Made it to 4 miles today without too much pain. I'll be sticking here for about a week till my next 10% increase, but boy oh boy to I long to get out on the trails and run. I've deemed it not a good idea yet...but soon...very soon.

• Currently 5.0/5 Stars.

That is excellent time! Again, don't beat yourself up on the time thing right now. Find that training program that incorporates some speed work into your weekly workouts and you will find magically over a few weeks that your time will improve. This type of training has to do with training your body for increased oxidization under stress. "Speed play" (sometimes called fartlek) on your runs is also really helpful for increasing over all time. Here is a link to an article on speed: http://www.traxee.com/posts/711-how-to-run-faster-fitt. Go Girl! Posted by: bmoore on Jan 23, 2010 at 01:52 PM

Thanks! I will def check out the link and read more. I am so pleased with my run this morning. I actually did 5 miles and completed the run in 1 hour...(that's actually really, really, good time for me)!!! When I mentally get through the first 2 miles the rest is actually pleasurable...well, it's off to check out the link!! Posted by: runnerunit on Jan 23, 2010 at 09:36 AM

Thanks for the nice comments about my posts. With everything that is going on in my life right now, I don't have the time to compose the way I used to - but I'll be back! Again - you are awesome! Wow! You've already lost 25 pounds! That is amazing. I lost 15 a couple of years ago and I found that the best way is "slow and sensible" which is what you are already doing. One thing I did find is that nutritional needs are a lot different when you are exercising regularly than when you are sedentary. I recommend the excellent section on diet and weight loss on runnersworld.com. There is a lot of good information out there. The important thing for runners to remember when they are dieting is to avoid fast/junk food, eat smaller meals and nibble a bit on healthy things throughout the day. You DO NOT want to be going around hungry and depriving your body of too many calories will cause you problems as you are training (and potential injury). Trsut me, the weight WILL come off. And the great thing about running is that it actually improves your metabolism over time so that your body not only becomes slimmer, with less body fat, but you also become a more efficient fuel-burner as well. You are so impressive! OH, BTW - you will be surprised at how many runners look just like you at a race. Keep on it! Posted by: bmoore on Jan 22, 2010 at 05:09 PM

ps...I promise to post an actual picture when I have a free moment to do so. Posted by: runnerunit on Jan 20, 2010 at 01:29 PM

Hi Beth, I cannot tell you how awesome your posts are. I don't know any other runners besides my husband...and sometimes I prefer to run without him...while he is an awesome coach to me, it would be great to have a girlfriend to run with!! I am really struggling with my weight. I have 45lbs to lose still...have lost 25 so far...but I want to "look" like a runner...not like a 57 year old woman with 45lbs to lose crossing the finish line..haha! Do you have any suggestions? I would just like to lose it faster than it's coming off...even though I do know that 1-2lbs a week is healthy...I would like to think that I could run this 8k on March 20th at least 25lbs lighter...so I welcome all advice!!! Posted by: runnerunit on Jan 20, 2010 at 01:28 PM

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. I TRY not to be competitive with myself, but it just doesn't seem to work. And I always say I'm not going to wear my watch and just try to enjoy the run and I never do that either. I guess we're just the runner "type A." With a 20-mile base - even if its not consistent you can SO run the 8K...and yes, definitely the half marathon; which happens to be my favorite distance. I advocate a specific training plan crafted by a professional coach mainly for the injury prevention benefits. Following a specific plan it is hard to over-train, especially if you don't have years of experience behind you. I look forward to hearing more about your adventures! Posted by: bmoore on Jan 20, 2010 at 11:54 AM

Thanks so much for the advice! I do try to get 20 miles a week in, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't...but with this new goal I am def motivated to make it happen. I will google an 8k plan as I know that would help. Running with arthritis is actually easier for me than walking! I have recently discovered that once I am past the 2 mile mark all my aches and pains begin to go away...after the 3 mile mark I am good to go. I haven't gone further than 4.60 at this point so we'll see what happens. I say I'm not focused on placing in this particular race but the competitive me says differently :) When I first started running the only thing on my mind was to get through the run, NEVER a thought about racing. I can "almost" look at a 1/2 marathon now without getting queasy :) Posted by: runnerunit on Jan 20, 2010 at 02:40 AM

Hi RU! You are awesome, and I am so glad you are here! Congratulations on your mileage! You are DEFINITELY on your way to Virginia Beach! I have never run that one, but I hear that it's a good, flat course. You can definitely make the mileage in the time you have to train, and I recommend that you follow a specific plan to increase your mileage gradually through to the race. You can find some good training plans if you Google Hal Higdon, Run the Planet or simply "training plans for 8K." There are also some training programs in Traxee if you do a search. Don't stress right now about your speed. You didn't mention what your weekly mileage is, but if you have a base of at least 20 miles a week, you may also want to try mixing in some speed training into your weekly workouts as you work on the mileage. The first 10K that I ran, I was beaten by a woman pushing a baby buggy! Nonetheless, I had a great time and what a sense of accomplishment! Definitely keep us posted on how you are doing. BTW - how does the arthritis in your foot effect you as you do your longer runs? Posted by: bmoore on Jan 19, 2010 at 07:21 PM

Am brand new to this site and really love it. I am a fairly new runner...since May of last year. Have run a few 5k's with great success. My goal now is to run the 8k in Va Bch in March...lofty goal for me but I am plugging away at it. Ran 4.61 yesterday but my time was REALLLLYYY slow...nearly an hour. I welcome any tips, advice, etc... I am a 57 yr old female and am learning to run with arthritis in my foot...but it's all good! Posted by: runnerunit on Jan 19, 2010 at 04:19 AM