Anyone else training for a race?

So, is anyone else out there training for a race?  I have a 4 mile race coming up in about 4 weeks that I've been training for.  I guess things are going pretty well.  I ran 7.1 miles on Saturday, my longest run to date, at a 10:57 pace - slower than usual, I guess that's why I felt so good at the end of it.  Then, yesterday I ran a short 2.57 mile run at 9:21 pace, nice and fast for me :)

How's your training going?  Maybe we can encourage each other as our races  approach?  In the meantime, have a great run!

running my 3rd 5k of the year, just started running again in July.  I cant say I love to run but I sure love the way I feel after running, I have been limiting myself to 2.8 to 3.5 miles when I run but I am thinking of training harder and increasing my distance. Enjoy any running tips anyone has or programs

Welcome to the group konapam.  I only started running in the spring and have run just one 5K in August and a 4 mile race last week.  I loosely followed the training schedule in The Complete Book of Running for Women.  She outlines different training schedules for different length races depending upon how much time you can invest in your training.  I can't remember the name of the author though.  I found the book at the library and just copied down the bits of info I needed and I refer to it all the time.  Lots of luck with your running.

Welcome to the group! I had to chuckle when you said "I can't say I love to run, but..." because it used to be the same way for me. Nowadays though I enjoy a good long run on the weekend just to get away from it all.

Rasmom is right, the book, it was written by Claire Kowalchik, is really informative. There are also good books by John Bingham and his wife out there that are geared towards longer distance beginners, such as Marathoning for Mortals and No Need for Speed. The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer is also a good book to get. Don't be intimidated by the word "marathon"; the John Bingham book also has 1/2 marathon schedules in there. Out of all the books I have read, the John Bingham books are the ones that I like the best, because he has a down to earth writing style. 

• Perhaps you could look into a local running group that offers training/coaching aimed at any running level. Just find a local running store and just ask them. They are usually very helpful.
• Or you could fill out a form on the Team in Training website and someone will contact you with local informational session meeting information. I am attending an informational meeting with Team in Training in November to see if I their program will work for me to train for a 1/2 marathon.
• Then there is the Hal Higdon training program, which is available online. It is broken down by beginner, intermedia, advanced, and walk. I haven't done them yet, but if the TNT training is not for me then the plan is to go with his intermediate training schedule.

Let us know if you have any questions. Good Luck!

It's been a little quiet around here lately.  Everyone must be out for a run.

So, how's it going?  I'm planning on running a 5K on Thanksgiving Day.  I think it's supposed to be relatively flat which should be nice.  I'm hoping for good weather and quick speeds.  It amazes me how far I've come since I first started "running" back in April.  Back then I could only run on the treadmill for 3 minutes at 4.8 mph and I thought I was going to die.  This week, I'm able to run on the treadmill at 7.0 mph x 30+ minutes and I can do intervals up to 8.0 mph.  That would have been impossible just a short time ago.  I'm sure losing 70 lbs. hasn't hurt but I also think the races really help to keep me focused and motivated.

Have a great weekend everyone and a great run!!

5K should be nothing for you!  A nice run on Thanksgiving should allow you to eat that pumpkin pie guilt free!  It is amazing how little time it takes to get into running.  I too remember earlier this year how I wanted to die after about 10 minutes of straight running.  Now running for 10 minutes is my warmup!  I don't feel like I've done anything unless I've run at least 5KM!  I'm working on 6K a day right now about 4 times a week and then an 8-10K once a week.  You are right, the races keep me motivated too.  I am not signed up for any right now because I was off with the flu for awhile and now I'm just getting back on the running horse!  Where I live there are not many races for the months of Dec-Feb. so I think I'll just concentrate on keeping in shape for the winter and then the new plan is to run a half marathon in the fall with two of my friends.  I'm sure I will be running a few 10K races in the spring and summer.  I can't wait!!

Good luck with your Thanksgiving run!  And Happy Thanksgiving!! 

There is nothing better than getting exercise on Turkey day. Good luck with your 5k, Rasmom!

I am signed up for the Turkey run as well, a 4 miler. We get a medal and a bottle of wine. This particular race is in its 3rd year and I still have the bottles from the last 2 years. :o)

My goal is to come in under 40 minutes, which would beat last year's 45:57! :)

Good luck to everyone that is running!

I am doing a Thanksgiving Day run too! I am SUPER excited about it too! Last year I had just started running and this was the first race I ran in... I remember standing in the starting coral SO nervous... this year I think it will actually be fun and I am looking forward to seeing how the two times compare... also, last year I was the only person in my family who ran... this year my mom and sister are going to walk the 5K and my sister's boyfriend is going to run the 5K with me... (my dad wanted to walk, but he just had knee replacement two months ago and the dr. said no!)... it is really exciting to see how my running effort has led my family to get off the couch and give it a shot too! :-)

Good luck to everyone!!!  

That is awesome Lizzie. Great influence! It amazes me how habits, bad or good, can have such an impact on those around us. Conratz on being a leader and good luck in your race. May the weather conditions be just right for you.

I tried to post yesterday but for some reason it just didn't work out for me :(

Anyway, I wish I got a medal and a bottle of wine for my race!!  My bottle wouldn't last me all year though :)  I think I just get a t-shirt. 

PB, I'm sure you'll have a great run this year and I think you'll definitely beat 40 minutes.  It's amazing how much you can improve with training.  I still think I'm on the slow side compared to lots of runners but I'm much faster than I used to be.

Lizzie, good luck with your race on Thanksgiving too.  How exciting to be racing with your family.  Too bad your dad couldn't join you this year - perhaps next?

Have a great race everyone and a great run!

I haven't registered for any races yet, but I'm in the middle of the c25k program.  5 more weeks until I'm there!  I found a 5k in my hometown on Dec. 6 though, and I really want to do it!  I just don't think I'm ready, and I want to be able to run through my entire first race.  I'm excited though!  I can't wait to be a real runner.  :)

Welcome to the group Delaney.  I find there's no better motivation than having a race in my future.  I'm sure you'll be ready soon.  I'm also tempted to run in a race that first weekend in December - it's a jingle bell run and I guess all the runners run with jingle bells on their sneakers, Santa runs too.  It's just a 5K so the bells won't drive us totally nuts, just get us in the spirit of the season.  Probably won't run it though cuz it's such a busy time of year.  Lots to do.  We'll see.

Good luck with your training!!!

OK, I just finished my 5K Turkey Trot and I did pretty well.  It was mostly a flat course which was nice.  I finished in 26 min's 33 secs - 8:34 pace - my fastest yet!  I finished 187/503 overall and 5/40 for my age group (40-49 yo females).  Yippee!!!! 5th place!!!!!!!   I was so excited to find that out.  Not good enough for a trophy but I'm as proud of myself as if I won the race.  Now I just have to pick out my next race.  There are a lot of races around here in the next few weeks but I think I should take a break over the holidays, too much on my plate right now.  I may do a sweetheart run in February.

How did everyone else do in their races???

Wow Rasmom! That's AWESOME...congratulations! I would feel like a winner too!

I did not fair as well as you did, but that's ok. I got my medal and my bottle of wine...I managed to run 40:17 in the four mile turkey run.

The next one I plan on running is a jingle bell 5k run on December 6th. My goal is to run it under 30 minutes. It won't be a PR for me, but I don't think I'll be able to come close to my PR anytime soon in that distance. lol

Again, congratulations on your great run Rasmom!

Hey PB!  Excellent job on your turkey trot!  That's funny that you mentioned running in a jingle bell 5k on Saturday because there's one here on Saturday too.  I had to double check your profile to see if you lived in CT but you don't -lol.  Anyway, I debating back and forth about running it or not but then I went to the gym this morning and found out that if I run it, I'll get a bonus 2 lb. weight loss in our Biggest Loser Challenge at the YMCA.  So, now I'm thinking I should register for it.  I have to check with my husband because we may be going to get our Christmas tree also on Saturday plus my daughter turns 3 that day.  This is a very busy time of year.

Anyway, good luck on your run and have a great time!!!

Congratulations guys!  Good for you for running on Thanksgiving!

I've decided to do the 5k on Saturday.  It's really festive, everyone who registers gets a pair of reindeer antlers, they give prizes out for best costumes, and you can take your pets!

Unfortunately I couldn't find anyone to run with me and I didn't want to go all by my lonesome, so I'm going with my mom!  I don't think she could run if her life depended on it, so I'm going to walk it with her and my dear old doggie.  I'm looking forward to it, even if I'm not running.  It will be good for me to see how long a 5k really is, plus it will get my mom (and my doggie!) exercising and it will be some good quality time.

Good luck on your runs this weekend!  And happy birthday to your daughter, Rasmom! :)

Congrats to everyone on their runs... you all should be really proud!!!

Race day was gorgeous, which was awesome... sunny and 40's... in Michigan, you never know what you are going to get! My mom and sis had a great walk... my mom set the pace and Stephanie was there to keep her company... she made it in 55 minutes which was alot better than she thought she would! My sis's boyfriend and I ran it, and I was pleasantly surprised by both a PR and the fact that he only beat me by ten seconds... he is in the military and is 7 inches taller than me with long legs... needless to say, I expected him to kill me! Overall, it was a great day and I enjoyed the race... definitely has motivated me to keep going and get ready for my next race! :-)