<p>MOWC, you never cease to impress. Great job. Chicking and geezering…I like it! I really appreciate the fashion update, too! </p>
<p>Today I ran 6.32 miles. My pace continues to improve - average was 9:47 today so I am getting faster. My first and second miles continue to be my slowest. I was too warm. I have started using Nike+ to track my running - I had to have a Nike ID to enter the draw for the half but I am liking it so far. I quit tracking my calories and food intake and so far, so good.</p>
<p>It seems very slow compared to others here but I like that I’m consistent and improving. The further I run, the faster my miles are! </p>
<p>What I like about Nike+ is that it compares me to other women my age also registered on the site. Makes me feel good to see that I am running further than most women my age and that I am also faster! I need everyone to send good mojo that I get into the half.</p>
<p>I think December 6th. My D is organizing a group and I am part of that group - a bunch of 20 somethings with a 50 year old outlier! That alone should get us in. :)</p>
<p>If I don’t get in, then I am going to be looking for another half - what I like about this one is that it’s in DC which is pretty flat. So, if December 6th rolls around and I’m not in, then I’ll have plenty of time to find another.</p>
<p>2 hrs yoga today (1 class in morning, 1class in afternoon) plus 1 hour strength training.</p>
<p>So, I’m toying with the idea of doing a 8k in March (Shamrock Shuffle, it’s a big deal), a 10k over the summer and (gulp) a 15k a year from now. My big challenge is mental. I’ve never really run more than 3.1 miles at one time! All the training plans I see online just blithely say “this week make it a 4 mi run, next week 5,” and so forth. I don’t think they get that beginning runners like me can’t just tack on an extra mile - every mile is still hard fought for me. Thoughts, suggestions?</p>
<p>Nice day of hiking today. Weatherman nailed it. Clouds parted just north of Concord and had sunny blue skies and a high of 50 degrees. Hiked one of the most popular loops in NH – Welch/Dickey loop over two adjacent peaks. 4.5 miles, 1650 feet of elevation gain (and loss). Unique in that over half of the hike is on open granite slopes. Lots of people on the trail.</p>
<p>Got a bit of surprise on the very steep bit coming down from Welch summit. What is already a tricky downhill stretch was covered in ice. Yikes. Everyone forced to butt slide down the icy bits. Very slow going from there on with the granite dotted with patches of dry, patches of wet, and patches of glare ice. Very happy to complete the hike with no tumbles.</p>
<p>I think your problem is 100% mental. I know you can do this. I think getting outside on a nice day- maybe next June or something :). - woukd help, too. It actually is NOT hard to add a mile to your run. It just involves slowing down. I have seen and been involved with many training groups and coaching situations where this happens. I can’t emphasize enough that at this stage you need to be as comfortable as possible even if it means being slower than you think you should be. I have friends who are very good marathoners who train at over 11 minute pace.</p>
<p>Pizzagirl, there is a chance I might be doing the Shamrock Shuffle too!</p>
<p>I’m surely not the expert here with my longest run so far being 4 miles. But I think if you build in a very short walking time for a water break or two, that may be enough time to catch your breath. After 3 miles I find that after a minute or so I could continue use n for another mile - I just mentally break it Into minutes or songs - 3 songs, about a mile.</p>
<p>PG, how much do you run now? How many times and how many miles? How many miles per week? Any injuries? </p>
<p>From three miles to nine miles in a year seems very reasonable. Just be consistent. Hal Higdon has some good plans for beginners that are very gentle. You’d be running four times a week. Also, don’t worry about pace on your longer runs. Just cover the distance. Leave your watch at home. </p>
<p>I was a three mile x five a week runner for years and thought I couldn’t do any more. Then I ran a slow ten one cool day and saw it wasn’t true.</p>
<p>Lizardly - I run about 2 miles at a time, about 3x/week, though it can vary. I have done 6 5ks, but slow pace - in the 12-13 min mile pace. I think part of my problem was that I cycled through Couch to 5k a few times progressively going faster, I got too ambitious thinking I could do a 9 min mile, and burnt out a bit. I am only (!) about 10-15 pounds over my ideal weight, no injuries.</p>
<p>I also do power yoga typically 3x/week, pilates 1x/week, weights 1x/week and currently take a deep water running class. Though life gets in the way sometimes, esp business travel.</p>
<p>Ran 4.6 yesterday then did some push-ups, planks, etc.<br>
Today I walked 3.5. DH is working out of town and I find walking around the neighborhood alone pretty boring so I didn’t do our usual weekend 6 miler.<br>
Supposed to rain tomorrow. Will have to get out of the house early.</p>
<p>I found a hike for iDad. Trolltunga, Norway. Came up in my FB news feed from HuffPo and I thought, I know someone that’s perfect for! </p>
<p>PG, when I started running I did great the first couple of runs. Then I got real slow. I did C25K, then kept going with 5210K. Then I did a half training plan, setting the goal to run 10 miles. Never ran any races, mind you, but I did the plans. </p>
<p>It is not a physical thing to add a mile. It is a mental thing that is keeping you from doing so. There’s no doubt in my mind that you can’t run further. It’s not like you’re going to be running 2 miles one week and ten miles the next. By the time you’re running ten miles, you’ve worked your way up to it - kind of like our five pound parties here. Patience and consistency will carry you a long way. </p>
<p>I do not do all of the other exercise you do. I run and do a few weights and my core exercises. There are training plans that include cross-training days so that is where you could fit in your power yoga and deep water running. If I can do it, you can do it.</p>
<p>Visiting San Francisco and walked all over. Going to art museum today to see David Hockney exhibit ( he is one of my favorites). Not sure of exact mileage but pedometer said 16K steps on Saturday–which is roughly 6-7 miles for me. Got a pass for a gym here for the rest of the week. Biggest challenge–anniversary (32 years) dinner coming up.</p>
<p>PG, you sound well suited for a 15 k. You are already running, you are doing stretching and strength training with the yoga, and you know your weakness is going too fast.</p>
![http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8306379871_02b15af463_z.jpg]Trollrunga](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8306379871_02b15af463_z.jpg%5DTrollrunga){kind=link}
