Wow CurvieGirlie, 2 hrs a day? How do you find time?
Sorry about your bee-sting, I hope you will feel better soon.

5K on 21 minutes? It takes me like 39 minutes,

Sirant : You are awesome!! I wish I could run to work!

Notme: welcome to the club and congrats on your goal!! I had the same goal at the begining of Febr!!

I had my daughter's birthday party today and I knew I would do not good on food so I went for a run at 5.30 in the morning and run for 4miles. I had an awesome time and wish I could have time for more than just 4 miles. It seems that the first 1-1.5 mile is really really hard and feels like hell and I feel like stopping every minute. Once I push myself through , I feel like I can run forverer. I got so wrapped up in my thoughts that I just realized that I am running the 4th mile and I was only going to do 3 miles.
I would love to have the time one day and run as many miles as I can to find out my limit.
I am going to try to run in the mornings from now on. I will update how it goes!!!
Hope everybody is having a good weekend.

WTG Hajni!!!
I totally feel the same way as you-When I start running the first 2 miles feel like a warm-up and my mind plays tricks on me but once i get warmed up and in a zone I am gone and could go forever-LOL
Today was a short run-I went to run around 730am and it was already hot(whew) I guess i need to start getting up earlier again now that the weather is starting to really warm-up.
I ran 5.21 K I didnt really push myself today though I wish that I did. Its so hard to run in my neighborhood though.Reason being, its built in a hole so everything around the city if you go to far in any direction is a hill.I am getting nervous the 5k is on Saturday and I am starting to think what did I get myself into.LOL
I am going to run Monday tuesday wenesday and thurday only a few miles and rest on friday for the run on Sunday.
Ever since I started running I seem to hate walking.LOL it just takes forever.I am going to look into a bike though when my son starts preschool I can ride with the youngest to pick him up and hook on my bike trailer for the both of them to sit in especially when it is cold out.

Oh Curvie sorry about the bee sting.
Your really a go getter.I totally agree with pushing yourself.When I was running the other day I was going up hill and all I could think was damn I cant do anymore this was at about 7k then I thought its not so bad just run as slow as you want but just dont stop-After a little fight with the lazy side versus the athlethic side the athletic side won and I even started sprinting up the hill.
How do you pace yourself during your 5k races?

Yes, I feel the same way--btw thank you!!! Increasing mileage is something that my book told me to be careful about, though. I'll post that later, my book is in my car downstairs. But yes, just run and run and run and you'll eventually be able to run farther and faster and you'll love it more and more!

Don't be nervous!! I'm always, though--especially since I'm super-competitive when it comes to running and I give all the other women the once-over and wonder if she's faster than me. I'm not like, giving attitude or anything, I'm just sizing up the competition. If I had to race with Olympic Female runners I'd probably fall to pieces mentally--but I'd still go out there and do my best! I really like female runners who are fast. Even though I want to be the fastest someday, I always cheer for the winners, the fastest women, because I look up to that! Also I like the oldest runners--I look up to that too.

Anyway, much support over from here, you just go for it, you'll love it! you may hate it at the time, but you'll love it when it's over and will probably be signing up for more!!

Oh man it was a WASP that stung me, and I have not been able to exercise since Thursday morning and I'm going insane. I ran last on Wednesday and my lameness has made me want to scream. But my foot is slightly better from yesterday, which is good--Friday was the worst. Ugh it's ugly.

Yes, just push yourself, and sprint up those hills, they help you run stronger, better and faster. BUT it's not all about being fast. Just for some people. Like me. Sorry, it is a major goal/aspiration to get under 20 minutes for a 5K someday--and under 40 minutes for a 10K someday. SOMEDAY!

Pacing: don't start out too fast, then increase speed and sprint the end. Last 5K I was going too fast in the beginning and got tired.

Ok, here's a qustion I have.

Warm kind of appropriate warm up do you guys do prior to running. I normally just do a warm up walk and then just jump into it...but one of my friends told me I should do some stretches before I start. What do you guys recommend?

Warm up walk is adequate enough? Should I incorporate just a stretching routine? Maybe a combination of the two?

The book I have says "One thing we do know about stretching is that you should do it after you run or in the middle of your run, not before it. 'It isn't wise to stretch tight muscles,' warns Martin. 'The best time is after running when you are metabolically warmed up and a little loose.'"

I'd say for warming up, if you want to be safe, walk or lightly jog for a bit, 5-15 minutes, then stop and stretch. Pick up your leg and swivel your foot around for your ankle. You don't have to stretch before though, you can stretch after. Be sure and stretch your quadriceps as best as possible--also calves and Achilles tendon. Achilles tendinitis might be prevented by stretching calves and tendons several times a day. Runner's knee can be prevented by regularly stretching the quads and by weight-training the hamstring. Apparently chicks are more susceptible to knee issues because their hamstrings are so much weaker than their quads (and genetics and bad shoes and hips all contribute, it's not just that). Malalignment of the patella and the femur, which prevents the kneecap from sitting properly in the groove of the femur also causes knee problems. I don't know if you can prevent that!

Some folks claim stretching prior to a run can be damaging from micro tears and such in the muscle tissues. I always do this:

20 deep squats
20 deep lunges per side
*great for warming up the quads

then power walk 2 blocks (including 2 flights of subway stairs up and down)
*warms up the rest of me

then I go hard

Works fine for me, but dont forget the stretching afterwards, because for me anyways, thats the one that will kill me the next day. I always follow up with a good yoga stretching routine for my back, legs and whole body.

If I follow that warm up and cool down I am right as rain the next day and ready to run again.

sirant

I've heard stuff about yoga and running. My personal opinion is that a woman can do yoga regularly and run, but here's what I heard:

IS YOGA A GOOD FORM OF STRETCHING FOR RUNNERS?

"I don't recommend it," says Budd Coates, coach and marathoner. "You need some tension in your muscles to perform well during running. It gives a little 'spring' to your muscles. If you are too supple, you won't run your best." None of the top runners do yoga, he adds.

Excerpt from book pg. 217.

My opinion: I'm skeptical. I don't do yoga anymore for whatever reason--but I do yoga-inspired stretching. This book was written in 1999--there could have been research on the subject since then. I just thought I'd throw this out there.

5K results!

SO I checked the website and the 5K I ran, I came in 8th overall for women in that race, out of 430 women!!! That is so cool to me, wow!

So it went like this:

1. STEPHANIE ******, SAN RAMON, CA 30 0:19:02 30 - 34 / 1
2. JESSICA *******, ALAMEDA, CA 19 0:19:26 16 - 19 / 1
3. KATELYN *******, LIVERMORE, CA 41 0:19:59 40 - 44 / 1
4. EILEEN *****, SAN RAMON, CA 32 0:20:13 30 - 34 / 2
5. SARAH *****, MT HOUSE, CA 16 0:20:22 16 - 19 / 2
6. ANN *******, MORAGA, CA 45 0:20:24 45 - 49 / 1
7. TIFFANY *******, DANVILLE, CA 41 0:20:42 40 - 44 / 2
8. VALERIE **********, SANTA CRUZ, CA 24 0:21:02 20 - 24 / 1

Notice the chick who won is 34 years old. I'm amazed that 49 year old got 20:24--WOWZAHS!!! That is fucking awesome!!!

I only hope to get in the 19 minute range by next year.

MY GOAL IN LIFE (in regards to running):
*to get under 20 minutes for 5K
*to get under 40 minutes for 10K

I'll try..........

I wonder if that is in relation to doing yoga immediately before running. That I could understand for the same reasons as stretching before running. But doing yoga in general? I don't do a full routine after my runs by any means, but anyone who has done some yoga has got to know (like yourself) that some of those stretches are awesome. And it makes such a difference the next day. No stretches = big pain.

The other thing I look at is the yoga instructors.....

90% of the time the men and women who teach yoga or do it regularly are seriously fit and hot looking people. Plus I like the workout and find it very calming and spiritual. I know several people here who do yoga and run on a regular basis, however, none of them compete to my knowledge.

Perhaps being too supple is a bad thing for professional runners, but for the relief it gives me after pushing my overlarge body to its limits I will stick with it regularly and the stretches after running. I dont mind supple if it looks hot!
You look pretty hot already curvie, I could totally picture you as a yoga woman!

Interesting note though, thanks for sharing it. I will look into it further out of curiousity.

sirant

Why thank you!! Yes I believe this is in relation to majorly competitive pro runners. Still, who knows? I say, do yoga, it's great for your mind, body and especially digestive system, LOL!! Just for me, right now, I'm not naturally inclined to do a lot of yoga--for whatever reason, just like I'm not inclined to smoke.

hey folks. I just started running last week. what a challenge!
currently doing a 10 week walk/run program, going from 1 minute running in the first week and building up to 30....just to get my stamina and endurance up.

a lot of people might not think that running 2 minutes straight is much, but it certainly is when you're just getting into it.

anyway, just dropping in to say hey.

I have never done yoga but I was actually considering it. Thanks you for all the info regarding the subject!!!
Hi daybyday!!
Congratulations on your start to run!!

Oh, I remember when I started to run first, 1 minute seemed like an eternity!! I could never run in my life and i was exempt from gym class because i had problems with my eye (since then I had corneal transplant and I can do pretty much any exercise). I actually started my cardio on an elliptical machine and worked my way up to 20 min before I attempted my first run/jog.. And I certainly thought that I would never run in my life it was not for me. And now I run 3-4 miles (still pretty slow though) without a stop!!

I am now running in the mornings for 45 min. It seems to be working out great, I have more time in the afternoon for all the house chores.
The weight is not coming off though. And I am very careful about what I am eating. Oh well, at least I am getting a good cardio workout.
Hajni

Welcome! Good for you, running is really hard if you think about it, I mean, we're doing something people HATE and something that is like, the Ultimate Fitness and all. Keep it up, we're looking to hear from you!

Yes, running in the morning sure frees up your day! 45 minutes is a long time, that's what I like to do! Hmmmm, the weight isn't coming off? Perhaps your body just needs more time, and then the weight will!

Update:
I may be working this evening from 6:30-8. DAMN! I drank too much last night on account of my company's Trade Tastings, and I got a free dinner and talked to a bunch of winemakers and sales reps, then I saw a room in the Soquel hills that I was considering renting, so I got back late I REALLY need to run, really really bad. I would between jobs but there is no way for me to shower.

I'm actually really bummed out about this.

thanks for the welcome.

I never thought I'd say it but I'm finding running to be really addictive too. made myself take a day off today...finding my knees a little sore and don't want to overdo it.

seriously, I never in a million years thought I'd love running.