill links several of you posted. This winter is going to end up being a combo of treadmill and outside. I just found out that the local park district has an indoor walking track that's 1/10 of a mile, but I'm not sure I'd be able to keep track of that good enough. 50x around the track for 5 miles, I'm sure I would end up miscounting that It's supposed to be upper 20s on Wednesday so I'll be back outside.

The track at my gym is 1/14th of a mile. No way I can keep up with the laps on my own, so I downloaded a free counter app!

I didn't run on Sunday...and my weight is up. I need to run tonight and it's freaking cold. Well, 51. I guess that's not that bad. Not for running. Look, I'm just not motivated right now so it feels cold. I should have packed my neck gaiter. Argh.

It sure looks nice out there but that wind is cold! Without the wind it would be gorgeous. I'll be headed out for a run after work. Can't decide whether to do the greenway or do a trail run. I get bored with the greenway sometimes and don't enjoy all the concrete.