Beginning Running Has NOT Been Fun!

[Crankin]

I solved that issue by going out at 5:30 AM for short rides (10-18 miles) at least one day a week before work and also, working 80% time, so I can do at least one 20+ mile ride during the week.
Some of my running takes just as much prep because sometimes I just can't take running out my door, which involves 10-12% grades every time. So, I drive to the town center and run on the flats. I also don't want to give up my circuit/weights/core classes in the early AM.

[SadieKate]

Artista - just a word of encouragement. After stating in April 2010 that I'd made my one attempt at running and was now retiring (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ght=horse+butt) I just ran the same race for the 3rd time.

Do I recommend my approach of running only once a year using 3 month 0-10 miles training plan? No. Especially, since my spring chicken days are behind me. However, I can say that this year I've been running without pain and even enjoying it. I think my connective tissue has finally caught up to the repeated impact and my brain finds its happy place sooner. I probably would have gotten to this place more quickly had I stuck with a year-around training plan but I want to ride and fish in the summer with the hubby -- and that isn't going to change.

My running mentor, yellow, has not only kept encouraging me throughout but she has emphasized that it really takes 2 years to get to this point. Of course, the fact that she has now flown out here and sacrificed her results ratings by shuffling through the race with me twice doesn't hurt. I owe a lot to her and my regular running partner for helping me through the newbie pain period.

Patience. It will come. And may your brain find a happy place for the journey.

[Melalvai]

A friend of mine said one day when he was young (long time ago now) he decided to run a mile several times a week and he did that for an entire year. Then he ran two miles several times a week for another year. Since then he's gone up and down but never below two miles several times a week, and he's never had injuries. He attributes that to having established a really solid base those first two years.

Or maybe he's just been lucky.