I figured it was my turn to kick off the new thread, as I am one of those who seems to post the most over here! Yikes, I just looked at the calendar and I am officially 7 weeks from my HM on September 20th. I now literally pray every night before bed that I stay healthy, and make it to the starting line. Training is going well, just still dealing with bitchy knees. I have realized it is just another symptom of increasing mileage, and if I am carefull, I will overcome it the same way I overcame the shin splints. The only thing that makes legs HTFU is to run more and strengthen the muscles. That's my plan, and I am sticking to it! Teresa: Time to start getting those miles built back up huh? How are you fairing these days? I found a really cool little device that I ordered off of Footsmart.com, called a Heel Hugger. It is a neoprene sleeve that fits like a sling around the back of the ankle and has built in gel pads that you freeze before wearing. You can wear it on your run, or wrap your heel after the run for the icing. Check it out, It looks pretty cool. I can't wait to get mine, it shipped yesterday. Are you ramping miles again? How are you feeling? Larry's on Vacation, showing off his manly legs in his short shorts to the world! You go Boy! Vixi- How's things? Are your knees bitchy too? MrPH: How's the hammies? Last I knew you were sore, and trying stretching things.... I took quite a few pilates classes earlier this year, and we did an awesome hammie stretch with a resistance band. Lay on your back, and one leg at a time, wrap the tube around the middle of your foot, and raise the leg, gently pulling the leg back, griping the tube high up, and take the elbows to the floor at the same time you take the leg back. You will feel it right away, so be carefull! Happy August Everyone, Let's vow to be safe, Stay Cool ( Summer's almost done... Woot! ) and have great Injury Free Runs! Cheffy

Thanks for posting, Cheffy! I just ordered the Heel Hugger! I expedited shipping, so it should go out today. I have a gel sleeve that wraps around my ankle, but it will be great to get cold directly on my heel. My heel and/or ankle still bug me. My revised plan is to run my 10K tomorrow, and then increase my long run by a mile each week. Don't know what else to do! Since I'm in this for the long haul, I'm not going to jeopardize my "running career" for one race. Good luck with your knee! I told DH that at least now I don't think about my knees or my breathing!

MrPH: How's the hammies? Last I knew you were sore, and trying stretching things.... I took quite a few pilates classes earlier this year, and we did an awesome hammie stretch with a resistance band. Lay on your back, and one leg at a time, wrap the tube around the middle of your foot, and raise the leg, gently pulling the leg back, griping the tube high up, and take the elbows to the floor at the same time you take the leg back. You will feel it right away, so be carefull!

Hammies are getting better, thank you. Actually I have mostly abandoned stretching in favor of strengthening exercises, squats and lunges. And here's an exercise that I found very helpful. Lay on your back with your legs bent and your heels on a chair, like you're sitting down but on your back. Lift your rear end off of the floor a couple inches, hold for a second or so, and release. Repeat 10-20 times. You definitely feel the exercise targeting the hamstrings.

Miles: Highest weekly is 24 so far.... had a step back week ( travel, life in the way) cut to 14, bounced back to 19 week after, and I will finish this week with 23... do you think I will be okay? Run is tomorrow of just 3 miles, and then My long run Sunday is 10.... is this too wild a swing of total miles?

You should be OK. You've been pretty consistent, so one low week here and there shouldn't be a problem.

Getting ready to leave work (an hour or so early, but don't tell anyone) and being the addict that I am, I just had to see the latest threads before I go and miss out for a whole week. Sounds like we're all mending slow but surely. You know I really think one of the issues is not just the increase in miles etc, but the weather as well. Being so hot and humid, maybe we aren't hydrating enoug. Since getting back on my feet, I've been making sure to wear my waterbelt even for a 3M run. Normally I didn't wear it for anything more than 6.5 miles. Don't know if there is any science to it or not, but I'm sticking to it and that's my story. So to all of my friends, here, I wish you good health and good running and I'll even throw in some good weather to you all. Talk to you soon, in the meantime, as Cheffy said, I'm off to show of my legs on the beach. Larry

My 10K race today was wonderful! I will post a race report when I get official results. My ankle, all taped up, did just fine. If you ever get the chance to come to Maine and run the Beach to Beacon, I HIGHLY recommend it. Has to be one of the most fun races ever. Incredible field of elites, beautiful scenery, enthusiastic spectators, and nice runners! I had to cajole my running partner into racing it, but afterwards she asked, "Do we really have to wait another year to run that again??"

My 10K race today was wonderful! I will post a race report when I get official results. My ankle, all taped up, did just fine. If you ever get the chance to come to Maine and run the Beach to Beacon, I HIGHLY recommend it. Has to be one of the most fun races ever. Incredible field of elites, beautiful scenery, enthusiastic spectators, and nice runners! I had to cajole my running partner into racing it, but afterwards she asked, "Do we really have to wait another year to run that again??"

OH TERESA! How very wonderful you had a good race! Hub has had a love of lighthouses his whole life, and he has been to beautiful Maine. He is SOOOOO envious that you get to run in that kind of weather and scenery daily. We are stuck in the armpit of the South here, where the air stagnates and motivates you to sleep.... sigh. Ran 10 day and did great, although I had to stop and walk once early in the first 2 miles, because my calves were just so tight, I needed to give them a quick stretch.... back at it, and HTFU'd through the humidity and hot sunlight to 10 miles..... Knees are okay.... a bit bitchy, but They will get over it. Good Running!

Today a rest day yesterday 4.5 miles - indoor track - thunderstorms sunday 4 miles - indoor track- thunderstorms Thanks Simon, I'm increasing mileage by 10% per month, but I'm still worrying about putting in enough mileage to feel comfortable during the race ... Wishing everyone <80% humidity a humidity="" a=""></80% humidity a >