Terrell... My name is Elie. I'll share advice a good friend gave me below.
"Repeated small tweaks over time achieve monumental results that SUSTAIN. It's not about the big splash (sorry media selling crap) it's about repeated actions tenaciously applied over time. This actually works. Over time, water will cut through rock. Patience and tenacity get results."
I'm proud that I started running just last year at age 45. My training led to a half-marathon in June, a full marathon in August and a 50K in October. However, I'm now frustrated. This week has been the coldest and snowiest we've had since I started running, I don't feel safe or productive on the roads, sidewalks or trails right now, and I have very inconsistent access to a treadmill. Are there any exercises or steps I can take to ensure I don't lose the progress I've made until our weather improves at least a little?
Way to go on the half marathon and the 50K -- in your first year of running, no less! My first question is, do you have access to a gym? And, is there anywhere indoors where you can at least get in some walking? I find (very) brisk walking helps me when I can't run -- especially when I walk for distances of 3, 4, 5 or even 6 miles. (I know you probably don't want to walk 6 miles on a gym treadmill, but maybe 3 would be doable.)
We have a fitness center with treadmills at work. It doesn't have a walking track, but it is very nice. The problem: it maintains inconsistent hours thanks to COVID protocols and most of those hours are when I'm working. Maybe I should just get over there as often as I can, even if it's inconsistent. Thoughts?
That's what I would do. Running/walking there 2-3 times a week will be much better than zero. I totally get your frustration; I live in Atlanta and it's fine now, but there are always several weeks in winter when it's absolutely miserable to run outside. (The same goes for parts of July and August!)
I'm glad you said that -- it'll be a great reminder to me to make sure I include walking, and write more about walking, in the months ahead. (I love to walk, too, and have gained a whole new appreciation for it over the past year.)
I am new to the group, thank you for this very inspiring article. I have been running 43 years and love it more each passing year. As you said, running has changed for me over the years... I call it my 'running seasons of life', through babies, injuries, and many struggles that life brings. Looking forward to enjoying this group.
Happy New Year! I have been a passive subscriber over the past year - reading a newsletter issue here & there. But after reading today's post about the different resources provided by The Half Marathoner (Wed issue about training, Friday live discussion, & Sunday issue about races), I would like to become more engaged - so thank you for putting that info in there! What time are the live discussions on Fridays? I want to see if I can make it work with my work schedule. Thank you!
Heather, just to let you know, one of the "highlights" of my week happens to be the Friday discussions, where an active, or passive, participant. The ideas, thoughts, etc shared make my day and lend itself to a great beginning to the weekend.
And Heather, because of my job, I often cannot participate at the exact time. I join in when I can. I take my time and try to read all the comments. Terrell is really good about getting back to you if you have a question and often just commenting in general as are the rest of the group even if you don't post until way later. This is a very supportive community!
Happy New Year to all. As we enter the 24th month of the pandemic I am grateful to have the community here as well as the mindset of along distance runner. Through the pandemic I have been give responsibility for keeping hundreds of employees safe in my company. From the beginning I urged us all to have a marathoner's mindset. Dealing with this was bond to be a marathon and not a sprint. A lot of us have felt the impacts of this virus in numerable ways - all unforeseen prior to January 2020. We've all been routinely challenged and each challenge has required us all to be patient, inventive, and especially patient. Like the early miles in a marathon. Go out too hard, too fast - burn out. So, I hope that we will all continue to quest health and in the meantime remain patient. One foot in front of the other. One day to the next.
We're grateful to have you as part of it, John! I can so relate to everything you've written here. Remaining patient, one foot in front of the other -- that's what I needed to hear right now too.
I'll be out there. . .questionable as to Day 1 as to weather in the PacNW. It is starting to warm and thaw out, so there is a chance. Keep Fingers Crossed!
Question about the Half in mid-May. Is that a Virtual or a Get-Together.is. . .or is that a decision to be made later???? Just wondering. :)
Hi Nilima! I'm thinking the mid-May will be virtual, with an in-person get-together in the fall -- maybe the Monterey Bay Half, as we've talked about. Going to watch and see how Covid goes this winter and spring, but that's kinda what I'm thinking right now. What do you think?
That sounds really good to me! Who knows what CoVid is going to do?
I was planning on the Early Bird Pricing for Monterey in April so we could all do it together in the Fall. If we don't and something interferes, I'll be there anyway!
Virtual is perfect for the first one in May and a good way to get everyone going again!
I need to be more like "The Penguin". I focus too much on my mileage goal and often ignore warning signs that I am in danger. It hasn't got me into trouble yet but I know it will. Looking forward to 2022 with you and everyone else. I love this group.
Terrell this is perfect!!! Super excited for this plan. My first of two half marathons planned this year is May 15th. I’ve been running but not as consistently. I’m just getting over COVID..( it knocked out my whole family this Christmas and New Years.. but we are good) and I need a plan to keep myself on track and up on my miles.. looking forward to all of your emails/articles/recommendations this year!!!
TY Terrell, as always a writing that it time appropriate, at least for me. As I've let you know, I'm in injury mode right now, waiting for either the healing or some other resolution [as you cannot do things that you are accustomed to doing, in this case running on a consistent basis, you get "taken" to places where you think too much...
The training ideal I love for, like you, I'll be almost starting over as I'll likely have between 6-8 weeks off from actual running starts and stops. I'm hopeful of being able to compete in a half near the end of March, or sooner, but I also am now really not going to push myself as I have no desire to re0injure and delay it further! Looking forward to that possibility of doing a "group" run sometime in the future as well with the group. I'll promise to post training plusses and minuses when I begin to train again.
Looking forward to repairing strained left ankle … ortho guy has me doing inversion exercises. Also, I’ve added an arch insert into my neutral Brooks Glycerins … ugh … that’s a lot to get used to but I AM envisioning getting back into it in a couple of months.
Looking forward to running in 2022! I’m retiring this year, so I’ll have more time for everything! Super excited to be in this group! Thanks Terrell!!
Thank you, Anne! And congratulations on your retirement!!
Congratulations! Nice that you don't have to find your retirement hobby.
Terrell... My name is Elie. I'll share advice a good friend gave me below.
"Repeated small tweaks over time achieve monumental results that SUSTAIN. It's not about the big splash (sorry media selling crap) it's about repeated actions tenaciously applied over time. This actually works. Over time, water will cut through rock. Patience and tenacity get results."
Ian Blei
I love this, Elie!
Great spirit
I'm proud that I started running just last year at age 45. My training led to a half-marathon in June, a full marathon in August and a 50K in October. However, I'm now frustrated. This week has been the coldest and snowiest we've had since I started running, I don't feel safe or productive on the roads, sidewalks or trails right now, and I have very inconsistent access to a treadmill. Are there any exercises or steps I can take to ensure I don't lose the progress I've made until our weather improves at least a little?
Way to go on the half marathon and the 50K -- in your first year of running, no less! My first question is, do you have access to a gym? And, is there anywhere indoors where you can at least get in some walking? I find (very) brisk walking helps me when I can't run -- especially when I walk for distances of 3, 4, 5 or even 6 miles. (I know you probably don't want to walk 6 miles on a gym treadmill, but maybe 3 would be doable.)
We have a fitness center with treadmills at work. It doesn't have a walking track, but it is very nice. The problem: it maintains inconsistent hours thanks to COVID protocols and most of those hours are when I'm working. Maybe I should just get over there as often as I can, even if it's inconsistent. Thoughts?
That's what I would do. Running/walking there 2-3 times a week will be much better than zero. I totally get your frustration; I live in Atlanta and it's fine now, but there are always several weeks in winter when it's absolutely miserable to run outside. (The same goes for parts of July and August!)
I wish something like this applied to the small group of us that are planning to walk the half marathon. That in itself will be a big accomplishment.
I'm glad you said that -- it'll be a great reminder to me to make sure I include walking, and write more about walking, in the months ahead. (I love to walk, too, and have gained a whole new appreciation for it over the past year.)
I am new to the group, thank you for this very inspiring article. I have been running 43 years and love it more each passing year. As you said, running has changed for me over the years... I call it my 'running seasons of life', through babies, injuries, and many struggles that life brings. Looking forward to enjoying this group.
Welcome, Brenda! So glad you’re here.
Happy New Year! I have been a passive subscriber over the past year - reading a newsletter issue here & there. But after reading today's post about the different resources provided by The Half Marathoner (Wed issue about training, Friday live discussion, & Sunday issue about races), I would like to become more engaged - so thank you for putting that info in there! What time are the live discussions on Fridays? I want to see if I can make it work with my work schedule. Thank you!
Heather, just to let you know, one of the "highlights" of my week happens to be the Friday discussions, where an active, or passive, participant. The ideas, thoughts, etc shared make my day and lend itself to a great beginning to the weekend.
I agree Stan.
And Heather, because of my job, I often cannot participate at the exact time. I join in when I can. I take my time and try to read all the comments. Terrell is really good about getting back to you if you have a question and often just commenting in general as are the rest of the group even if you don't post until way later. This is a very supportive community!
Hi there Heather! I usually send them out around 9:00 AM ET on Fridays (though occasionally a little later, sometimes around 10:00).
Here's a couple of examples of recent discussions we've had:
👉 An encouragement shoutout thread, for anyone who needs a boost going into a weekend race or long run -- https://www.thehalfmarathoner.com/p/friday-thread-encouragement/comments
👉 Resolutions for 2022 -- https://www.thehalfmarathoner.com/p/friday-thread-resolutions-for-2022/comments
👉 What's the farthest you've ever run or walked? -- https://www.thehalfmarathoner.com/p/friday-thread-whats-the-farthest/comments
Feel free to give me a shout if you have any more questions!
Happy New Year to all. As we enter the 24th month of the pandemic I am grateful to have the community here as well as the mindset of along distance runner. Through the pandemic I have been give responsibility for keeping hundreds of employees safe in my company. From the beginning I urged us all to have a marathoner's mindset. Dealing with this was bond to be a marathon and not a sprint. A lot of us have felt the impacts of this virus in numerable ways - all unforeseen prior to January 2020. We've all been routinely challenged and each challenge has required us all to be patient, inventive, and especially patient. Like the early miles in a marathon. Go out too hard, too fast - burn out. So, I hope that we will all continue to quest health and in the meantime remain patient. One foot in front of the other. One day to the next.
We're grateful to have you as part of it, John! I can so relate to everything you've written here. Remaining patient, one foot in front of the other -- that's what I needed to hear right now too.
Really looking forward to this, Terrell!
Still working on strengthening hamstrings, but I'm at least running shorter distances more consistently.
Looking forward to another great year with this running community!
That's great to hear, Stephanie! Feel free to progress at your own pace, of course -- we're running pretty short distances these first few weeks. :)
Awesome Plan Terrell for 2022, how can we reach you? Or is this the best format to connect with you. Thanks again!!
Glad to hear it! The easiest way is to email me at terrell@halfmarathons.net 👍
I'll be out there. . .questionable as to Day 1 as to weather in the PacNW. It is starting to warm and thaw out, so there is a chance. Keep Fingers Crossed!
Question about the Half in mid-May. Is that a Virtual or a Get-Together.is. . .or is that a decision to be made later???? Just wondering. :)
Hi Nilima! I'm thinking the mid-May will be virtual, with an in-person get-together in the fall -- maybe the Monterey Bay Half, as we've talked about. Going to watch and see how Covid goes this winter and spring, but that's kinda what I'm thinking right now. What do you think?
That sounds really good to me! Who knows what CoVid is going to do?
I was planning on the Early Bird Pricing for Monterey in April so we could all do it together in the Fall. If we don't and something interferes, I'll be there anyway!
Virtual is perfect for the first one in May and a good way to get everyone going again!
Fantastic quote, Terrell!
Thanks, Derek! I'm a huge fan of his -- his books are so great.
I need to be more like "The Penguin". I focus too much on my mileage goal and often ignore warning signs that I am in danger. It hasn't got me into trouble yet but I know it will. Looking forward to 2022 with you and everyone else. I love this group.
Terrell this is perfect!!! Super excited for this plan. My first of two half marathons planned this year is May 15th. I’ve been running but not as consistently. I’m just getting over COVID..( it knocked out my whole family this Christmas and New Years.. but we are good) and I need a plan to keep myself on track and up on my miles.. looking forward to all of your emails/articles/recommendations this year!!!
Glad to hear it!! (About the two half marathons, not the Covid — but glad you’re on the mend!)
TY Terrell, as always a writing that it time appropriate, at least for me. As I've let you know, I'm in injury mode right now, waiting for either the healing or some other resolution [as you cannot do things that you are accustomed to doing, in this case running on a consistent basis, you get "taken" to places where you think too much...
The training ideal I love for, like you, I'll be almost starting over as I'll likely have between 6-8 weeks off from actual running starts and stops. I'm hopeful of being able to compete in a half near the end of March, or sooner, but I also am now really not going to push myself as I have no desire to re0injure and delay it further! Looking forward to that possibility of doing a "group" run sometime in the future as well with the group. I'll promise to post training plusses and minuses when I begin to train again.
Looking forward to repairing strained left ankle … ortho guy has me doing inversion exercises. Also, I’ve added an arch insert into my neutral Brooks Glycerins … ugh … that’s a lot to get used to but I AM envisioning getting back into it in a couple of months.
Good stuff, Dave! How is that ankle feeling this week?
happy new year terrell!
Thank you, Kel! Right back at you!