Anybody training for spring races? I only got into running last January, have done two 5ks and a 5 miler. I want to push myself and sign up for a half marathon in June. I got the Asics app which made me a training plan that I'll try my best to follow. I'm not fast at all, goal for now is a 2:30ish finish.
Thought if anyone else was training we could help motivate each other!
nectarine / 2028 posts
@Mrs. Tiger: Love this thread! No formal training for me as I’m in my second trimester of pregnancy, but I’m still logging about 5 miles a few times a week. I did a half 3 weeks ago which was a blast!
Do you have a race in mind? Here in San Diego we have the Rock n Roll Marathon and Half the first weekend in June. I’ve done both courses and highly recommend the half as your first one. A decent amount of downhill at the end and a beautiful course!
Let me know if you want any tips and tricks! I’m by no means an expert but I’ve been doing long-distance running for 5 years so love talking about it with others. 
pomelo / 5509 posts
I'm doing a marathon relay in May (team of 4) and a half marathon in October! I'm finally back to running more consistently now that I'm a year postpartum (and we got a treadmill.)
persimmon / 1390 posts
I’m doing a half at the end of May (on my last day in the 25-29 group!) and am looking for a 5k to do before that. I have a goal for the 5k and a loose goal for the half. My husband is also training for Boston so it’s a lot of early morning miles before work for us (especially me because the kids get upset if I try to leave after they’re awake)! I have running buddies at least once a week, and more frequently when it’s warmer out (oh, to be childless and able to run after work). I’ve been having to do my “long” runs alone which is the hardest part so I’m having a hard time increasing my mileage. I’ve been running since high school and competitively in college but now I just try to do my best! I really enjoy running though so even without a race stil do it. But I second the asking questions and stuff—I love talking about running!
blogger / pomegranate / 3044 posts
Thanks for responding, it's great to have people to chat with & ask questions! I'm not on facebook which is where the majority of running communities seem to be based.
@ChiCalGoBee: Go you running a half while pregnant! I have my eye on the MD Half since I'm in MD The DC Rock n Roll is in early March - not enough time for me up my mileage!
@IRunForFun: Awesome, a relay sounds fun! I do not love the treadmill but appreciate the option during the winter and/or after the kids are asleep but I need to get in a run.
@Becky: Sounds like you have a good system worked out! Before my work got crazy I was getting off at 4:30 and running outside for a bit before having to get the kids at 6, but these days I'm not off until 5:30ish + it's disgustingly cold out. There's a local run club that sponsors a run starting every Saturday at 7am with route options for 6-17 miles, that's my plan when my mileage starts creeping up!
Here's some questions for all of you - what's your fav thing to listen to on your runs? I've been loving podcasts when I'm outside (and Netflix inside on the treadmill). For podcasts I like Run Selfie Repeat, Running For Real, and The Ali on the Run show - I pick and choose which to listen to given who they are interviewing. I also like Dear Prudence since she gives delivers good advice in such a humorous way. I had been listening to politics podcasts as well but those are too depressing now 
2nd question - when you're on the treadmill, what incline settings do you use? Last year before my first 5k I only ran outside 1 day a week, 4-5 days on the treadmill totally flat. The 5k was a challenge since I was NOT used to hills at all. Since then I run outside whenever I can but have the treadmill on a 3 degree incline. Do you guys keep it set to a certain amount, or do the hill function, or what?
nectarine / 2028 posts
@Mrs. Tiger: I love podcasts, too, for long runs-and not even running related ones! I’m a huge Gilmore Girls fan so listen to episodes of Gilmore Guys while I run. I check time length on the episode I’ve selected to make sure it’ll cover my run and head out.
I’d say if you can manage to get outside for long runs once the weather gets better, that’s your best bet. Have you looked at the course elevation for MD half? That’s always a huge asset. For one of my marathons I knew there was a hill at mile 23 so would try to get a hill in at the end of my long runs to simulate how it would feel on race day. If you’re logging miles on the “dread-mill,” definitely play around with elevation occasionally! It will help with boredom and simulate outside a bit better.
So excited to hear about your training!
persimmon / 1390 posts
I don’t listen to anything unless I’m on a treadmill, and then I listen to a mix I made for my iPod in 2008
Our treadmill broke a few weeks ago, just before the coldest 7 day stretch ever where I live. I rarely used it after moving to our current very runnable town (my rule was if it was above 10 degrees, I’d be outside—of course it’s been much colder this winter and I haven’t had an option to run inside), but when I did I focused on quality over quantity. I’d almost always do some sort of workout, starting flat and then increasing both speed and incline incrementally until I was at 5k pace.
I bought a spin class package and I save it for really bad weather days. I find spin to be a great workout for a 5k. I was injured a lot in college and ran my best 3k and 5k times after not running for weeks and only spinning and swimming.
olive / 71 posts
I am due in April, so I'm off this spring running season! I've just been doing a few miles at a time of run/walk. I hope to gradually get back into the running in the fall and maybe do some shorter races (5k/10k).
grapefruit / 4545 posts
I am going to be focusing this spring on getting back in to running. I have never been a distance runner but really have enjoyed taking up running ever since I had kids...its my "me time".
I had never thought to download podcasts. Love that idea!
My goal is to run a 5K in May, and move up to a 10K in the Fall. Maybe in 2019 I'll push myself for a half!
grapefruit / 4278 posts
I have always really disliked running but begrudgingly agreed to do a 5k with my best friend last fall. Surprisingly, I really enjoy running at this stage in my life. Being able to zone out and concentrate on counting my breaths and listening to music has been great. I've hardly been to the gym all december/january and am signed up for a 10k in April, so need to get back to training pronto!
nectarine / 2465 posts
I’m running my first marathon in May! It’s been roughing running in the winter though.
@Mrs. Tiger: I really like the ‘I’ll have another’ podcast, I also like to listen to books on tape. For the treadmill, if I’m doing a speed workout I keep it flat, if it’s a normal run I run at 1% and if I’m doing a hill workout I’ll change it up every 2 minutes. I have to run on the treadmill during the week, but Run outside sat and sun.
grapefruit / 4545 posts
I wanted to bump this thread and see if there was an appetite to re-boot it!
I ran my own (i.e. in my neighborhood) 5k this past weekend. It was hard but I did it. Super proud. Trying to get the guts to sign up for a 10K.
pomelo / 5573 posts
I’m in my taper week for a 10K on Saturday - I overcommitted slightly, I gave myself six weeks to go from doing 5k about once a week to this 10K with a goal of finishing in under an hour. I’m not sure I’m going to make it, frankly - I don’t want to push too too hard because I still have to be a parent for the rest of the day.
grapefruit / 4545 posts
@erinbaderin: Wow - thats great progress! I am very impressed...good luck this weekend!
My own goal was to extend my longest run by .5 miles a week. I am going to repeat my long run this weekend (3.1 miles), then I'll bump it to 3.5 miles the next week, and 4 miles after that. During the week I am trying to get in 2 runs (1 I plan to do .5 mile laps w some walking; the other I'll aim for 2 straight miles and gradually increase it)
persimmon / 1390 posts
Yay! I was hoping to hear some updates soon! I love seeing that you guys have been running more! I lost 3 runner buddies this winter (1 got pregnant and 2 don’t like getting up early in the winter), and I was sick or injured for months so have readjusted my goal. Thankfully another one decided to train for the same race as me so we got about 5 last minute weeks of training in. My race (half marathon) is next weekend and I’m feeling so unprepared but have another one planned for September. I’m doing a trail race instead of a workout this week which is great for the mental part because I’m so tired of pavement! I also have to find a new 5k to do because mine was a fundraiser and got cancelled 
pomelo / 5509 posts
@MrsKRB: I see you're in NE, which marathon are you doing?
@Becky: Which half is it?
I've been training pretty consistently. I'm doing a marathon relay next weekend, my leg is 5.7 miles. Then in July I am doing a 15k. I am toying with the idea of a marathon at the end of September, but I am not sure if I can commit to the training. I'm definitely doing a half marathon in October, though!
nectarine / 2465 posts
@IRunForFun: I ran the Maine coast marathon on mother’s day! Exceeded my goal and ran in 3:54,, definitely addicted!
blogger / pomegranate / 3044 posts
I totally fell off the wagon, work has been busy and I can only find time to run 2x a week, gave up on the half marathon plan. I did run a 5k for my work and I PR'd, 34:09
@Mrs D: Thanks for bumping! I also am thinking about a 10k, prob makes more sense than a half...
nectarine / 2028 posts
@MrsKRB: Amazing time! Congratulations! My marathon PR is 3:59 and I'm hoping to come back after this baby and best that!
@Mrs D: Yes! 10K, then half marathon, then.....it's addicting!
@erinbaderin: If you let go of the time goal and run to just enjoy it hopefully it'll be a great day! I find whenever I put that time goal on myself that I miss the journey and am too focused on the destination. Also, parenting after a race is SO tough-it's exhausting!
@Becky: Good luck with your half!
@IRunForFun: Good luck with your relay! Summer training for a marathon is tough, but with all the incredible fall marathons out there it's hard to miss out!
Thanks to all for letting me live vicariously through your races! I'm 31 weeks pregnant and still logging 3-4 (slow) miles a few times a week. I miss having a goal race on the calendar, and look forward to picking one after this baby is born.
persimmon / 1390 posts
@IRunForFun: Buffalo, and then either the Mighty Niagara or Rochester half in September (I really don’t like urban courses so if I’m happy with my time in Buffalo I’ll do the Wineglass half in September instead). Is your 15k the Boilermaker by any chance?
And @mrskrb was that your first one? So speedy! I am really impressed by Moms who can commit to marathon training. We have one mom in our town running group who does ultras
nectarine / 2465 posts
@Becky: it was! Thank you! I trained pretty hard for it, mostly at 4am before the House was awake, I also had a lot of help from my husband. It’s really hard when all you want to do is veg after a long run but my toddler wants to go go go!
nectarine / 2465 posts
@ChiCalGoBee: I’m really hoping to continue running when I’m pregnant with my next, how has it been so far?
pomelo / 5573 posts
@ChiCalGoBee: I know, I need to get past the time mental thing - before I had kids I was at about a 9:30 mile for half marathon distance, but then I stopped running for six years, and I need to expect that I can’t get back to that in six weeks! I think I’m going to adjust my expectations, give myself to an hour and five minutes (totally feasible) and go from there.
pomelo / 5509 posts
@ChiCalGoBee: @MrsKRB: My marathon PR is 3:48 but that was 8 years ago and I definitely can't imagine I could ever get back to that point until we are done having kids. I stopped running really early when I was pregnant with DD because it felt really uncomfortable and only got more consistent with training again about a year postpartum. I'm doing some races in the next few months but definitely don't have any type of speed back, and by the time I'm in decent shape again, we will probably be ready to TTC #2!
nectarine / 2465 posts
@IRunForFun: it’s so frustrating being a woman who wants a family but also wants to keep fitness! I want to keep getting my marathon time down, but we are going to try for #2 now, so I will have to wait a few years!
watermelon / 14467 posts
@Mrs D: 10k is my favorite distance! If you can do 5k, you can definitely do 10k.
nectarine / 2028 posts
@MrsKRB: Honestly, it’s been way harder this time, but I’m so glad I’ve stuck with it. I also ran with my son’s pregnancy (until 34 weeks) and it was way easier. I think mostly because he was up higher for the entire pregnancy-my daughter has been pretty low so feeling like I have to pee as soon as I get going has been a struggle for much of it! That being said, I did a 10K at 6 weeks with a pace of 8:30ish per mile, and a half marathon at almost 14 weeks with a pace of 9:40ish. I have drastically dropped weekly mileage and pace but running is what kept me sane when I became a mom. I’ve stuck with it so that when I’m cleared to run after my repeat c-section it’ll be a touch easier to get going again. Hopefully!
@IRunForFun: Awesome PR! I didn’t do my first marathon until 11 months PP (nursing/pumping and marathon training was something else!). My loose plan is to do either a late spring marathon in a year (about 9/10 months PP) or a fall one a couple months later and see how it goes. I want to do all 6 World Marathon Majors and I have a ton of work ahead of me for that elusive BQ. I like setting the goal, though, even if it takes me 30 years to qualify!
@erinbaderin: Look, I’m awful at letting go of time goals so I get it! This pregnancy has been good for me to relax that a bit, and I know it will be ages before I’m back at the fast (for me) paces. Running and motherhood are such a challenge in so many ways!
grapefruit / 4545 posts
@MrsKRB: @avivoca: thanks for the vote of confidence ladies. I was pretty dead after my run this weekend - so I think I still need to ease into it some!
@ChiCalGoBee: So addicting!
For you super runners out there...When you were building your endurance did you find shorter but all running/jogging sessions helped more OR interval running longer distances? I seem to be reading lots of opinions both directions...
nectarine / 2465 posts
@Mrs D: I ran long and slow miles, and also shorter repeats (800m) x 6-8 for speed, also a medium distance race pace run.
persimmon / 1390 posts
@Mrs D: I’m not sure exactly what you mean, but I’d say because most moms have time constraints doing all running but for a shorter distance would be better than breaking it up. While in college it was all about running more miles now I have to be about quality over quantity and it has worked well for me. I never do long slow distance anymore because for me it wasn’t valuable (for reference my week looks like Saturday: 10-14 miles at 7:45-7:52 pace: Sunday 3-4 miles at 8:15-8:45; Monday 3-5 miles at 8-8:30; Tuesday: rest; Wednesday: 3-6 mile tempo at 6:45-6:55; Thursday: 5-7 at 7:20-7:50; Friday: 3-4 miles at 8-8:15; also one of those non-tempo/long run days I do at least 1 mile under 7 minute pace).
For me the tempo run is the most valuable, and it’s a great way for a beginner runner to work on increasing speed non-painfully because it’s not very fast and it’s something you can do for as short as 10 minutes. Making sure I get a tempo in weekly has been very helpful (I’m slightly panicked about missing last week’s). I feel like I have a good above average but not fast pace WOHM FT basic running routine down and could talk about running forever so let me know if you have more questions!
pomelo / 5573 posts
@Mrs D: I downloaded a free 5k to 10K app that was a 9 week program that I found pretty good - it’s one short run, one increasingly long run, and one speed work (alternates speed runs and tempo runs week by week). It’s called 5k to 10K and while I didn’t love all aspects of it (I would have liked to be able to put in times and get recommended speeds) I definitely found it helpful in keeping me on track.
grapefruit / 4545 posts
I think my biggest issue is I have some serious hills in my neighborhood that monkey with my pace. I dont mind them on my longer run because I run that for distance not necessarily speed yet. But like if I wanted to go out and just run a loop for pace tracking, it would be hard bc of the topography of my sub. I'm going to do some more scoping tonight to see if I can find a relatively flat area to create a loop.
I am going to commit to running 3 days a week, I do Weights/HIIT 2-3 days a week. Yoga once a week. My plans on the runs is:
-shorter timed run (weeknight), for now 25-30 mins
-intervals (half mile runs at a faster pace than is my norm, followed by some walking in between) this would be a weeknight too
-Longer, distance based run...starting at 3 miles, adding .5 miles each week, this is my weekend run
coffee bean / 36 posts
@ChiCalGoBee: I have a goal to complete all the Marathon Majors too! Good for you for still running this far into pregnancy! I bow down to you. My knees couldn't/can't handle the extra weight. (I'm a sidelined runner who's been dying to get back out there... been putting my running aspirations on hold to pop these babies out...) My running plan to start tackling the rest (1 down, 5 to go) begins summer 2019!
nectarine / 2028 posts
@Mrs D: This is a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of thing 
. When training for my first half I did intervals the entire training cycle (I think 4-5 minutes of running and 1 of walking). I trained that way and was doing great. Then during the race I ran without stopping for a bunch of the first 7 miles and it was rough! I made my goal time but was suffering. All that is to say the intervals helped build my endurance immensely! I've since done my distance running without needing the intervals but that definitely helped me in the beginning. Also-my neighborhood is full of hills and they're tough but make you so much stronger for race day!
@ruby26: You're very sweet! Love that you have the same goal! Which one have you done? I did Chicago in 2015 and 2016. I enter my name in the lottery for London, NY, and Berlin faithfully every year (no luck yet!). Hoping to do NY in the fall of 2019.
nectarine / 2465 posts
@Mrs D: you could use hills as speed work, it does the same thing! If you want to do something flatter, maybe find a high school track?
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