I took last week off because my knee was starting to hurt again. I don't think my body can handle even that little amount of time off because I planned on running 3 miles today and only made it a little over 1 mile. Today was also my first run in the cold weather at 23 degrees, and I'm not used to that. Here in North Dakota it will get a lot colder, 20 below or more, so today shouldn't be considered that bad. I had several layers on and was still cold in the beginning, but I also felt very confined and constricted because of all these layers, which I don't like. I'm going to have to figure something out. I really don't want to use a treadmill this winter if I can help it.

Taking time off is not a bad idea if your knee is bothering you. Did you RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate)? I do for a couple of days if my knee gets swollen after a run. It's only happened a couple of times. I don't compress (wrap in a tensor), but the rest helps. I can relate to the weather. I'm in Saskatchewan just north of the Montana-ND border. I ran with windchill about the same today. I wore a long sleeved tech shirt, knit gloves, a tshirt over my long sleeve, unlined windpants over shorts, a ballcap and my favourite Smartwool socks. It was comfortable once I got moving but it was a bit cool when I left the house. I'm still figuring out how to dress. My sister is an experienced runner (Ironman actually) and she advised me to start with windpants loose enough to put something under and running tights. I haven't got the running tights but I will; I was looking at UnderArmour Frosty tights, but they didn't have my size in. I like the knit gloves although I know they won't be enough in another month or so. We can compare notes definitely as it gets colder. I'm going to be running outside all winter (and I fully expect about 10 days in January when it's just dangerously cold to bother running outside.)

Jenn, I hope you feel recovered soon. Take it easy on your next run and maybe spend a bit longer than usual afterwards on stretching and walking to cool down. I'm really hoping I don't get a cold this winter. Anyone else running? Seems to have really slowed down. Anyone working through the nine weeks of C25K right now? What week are you on?

I ran last night in the cold again. It wasn't as bad this time though. Partly because it wasn't as cold and also because I dressed differently. I dressed warmer but with more pieces I could take off as I got warmed up. Now if I could just figure out how to get my nose to stop running!

i am finishing wk 5 on friday. this is a pretty good program. i think though i need to add another day.. maybe a longer slow run? after this i plan on trying to tackle the ohr. i do have my eye on a 5k on thanksgiving.

Hey all! I'm still around! I am in Week 6 of One Hour Running. However, just an FYI, the link on our Group Home Page for One Hour Running is no longer valid...in fact, it takes you to the Cool Running general webpage - and I can not locate the program anywhere on that site any more. I have a hard copy of it, but as far as I can tell, it can't be found online at all anymore. I've been doing a 50/50 split of treadmill and running outside. I prefer the longer runs too which is great! Probably because it takes me about 10 minutes to really get in the groove of things! I am still running at a slow pace, in fact, I am trying not to pay too much attention to that while I work towards more base building. I also still work much harder while running outside, no matter how much I try to slow down, my heart rate drifts higher outside than on the treadmill. I have set my treadmill on an incline but that doesn't seem to do much. It sure is quiet around here! Must be that time of year - training season is 'over'? Cheers!

Hi, there! Last time I was on the forum, I was going into W7 of C25K, and then I kind of disappeared. So, in mid-August, I developed shin splints in one foot and tried to run through the pain and... um, that didn't work so well. Ow. This led to me taking some time off. Because, like I said. Ow. At the end of September, it was just starting to feel like I would be able to run on it again, and then my roof collapsed. This is not good. I don't recommend it. The disappearance from the forum honestly had less to do with the not running and more to do with the no internet. Last night, I went running for the first time in eleven or twelve weeks. I didn't want to go all the way back to the beginning of the program, so I decided to just run and see what happened. I completed the W6D2 workout comfortably (the last two minutes of running were a push and my muscles are aching like hell this morning, but it is muscle soreness and not pain, and I guess that's to be expected after such a long time off) and I'm planning to feel my way back until I'm back following the program. If anyone's done this and has any tips for not killing myself, I'd really appreciate them. You know what the best part was? Even in those last two minutes, all I could think was, "I've missed this SO MUCH."

Hi, there! Last time I was on the forum, I was going into W7 of C25K, and then I kind of disappeared. Last night, I went running for the first time in eleven or twelve weeks. I didn't want to go all the way back to the beginning of the program, so I decided to just run and see what happened. I completed the W6D2 workout comfortably (the last two minutes of running were a push and my muscles are aching like hell this morning, but it is muscle soreness and not pain, and I guess that's to be expected after such a long time off) and I'm planning to feel my way back until I'm back following the program. If anyone's done this and has any tips for not killing myself, I'd really appreciate them. You know what the best part was? Even in those last two minutes, all I could think was, "I've missed this SO MUCH."

Right? I ran for the first time in almost a month, and it felt great. Everything was tight, but it felt right. I'm glad you're back in action! All I can say is to work your way back up. I keep hearing that you lose 10% of your fitness after 7 days of no exercise. You can get it back, though! Just don't kill yourself - maybe go back a week or so if you're not feeling W6. If you are, just go slower. I didn't die, promise, ya'll! I've been colleged-out, and been running all around. So sorry!