Hello, name is Chris and I am new to the running challenges, and still pretty much new to running overall.

I never was able to really do running in my youth mostly due to always getting really bad shin splints every single time I started getting serious about distance running. So I accepted that I was not a runner. This was cemented after a knee injury in my 20's really.

Now in my 40's I began focusing on losing weight, and after a while started walking to get in exercise. I never thought it would lead to running, but it has.

I recently completed my first 10k, and am now seeing how I am doing in training to see if I can ramp up to a half marathon in my area in mid-November. I am OK if I am not able to train to that level in time, and my long run this weekend will be a make or break determination point. If I can't pull off the 8 miles for whatever reason, I'll just keep on running at 6+ miles and increasing distance as I can and have all of next year to look at longer distances.

Amazingly, I have not had shin splints once and I am running further on each run day than I ever did at any point in my life prior to my recent running escapades. My only setbacks have been from overtraining, and some rest and nutrition has pulled me through each of those quickly enough.

I admit I'm a little curious to see what adjustments I will have to make to running as winter approaches. I plan to keep running outdoors whenever possible, and learning how to adapt to weather patterns to fit in my runs. Worst case scenario, my gym has a small indoor track I can run on.

I'm currently sucking up as much info as I can, and have a lot of reading in a sticky post here on this group about running related sites and info. I've become a bit of a running addict, and I'm frankly OK with that. It's the first time that I can think of where a hobby or interest of mine was not only something I enjoyed doing, but had payoffs as meaningful to me as running has provided in terms of weight loss and fitness. I could definitely get into this and hope I never have to stop due to that knee injury. So far, so good, so I may have just been too worried all that time about my knees. I'm cool with that, I'll take what I have now.

Hi my name is Andrea. I've been running for about 4 years and now I'm thinking of trying my first marathon. I'm going to follow a training plan, but I won't sign up for a race until I actually think I can finish it!

Hi everyone, I'm new to the challenge. I like running long distances and am training for an ultramarathon (100km) next year. I'm not fast though and hope to build up speed at the same time. I try running on all sorts of terrains from single tracks to roads and also train on a treadmill.

Loved reading all your stories!

Hi I'm Kim from Somerset, England (a county full of countryside)

I started running in June 2014 to help me recover from a broken heart, decided it would be a good way to take my mind off things. Now loving it despite having to take a few weeks off due to a random shoulder injury.

Ultimate aim is the London marathon before I'm 40 but since I hear there's less chance of getting in than finding a golden ticket to the chocolate factory I might just have to settle for 'a' marathon!

Just realized I never introduced myself. I'm a 53 year old single mom to the most awesome 14 year old girl. I have been running for just over a year on a dare from Skip. She challenged me to run a 5K with her at the end of last summer. I couldn't even run to the mailbox. So with the help of her cross country coach I decided not only to enter the 5K but run the entire thing. Two months later I finished my first 5K in just over 39 mins, ran the whole distance. I'm not sure who was prouder - me or her. She ended up having an achilles tendon injury and was in a boot and unable to compete in the race, but she was waiting for me at the most difficult part of the course to take pictures and cheer me on. Since then I've added more and more mileage (thanks to this group) and I want to run my first HM in April 2015. SSSSHH I haven't told Skip I want to surprise her.

So happy I found this spot. I'm Diana (61 years young). I live in Fairbanks Alaska so run in snow most of the year. My cutoff for running is about -20. Just completed the Equinox Marathon last month and trying to keep up the momentum this winter. I really like the half marathon distance. Would love one day to win a race in my age group. I'm really excited about the challenge. I hope I can figure it all out on the computer. Really would like help and advise on a winter running schedule, have a half marathon in San Diego in May!

Hello,
I'm Jennifer & I'm Stan's (Stoshew71) wife. I'm a runner too not as good & fast as Stan but I'm pretty good. I've run mostly 5Ks & I would like to run my first 10K next year & run a HM as well. Stan has been pacing me 3 nights a week every week so I'm making good progress.

I look forward to getting to know everyone & being a encouragement to everyone. Have a great Tuesday!

Hi!
I already joined this group last month, but didn't notice the introduction thread in the section above the discussion until now...Better late than never, I guess, so, hello everyone!

I started running when I was 23. As a kid in school, I always hated it, but at some point as an adult I decided I should do some sports, and running seemed like the easiest option in terms of money and flexible times. For a few years, I went for a 30 minute run 2-3 times per week, until I gave it up (new city, new job, injury when I tried to pick the habit up again, ...).

On my 29th birthday this year I decided to start again (to get in better shape before I turn 30 ^^), so here I am. :-)
For some reason, this time around I like running much better than in the past. I'm actually considering doing a 10k next year. Right now, I can't go that far without a few minutes of walking in between, but I'm sure the monthly challenges will help with improving that!

My name is Kendra. I am working toward running, but I am trying to overcome shin splints before that. Currently I walk and I am really striving toward being able to run. I started walking because my job was doing a 5k and I wanted to get in better shape for it. I haven't stopped walking (almost daily) since the last week of August.

Hey, all. I'm Mel. I'm 52 yo. Married 30 years to MFH (My Favorite Husband). We live in the country in Mississippi and have two adult children. As far as running is concerned, I average between 150-175 miles a month. I've run some marathons and one 50K. 2015 plans are a Marathon on Valentine's Day then three weeks later another 50K. After that, I'll be lazy for a few weeks before I begin training for the Berlin Marathon. Not many races for next year but traveling to Europe next year shot a major hole in my racing budget! HA! Love, love, love running and what it has done for me. I am 4'11". My starting weight was 275lbs and I have lost 170. I've been running 3 years now. Wouldn't trade a single second of it. Happy Running, all!!!