Ran a 10k in June (3 Viewers)

[Ned]

I owe a ton of thanks to all of you here. It's pretty cheesy, but I can't believe how much you can lean on people 'on the internet'. Here I was thinking about what I'd put in my RR while still running the darn thing.

I've been hesitant to admit what I've been thinking since I didn't want to start planning for the future before this race was over with, but I'm seriously considering taking a stab at the Delaware marathon in May. If I do it, I can't make a habit out of it. The time commitment for training for a marathon seems huge. With 2 little ones (4 and soon to be 2), I was pushing it with this HM training. We will see...

ETA: Official time is in - 1:51:52 good for 152 out of 512 in my age group!

 

[jmcc]

Way to go Ned!!!!! That is freaking awesome. Freaking incredible times!!!

I hope I can get near something like that. Your story is exactly what pisses me off about me. How can you go from where you were to doing that well in 9 mos and I cant touch that after doing it for two years?

I am hoping the new disciplined training plan I am doing will help me get there. I am very happy for you but dang it bothers me that I am no where near that and I have been doing it twice as long. I believe Wraith did the same thing.

 

[jmcc]

I owe a ton of thanks to all of you here. It's pretty cheesy, but I can't believe how much you can lean on people 'on the internet'. Here I was thinking about what I'd put in my RR while still running the darn thing.

I've been hesitant to admit what I've been thinking since I didn't want to start planning for the future before this race was over with, but I'm seriously considering taking a stab at the Delaware marathon in May. If I do it, I can't make a habit out of it. The time commitment for training for a marathon seems huge. With 2 little ones (4 and soon to be 2), I was pushing it with this HM training. We will see...

ETA: Official time is in - 1:51:52 good for 152 out of 512 in my age group!

Incredible for your first 1/2. Did you get to run up the stairs like Rocky?

 

[2Young2BBald]

I was much calmer than I thought I was going to be while waiting to get to the actual starting line.

I love this part of the race. After the nerves of the days before you get to the start line and things slow down and you settle into the zone. I live for that ####.

By the numbers:

39lbs lost

82 runs

316.8 training miles

Just killer, man. You've come a long way. The fun part is just starting!

or a trail 1/2 or full, or an ultra or a triathlon........

LOL - Dude, you're just evil. -----

On my end, this is my fourth straight day running - got 5 miles done today with 700+ feet of climbing. I felt wiped out during and after this. Dragged my sorry butt home averaging 8:45s.

31 miles over the last 8 days. Still planning on hitting 35+ this week with an 8-8-8 stint over the Thanksgiving holiday period. Its gonna be spectacular running weather down here. 40s and 50s at the end of this week.

Who me!? Just paying it forward......

 

[Darrinll40]

Ned, that was a fantastic race,and the report also gave me chills. I can tell you from experiencing something similar, you will never forget that first big race. I feel proud of for everything that you accomplished.

And I also find it amazing how much I lean on and depend on the other posters in this thread.

 

[Ned]

Thanks guys. It's quite the high I'm on today. Quads are not so happy though... It's been brutal walking around the house.

jmcc - Ha! The last thing I wanted to do was run those steps! They were cool to look at though! We're all different, man. I look at guys like gruecd and wonder how the heck they're basically full sprinting these marathons. I just don't understand how they do it.

 

[BassNBrew]

Kudos Ned. Great accomplishment and an equal great report.

The kids are important but being around for them and active with them is important too. I got two runs in yesterday before my son's soccer games while the rest of the overwieght parents were flapping their gums.

 

[Ned]

Kudos Ned. Great accomplishment and an equal great report.The kids are important but being around for them and active with them is important too. I got two runs in yesterday before my son's soccer games while the rest of the overwieght parents were flapping their gums.

They're exactly why I'm doing what I'm doing. I gotta be able to keep up with their kids one day.

 

[BassNBrew]

On my end, this is my fourth straight day running - got 5 miles done today with 700+ feet of climbing. I felt wiped out during and after this. Dragged my sorry butt home averaging 8:45s.

You should have been wiped after running up a small decent sized mountain. I'm assuming that you're going out of your way to find a route like this and are doing it on purpose for some crazy reason. Unless you really pushed the downhills hard, that's a smoking good pace. Actually it's a good pace regardless, but you know what I mean.

 

[tri-man 47]

39lbs lost

Darrin: Us: :(

I couldn't be more proud right now. I've come a long way in a short time and still don't believe this is all real. Thinking back to the start - It's February and I was a fat lazy slob who lost my breath chasing the kids around at the Camden Aquarium (that day was my wake-up call). Running a mile wasn't even a thought last year, let alone a HM. 13.1? yeah right!! I dove into P90x on 2/13/10, then to Insanity, and then to the Higdon Intermediate HM Plan to get me to where I'm at today. This race was so much more than just a race for me. It was a major milestone in a bigger journey to getting really fit. I don't ever want to go back to that day at the Aquarium!!!

Man, I love reading stuff like that!!! Congrats on the great achievement.jmcc - stick with it. Don't sell yourself short. You've come a long way ...remember your summer races. You'll continue to improve.

Darrin - nice pacing!

---

3 days of solid run training while at a conference in Atlanta. 30 miles for the week as I gear up the base mileage.

Fri - 6 miles through the rolling terrain of Piedmont Park.

Sat - 6 miles of very hilly terrain in a neat neighborhood near the park.

Sun - 5 miles, most of it on a half-mile cinder oval in the park at sun-up, giving my feet a bit of a break and to mix in some firm half-miles.

 

[Sand]

On my end, this is my fourth straight day running - got 5 miles done today with 700+ feet of climbing. I felt wiped out during and after this. Dragged my sorry butt home averaging 8:45s.

You should have been wiped after running up a small decent sized mountain. I'm assuming that you're going out of your way to find a route like this and are doing it on purpose for some crazy reason. Unless you really pushed the downhills hard, that's a smoking good pace. Actually it's a good pace regardless, but you know what I mean.

Up, down, up, down. My neighborhood pretty much is that way. 50 ft. up, 100 ft down, 50 ft. up. etc. etc.Most of my runs have defaulted to 8:20s, for some reason. Today I hurt starting, hurt in the middle, and really dragged it home.

Excuse me, I'm off to reapply bandages to my gluteal area.

 

[jmcc]

Thanks guys. It's quite the high I'm on today. Quads are not so happy though... It's been brutal walking around the house.jmcc - Ha! The last thing I wanted to do was run those steps! They were cool to look at though! We're all different, man. I look at guys like gruecd and wonder how the heck they're basically full sprinting these marathons. I just don't understand how they do it.

Do you live in tht area? I think I would have to run those steps at least once if I lived near there. Congrats again on the race.

 

[jmcc]

Kudos Ned. Great accomplishment and an equal great report.The kids are important but being around for them and active with them is important too. I got two runs in yesterday before my son's soccer games while the rest of the overwieght parents were flapping their gums.

I do the same before my daughters soccer games. The away games give nice opportunity to run in different areas of town.

 

[bentley]

Ned> That's a badass story. Congratulations. You've been an inspiration in this thread.

 

[pmbrown_22]

Ned - Great race and report. It is amazing to read how someone goes through all the emotions on race day and still wants to come back for more. You have had a great turn around in you life and this appears to just be the start of it. I will say with training for a marathon with kids (5 and 2.5 for me) that it is a big commitment, but if you really want to do it, make the sacrifice and get up early to get your runs in. It is crazy, but in a good way. In the end, it is all worth it.

---------------------

Been away for awhile guys, but I have been running. Here are my last couple of days worth of running.

11/18 - 5 miles at a pretty good clip to get some speed work done.

11/19 - 7 miles. Wanted to do 8 but ran out of time because we had a school visit for my oldest.

11/20 - Easy 6 mile recovery run. For whatever reason, I had a really hard time running slow. I felt like I was crawling and I was running at about 8:15 per mile. Not sure if that is a good thing or not. Probably not, I had to walk a few times just to slow myself down and make sure it was a recovery.

11/21 - 13 miles. Some days it is really easy to run and you just feel great. This was not one of those days. I felt more like a monkey trying to hump a football than anything else out there. I guess it was because I took my camelbak out and had not worn it for quite some time, but I could not get into a rythm at all. Took about 8 miles before i felt comfortable with it. Overall a good run and averaged 8:14. Only problem is that I woke up today with calf pain. I have never had it before and it is kind of annoying. Going to take a couple of days off and then test it on Wed. before the Trot on Turkey day. I hope it is just a little stiff from the 13 yesterday.

Have a great day all.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Ned -- Great job. It's awesome that you had a good training cycle and turned in a sweet time on race day, but the lifestyle change is really inspiring. You've come a long way.

 

[The_Man]

Since I'm now doing a 5k on Thanksgiving, I mixed in a little speedwork with Saturday's 5-mile marathon pace run. Did the first 3 miles a little fast (7:29 pace) then ran 1 mile really fast - turned out to be a 6:25 - and then slowed down to run the last mile at 7:24. Of course, 6:25 is exactly the pace needed to break 20 minutes for a 5k, so I've now decided that will be my goal for Thursday. Probably can't get there, but I'll punish myself trying.

Followed that up with my longest run since the marathon, an easy 8-miler. It went well, but was definitely still tougher to run now than it was pre-marathon. I'm hoping one more week will get me back to where I was. I've slowly built my mileage back up - will do 30 this week - and will continue to ease it up until I'm doing 40+ miles per week by Christmas.

 

[Nigel]

Ned, as folks around here would say - wicked pissah!

 

[The_Man]

Also, I want to give a shout-out to my friend and former co-worker's son who won the NCAA Division III national cross country championship on Saturday, and also led Haverford to the team title:

http://www.ncaa.com/sports/c-xc/recaps/112010aaa.html

He was 89th at last year's championships, and his coach said that if he ran a really, really good race, he could finish in the top 10. Instead, he hung with the lead group the whole way and then sprinted for the finish with 500 yards left to win by a second - 8k in 24:22 (a 4:54 pace)! His mother has been super-encouraging as I got into running over the past year, and I'm totally psyched for the whole family.

 

[Ned]

Since I'm now doing a 5k on Thanksgiving, I mixed in a little speedwork with Saturday's 5-mile marathon pace run. Did the first 3 miles a little fast (7:29 pace) then ran 1 mile really fast - turned out to be a 6:25 - and then slowed down to run the last mile at 7:24. Of course, 6:25 is exactly the pace needed to break 20 minutes for a 5k, so I've now decided that will be my goal for Thursday. Probably can't get there, but I'll punish myself trying.

Followed that up with my longest run since the marathon, an easy 8-miler. It went well, but was definitely still tougher to run now than it was pre-marathon. I'm hoping one more week will get me back to where I was. I've slowly built my mileage back up - will do 30 this week - and will continue to ease it up until I'm doing 40+ miles per week by Christmas.

SPEED

 

[Sand]

Also, I want to give a shout-out to my friend and former co-worker's son who won the NCAA Division III national cross country championship on Saturday, and also led Haverford to the team title:

http://www.ncaa.com/sports/c-xc/recaps/112010aaa.html

He was 89th at last year's championships, and his coach said that if he ran a really, really good race, he could finish in the top 10. Instead, he hung with the lead group the whole way and then sprinted for the finish with 500 yards left to win by a second - 8k in 24:22 (a 4:54 pace)! His mother has been super-encouraging as I got into running over the past year, and I'm totally psyched for the whole family.

Good gravy. Astonishing how fast folks can move. BTW, any day you beat a guy with last name Kiplagat, you know you've just had one hell of a day...

 

[pigskinliquors]

Ned: MOST awesome We can add you to the long list of amazing stories in this thread. So cool that you were able to share it with your family. You crushed your goals = time for new goals!!!

Sand: That sounded brutal!

The_Man: Too cook regarding your co-worker's son!!

PmB: Great week of training!

____________________

My update:

I had a great weekend, but got zero workouts in Saturday's A&M vs. Nebraska tailgate started at 9:00 am on Saturday, and we didn't finish until 1:45 am on Sunday =

I'm getting in a swim today; starting P90 tomorrow; and hoping my calf gets stronger soon, so I can get back on the bike soon.

 

[wraith5]

Congratulations, Ned! Really great job!!

I am hoping the new disciplined training plan I am doing will help me get there. I am very happy for you but dang it bothers me that I am no where near that and I have been doing it twice as long. I believe Wraith did the same thing.

Don't let it get you down - use it as motivation to dedicate yourself to the plan! Folllowing a disciplined training plan will absolutely make a huge difference! Finally seeing the doctor this afternoon about my ankle - did yardwork on Saturday and walked around with my kids yesterday (just in time to leave Reggie Bush in my starting lineup in one league now I need Lloyd to get shutdown tonight - riiiiiiiight) and it hurt like hell. It's not really restricting my movement or anything but something is definitely very wrong (9 days after the race). Doubt I'll get an answer today but it's a start.

 

[Darrinll40]

Amazon has the Garmin Forerunner 305 for 129 right now. I have no idea how long this will last.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-Re...3DNHQ36R2WYRK8J

ETA of course that may be the normal price now. I really have no idea.

 

[Ned]

OK now I know I'm addicted. I'm sitting here in pain (quads), but I'm already contemplating another race...

A few buddies at work are coaxing me into doing a turkey trot 10K (this Thurs, obviously). My gut says no way, but my mind says do it. Is it going to be too soon to go race a 10K after yesterday's HM? I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to do an easy run to just go, but I know myself and I won't be able to be at a race and not 'race'....

 

[gruecd]

Hey, guys. Work and a couple of other things are taking up nearly all of my time and energy, so I really don't have time to post. Just wanted to say congrats to Ned on a great race!!

 

[The_Man]

OK now I know I'm addicted. I'm sitting here in pain (quads), but I'm already contemplating another race...A few buddies at work are coaxing me into doing a turkey trot 10K (this Thurs, obviously). My gut says no way, but my mind says do it. Is it going to be too soon to go race a 10K after yesterday's HM? I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to do an easy run to just go, but I know myself and I won't be able to be at a race and not 'race'....

I doubt you will hurt yourself, but don't be surprised if you are still recovering and don't run nearly as well as you did on Sunday. The rule of thumb - which I've found true for my 40-year-old bones - is it takes one day for every mile raced until you're recovered. For the HM I did in September, it was probably like 10 days, but I found a definite impact on my ability to run.Just have fun and be prepared to take it a little easy.

 

[Nigel]

My legs are killing me today - not from running but from raking leaves. My hammies and butt muscles in particular, I guess from all of the awkward bending over and whatnot required while filling 20 bags of leaves. Hopefully a run tonight will loosen them up.

The_Man: weather forecast here was looking awful for Thurs. a couple of days ago but now looks like it will be pretty good - a bit cold (maybe 40 at race time) but sunny.

 

[The_Man]

My legs are killing me today - not from running but from raking leaves. My hammies and butt muscles in particular, I guess from all of the awkward bending over and whatnot required while filling 20 bags of leaves. Hopefully a run tonight will loosen them up.

The_Man: weather forecast here was looking awful for Thurs. a couple of days ago but now looks like it will be pretty good - a bit cold (maybe 40 at race time) but sunny.

Awesome. I better check it for Wednesday too, as that's when I'll be schlepping it up the East Coast with several million other drivers. We're hoping to get on the road before 5 ... a.m.

 

[Jewell]

I'm a runner but I haven't posted in here before. I just wanted to drop an inspirational video for you runners and thriathletes because I know the days are becoming colder, daylight is getting shorter, and under those conditions it's sometimes difficult to get motivated. It's easier, however, to say "I can do this!" when you see somebody with much more to overcome, overcoming that much more.

The video is especially motivating for fathers. Good running to all.

 

[2Young2BBald]

OK now I know I'm addicted. I'm sitting here in pain (quads), but I'm already contemplating another race...

A few buddies at work are coaxing me into doing a turkey trot 10K (this Thurs, obviously). My gut says no way, but my mind says do it. Is it going to be too soon to go race a 10K after yesterday's HM? I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to do an easy run to just go, but I know myself and I won't be able to be at a race and not 'race'....

DO IT, for fun. Turkey Trost are much more fun if you run it in costume!

 

[Ned]

OK now I know I'm addicted. I'm sitting here in pain (quads), but I'm already contemplating another race...A few buddies at work are coaxing me into doing a turkey trot 10K (this Thurs, obviously). My gut says no way, but my mind says do it. Is it going to be too soon to go race a 10K after yesterday's HM? I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to do an easy run to just go, but I know myself and I won't be able to be at a race and not 'race'....

I doubt you will hurt yourself, but don't be surprised if you are still recovering and don't run nearly as well as you did on Sunday. The rule of thumb - which I've found true for my 40-year-old bones - is it takes one day for every mile raced until you're recovered. For the HM I did in September, it was probably like 10 days, but I found a definite impact on my ability to run.Just have fun and be prepared to take it a little easy.

Yeah if I go, I'll be going in with that mindset of just going out to have fun with my old boss. I just checked the weather and it looks like #### anyways, so this is probably all for nothing.

 

[Sand]

Amazon has the Garmin Forerunner 305 for 129 right now. I have no idea how long this will last.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-Re...3DNHQ36R2WYRK8J

ETA of course that may be the normal price now. I really have no idea.

Normal price. It is likely the 305 will be discontinued soon. But no doubt it is a good deal if you are looking for something. My Edge 305 was a champ!

 

[Dexter]

Bourbon Chase Update

I just sent my money check your email. Sorry money was a little tight the last few weeks.

 

[2Young2BBald]

Bourbon Chase UpdateI just sent my money check your email. Sorry money was a little tight the last few weeks.

You running the Turkey Trot again this year?

 

[Dexter]

Bourbon Chase UpdateI just sent my money check your email. Sorry money was a little tight the last few weeks.

You running the Turkey Trot again this year?

Sure am. I'm running it with Turkish and my BIL are you going to be there?

 

[2Young2BBald]

Bourbon Chase UpdateI just sent my money check your email. Sorry money was a little tight the last few weeks.

You running the Turkey Trot again this year?

Sure am. I'm running it with Turkish and my BIL are you going to be there?

Yep, the whole family will be there. I'm doing the 10K, my wife & daughter are doing the 5K and my son is doing the mile. I am hoping the rain holds off.

 

[Dexter]

Bourbon Chase UpdateI just sent my money check your email. Sorry money was a little tight the last few weeks.

You running the Turkey Trot again this year?

Sure am. I'm running it with Turkish and my BIL are you going to be there?

Yep, the whole family will be there. I'm doing the 10K, my wife & daughter are doing the 5K and my son is doing the mile. I am hoping the rain holds off.

Cool we are in the sport 8-10 min mile group. I'd say lets hook up but with so many people it'll be tough... Although I'm sure you'll finish ahead of me so maybe I'll catch you heading out just as I'm finishing.

 

[FUBAR]

Amazon has the Garmin Forerunner 305 for 129 right now. I have no idea how long this will last.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-Re...3DNHQ36R2WYRK8J

ETA of course that may be the normal price now. I really have no idea.

Normal price. It is likely the 305 will be discontinued soon. But no doubt it is a good deal if you are looking for something. My Edge 305 was a champ!

hmmm, I've been using the 205 for a couple years now and love it but would like a heart monitor. Might be just the time to buy this. 4 easy trail miles today, not much time for anything else with a test tomorrow morning and other projects due today and tomorrow. The rest of this week will be much better.

 

[jmcc]

Did my scheduled easy 2 miles tonight. Temps in the 60s It was a really nice run.

HR avg was 140 and highest was 148. I believe that is a new low record for me. I am staying the course with this training plan. Psychologically it is awesome as I have never once had to walk. On the other side of the coin I feel I could work harder and I question if the plan has me going to slow? I will continue to stay the course though.

Wednesday is a tempo run.

 

[Sand]

Did my scheduled easy 2 miles tonight. Temps in the 60s It was a really nice run.

HR avg was 140 and highest was 148. I believe that is a new low record for me. I am staying the course with this training plan. Psychologically it is awesome as I have never once had to walk. On the other side of the coin I feel I could work harder and I question if the plan has me going to slow? I will continue to stay the course though.

Wednesday is a tempo run.

Reevaluate after the tempo run.

Where you are it is better to increase volume than speed, anyway. Just get the miles in. If it is too easy, add a mile. You'll hit a saturation point.

 

[pigskinliquors]

Bourbon Chase UpdateI just sent my money check your email. Sorry money was a little tight the last few weeks.

My check is also in the proverbial mail!

 

[Sand]

Bourbon Chase UpdateI just sent my money check your email. Sorry money was a little tight the last few weeks.

My check is also in the proverbial mail!

I think that makes 12/12.

 

[pmbrown_22]

Bourbon Chase UpdateI just sent my money check your email. Sorry money was a little tight the last few weeks.

My check is also in the proverbial mail!

I think that makes 12/12.

You are correct. I have gotten word that everyone has money on the way. Hope to be making the final payment next week and get that out of the way. Some time after Thanksgiving, I am going to sit down and start getting things together and see what logistics we will have to overcome with all of this. My computer at home is on the fritz, but we are getting a new one today. It may take awhile to get all of it in order and set up.Have a great day all.

 

[pigskinliquors]

Bourbon Chase Update

I just sent my money check your email. Sorry money was a little tight the last few weeks.

My check is also in the proverbial mail!

I think that makes 12/12.

You are correct. I have gotten word that everyone has money on the way. Hope to be making the final payment next week and get that out of the way. Some time after Thanksgiving, I am going to sit down and start getting things together and see what logistics we will have to overcome with all of this. My computer at home is on the fritz, but we are getting a new one today. It may take awhile to get all of it in order and set up.Have a great day all.

Go time is only 332 days away!!!!!

 

[PizzaDeliveryGuy]

Time for new shoes, any advice would be helpful. 205 LB/Neutral/run 5 times a week, looking to run my first 5k soon. Total noob here.

 

[tri-man 47]

Time for new shoes, any advice would be helpful. 205 LB/Neutral/run 5 times a week, looking to run my first 5k soon. Total noob here.

We all have our own brand preferences (I like Asics). I'd suggest that you don't need to spend top dollar. Some of the more expensive shoes add more support and padding, and I believe that can actually be detrimental. While I like specific styles, my focus is that it should feel totally comfortable when you slide it on and take a few steps. Don't be shy about lacing 'em up and jogging in the store or outside on the sidewalk.

 

[tri-man 47]

OK now I know I'm addicted. I'm sitting here in pain (quads), but I'm already contemplating another race...

I doubt you will hurt yourself, but don't be surprised if you are still recovering and don't run nearly as well as you did on Sunday. The rule of thumb - which I've found true for my 40-year-old bones - is it takes one day for every mile raced until you're recovered. For the HM I did in September, it was probably like 10 days, but I found a definite impact on my ability to run.Just have fun and be prepared to take it a little easy.

I use the one-day-for-every-hour-raced logic, and that's been fine for these AARP bones.---I'm planning to ask for a Garmin for Xmas. With the winter marathon training, I need to get better data. I expect to be training much more on unfamiliar routes (trails; hilly neighborhoods), so I need distance tracking. The HRM will be beneficial also to help keep my slow runs slow. The Garmin price on Amazon as linked above looks good. That model is still a very good product, right?

 

[The_Man]

I'm planning to ask for a Garmin for Xmas. With the winter marathon training, I need to get better data. I expect to be training much more on unfamiliar routes (trails; hilly neighborhoods), so I need distance tracking. The HRM will be beneficial also to help keep my slow runs slow. The Garmin price on Amazon as linked above looks good. That model is still a very good product, right?

The 305 is awesome. I've been using it 5 x a week since May, and I only just started getting the notice that the memory is getting full and I need to delete older runs. I hear it's also good for biking, though I wouldn't know. I can't remember a product I've been more satisfied with. If there are any negatives, it's that it's a little big and dorky looking, and sometimes it takes a couple of minutes to acquire the satellites, but those are very minor quibbles.5 miles today and I pronounce myself officially recovered from the marathon - 23 days for me. Felt great and did 5 miles at 7:46 pace overall, constantly increasing my speed each mile, finishing with a 7:06 mile. If I'd known I was running that fast, I would have gone a little faster and broken 7 - I get a star on my chart every time I run a mile under 7:00.

 

[pmbrown_22]

I'm planning to ask for a Garmin for Xmas. With the winter marathon training, I need to get better data. I expect to be training much more on unfamiliar routes (trails; hilly neighborhoods), so I need distance tracking. The HRM will be beneficial also to help keep my slow runs slow. The Garmin price on Amazon as linked above looks good. That model is still a very good product, right?

The 305 is awesome. I've been using it 5 x a week since May, and I only just started getting the notice that the memory is getting full and I need to delete older runs. I hear it's also good for biking, though I wouldn't know. I can't remember a product I've been more satisfied with. If there are any negatives, it's that it's a little big and dorky looking, and sometimes it takes a couple of minutes to acquire the satellites, but those are very minor quibbles.5 miles today and I pronounce myself officially recovered from the marathon - 23 days for me. Felt great and did 5 miles at 7:46 pace overall, constantly increasing my speed each mile, finishing with a 7:06 mile. If I'd known I was running that fast, I would have gone a little faster and broken 7 - I get a star on my chart every time I run a mile under 7:00.

Embrace that dorkiness. I complete my ensemble with an iPod Touch on my arm, Road ID on my other wrist, and for longer runs a Camelbak. Talk about getting a few looks when I am out running. Hey, I need all of that stuff. It works for me so I don't care.