Hi everyone I'm Leah, a 22 year old student (Pre-med) who never ran until about 2 years ago. Now I'm in love with it and my goal for 2012 is to complete 25 races throughout the year. I'm hoping that 2 of those will be halfers, so I have a lot of hard work a head of me but am VERY excited to put in the time!!

Hi all! I am a former curvy chick (200 lbs on my 5'7" frame) who picked up running in 2006 as a way to accelerate my weight loss. It took a while, but I finally ran my first 5-K race in 2010, and my first half marathon in June 2011. I am officially registered to run the Cleveland Marathon on May 20th, 2012!!! My fiance and I are training together and are really excited to run it. We use a Galloway timer for our longer weekend runs, but during the week I generally run around 6 miles every other day without the timer. On off days, I will use the elliptical for an hour, or do a barre workout for strength training (shameless plug: Pure Barre is exceptional!)

I could really use some advice about endurance training, since the half marathon distance is the furthest I have run so far. Also, nutritional advice would be great. Looking forward to getting to know you guys!

Hi. Im Adam and I am running my first marathon on april 21st. Im running for the SALT LAKE CITY MARATHON and am looking for a time of under 4 hours. hope we can support each other. thanks guys. lets be friends.

Hi everyone,

I started running in 2010 in connection with a weight loss of about 50 pounds (this year I lost another 20 for a total of 70, but gained that 20 back -- have maintained the 50 pound loss consistently for almost 3 years! -- I credit running with helping on that front). Since then I have run lots of races including three half marathons. I just signed up for the NYC marathon (guaranteed entry) in November 2012. So I'll be training for that and I am already excited and nervous. Most importantly, I need to (and will) lose 40 or so pounds prior to the marathon to get to a better running weight. Upcoming races include the SunTrust Rock and Roll half marathon in DC this March.

Feel free to message me or send a friend request!

Christina

Hi, I have ran one half marathon and dozens of smaller races. My dream is to run boston. I am restarting running after having illness issues. I am beginning training got the across rhr bay 12K in San Francisco. My roommate has given me an ultimatum for rhis race and could use all the help I can get.

Kathy from Canada here, 41 and ran my first marathon last year. Love running, even on the treadmill when I have too. Joined an indoor running track for the winter. Not a speedy runner like some of you. I guess I run in the middle of the pack. My personal best 1/2 is 2:04. Just getting info on triathalon's so that may be in my future, just have to work on my swimming. I too, am looking forward to info and advice from everyone.

2:04? That's for a half-marathon, yes, not a marathon? Because 2:04 is close to world record time for 26.2 miles .

I'm coming back from a 2 yrs of lackadaisical running -- this year I'm getting serious again and training to qualify for Boston (cross fingers). My PR is 6 minutes shy of that. I've run 5 marathons, a few marathons, a number of 10Ks and a few 5Ks. I've also raced a couple of 3Ks placing first in women once, so that was fun.

I got back on MFP to lose the last 7-10 pounds to get to race weight and to eat better so I don't bonk while training.

Hi, I am new here. Looking for good advice and wisdom as I train for a very busy 2012 including two Sprint Triathalons (my first), a Half-Marathon and my first Full Marathon in November. Thanks for the group!

I have ran 2 full marathons and countless 1/2's. After a 2 year absence of "racing" I am back in the game. Ran a 5k last week-end. I am signed up for 2 1/2s and I am thinking I may sign up for the Detroit marathon. It is in October, the course takes you into Canada via the Ambassador bridge and back into the states via the underwater tunnel.

Hello everyone, I'm Cathy I'm happy to meet so many other runners!

I started running on August 2, 2010 which is the same day I signed up for my first Half Marathon. I figured, "What the hell? I'm young, I should be able to do this, thousands of people do it ever year." And so began an addiction. Ironically enough, I used to hate running as a child and didn't see why any sensible person would actually run on purpose. Who knew I'd end up being a runner?

My first marathon was last October - the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco It. Was. Awesome! So awesome in fact, I'm going to try to run it again. I also am running the SF Marathon in July. So excited!

Hello Everyone,
I have been running since my freshman year in High School. During college I ran a couple of marathons to help me get back into shape after the infamous freshman 15 (which for me was the freshman 25). However, since my three year old was born I haven’t invested the time needed to train for a big race. I am super excited, this year I plan to run my first half marathon (June 10) and my fourth full marathon (October?). I look forward to hearing tips and encouragement from all of you.
Blessings,
Hayley

I'm so glad I found this group. I'm new to MFP and looking for new fitness-motivated friends.

My friend Andrea calls me a reluctant runner, because up until the New Year, I had a hard time owning it, haha. I guess in my mind a "runner" was someone who ran at a certain speed, looked a certain way, or logged X amount of miles.

I ran my first marathon in 2004. I signed up for marathon training on a whim and didn't have much running experience or much of a running base to begin with. So it was no surprise that when I crossed the finished line (injured) I thought, "thank god it's over! I've proven my point. NEVER. AGAIN." And for seven years, it seemed I would never again run another marathon.

Fast forward to February 2011. Again on a whim (I'd just graduated with my masters and was looking for a new personal challenge) I registered for the Chicago marathon. This time I was proactive about staying injury-free and had the most amazing spring and summer training for the race. I joined the Chicago Area Runners Association and made other friends who loved running, and ran Chicago in 4:35 (about 45 minutes faster than my first marathon). I rested for about a week and a half, and used the momentum to train for Carlsbad, which I ran Jan. 22.

I'm registered to run Chicago (marathon #4) again this year. Crossing the finish line is no longer enough. I'm hungry to do better and have a PR goal in mind. I am currently training for a half marathon for May, and another in July.

I can't tell you the moment it happened. When it clicked. Maybe on those solitary early morning runs, when Lake Michigan is smooth as glass, the skyline is purple and the Hancock building's lights twinkle in the reflection of the water; or when I'm gossiping with my running buddies about our week during a Saturday long run; or checking off another planned run from my training schedule...but I see it now. I know it. I AM a runner.

I can't wait to swap stories with all of you!

Hi..I'm Lori, I have run 10 marathons, 3 half marathons, 9 half Ironman, 1 full Ironman, and many olympic and sprint tri's. I did the full Iron man in 2010. It was the best experience and I will do again when my kids get older. I trained so much in 2010 that I was just worn out in 2011. I hardly trained but got through all my races. I still had the endurance but no speed so was slow. This year looking to qualify for Boston. This year I have already signed up for 2 half marathons, 2 Olympic tri's, half ironman and the Chicago Marathon. Im not a fast runner. Best marathon was 4.30. For my age I would have to run this years marathon in 3.45 to qualify for Boston. YIKES.. I just go out and run and have never really done any speed workout. Even if I don't qualify this is my year to set some PR's. Already started doing speed work and OMG is it hard. Would love to go back to just trotting along but I already set the goal. Will see what 2012 brings.

Hey everyone! I'm 29, live in Atlanta, no kids and no ball and chain

I started running a few years ago. I was extremely unhealthy and going in a downward spiral. I never thought I would be the person that says "If I can do it, anyone can!" But here I am and I'm screaming it out!

With the help of a strong support system, my mp3 player and my New Balances, I lost a little over 100lbs. I didn't really view it as "work" because I fell in love with running. I completed my first 5k in March of 2009 and in February of 2010 I ran my first marathon.

The amount pride and sense of accomplishment was immeasurable when I crossed the finish line. A few days later (when I regained full range of motion) I fell into a bit of a depression. The (awesome) "monster" that had consumed my time and energy for the last 4 months was gone. I struggled with "what now?" I've entertained the idea of an ultra on and off but as much as I love running, I do not love the training schedule and the commitment. I am not a triathlete...no matter how much my triathlete friends try and sell it...those road bikes are scary and dangerous to me. Haha.

I feel like I'm slowly pulling out of that black hole. This site is helping me get back on track with my eating and exercise. I need all of the help I can get!

Hi! I'm Krissy and joining my first group here! I am a 30 year old wife and mom living in North Georgia. Been on this site since January with my sister as we encourage each other in our seperate goals! I am running my first 26.2 this weekend!!!! I have been an on and off runner for over 15 years (started with high school cross country). I have completed well over 50 5k and 10ks, 2 half marathons, and 2 sprint triathlons. Would like to find some more runner "friends". I am just here to keep myself in a healthy lifestyle.