~ Born to Run TTC ~

von1976 · August 2013

This is a new weekly thread for runners who are TTC, that will be posted on Mondays.

All who run--or who want to start running--are welcome, regardless of mileage, pace, ability, size, shape, or terrestrial status. This is a place to talk about running while TTC, training, runs, races, gear, recovery, nutrition, and whatever else we can think of.

Anyone who posts here regularly should feel free to start the thread on Mondays if it seems to be missing.

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How were your runs this week, ladies?

(I'm going to leave this pretty free-form. Intros would be nice, since this is week 1!)

GTKY: Are you training for a specific race or event? If not, is there a specific race or event you've been thinking about?

von1976 · August 2013

INTRO: I'm a runner turned cyclist turned maybe-runner again. I got really burned out on cycling in 2009 and spent a few years in grad school getting fat. Now I'm trying to get back into running and get my weight down. We've been TTC for 6 months.

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Last week was a good week for me: 19.5 miles and starting to ramp up mileage. I was supposed to run 6 on Sunday, but I felt so good I kept going and ran 7! I have a 10k coming up this Saturday, so I'm glad I ran further than the race distance (it's a mental thing for me).

I'm having some tightness in my plantar fascia, so I ordered these massage balls called "Foot Rubz" to use, and I'm laying off the barefoot running shoes for a bit. I also got a foam roller, which I hear is really helpful for muscle soreness.

GTKY: I'm kind of training for a marathon in January, because I told a friend of mine I'd run with her. Now she's a little burned out, so I'm not sure if she's still going to run it. In the meantime, I'm training for a half marathon in October. I'll probably do a marathon in February on my own.

EmilyA724 · August 2013

@von1976 congrats on upping your mileage!

Intro: I swam and did crew in high school and as part of rowing we had to run 2 miles so I used to run that. However, I got pretty lazy in college and wasn't very good a keeping in shape. After college I bought a treadmill and used to walk uphill pretty regularly. However, upon turning 25 I noticed walking wasn't really doing it for me any more so after much consideration I decided to ask my DH (a long-distance runner) to teach me how to run. Last May I started at 1 mile and kept adding a half mile and now I am at 6 miles for my regular run 3x a week. My plan is to add a 4th long run of right now 8 miles but eventually get to 10. However, I have only did my long run once because I have an on-going knee injury that I can usually run through but it occasionally catches up with me. Plus one of my toe nails feel off Saturday and I was too thoroughly grossed out to put a sock and sneaker on it,

Here is my question: Are any other runners having issues with their toe nails blacking, bruising and eventually falling off? I had an issue with several toes so I bought bigger sneakers and that seemed to help with most my toes except for my one pinkie toe. I looked it up and most people just suggested to buy bigger sneakers and be careful going down hill. That might be all there is to it but I was wondering if anyone else has any tricks.

GTKY: Not training for anything specific right now. I'm still pretty new at the whole running thing. I'm going to start doing a speed workout once a week in September and then possibly do a 5K in October.

MMason12 · August 2013

INTRO: I have been running since May of 2010 when I lost 140 pounds. Since then I have ran one marathon (the Marine Corp Marathon in 2011) and lots of half's, 10ks and 5ks. I also did my first sprint distance triathlon in 2011, which completely got me hooked on doing longer triathlons. By default in addition to running I do a lot of cycling and swimming. Running is a complete way of life for me. I love it! It has allowed me to regain control over my body and each and every day I learn just how mentally and physically strong I am. Shameless plug: I love blogging about my running, which I do at my blog A Run With Meghan. My goal in life is to try to inspire others to get out there and enjoy the sport of running - regardless of how fast or how far they can or want to go.

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Last Week: Last week was good for me. I am still struggling with my right ITB flaring up, so I have started to replace one of my run days with a day of cycling. Each 3 miles on the bike = 1 mile running, so it's not that bad. I did 20.5 miles on feet last week and 12 miles on the bike.

GTKY: I am currently training for a half marathon in September (the Fort For Fitness in Fort Wayne, IN), a marathon in December (the Space Coast Marathon in Cocoa, FL) and at least a 62 mile cycle ride (if not the century ride) in October (Tour de Livingston in Howell, MI).

It took me an entire year but I finally got my husband out the door with and running. I am so proud of him as he decided to the Space Coast Marathon with me. It will be our first marathon together!

Pintobean39 · August 2013

I'm so glad this is a new check in, thanks, I need the motivation.

I use to be a runner. I did a half marathon in 2010 and continued to run after that until I started having problems with my knee swelling every time I ran. So I took a break and started back up a year later with c25k. I did a few 5k's after that but took things slow.

In 2012 I started having muscle problems where walking was so painful some days because of the spascity. (It felt like I was ripping my muscles apart when I tried to walk) I now have neuropathy in my legs and horrible plantar faciatis. I take baclofen daily to help with the spacisity and sleep in a brace for my feet. Now I just have horrible feet pain which they think may be because of the neuropathy and when I use my muscles they fatigue so easily and they tremor really bad. My neurologist said there is another med that I can take to control the tremors but since I'm TTC I won't take it.

I loved running it was an awesome stress reliever so I really want to try again. I downloaded c25k again and did two days a few weeks ago and decided this week to try to keep it up. I doubt I will ever be able to run long distances but I'm going to try. So I woke up this morning have my running
clothes on and headed to the gym.

My goal is to run 1 mile without stopping. I'm starting off small.

von1976 · August 2013

@EmilyA724 Sorry to hear about your toenails! Normally my advice would be to buy shoes at least 1 size larger (size up only .5 size on barefoot shoes, though). However, if you're still having the problem, it makes me wonder if your foot isn't sliding around too much in the shoe--especially if you're having issues when running downhill. You may need to find a narrower shoe. What brand do you run in? In the meantime, you can try tying your shoes to reduce heel slippage. Check it out here: https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/locklacing.htm Maybe that will help!

@MMason12 Wow, congrats on the weight loss! 140 lbs is a huge accomplishment. You must feel amazing now! The marathon my friend was talking about doing is the Space Coast marathon--how crazy is that!??!

TeeJ526 · August 2013

Hi @von1976! :-h

INTRO: I've always been more of a Pilates kind of girl, but started running last year when I was in between gyms. I didn't do a training plan; I just ran until I was tired and walked the rest of the way. If I could do it all over again, I would definitely recommend a training plan. Eventually, I was able to run 1 mile, then 3 miles, then 5 miles and I did my first 5K in October 2012. I was hooked and I've been running races all year.

As for this week, I only ran on Thursday and Saturday, totaling 12 miles. I have to do better this week.

GTKY: I'm training for the Super Spartan race on 9/8. It's more obstacles than anything, but the race is 8 miles so I'm pretty sure half of it will be running. I also have a 5K and 10K in October that I'm training for with my Mom.

MMason12 · August 2013

von1976 said:

@MMason12 Wow, congrats on the weight loss! 140 lbs is a huge accomplishment. You must feel amazing now! The marathon my friend was talking about doing is the Space Coast marathon--how crazy is that!??!

@von1976 - the only reason we decided to do that race is the race bling. They have some of the coolest finishers medals I have ever seen! Yes, having cool race bling is one of the deciding factors when we look at races we want to register for, lol. And thanks -- I do feel so much better as you can imagine.

lmdonnel · August 2013

INTRO: I'm a newbie runner (since last Fall) and amiddle school (8th grade) volleyball coach. I always hated running in High School because it was alway "punishment" for whatever sport I was playing. Once I got to college, I ran with a few friends every so often (mostly to keep the freshmen 15 off) and ran a few 5K's, but nothing serious. It finally clicked last fall and I realized that if you put the inital training in (and get fitted for an amazing pair of running shoes), it wasn't all that bad!

GTKY: I ran my first mini in May for the Indy 500 and LOVED it! I'm scheduled to do the Cummins Mill Race Mini in September, the Indianapolis Mini in October and the Monumental Mini in November. While my husband doesn't have any desire to run much more than 5-6miles, he recently joined me and has done a great job with it, sometimes even doing better than me! August was our first month TTC and got a BFN. While we kind of expected it since I was on BC for so long, it was still a little tough to see AF show up.

Last Week: Last week wasn't bad for me, 20 miles. The heat is supposed to be bad this week, so the 13 mile run I'm supposed to do later this week will probably be miserable!

EmilyA724 · August 2013

von1976 said:

@EmilyA724 Sorry to hear about your toenails! Normally my advice would be to buy shoes at least 1 size larger (size up only .5 size on barefoot shoes, though). However, if you're still having the problem, it makes me wonder if your foot isn't sliding around too much in the shoe--especially if you're having issues when running downhill. You may need to find a narrower shoe. What brand do you run in? In the meantime, you can try tying your shoes to reduce heel slippage. Check it out here: https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/locklacing.htm Maybe that will help!

MMason12 Wow, congrats on the weight loss! 140 lbs is a huge accomplishment. You must feel amazing now! The marathon my friend was talking about doing is the Space Coast marathon--how crazy is that!??!

@von1976 Thank you very much for the suggestion! Right now I'm wearing asics, which fit me well I think. When I've worn these down I'm thinking I'll go and get professionally fit just to make sure. The bigger ones only bothered my pinkie toe on my 8 miler so I don't know if I started to run funny when I got tired. I'll try lacing up differently to see if that helps.

I second Von, @MMason12 congratulations on the weight loss!!

Pintobean39 · August 2013

@mmason12. Congrats on the weight loss .... Awesome job!

TeeJ526 · August 2013

@von1976 Good luck with your 10K!

@emilya724 Nice job keeping up with your regular runs!

@mmason12 Congrats on the weight loss! HUGE accomplishment to say the least!

@pintobean39 I'm cheering for you!

@lmdonnel Good luck with your race next month!

von1976 · August 2013

Thanks @slappalicious. I'm not really that worried about it, but I put my last name as the initial in Nike+.

tippytoes06 · August 2013

I am already in love with this weekly thread

Intro - I used to run track in middle school and high school. I suffered a pretty nasty knee injury my senior year though and was benched from running for several years. 3 knee surgeries, lots of pins and screws later, I'm back to running. I started again at the beginning of this year!

I run 3-4 times a week, cycle/elliptical 1x a week, and do core strengthening exercises several times a week. I hired a personal trainer for the core stuff. I decided I needed to do something drastic to lose some weight.

GTKY: I'm training for a half marathon in September (Akron Marathon, Akron OH). I'm thinking about doing a second in October, depending on how the first one goes!

My runs this week went pretty well. 24 miles total, 11 being my long distance run yesterday.

I need to buy a new pair of running shoes though - what's everyone's favorite?

von1976 · August 2013

@tippytoes06 Here's to healthy knees and healthy running!

I have three pairs of Nikes. I love them. I've run in Air Pegasus since the early 90's. I briefly tried running in Asics and Brooks. Asics almost won me over, but I went back to Nikes. Right now I have a pair of Free 5.0s, Lunarglides, and Pegasus trail shoes.

@PintoBean39 Good luck, and take it easy! I hope you can overcome your neuropathy and take joy in running, even if it's not long-distance. (Who doesn't love the short run?!?)

Good luck with the 13-miler, @lmdonnel!

Heal up that shoulder @amlrunner. I think you have plenty of time to prepare for a November half. I was only running 12 miles last week, and my half is in October. You can do it!

kramja01 · August 2013

Yay for a running thread!

INTRO: I was never a runner. I have always hated running (still do, sometimes!). I swam in high school, and had never run more than 2 miles before 2012. In 2012, I made it my New Year's Resolution to run a 1/2 marathon before the year was out (I don't know why I didn't start with something smaller) I followed the Runner's World program for beginners after I worked my way up to 4 miles. I finally completed my goal of running a 1/2 marathon in October of 2012 with a time of 2:14:16. Yay! Since then, I've completed two more 1/2 marathons, but my greatest passion is trail running. I've done everything from a 10k trail run to a 40 mile challenge hike. My DH and I have been trail running/hiking since 2009 (mostly walking for me before last year). We live in a rural area of the country where the trails are pretty popular. I will take the trails any day over the road.

LAST WEEK: I admit, I have taken a couple weeks off from running. DH and I did a trail 10k at the end of July, and I haven't really seriously run since. We've been away every weekend since so that had been difficult. (And I HATE running in the heat). Time to get my butt in gear!

GTNY: DH and I are running a trail 1/2 marathon Sept. 20th. For anyone who does true trail races, it's a combo of power hiking the uphills and running/jogging the flats/downhills--unless you are amazing and can run up mountains!

We are vacationing in Canada for Labor Day weekend, so I hope to get a couple good runs in then.

TeeJ526 · August 2013

@kramja01 Trail half marathon?!?! AWESOME!!!! Yeah, trail run are truly a test of strength. I'm sure you both will do great! I wish I could get my DH to run.

EmilyA724 · August 2013

amlrunner said:
EmilyA724 - I have to keep my toenails really short. Regardless of the size of my shoes, if my toenails get anywhere near the end of my toes, I start having pain and ingrown issues. Maybe try trimming yours back a bit? I have almost NO pinky toenail at this point.... (kinda gross, I know!)

@amlrunner Thank you for the suggestion! I try to keep mine cut but probably not as short as they need to be. I'll try to start getting in the habit of trimming daily and see if that helps.

tippytoes06 · August 2013

@kramja01 I want to do a trail run! That sounds amazing!

@Teej526 I wish my DH would run with me too! Perfect activity for us to do together, but he's a drummer, and is afraid of hurting his legs running and not being able to drum. Lame excuse imo

@von1976 Thank you! I need all the healthy knee wishes I can get!

Edit - i forgot to thank von...I suck.

kramja01 · August 2013

@EmilyA724 black/lost toenails are very commonplace in the trail running world. Some people insist that you can prevent them by wearing well fitting shoes, expensive socks, and lubing your feet up with Vaseline or the like. Others say sometimes there is nothing you can do about it--the repetitive pounding (especially downhills) and constantly hitting rocks/roots etc just takes a toll on your body. I've found that good shoes and socks help--but I still lost a nail on a 25k trail run this year.

EmilyA724 · August 2013

tippytoes06 said:
GTKY: I'm training for a half marathon in September (Akron Marathon, Akron OH). I'm thinking about doing a second in October, depending on how the first one goes!
I need to buy a new pair of running shoes though - what's everyone's favorite?

@tippytoes06 Good luck with the half! My FIL is on the board for that race and played a big part in getting it started. He's in charge of the starting line.

Also, I really like asics, but I think next time I'm going to go get professionally fit. It tends to be expensive though, which is why I haven't done it yet.

kramja01 · August 2013

@TeeJ526, my DH wasn't big on it at first, but after his first couple trail runs, he got the bug! Now he blows me out of the water and is very competitive. If I'm lucky, I'll find him waiting for me at the finish!

TonyaCody06 · August 2013

Intro: I have been running since February and still feel very new to it all. I have done 1 novelty 5k and 2 chip timed 5ks. I actually got a medal in yesterdays race!! I blogged about it (link in siggy)! I would love to do a 10k in a few weeks but I am not sure if I can do it. The farthest I have run to date is 5.6mi. I love my Brooks running shoes but no one told me to buy bigger so I am battling sore toes until I wear these out. I just finished reading Run Like a Mother and it had great tips for mothers.

I would love to do the Rock N Roll 1/2 marathon here in Nov but I am sure I will be several months preggo by then. So I am hoping I can plan to train for it next year after having a (hopeful) summer baby.

tippytoes06 · August 2013

EmilyA724 said:

tippytoes06 said:
GTKY: I'm training for a half marathon in September (Akron Marathon, Akron OH). I'm thinking about doing a second in October, depending on how the first one goes!
I need to buy a new pair of running shoes though - what's everyone's favorite?

@tippytoes06 Good luck with the half! My FIL is on the board for that race and played a big part in getting it started. He's in charge of the starting line.

Also, I really like asics, but I think next time I'm going to go get professionally fit. It tends to be expensive though, which is why I haven't done it yet.

That's awesome! I would love to get active on some type of board for races, etc!

I'm thinking about going and getting professionally fit as well, but you're right, it's so expensive! I think with my knee issues, it might be a good idea to splurge a little so my running career lasts a little longer

TeeJ526 · August 2013

Tonya&Cody said:

Intro: I have been running since February and still feel very new to it all. I have done 1 novelty 5k and 2 chip timed 5ks. I actually got a medal in yesterdays race!! I blogged about it (link in siggy)! I would love to do a 10k in a few weeks but I am not sure if I can do it. The farthest I have run to date is 5.6mi. I love my Brooks running shoes but no one told me to buy bigger so I am battling sore toes until I wear these out. I just finished reading Run Like a Mother and it had great tips for mothers.

I would love to do the Rock N Roll 1/2 marathon here in Nov but I am sure I will be several months preggo by then. So I am hoping I can plan to train for it next year after having a (hopeful) summer baby.

Yay! Congrats!!!!

EmilyA724 · August 2013

Joy2611 said:

tippytoes06 said:

EmilyA724 said:

tippytoes06 said:
GTKY: I'm training for a half marathon in September (Akron Marathon, Akron OH). I'm thinking about doing a second in October, depending on how the first one goes!
I need to buy a new pair of running shoes though - what's everyone's favorite?

@tippytoes06 Good luck with the half! My FIL is on the board for that race and played a big part in getting it started. He's in charge of the starting line.

Also, I really like asics, but I think next time I'm going to go get professionally fit. It tends to be expensive though, which is why I haven't done it yet.

That's awesome! I would love to get active on some type of board for races, etc!
I'm thinking about going and getting professionally fit as well, but you're right, it's so expensive! I think with my knee issues, it might be a good idea to splurge a little so my running career lasts a little longer

I got fit for running shoes at local running shop here (people say they are better than the bigger conglomerates). The fitting was free, the shoes were about $90. I have no idea of your budget, but it wasn't hundreds of dollars for a good pair of shoes!

Where I live the places that do fittings charge $150 - $200 for shoes (the fitting is free). Right now I've been buying my shoes from Kohls because they sell asics for $40 - $90, which gets me pretty excited. I'm thinking for Christmas I'll get a pair fitted.

Pintobean39 · August 2013

Joy2611 said:

tippytoes06 said:

EmilyA724 said:

tippytoes06 said:
GTKY: I'm training for a half marathon in September (Akron Marathon, Akron OH). I'm thinking about doing a second in October, depending on how the first one goes!
I need to buy a new pair of running shoes though - what's everyone's favorite?

@tippytoes06 Good luck with the half! My FIL is on the board for that race and played a big part in getting it started. He's in charge of the starting line.

Also, I really like asics, but I think next time I'm going to go get professionally fit. It tends to be expensive though, which is why I haven't done it yet.

That's awesome! I would love to get active on some type of board for races, etc!

I'm thinking about going and getting professionally fit as well, but you're right, it's so expensive! I think with my knee issues, it might be a good idea to splurge a little so my running career lasts a little longer

I got fit for running shoes at local running shop here (people say they are better than the bigger conglomerates). The fitting was free, the shoes were about $90. I have no idea of your budget, but it
wasn't hundreds of dollars for a good pair of shoes!

I agree I always get fitted for shoes. My shoes are brooks ghost they run me about $100. My son runs too and I've always taken him there too and his are about the same price. This year we looked at academy just comparing and a lot of the newer running shoes ran around 90-100$ so really you don't pay much more and they make sure they are exactly what you need for your feet.

von1976 · August 2013

al-e said:

Good morning! I started running last year when I decided to participate in a Try Tri for Breast Cancer. As I was training I realized that running was by far my favorite thing of the three so I've focused on that this year. So far this year I have only done one 10km race in May. During the week I mostly cross train on the bike or with weights because I like the way my body feels when I'm doing weights, otherwise I feel flabby. Yesterday I ran 21.1 km - no excuses on half marathon day - I know I can do the distance now! GTKY: I'm training for a relay in early September (my leg is 11km) and a half in early October.

Since I can't tag you, I'll quote. Congrats on completing 21.1km. You're a beast!

MMason12 · August 2013

Joy2611 said:

EmilyA724 said:

Where I live the places that do fittings charge $150 - $200 for shoes (the fitting is free). Right now I've been buying my shoes from Kohls because they sell asics for $40 - $90, which gets me pretty excited. I'm thinking for Christmas I'll get a pair fitted.

Oh, yikes.

I know some people go get fitted, write down the name and style, then buy them online instead.

Shoe store will most definitely charge full retain for shoes, which means for a decent pair of running shoes you are talking about anywhere from $100-$200.

I like to find the best bargain that I can, and spending retail on shoes just isn't my style. I am a dedicated Asics lover. It's all I wear! When I am looking for a new pair I head down the local running store, get a free fitting, then head home and search online for the same shoe but usually at a much cheaper price. My go to website to buy shoes is RunningShoes.com.

To me it is super important that regardless of where you buy your shoes that they have a great return policy. Even if you buy the same brand and model year after year, each pair of shoes is made differently and eventually you will run across a pair that doesn't feel right, fit right, or causes pain. You want to make sure you buy your shoes from a place that has at least a 30 days no questions asked return policy - and try to find one that also has a "regardless of condition" policy which means you can wear the shoes outside in any weather. RunningShoes.com has a great return policy. My shoes usually run about $150 in a retail store and I can get them from $100-120 online there.

EmilyA724 · August 2013

MMason12 said:

Joy2611 said:

EmilyA724 said:

Where I live the places that do fittings charge $150 - $200 for shoes (the fitting is free). Right now I've been buying my shoes from Kohls because they sell asics for $40 - $90, which gets me pretty excited. I'm thinking for Christmas I'll get a pair fitted.

Oh, yikes.

I know some people go get fitted, write down the name and style, then buy them online instead.

Shoe store will most definitely charge full retain for shoes, which means for a decent pair of running shoes you are talking about anywhere from $100-$200.

I like to find the best bargain that I can, and spending retail on shoes just isn't my style. I am a dedicated Asics lover. It's all I wear! When I am looking for a new pair I head down the local running store, get a free fitting, then head home and search online for the same shoe but usually at a much cheaper price. My go to website to buy shoes is RunningShoes.com.

To me it is super important that regardless of where you buy your shoes that they have a great return policy. Even if you buy the same brand and model year after year, each pair of shoes is made differently and eventually you will run across a pair that doesn't feel right, fit right, or causes pain. You want to make sure you buy your shoes from a place that has at least a 30 days no questions asked return policy - and try to find one that also has a "regardless of condition" policy which means you can wear the shoes outside in any weather. RunningShoes.com has a great return policy. My shoes usually run about $150 in a retail store and I can get them from $100-120 online there.

Thank you so much for the advice! I'll definitely look into it

tippytoes06 · August 2013

crystaleyes138 said:

tippytoes06 said:

I am already in love with this weekly thread
Intro - I used to run track in middle school and high school. I suffered a pretty nasty knee injury my senior year though and was benched from running for several years. 3 knee surgeries, lots of pins and screws later, I'm back to running. I started again at the beginning of this year!
I run 3-4 times a week, cycle/elliptical 1x a week, and do core strengthening exercises several times a week. I hired a personal trainer for the core stuff. I decided I needed to do something drastic to lose some weight.

GTKY: I'm training for a half marathon in September (Akron Marathon, Akron OH). I'm thinking about doing a second in October, depending on how the first one goes!
My runs this week went pretty well. 24 miles total, 11 being my long distance run yesterday.
I need to buy a new pair of running shoes though - what's everyone's favorite?

I've done the Akron Relay before, it is tons of fun! Wish I was able to do it this year!

This will be my first time! I've heard they changed the course up pretty drastically from prior years! I'm looking forward to it

tippytoes06 · August 2013

@MauiBliss I broke my foot in July! I hope you heal up soon! Those boots are no fun!

MMason12 · August 2013

@MauiBliss - I cannot wait to start training for a half Ironman, so I am so inspired by people like you.

Like I've told you before, I will really have to take swim lessons to any further than the 1/2 mile swim I've done. Swimming is by far my weakest.

Edited to add: I know I won't be able to really train for a half or full until we have kids. You really have to put a lot of heart and soul into training for those events, and right now my focus is really on starting our family. I'm hoping I can really begin training in about 3 years. My biggest goal is to finish a full with my Mom, so I can't wait forever, because she isn't getting any younger! lol

MMason12 · August 2013

MauiBliss said:

MMason12 said:

@MauiBliss - I cannot wait to start training for a half Ironman, so I am so inspired by people like you.

Like I've told you before, I will really have to take swim lessons to any further than the 1/2 mile swim I've done. Swimming is by far my weakest.

Edited to add: I know I won't be able to really train for a half or full until we have kids. You really have to put a lot of heart and soul into training for those events, and right now my focus is really on starting our family. I'm hoping I can really begin training in about 3 years. My biggest goal is to finish a full with my Mom, so I can't wait forever, because she isn't getting any younger! lol

Triathlon is seriously one of the best things to ever happen to me. You will get addicted! Long course (70.3/Half) is an awesome distance and super approachable, truly! The full takes a lot of time. I work a full time job and then train 15-25 hours a week on top of that. Be sure, before you decide to do an Ironman, you talk to your friends, family, spouse and work about the commitments. But definitely go for it!!!!!

@MauiBliss - I am super lucky with my family and spouse! My Dad and Mom both are into running - it's kind of a family thing for us really. My Dad is in his mid-60's, had a quadruple heart bypass two years ago and he is running his 5th and 6th marathons this fall. My Mom is in her late 40's and she is going to running her 3rd & 4th marathons this fall.

My Mom and I both ran our first race together in 2010, and we are are like a team when it comes to the triathlon thing. Each one of us has our own goals we are trying to achieve and we all support each other in getting there - actually we usually drag at least one, if not everyone, along for the ride. Example: My Dad keeps talking about he wants to run a 50 mile ultra, and I have been insanely thinking about agreeing to run with him in 2015.

My husband is super supportive of the time it will take to train for a half or even a full. He plays in amateur golf tournaments, so he spends a lot of time at the golf course. He told me the other day he knows when I am ready it will be his turn to support me in training like I've supported him and his golfing. He will more than likely kick me out the door to make sure I am really following my training plan! lol

Edited to add: I would agree with you that a half isn't really that big of a deal compared to a full. I still am not super comfortable with open water swimming. I struggled with the 1/2 mile swim I had to do in open water. I really want to focus a lot more on my swimming, improve my biking, and work on my transitions before jumping into a half though. When I finally get to the finish line of a full I am going to (1) cry and (2) get an Ironman tattoo!

Snowflake312 · August 2013

Love this thread!

INTRO: I ran cross country for a couple years in high school, but I didn't really like it all that much. When I was in grad school, I got back into running to relieve stress and it helped tremendously!

Since then I've run 2 marathons (2009 & 2012) and an 1 Olympic distance triathlon (2009). We generally do a yearly 10-miler and the occasional 5K, 10K or half. All of these races I've done with my DH. He has a terrible stress fracture now, so I'm left without a running buddy. Funny thing is I don't think DH ever really liked running that much anyway. I think he just agreed to it to hang out with me since we had just started dating and continued since I was into it.

He's an awesome swimmer.

In my perfect world I could replace the swim part of the triathlon with kayaking, paddleboarding or water skiing. I love both the running and cycling.

Last Week: Last week was pretty much my standard non training week. I've been averaging 3 runs and about 15mi each week. Running in the morning is so much more pleasant, when and if I can actually drag my ass out of bed early.

GTKY: Sadly I don't have anything planned at the moment. I would really love to try trail racing, but I'll be out of town for a wedding when they have the next one in my area. I'd also love to do another half marathon, which I think is the perfect distance.

I'm going to try and find a race. Thanks for the inspiration ladies!

lmdonnel · August 2013

Joy2611 said:

EmilyA724 said:

Where I live the places that do fittings charge $150 - $200 for shoes (the fitting is free). Right now I've been buying my shoes from Kohls because they sell asics for $40 - $90, which gets me pretty excited. I'm thinking for Christmas I'll get a pair fitted.
Oh, yikes.

I know some people go get fitted, write down the name and style, then buy them online instead.

This! Try Holabirdsports.com. Love that site!

hollyweenOR · August 2013

Intro: I've been running for 30 years (yikes!)- started when I was 10 with 5k races and started competing at age 12 in junior high track. Ran track & cross country all through HS, and did pretty well. Tapered off through college as I was kinda burnt out on competition. Didn't really run in my mid-20s but picked up again a bit after turning 30. Much, much slower than I had been, which was sort of hard. Have done a half-dozen half marathons, lots of 10ks, and several relays. Trail running is far and away my favorite kind of running, as well as running with friends. I'm not so good at training consistently on my own. The last year I have gotten really into Crossfit, I hike 3-4 weekends a month in summer, snowshoe & downhill ski in winter, and bike a fair bit (just around town as transportation, not really long rides for exercise). So running is just one piece of what I do to stay active, but it turns out it's hard to maintain good running shape when you don't do it as often. I'm sorta out of love with it right now but I can't totally give it up.

How were your runs this week, ladies? Kinda tough- see below!

GTKY: Are you training for a specific race or event? If not, is there a specific race or event you've been thinking about? Just did Hood to Coast this weekend, tackled the highest mileage leg, 20.45 miles over 3 legs. I didn't embarrass myself, so that was good!

But it was rough- the middle leg (at 2am) was 5 miles on a gravel road, and the gravel was nasty- very deep in some places, with gravel that was really just...rocks. I put a lot of strain on my ankles on that leg and the 3rd leg (7.72mi) was pretty much agony. But hey, it's done. Telling myself to not sign up for any events until I'm ready to commit to training more seriously. But I think Cascade Lakes Relay is on tap for next summer. Probably. But that's far away, so I can spend the winter preparing my spring motivation, right?

pearlsandcurls84 · August 2013

Too many to tag, but congrats to all of you getting out there and running, I was once told to remind myself that you have some good runs and some bad runs but all that matters is getting out there and doing it! So way to go ladies.
Intro: I come from a family of runners, but I didn't start running until after college. I started running after a bad break up... It's such a good way to relieve stress and whipped me into shape! I had a hard time staying motivated so my dad encouraged me to sign up for a race. I'm sure he meant a 5k, but I went and signed up for my first half marathon in Disney World (I ran for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society in honor of a close friend who had just beat cancer). I've done three total. I haven't run much since our wedding in October.. So I am excited to see this check in. Hopefully it will be the motivation I need to get back into it.
How were your runs this week, ladies? I only ran once.. Two miles. It was terrible it just sucks to feel so out of shape.

GTKY: Are you training for a specific race or event? If not, is there a specific race or event you've been thinking about? I would like to be able to do four miles again by December so I can do the jingle bell jog in our town. I'm sure that is doable as long as I stay motivated.

AllyTales · August 2013

Mind if I join in?

Intro: I've been running since I was 13. I'm 25 now, so 12 years! I started running in junior high. I was on the cross country team in high school, continued to run through college on teams. That was mostly 5km distances. After I graduated from college, I decided I wanted to do longer distances.. and now I do that, I'm not really into shorter runs as much. I did my first half marathon last year, and I'm now training for a marathon. (it's in October).

I did super good with my runs this week- logged 40 miles! The weather was awesome for running.

@EmilyA724 -I have toenail issues, too. I didn't when I used to run shorter distances. Every since I started doing 10+ mile runs, I have problems. It's not my sneakers, I get fitted at a running store and it's happened with every pair for years. Unfortunately, some runners are just prone to this. It sucks, I hate it! My husband also has the same issue.

MMason12 · August 2013

Thanks @kirby513!

HeyBrittany04 · August 2013

I know I'm pretty late,but I wanna join! I've never been a runner and I didn't play sports in high school (wanted to play tennis but parents didn't want to pay for it). I want to start running though! I've started the couch to 5k program twice, not getting very far into it either time.

I have motivation problems. And I guess I'm just lazy. But maybe with a weekly check in, I'll get my lazy butt into gear! I want to do a few 5Ks next year (color run, zombie run, etc) and my friend wants to do the warrior dash in like August, so hopefully that too!

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