Hello! My name is Sarah and I just started running at the tail end of April. I am training for the Pacific Grove Lighthouse 5K in November. Though I am a newbie, I aspire to be a marathon runner. I found this group from another MFP member and am excited to learn from experienced runners. Have a great day and run happy!

Hey all,
I'm Jason, 43, based in Oxford UK. Well seasoned runner who has started to get more serious about training in recent years and have joined MFP to start to get to grips with diet. I've just started a training plan to build up to 80 miles/week this summer to prepare for an October marathon. This training mileage is a bit more than I've done before but last year I saw such great improvements by increasing from about 50 to 65 miles/week that I'm keen to go a bit further. Figure I realistically only have a few more years of setting PBs (PRs in the US?) so its now or never to try out the more intensive training schedule!

Hi I am Colin

I have always been "gym" fit but really only got into endurance activities within the last eight years or so. I ran for about 3 years, doing some races 5ks and 10ks, a week before I had a 10 miler I slipped on some ice and wrecked my ankle. Being kind of an idiot, I finished the three mile run on it, but would lose almost a year and a half, a ton in medical bills and PT, before I tried another come back and re injured it. I guess to make a short story long, it has been almost 4 years, as of a few months ago, I am back to running and the ankle at this point feel great, the rest of me is fat slow and completely out of shape but that will come.

I am the kind of person that needs a ton of exercise and activity to stay grounded and healthy, so luckily I have enough interest and hobbies, that when I am injured I can focus on something else. I completely have a love hate relationship with running, I am not a natural runner at all, it takes me months and months just to get to a point where it is enjoyable again, however with that challenge comes a great reward, and that is where the love for it grows.

I did a 5k yesterday, I will get that 10 miler this February, and hoping to do a half next year.

Please feel free to add me, I am always inspired by other runners and what they can do, and if I can motivate anyone else as I turtle speed myself to a half, that would be great.

I'm Daniel from Indianapolis. I'm trying to get back into running and lose some weight at the same time. I have run a few half marathons but the last one was the mini in 2011--over three years ago. I'm hopeful that focusing on my overall health will get me into a good routine and get me back into a running lifestyle. Starting back up is always hard because you can't go run as hard or go for as long as you want to. Trying to set small goals to keep motivated. Trying to find some inspiration on here!

Hi, Im Karla, 32, from Wellington, New Zealand.

I started running about 5 years ago when I failed the Army entrance fitness test (both the 2.4 km run and 15 push ups). That inspired me down a path that i never thought i would journey down.

Running is a huge part of my life now and I get out usually 4 times a week. I mainly run trails and in the Hutt Valley in Wellington, I am blessed with towering 400 m high ridgelines along the river, providing ample opportunity for strength and endurance running. Hills are good for the soul.

I have run 3 trail marathons, but stick to distances around the 10 - 20 km mark now.

I joined MFP with the purpose of becoming more accountable for what goes into my stomach, and to lose just one or two kgs (the hardest ones to lose) in order to become lighter and faster! Because we all know how much easier it is to run clean skin rather than with a 2 kg pack on the back!

Thats me.

Hey, I'm Lorna. Past track runner, running for fitness now.

Hello, I'm Don, 44 years old. been running on and off for years but happy to say it's more on than off these days. Trying to get to a really fast racing weight - currently about 13st and managing 5K in 18:04, 10K in 37:53 - half marathon tomorrow will give me my time for that! Not expecting too much.
I'm putting in about 50 miles a week at the moment, really enjoying my summer holiday from work and trying to make the most of it.
Nice to meet you all - happy to accept friend requests from fellow runners!

Hello Everyone,
I am Danielle, started running 3 years ago. I am starting my training for my 2nd half marathon next weekend. My resolution this year was to run at least 1 race a month and so far I am done that. Hoping to meet some cool new running peeps on here.

Hi, everyone!
I'm Amy. Running my first 5k tomorrow. It's not exactly a long distance, but you have to start somewhere! I'd like for my miles to only go up from there.

Welcome! A 5K most certainly is a distance run! Any race from 800m and up is considered distance running. Don't ever sell yourself short. There are many of us here who have raced the marathon distance and beyond but still feel that the 5K is one of THEE hardest distances to race.

It wasn't too shabby! I liked it. Here's to improving my time for next year!