I was doing a half in Sarasota maybe 10 years ago … I passed a mom and her 8-year old daughter who were doing the companion 10K .. both involved crossing Sarasota Bay over a long causeway. The little one was a little fatigued and complaining to her mom. I told he what you said: “one foot in front of the other”. A few minutes later, I passed them again and hollered, “Maybe it was one foot behind the other!” That got a laugh and provided a bit of encouragement.
I did a big thing this week ... I ran without my watch. Twice.
I've been struggling with feeling unmotivated with my running, and discouraged that I'm not as fast as I have been in the past.
I had a bad fall over a year ago, and it has taken me awhile to recover. I would say I'm 75% back, but just feeling like maybe I'll never get that 25%...
My husband - also my coach - challenged me. 'Put away your watch'. At first, I said, 'I can't do that!' (in my experience, if you say that, it's exactly the thing you need to do...).
so I did.
I've run twice this week so far. It's been glorious. I listened to my heart beat. I listened to the birds sing. I focused on the sun on my face. I enjoyed it!
I set out to run about an hour. Left at 7:48am. Ran for awhile, then I started feeling like I was done. I stopped running, pulled out my phone to check the time: 8:48. I laughed out loud!
This is my encouragement - for myself, and for you, my fellow runners. Take off your watch. Just for a couple of days :)
I am running the Horse Capitol Half Marathon in Lexington two weeks from tomorrow. I expected my training to be much further than it is. Weather and life has kept my runs shorter and less often. I will probably be good for the initial six miles, but will need to switch to walk/run after that. Disappointed that my training has been cut short, but on the bright side, this half will become training for my the Pisgah Half on May 31.
Give yourself some grace! Regardless of your time, you are still bearing everyone who didn’t even try - and that’s a lot of people. Hope your head high!
I'm training to run my second marathon, the NYC Marathon, in November. I used to run half marathons on the regular, but due to an injury in 2023, I only ran 5Ks and 10Ks last year, and next to nothing over this past winter. So as marathon training goes, I'm basically starting from scratch.
With 8 months to go, I'm starting with 4 half-hour runs a week, easy pace. But I won't lie, it's a challenge to establish this routine. I wouldn't mind some encouragement!
I hear you, Derek! I tend to take a fairly extended period off from running whenever I do a big race, so it's almost like starting over from scratch for me too. When I do that, I try to remember the "energy of achievement": that simply getting out there and doing it, no matter how deflated I might feel before I do, will give me the energy to keep going. Energy seems to beget energy, if that makes any sense!
My words of encouragement: "What the mind can conceive, the body can (mostly) achieve". And "you are stronger than you know". So much of distance running is mental - even if you are half-trained. My last 3 half marathons I have outperformed my own expectations as I have been plagued with back issues (again) from last fall up until recently. So, keep it positive and take it one mile at a time...
Amen … today is Day-11 of the boot-on-my-right-foot. Back to back days at the gym have helped my psyche (whatever that means). Currently, I PLAN TO BE BACK
My words of encouragement: slow and steady wins the race, and keep moving forward! It's ok to slow down a little when running, as long as you keep going.
This week I'm trying to do a 15-mile run tomorrow!
Half marathon this weekend. Just ran my first sub-2 half two weeks ago, and I’m going to see if I can recreate some magic. Sincerely yours, a 40-something runner.
The Huangpu Half in Shanghai. I just ran it and PR’d by 7 minutes - from my last half two weeks ago! Leaned hard into the pain cave. I’m very happy with the finish.
Just a little injury to my knee......and this injury is not from running! I strained my knee cleaning and organizing all our books in our book cases. We must have 500 books!
Running a very hilly half marathon tomorrow morning, the Bearathon (my hometown race - first time to do this one). My training was shorter than I wanted it to be, and my knees are killing me today (and yesterday was a rest day!). So - I’m ready to go, but I’m also admittedly a bit anxious!
So far I’ve only run - personal ambition to do it that way. The hills tomorrow may result in some walking, but we’ll see. I’m prepared for that if necessary.
For what it's worth, I only run straight through on distances of up to about 9 or 10 miles. Anything beyond that, especially when it's during a race, I do the Galloway run/walk method -- usually 90 seconds running, 30 seconds walking, and alternate from there. It really helps my 54-year-old knees and ankles!
My knees haven’t been a huge issue, though I only run with sleeves on my knees so that they don’t become an issue. Body is just feeling creaky and stiff the last few days. No idea why (other than I’m 53, LOL, but I’m not usually this bad!).
Sending lots of positive energy your way. At 65, I have become a follower of Jeff Galloway's R/W/R. I used to think I wasn't a real runner if I interjected walks into my daily miles and racing. I have changed my mind:)
I just started running at 65! At 72, I discovered the Galloway Method. Running for about 3 minutes, then walking the same. Sure made a difference. Now, at 77 going on 78, I would stand by the same method. . . I know the TruTribe, which I belong to and is a group of women in AZ who are 50+(I'm the oldest) run/hike around 25 miles every day swear by that method. I'm a rower, but I I ever get to flatter ground, I love to run. At the moment the steep verticals that we live on are a little bit harder. Keep on going!!
I like how you put that... "flexible enough in attitude to make the adjustment." I had never thought of it that way! Things do change, and I hope to continue running for many more years. Thank you!!
Never have been a runner … Galloway works … RWR … South Florida does not have hills but there are causeways across the Intracoastal Waterway. I have fo7nd that jogging up causeway bridges is doable and walking these bridges is hell on your thighs.
If you fall, at least you are still moving forward! :)
My last day of March Mud Madness on the rower. . . 25 days at 5000/meters per day. . .then onto the next challenge for April which ends April 15 at 15000 meters. . .then May and on. Sure keeps one physically fit to meet all the challenges!
If I can get down to flatter ground before June, I'll start training for the Half I signed up for on Maui. . . we shall see.
In the meantime, keep running. . . I'm determined to come to the fall Meet-up this year!
Appreciate all of these motivating comments!!! Consciously breathing really helps me especially in the later miles of a run, breathing helps my posture, form and helps me enjoy the moment per se.
Left right left right left right and soon you’re done
😂 That's all it takes, right? 😂
I was doing a half in Sarasota maybe 10 years ago … I passed a mom and her 8-year old daughter who were doing the companion 10K .. both involved crossing Sarasota Bay over a long causeway. The little one was a little fatigued and complaining to her mom. I told he what you said: “one foot in front of the other”. A few minutes later, I passed them again and hollered, “Maybe it was one foot behind the other!” That got a laugh and provided a bit of encouragement.
I did a big thing this week ... I ran without my watch. Twice.
I've been struggling with feeling unmotivated with my running, and discouraged that I'm not as fast as I have been in the past.
I had a bad fall over a year ago, and it has taken me awhile to recover. I would say I'm 75% back, but just feeling like maybe I'll never get that 25%...
My husband - also my coach - challenged me. 'Put away your watch'. At first, I said, 'I can't do that!' (in my experience, if you say that, it's exactly the thing you need to do...).
so I did.
I've run twice this week so far. It's been glorious. I listened to my heart beat. I listened to the birds sing. I focused on the sun on my face. I enjoyed it!
I set out to run about an hour. Left at 7:48am. Ran for awhile, then I started feeling like I was done. I stopped running, pulled out my phone to check the time: 8:48. I laughed out loud!
This is my encouragement - for myself, and for you, my fellow runners. Take off your watch. Just for a couple of days :)
Fantastic! What a great story!
I am running the Horse Capitol Half Marathon in Lexington two weeks from tomorrow. I expected my training to be much further than it is. Weather and life has kept my runs shorter and less often. I will probably be good for the initial six miles, but will need to switch to walk/run after that. Disappointed that my training has been cut short, but on the bright side, this half will become training for my the Pisgah Half on May 31.
Give yourself some grace! Regardless of your time, you are still bearing everyone who didn’t even try - and that’s a lot of people. Hope your head high!
Thank you l, Melissa!
I'm training to run my second marathon, the NYC Marathon, in November. I used to run half marathons on the regular, but due to an injury in 2023, I only ran 5Ks and 10Ks last year, and next to nothing over this past winter. So as marathon training goes, I'm basically starting from scratch.
With 8 months to go, I'm starting with 4 half-hour runs a week, easy pace. But I won't lie, it's a challenge to establish this routine. I wouldn't mind some encouragement!
I hear you, Derek! I tend to take a fairly extended period off from running whenever I do a big race, so it's almost like starting over from scratch for me too. When I do that, I try to remember the "energy of achievement": that simply getting out there and doing it, no matter how deflated I might feel before I do, will give me the energy to keep going. Energy seems to beget energy, if that makes any sense!
My daughter ran NYC this past November. Don’t focus on time, focus on the experience. Soak it all in!
I’m running the NYC marathon too!
Well you’re already 2 months ahead of my typical 6 month schedule so just stay on track, keep building and you’ll get there.
My words of encouragement: "What the mind can conceive, the body can (mostly) achieve". And "you are stronger than you know". So much of distance running is mental - even if you are half-trained. My last 3 half marathons I have outperformed my own expectations as I have been plagued with back issues (again) from last fall up until recently. So, keep it positive and take it one mile at a time...
Amen … today is Day-11 of the boot-on-my-right-foot. Back to back days at the gym have helped my psyche (whatever that means). Currently, I PLAN TO BE BACK
Your psyche, but what bout your foot!!:)
Hope you are back soon. . . I keep rowing. . .:)
My words of encouragement: slow and steady wins the race, and keep moving forward! It's ok to slow down a little when running, as long as you keep going.
This week I'm trying to do a 15-mile run tomorrow!
That's awesome, Rosalie!! 🙌
Half marathon this weekend. Just ran my first sub-2 half two weeks ago, and I’m going to see if I can recreate some magic. Sincerely yours, a 40-something runner.
James, that’s amazing!! 🙌 Which half are you running this weekend?
The Huangpu Half in Shanghai. I just ran it and PR’d by 7 minutes - from my last half two weeks ago! Leaned hard into the pain cave. I’m very happy with the finish.
Just a little injury to my knee......and this injury is not from running! I strained my knee cleaning and organizing all our books in our book cases. We must have 500 books!
Running the revel white mountains in may. Would love advice if anyone out there has done it. Good luck out there guys.
Running a very hilly half marathon tomorrow morning, the Bearathon (my hometown race - first time to do this one). My training was shorter than I wanted it to be, and my knees are killing me today (and yesterday was a rest day!). So - I’m ready to go, but I’m also admittedly a bit anxious!
Totally understandable, Chris! Do you run/walk when you do races?
So far I’ve only run - personal ambition to do it that way. The hills tomorrow may result in some walking, but we’ll see. I’m prepared for that if necessary.
For what it's worth, I only run straight through on distances of up to about 9 or 10 miles. Anything beyond that, especially when it's during a race, I do the Galloway run/walk method -- usually 90 seconds running, 30 seconds walking, and alternate from there. It really helps my 54-year-old knees and ankles!
My knees haven’t been a huge issue, though I only run with sleeves on my knees so that they don’t become an issue. Body is just feeling creaky and stiff the last few days. No idea why (other than I’m 53, LOL, but I’m not usually this bad!).
Sending lots of positive energy your way. At 65, I have become a follower of Jeff Galloway's R/W/R. I used to think I wasn't a real runner if I interjected walks into my daily miles and racing. I have changed my mind:)
I just started running at 65! At 72, I discovered the Galloway Method. Running for about 3 minutes, then walking the same. Sure made a difference. Now, at 77 going on 78, I would stand by the same method. . . I know the TruTribe, which I belong to and is a group of women in AZ who are 50+(I'm the oldest) run/hike around 25 miles every day swear by that method. I'm a rower, but I I ever get to flatter ground, I love to run. At the moment the steep verticals that we live on are a little bit harder. Keep on going!!
Same with me Debby and I just turned your age. If it allows me to keep running, I am flexible enough in attitude to make the adjustment.
I like how you put that... "flexible enough in attitude to make the adjustment." I had never thought of it that way! Things do change, and I hope to continue running for many more years. Thank you!!
Thank you!
Never have been a runner … Galloway works … RWR … South Florida does not have hills but there are causeways across the Intracoastal Waterway. I have fo7nd that jogging up causeway bridges is doable and walking these bridges is hell on your thighs.
If you fall, at least you are still moving forward! :)
My last day of March Mud Madness on the rower. . . 25 days at 5000/meters per day. . .then onto the next challenge for April which ends April 15 at 15000 meters. . .then May and on. Sure keeps one physically fit to meet all the challenges!
If I can get down to flatter ground before June, I'll start training for the Half I signed up for on Maui. . . we shall see.
In the meantime, keep running. . . I'm determined to come to the fall Meet-up this year!
Appreciate all of these motivating comments!!! Consciously breathing really helps me especially in the later miles of a run, breathing helps my posture, form and helps me enjoy the moment per se.
I’m running hills this weekend. Looking forward to seeing some nature trails.