Mary, are you out there? Did you and yours do the Shamrock Shuffle? Tried to look for you but there were just too many people. It took me 64 seconds longer to finish this year's 5k than it did last year. However, considering that the course was a constant 200 feet up and down with only the very beginning and the turn around flat as opposed to last years course which was very flat by comparison, I was pleased with my time. Plus for the first time ever in a race, I was able to run negative splits. I went out rather conservatively for the first mile knowing about the hills and that I had not done any hills in recent runs. Second mile was 20 seconds faster than the first and the third mile was 20 seconds faster than the second. The .1 was pretty much a sprint at least by my standards. Passed 3 people in the last 1/4 mile and it felt good. I think that my pacing for once was pretty good as I was pretty much spent at the finish line. But it felt like a good, hard effort. Met up with DH and DS who were cheering and DD who did the 2 mile walk after the race. Then went out for brunch (yummy pancakes) to celebrate DD's birthday and anyway, I felt like I earned them. Took Monday off as a rest day. Did 4 miles yesterday and the run went well. Did a 5 mile tempo run tonight and right now the legs a very tired. Have a 4 mile easy run scheduled for tomorrow. I was hoping to get outside for my long run this weekend but apparently winter is not over yet The weather forecast is calling for 3 to 6 inches of snow. wbertha

Bertha, nice run, great pacing! Misty, no, I have had shin splints when i tried to do too much running before I was ready for it, this was last summer, but no knee problems, or any other kind really. Whether from luck, better shoes or running slower I don't know. I do sometimes (when I remember) take Glucosamine for joints but Not sure it makes any difference. Mr PH, you are really making a good, consistent effort. i am sure your reward will be excellent times this spring, I admire your dedication! I have been sidelined by stomach flu, then ordinary seasonal flu, so have really been slacking. trying to get back on track now but coughing hard when I try to run, and very weak. I have only done 5 runs since late February. I expect to do more over the Easter weekend, but am scaling back my expectations for finishing times in April and May. Oh well! Simon.

I think its just a question of genetics not only in respect of your joints but also your gait, I have friends who seem to float over the ground whereas other people stamp or scuff their feet.

LOL, my fast son didn't get my genes, then! He floats and I stamp and/or scuff.

Tempo run this morning. 2.2 miles warmup 5 miles @ 7:35 2 miles cooldown Real happy with this run considering that we had a wind advisory.

Mr PH, you are really making a good, consistent effort. i am sure your reward will be excellent times this spring, I admire your dedication!.

Thanks for the compliment.

Did my long slow run today. Got in 8 miles outside. It wasn't too bad, about 33 degrees with some wind but it just felt good to be out. Going to try to get a short 3 miler in tomorrow before the festivities. We will see. Happy Easter to all! wbertha

13.1 miles today. My running partner, who refuses to run in a race, wanted to be able to say he'd run the full distance, so we upped today's run from 12 to 13.1. It was probably good mentally for me, too, to have run the full distance. Anyway, I definitely had issues staying mentally in the game for the first half. I tend to really mentally psych myself out for runs 10 miles or more. The second half went fine, and overall it was a good run. As for the 1/3 rule, I'm no expert, but I do try to target achieving that. I find I'm less intimidated by weekend long runs if I've done more than 50% of the distance a couple of times during the week. (ie, a couple 7 milers for a weekend run of 11 or 12 miles.) Also, targetting <33% definitely helps motivate me to get my midweek runs in. however, sometimes it just doesn't happen (like the last couple of weeks!) and i agree with others that it's really important to get that long run in regardless. definitely="" helps="" motivate="" me="" to="" get="" my="" midweek="" runs="" in.="" however,="" sometimes="" it="" just="" doesn't="" happen="" (like="" the="" last="" couple="" of="" weeks!)="" and="" i="" agree="" with="" others="" that="" it's="" really="" important="" to="" get="" that="" long="" run="" in=""></33% definitely helps motivate me to get my midweek runs in. however, sometimes it just doesn't happen (like the last couple of weeks!) and i agree with others that it's really important to get that long run in regardless.>

14.5 this morning, giving me 41 for the week. Happy Easter to all.

Hi all! Bertha, I was surprised how many people were at the Shuffle. I didn't see you or Kevin - boo! Looked for deer antlers! I ran a very slow race - it was dh's first 5K and we took it very easy with walk breaks up the biggest hills. He is now hooked on racing and is trying to gear up for the Crazy Legs (8K) at the end of April. I have been fighting a cold, now sinus infection, all week and have not worked at all. Tried a short run on Friday - only did a mile before I gave up. I am going to the clinic tomorrow to get some meds as this isn't clearing up on it's own. A sub 1:40 half - wow!! I would love to do a sub 2:40 half. Glad everyone else is getting running in. And I am definitely not a floater! Mary