I appreciate your advice! Thanks so much. I feel it VERY DIFFICULT to slow down. My stupid mentality thinks slow is bad, and fast equals proper running form.... dumb for sure. When I start my run, I feel great, relaxed, hopeful. If I look at the garmin, it says that my pace is around 9:45 for the first mile. Then, I get progressively slower as the run wears on, and wears on me.... I am scheduled to do 3.5 miles this evening, and I will REALLY TRY to keep it very slow, and see how I do. My shins are not happy right now, as they are feeling the effects of increasing mileage, and I ran some small hills in my 2 miler yesterday, but I will foam roll my calves, suck it up and get out there.... Support of this forum is priceless. It keeps me highly motivated to reach my goals, and I thank you all so much!

I feel it VERY DIFFICULT to slow down. My stupid mentality thinks slow is bad, and fast equals proper running form.... dumb for sure.

That's me a little over a year ago. It finally caught up to me early last year when I tore a hamstring tendon. So I started posting on CoolRunning (RIP) and caught on to the idea that every run has a purpose, even if it's easy. I've been injury free for about 8 months or so. It set me back a bit, but I believe that the injury actually made me a better, and smarter, runner. Just be patient .... You'll get there.

I ran last night for a scheduled 3.5 mile run. I ran at a 12:00 mile pace per my suggested training pace rate. HOLY SHIT! The BEST RUN i have had in WEEKS!! To help with the pace, I downloaded a podrunner podcast set for my BPM, and the entire run, never winded once. Felt like i could have given a speech i was so comfortable. Shins? GREAT. almost like my legs were going WTF? you are not going to beat us to oblivion this time? You know, sometimes you just feel like a complete Idiot when you finally have a Breakthrough like I had last night. IF I had not got onto this training forum, I would still be struggling, and not enjoying runs like I had last night. Hub went out with me, he had a planned 5 miler, and he remarked on how " Happy" I looked after my run, and I said " Yup, it's easy to be happy when you don't hurt, and you feel like you GET it..." Hugs to all of you for your amazing help with this! One More Question: I cannot find a 5k race around anywhere when I am planned to run one per plan. I found one the Week before though. Do you think it's okay to run it sooner or later than plan? Thanks, Cheffy

Hi all - I just wanted to jump in and recommend the Coolrunning plans: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_4/144.shtml I did the Beginning and Intermediate plans for my two half marathons. When the mileage was too much, I'd just shorten a run or omit a run, but in general I found it helpful to work to a written schedule, and I liked the day-to-day variety of the CR plans.

Mandy--thanks. I definitely don't want to burn out or get hurt. I will MAKE myself slow down.

I did it--I slowed down, and I really could have kept going. It never even crossed my mind to take a walk break, either. I will say, though, that it felt really awkward in the beginning. I did get used to it. Thanks to everyone who told me to take it slow!