They only have "small" left...Oh- I forget who it was... Tri-Man? But here's a sale on a decent sleeveless wetsuit
Typical... sorry about that.So I got busy today finally with an inspired lunch-They only have "small" left...Oh- I forget who it was... Tri-Man? But here's a sale on a decent sleeveless wetsuit
Mom's cottage can swim? :((In fact, I can't wait to get out to my mom's cottage, now, and take it out for a long lake swim.)
Second 6 week cycle is now complete. Totals since Feb 6: 44 runs246 miles10.5 pounds lost (204 to 193.4)3.2% body fat lost (24% to 20.8%) The Body Fat % has been very slow to drop, but in another 6 weeks I should be close to my initial goal, and I'm not unhappy with the number of pounds I've lost. Interesting that I've burned enough calories running to drop about 10.5 pounds - exactly what I've actually lost. Guess I really do run to support my eating habit... Thanks to Chaka (AKA M.C.D.) I've been doing crunches and push-ups (or bench press) since March 28 and see some physical results. I was able to do about 30 push-ups when I started and now I can do 45. Finally, thanks to a ton of help from Culdus and Tri-Man, I am the proud owner of a Motobecane Fantom Cross bike (bought from "Sprtymama" on eBay for a really great price). Got it set up last night and rode it to work this morning for the first time. I plan on making it part of my regular routine for the summer.Congrats to El Floppo and Pigskin on their return to the road, as well as Meeka on hitting the 4 mile mark (and everyone else who keeps posting in this thread, frankly) - well done!
Tuesday marked the end to my first 6-week cycle back into running: 23 runs 105 miles3 pounds lost (204 to 201)2% body fat lost (24% to 22%) Overall not a bad start - May 1 will end my next cycle, and my goal is to hit 130 miles and drop below 20% BF (for the first time since about 1992
).
No, I meant that ...I was referring to the wetsu ...aw, never mind.Mom's cottage can swim?(In fact, I can't wait to get out to my mom's cottage, now, and take it out for a long lake swim.)![]()

Great cycle! And ...great cycle.Second 6 week cycle is now complete. Totals since Feb 6: 44 runs246 miles10.5 pounds lost (204 to 193.4)3.2% body fat lost (24% to 20.8%) The Body Fat % has been very slow to drop, but in another 6 weeks I should be close to my initial goal, and I'm not unhappy with the number of pounds I've lost. Interesting that I've burned enough calories running to drop about 10.5 pounds - exactly what I've actually lost. Guess I really do run to support my eating habit... Thanks to Chaka (AKA M.C.D.) I've been doing crunches and push-ups (or bench press) since March 28 and see some physical results. I was able to do about 30 push-ups when I started and now I can do 45. Finally, thanks to a ton of help from Culdus and Tri-Man, I am the proud owner of a Motobecane Fantom Cross bike (bought from "Sprtymama" on eBay for a really great price). Got it set up last night and rode it to work this morning for the first time. I plan on making it part of my regular routine for the summer.Congrats to El Floppo and Pigskin on their return to the road, as well as Meeka on hitting the 4 mile mark (and everyone else who keeps posting in this thread, frankly) - well done!
Tuesday marked the end to my first 6-week cycle back into running: 23 runs 105 miles3 pounds lost (204 to 201)2% body fat lost (24% to 22%) Overall not a bad start - May 1 will end my next cycle, and my goal is to hit 130 miles and drop below 20% BF (for the first time since about 1992
).
We got another Tri-convert coming over to the dark side? Sah-weet.AndGreat cycle! And ...great cycle.Second 6 week cycle is now complete. Totals since Feb 6: 44 runs246 miles10.5 pounds lost (204 to 193.4)3.2% body fat lost (24% to 20.8%) The Body Fat % has been very slow to drop, but in another 6 weeks I should be close to my initial goal, and I'm not unhappy with the number of pounds I've lost. Interesting that I've burned enough calories running to drop about 10.5 pounds - exactly what I've actually lost. Guess I really do run to support my eating habit... Thanks to Chaka (AKA M.C.D.) I've been doing crunches and push-ups (or bench press) since March 28 and see some physical results. I was able to do about 30 push-ups when I started and now I can do 45. Finally, thanks to a ton of help from Culdus and Tri-Man, I am the proud owner of a Motobecane Fantom Cross bike (bought from "Sprtymama" on eBay for a really great price). Got it set up last night and rode it to work this morning for the first time. I plan on making it part of my regular routine for the summer.Congrats to El Floppo and Pigskin on their return to the road, as well as Meeka on hitting the 4 mile mark (and everyone else who keeps posting in this thread, frankly) - well done!
Tuesday marked the end to my first 6-week cycle back into running: 23 runs 105 miles3 pounds lost (204 to 201)2% body fat lost (24% to 22%) Overall not a bad start - May 1 will end my next cycle, and my goal is to hit 130 miles and drop below 20% BF (for the first time since about 1992
).
![]()
... just noticed my name mentioned in a comeback- back in March. Hopefully this comeback'll stick.Good job, buddy! Less than four weeks to go! Your last big runs should be this weekend and next, so plan accordingly. May 20 should be an easy weekend for us both.A little teaser from blog entry for today:I ran 7 miles tonight in just over 74 minutes, for an average of 10:40/mile, which is excellent for me. I really focused on keeping my heart rate between 149-166, and was able to keep it there for a total of 59 minutes! That's a good zone for me to run in.The first two miles went great...Feel free to click the link in my sig if you'd like to read more about it.
you have a blog? I should get me one of those.A little teaser from blog entry for today:I ran 7 miles tonight in just over 74 minutes, for an average of 10:40/mile, which is excellent for me. I really focused on keeping my heart rate between 149-166, and was able to keep it there for a total of 59 minutes! That's a good zone for me to run in.The first two miles went great...Feel free to click the link in my sig if you'd like to read more about it.
Hopefully this comeback'll stick.

Nice job. Losing only 2 pounds of muscle while losing 8 pounds of fat is not bad.Second 6 week cycle is now complete. Totals since Feb 6: 44 runs246 miles10.5 pounds lost (204 to 193.4)3.2% body fat lost (24% to 20.8%) The Body Fat % has been very slow to drop, but in another 6 weeks I should be close to my initial goal, and I'm not unhappy with the number of pounds I've lost. Interesting that I've burned enough calories running to drop about 10.5 pounds - exactly what I've actually lost. Guess I really do run to support my eating habit...
Thanks for looking out for me EF (I was the one looking for one). I wish a was smallerTypical... sorry about that.So I got busy today finally with an inspired lunch-They only have "small" left...Oh- I forget who it was... Tri-Man? But here's a sale on a decent sleeveless wetsuit
Swam about 500yds at the Y, came home/office and threw the bike on the trainer and did a 30 minutes spin.
Baby steps, but with a mild nod from the PT to bike and swim (runs still have to be under 30mins) it felt good to do something while all you guys are rocking it out.
. My next two tri's (both Olympic) won't allow wetsuits. I may be able to use one in October for, "gulp", my first attempt at a half iron-man (Longhorn half); though I'm pretty sure the water will be to warm. If anyone finds one in that price range I am very interested though!I drink a lot of fruit smoothies as I'm not too good at getting fruit into my body without them. I usually put one to two (depending on the intensity of my workout) scoops of whey protein into each one after a workout. I am also very interested in Accellerade, and will give it a shot.I wanted to throw this out there. How do I keep the muscle I have while running? I won't say I am buff but I have a fair amount of muscle. I am worried that I am going to run it off. Should I take protein and creatine? I am perfectly fine at my current 175 at 5'10". Thanks guys. I will read any response around Monday night.
Nice job on the weight loss.
AWESOME!! Great to see successes posted here. You are already running, you have a bike = it's time to tri!!!!!Second 6 week cycle is now complete. Totals since Feb 6: 44 runs246 miles10.5 pounds lost (204 to 193.4)3.2% body fat lost (24% to 20.8%) The Body Fat % has been very slow to drop, but in another 6 weeks I should be close to my initial goal, and I'm not unhappy with the number of pounds I've lost. Interesting that I've burned enough calories running to drop about 10.5 pounds - exactly what I've actually lost. Guess I really do run to support my eating habit... Thanks to Chaka (AKA M.C.D.) I've been doing crunches and push-ups (or bench press) since March 28 and see some physical results. I was able to do about 30 push-ups when I started and now I can do 45. Finally, thanks to a ton of help from Culdus and Tri-Man, I am the proud owner of a Motobecane Fantom Cross bike (bought from "Sprtymama" on eBay for a really great price). Got it set up last night and rode it to work this morning for the first time. I plan on making it part of my regular routine for the summer.Congrats to El Floppo and Pigskin on their return to the road, as well as Meeka on hitting the 4 mile mark (and everyone else who keeps posting in this thread, frankly) - well done!
Tuesday marked the end to my first 6-week cycle back into running: 23 runs 105 miles3 pounds lost (204 to 201)2% body fat lost (24% to 22%) Overall not a bad start - May 1 will end my next cycle, and my goal is to hit 130 miles and drop below 20% BF (for the first time since about 1992
).
It's Go Time! Giddyup soldierAnd bag.gif... just noticed my name mentioned in a comeback- back in March. Hopefully this comeback'll stick.

I'm curious, then, why my training schedule has me running my longest run of the entire plan - 10 miles - on Sunday, May 20th?Maybe I need to look into a different plan for the next one? I got this one off of runnersworld.com, so I figured it was good.tri-man 47 said:Good job, buddy! Less than four weeks to go! Your last big runs should be this weekend and next, so plan accordingly. May 20 should be an easy weekend for us both.Schmegma said:A little teaser from blog entry for today:
I ran 7 miles tonight in just over 74 minutes, for an average of 10:40/mile, which is excellent for me. I really focused on keeping my heart rate between 149-166, and was able to keep it there for a total of 59 minutes! That's a good zone for me to run in.
The first two miles went great...
Feel free to click the link in my sig if you'd like to read more about it.
Huh, that's rather odd. The general logic is to taper before a longer race. Also, I've always understood that the shape you're in two weeks before a race is the conditioning you'll take into the race ...so I don't know how/why 10 miles one week before a 1/2-marathon would be beneficial. Sorry that I've raised some doubts! Can you possibly pull that run forward to the weekend of the 13th, and go lighter on the 20th?I'm curious, then, why my training schedule has me running my longest run of the entire plan - 10 miles - on Sunday, May 20th?Maybe I need to look into a different plan for the next one? I got this one off of runnersworld.com, so I figured it was good.tri-man 47 said:Good job, buddy! Less than four weeks to go! Your last big runs should be this weekend and next, so plan accordingly. May 20 should be an easy weekend for us both.Schmegma said:A little teaser from blog entry for today:
I ran 7 miles tonight in just over 74 minutes, for an average of 10:40/mile, which is excellent for me. I really focused on keeping my heart rate between 149-166, and was able to keep it there for a total of 59 minutes! That's a good zone for me to run in.
The first two miles went great...
Feel free to click the link in my sig if you'd like to read more about it.
Never heard of it. It's nuuws to me.pigskinliquors said:For hydration (not muscle recovery); has anyone here tried Nuun? A salesperson at a tri-shop was pushing it on me last week, and wanted some FBG feedback before making the purchase.
Just got back from my 12-miler. Finished in 1:31:12, average pace 7:36 with some miles a little faster and some a little slower, but all pretty close.Dropped down from 47 total miles last week to 34 this past week, and I'm only planning on running about 24 next week. Hoping to PR in my 5K race next weekend (anything better than 19:34), then just one more week until my BQ attempt!Heading out the door right now for my weekly long run. Tapering right now for my race on the 20th, so I'm only doing 12. 51 degrees with winds from the east at 10 mph, so pretty decent for running.
Never heard of it. It's nuuws to me.For hydration (not muscle recovery); has anyone here tried Nuun? A salesperson at a tri-shop was pushing it on me last week, and wanted some FBG feedback before making the purchase.
oi(Do you think trying to PR the short race a week before the Marathon might get in the way of your taper? I don't have the answer at all to that- just curious what you think. I know we're all gunning for you to get that BQ- just don't want to see anything get in the way of it.Just got back from my 12-miler. Finished in 1:31:12, average pace 7:36 with some miles a little faster and some a little slower, but all pretty close.Dropped down from 47 total miles last week to 34 this past week, and I'm only planning on running about 24 next week. Hoping to PR in my 5K race next weekend (anything better than 19:34), then just one more week until my BQ attempt!Heading out the door right now for my weekly long run. Tapering right now for my race on the 20th, so I'm only doing 12. 51 degrees with winds from the east at 10 mph, so pretty decent for running.![]()
That is strange- I'd agree with tri-man that for a longer race like a 1/2, you'd want at least a week of tapering beforehand, ideally two weeks. Going 10 the week before your race when its your longest run to date, doesn't make much sense to me.Can you try and get that longer run in sometime this week, or even tomorrow, Sunday the 6th?Huh, that's rather odd. The general logic is to taper before a longer race. Also, I've always understood that the shape you're in two weeks before a race is the conditioning you'll take into the race ...so I don't know how/why 10 miles one week before a 1/2-marathon would be beneficial. Sorry that I've raised some doubts! Can you possibly pull that run forward to the weekend of the 13th, and go lighter on the 20th?I'm curious, then, why my training schedule has me running my longest run of the entire plan - 10 miles - on Sunday, May 20th?Maybe I need to look into a different plan for the next one? I got this one off of runnersworld.com, so I figured it was good.Good job, buddy! Less than four weeks to go! Your last big runs should be this weekend and next, so plan accordingly. May 20 should be an easy weekend for us both.A little teaser from blog entry for today:
I ran 7 miles tonight in just over 74 minutes, for an average of 10:40/mile, which is excellent for me. I really focused on keeping my heart rate between 149-166, and was able to keep it there for a total of 59 minutes! That's a good zone for me to run in.
The first two miles went great...
Feel free to click the link in my sig if you'd like to read more about it.
Even Hal Higdon would have me running 10 miles only 7 days before my half marathon. Check it out HERE.That is strange- I'd agree with tri-man that for a longer race like a 1/2, you'd want at least a week of tapering beforehand, ideally two weeks. Going 10 the week before your race when its your longest run to date, doesn't make much sense to me.Can you try and get that longer run in sometime this week, or even tomorrow, Sunday the 6th?Huh, that's rather odd. The general logic is to taper before a longer race. Also, I've always understood that the shape you're in two weeks before a race is the conditioning you'll take into the race ...so I don't know how/why 10 miles one week before a 1/2-marathon would be beneficial. Sorry that I've raised some doubts! Can you possibly pull that run forward to the weekend of the 13th, and go lighter on the 20th?I'm curious, then, why my training schedule has me running my longest run of the entire plan - 10 miles - on Sunday, May 20th?Maybe I need to look into a different plan for the next one? I got this one off of runnersworld.com, so I figured it was good.Good job, buddy! Less than four weeks to go! Your last big runs should be this weekend and next, so plan accordingly. May 20 should be an easy weekend for us both.A little teaser from blog entry for today:
I ran 7 miles tonight in just over 74 minutes, for an average of 10:40/mile, which is excellent for me. I really focused on keeping my heart rate between 149-166, and was able to keep it there for a total of 59 minutes! That's a good zone for me to run in.
The first two miles went great...
Feel free to click the link in my sig if you'd like to read more about it.
I believe you- just don't agree with the master here (then again- wtf do I know anyways).I like having that weekend before the race dedicated to some short bouts of speed work set into a medium length run. But that's been how I've always done things- maybe it won't be such a bad thing just following the acknowledged guru on this (and I definitely don't mean me here).Even Hal Higdon would have me running 10 miles only 7 days before my half marathon. Check it out HERE.That is strange- I'd agree with tri-man that for a longer race like a 1/2, you'd want at least a week of tapering beforehand, ideally two weeks. Going 10 the week before your race when its your longest run to date, doesn't make much sense to me.Can you try and get that longer run in sometime this week, or even tomorrow, Sunday the 6th?Huh, that's rather odd. The general logic is to taper before a longer race. Also, I've always understood that the shape you're in two weeks before a race is the conditioning you'll take into the race ...so I don't know how/why 10 miles one week before a 1/2-marathon would be beneficial. Sorry that I've raised some doubts! Can you possibly pull that run forward to the weekend of the 13th, and go lighter on the 20th?I'm curious, then, why my training schedule has me running my longest run of the entire plan - 10 miles - on Sunday, May 20th?Maybe I need to look into a different plan for the next one? I got this one off of runnersworld.com, so I figured it was good.Good job, buddy! Less than four weeks to go! Your last big runs should be this weekend and next, so plan accordingly. May 20 should be an easy weekend for us both.A little teaser from blog entry for today:
I ran 7 miles tonight in just over 74 minutes, for an average of 10:40/mile, which is excellent for me. I really focused on keeping my heart rate between 149-166, and was able to keep it there for a total of 59 minutes! That's a good zone for me to run in.
The first two miles went great...
Feel free to click the link in my sig if you'd like to read more about it.
OK, I'll go along with HH's schedule. He's not doing an extended schedule that builds in the traditional light weeks nor the traditional taper in the final week or two (as we've questioned). But he's also not pushing heavier miles during the week or on the day before your weekend run. He's mainly just getting you to plow ahead and rather quickly get you up to the 1/2-marathon distance. So given the primary focus on increasing the one, long weekend run, and the taper during the week before the race ...I'll say - ignore us, and do your 10 miles on the 20th.I am as far from being a guru as you'll find, which is why I rely on these training plans and the advice of much more experienced FBGs. The only problem is that it's unusual to get contradictory information from these 2 sources. My guts tell me that running 10 miles only 7 days before my first half marathon won't be so bad if I take it easy the rest of the week, but we'll see how the next couple of weeks go first. I still have to survive 8-9 miles tomorrow.![]()
I thought about that, but I honestly don't think it's going to be a problem. I've always recovered pretty quickly from 5Ks, and I don't have many miles planned for the following week anyway.Do you think trying to PR the short race a week before the Marathon might get in the way of your taper? I don't have the answer at all to that- just curious what you think. I know we're all gunning for you to get that BQ- just don't want to see anything get in the way of it.Just got back from my 12-miler. Finished in 1:31:12, average pace 7:36 with some miles a little faster and some a little slower, but all pretty close.Dropped down from 47 total miles last week to 34 this past week, and I'm only planning on running about 24 next week. Hoping to PR in my 5K race next weekend (anything better than 19:34), then just one more week until my BQ attempt!Heading out the door right now for my weekly long run. Tapering right now for my race on the 20th, so I'm only doing 12. 51 degrees with winds from the east at 10 mph, so pretty decent for running.![]()
Cool ...I thought about that, but I honestly don't think it's going to be a problem. I've always recovered pretty quickly from 5Ks, and I don't have many miles planned for the following week anyway.Do you think trying to PR the short race a week before the Marathon might get in the way of your taper? I don't have the answer at all to that- just curious what you think. I know we're all gunning for you to get that BQ- just don't want to see anything get in the way of it.Just got back from my 12-miler. Finished in 1:31:12, average pace 7:36 with some miles a little faster and some a little slower, but all pretty close.Dropped down from 47 total miles last week to 34 this past week, and I'm only planning on running about 24 next week. Hoping to PR in my 5K race next weekend (anything better than 19:34), then just one more week until my BQ attempt!Heading out the door right now for my weekly long run. Tapering right now for my race on the 20th, so I'm only doing 12. 51 degrees with winds from the east at 10 mph, so pretty decent for running.![]()
... figured you had it thought through, just wanted to make sure.I became a bit fascist about my tapers over the years- always imagined that I'd get hurt somehow. Would stop playing my usual pickup soccer games a good month before big races under the same paranoia.OK, I'll go along with HH's schedule. He's not doing an extended schedule that builds in the traditional light weeks nor the traditional taper in the final week or two (as we've questioned). But he's also not pushing heavier miles during the week or on the day before your weekend run. He's mainly just getting you to plow ahead and rather quickly get you up to the 1/2-marathon distance. So given the primary focus on increasing the one, long weekend run, and the taper during the week before the race ...I'll say - ignore us, and do your 10 miles on the 20th.I am as far from being a guru as you'll find, which is why I rely on these training plans and the advice of much more experienced FBGs. The only problem is that it's unusual to get contradictory information from these 2 sources. My guts tell me that running 10 miles only 7 days before my first half marathon won't be so bad if I take it easy the rest of the week, but we'll see how the next couple of weeks go first. I still have to survive 8-9 miles tomorrow.![]()
I'd add to make sure those runs during the week before are done at a conversational pace, throwing in some short (ie: less than 100yds) speed work to keep some muscle memory of pace in the legs.Cool! Especially the 'living' part. You should be in good shape - the race environment and the crowd will help a lot, remember. I did my last of three 20 milers today and it went great. Bring on that race!! I ended up running negative splits for the first half/second half (about ten second/mile differential). It certainly wiped me out pretty good, especially after the hard Saturday run, but I'm feeling quite good. I took a long, cooooold bath, which helped a ton to ease the achiness in the legs.Schmegma said:9 miles today. No stops. I lived.
My wife has been laughing 'cause I told her how the cold bath shrunk my 'big guy' to a decidely 'little guy.'
Let the taper begin!Nice! Man... I don't think I could 9 right now if my life depended on it.Schmegma said:9 miles today. No stops. I lived.
Neg splits? Blood, man- great work!And by "taper", I'm assuming you mean shaving the nads?Cool! Especially the 'living' part. You should be in good shape - the race environment and the crowd will help a lot, remember. I did my last of three 20 milers today and it went great. Bring on that race!! I ended up running negative splits for the first half/second half (about ten second/mile differential). It certainly wiped my out pretty good, especially after the hard Saturday run, but I'm feeling quite good. I took a long, cooooold bath, which helped a ton to ease the achiness in the legs.Schmegma said:9 miles today. No stops. I lived.My wife has been laughing 'cause I told her how the cold bath shrunk my 'big guy' to a decidely 'little guy.'
![]()
Let the taper begin!
Me neither. That's why I typically run a couple of easy miles before the gun goes off. Otherwise it kills my legs getting up to speed so fast.El Floppo said:Good luck with the 5k- I'm envious of running shorter distances quickly. I can't seem to get my legs warmed up and moving until after a few miles, so I'd almost bet I'd run my 10ks at a faster pace than a 5k (never raced at that distance).
Me neither. That's why I typically run a couple of easy miles before the gun goes off. Otherwise it kills my legs getting up to speed so fast.El Floppo said:Good luck with the 5k- I'm envious of running shorter distances quickly. I can't seem to get my legs warmed up and moving until after a few miles, so I'd almost bet I'd run my 10ks at a faster pace than a 5k (never raced at that distance).
Me too on both counts, but it never seems enough. I feel like I need at least half and hour worth of race-pace for me to even get at race pace... 
Congratulations on the weight loss and your new lifestyle. Great job. The only thing I wanted to mention is that if/when you build up your mileage, you might be careful with tennis. This has never been an issue for me, for I know that many runners develop IT injuries by combining heavy mileage (straight-line running) with basketball, tennis, or other activities that involve a lot of cutting. That's probably not an issue for you now, and probably it wouldn't be a big deal given the mileage you're proposing, but if you ever wanted to train for a half-marathon, you would want to watch it.This has been an interesting thread. Since Jan 9, 2006, I have lost about 180 pounds, going from 380 to 200. In January I ran my first 5k at the Daytona International Speedway (that was cool) and finished in 29:58. Since then I have run in 4 other 5K's, and except for one, I finished each faster than the one before. On May 5th I ran a race in 25:18, which is faster than I ever thought possible for me. I have to admit, that I really enjoy running, and that just sounds so weird. In 5 months of racing my times have been:29:58 (around DIS)27:30 (road)27:46 (beach)26:17 (beach)25:18 (road)I figure that at this rate of improvement I will be breaking world records within the year.My shortest training run is now 3.8 miles, and I run four times a week. My weekday runs are after work on a treadmill, and I have gone from starting them at 11 min/mile to 10 min/mile. I increase the speed by .1 mph every ten minutes for the first 40 minutes, then .1 mph every minute for the last 5 minutes. I am thinking of raising the total time from 45 to 50 minutes this week. On the weekends I run first thing in the morning both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's run is 5.5 miles and Sunday's is 3.8. Though I am considering taking the Saturday run to 6 miles. Lately I also started adding in a couple of days of strength training, and I play tennis two nights a week. My goal right now is to run a 10k next February, and to do it in under an hour. Maybe in a couple of years I will attempt a half marathon, but I am not sure I really want to try that.
congratulations on the weight loss and the improving times.welcome to the thread. Please post here often and don't worry about all the show offs with the marathons and the 4 mile "easy runs". It has always helped me to have a goal. Having 5 months to get ready for a 10k was pretty easy once you get a schedule and stick with it. Of course, my goal is just to finish. I expect to set loftier goals later. But, you are doing really well and I hope you keep us updated.This has been an interesting thread. Since Jan 9, 2006, I have lost about 180 pounds, going from 380 to 200. In January I ran my first 5k at the Daytona International Speedway (that was cool) and finished in 29:58. Since then I have run in 4 other 5K's, and except for one, I finished each faster than the one before. On May 5th I ran a race in 25:18, which is faster than I ever thought possible for me. I have to admit, that I really enjoy running, and that just sounds so weird. In 5 months of racing my times have been:29:58 (around DIS)27:30 (road)27:46 (beach)26:17 (beach)25:18 (road)I figure that at this rate of improvement I will be breaking world records within the year.My shortest training run is now 3.8 miles, and I run four times a week. My weekday runs are after work on a treadmill, and I have gone from starting them at 11 min/mile to 10 min/mile. I increase the speed by .1 mph every ten minutes for the first 40 minutes, then .1 mph every minute for the last 5 minutes. I am thinking of raising the total time from 45 to 50 minutes this week. On the weekends I run first thing in the morning both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's run is 5.5 miles and Sunday's is 3.8. Though I am considering taking the Saturday run to 6 miles. Lately I also started adding in a couple of days of strength training, and I play tennis two nights a week. My goal right now is to run a 10k next February, and to do it in under an hour. Maybe in a couple of years I will attempt a half marathon, but I am not sure I really want to try that.