Welcome and thank you for joining this group. Please take the time to either introduce yourself. you can tell us if your are training for your first marathon, or how many you have run in the past. I encourage anyone who has any type of questions to make a new post so we can all gain some valuable insight.

My name is Michael and I am currently training for my first half marathon. I will be running in a marathon in Seaside Heights, NJ on October 17, 2010. I know many of you will be running in the Denver Marathon on this same day. I will be with you in spirit. I hope to hear from many of you soon.

Best Wishes,
Michael

I've done 1-1/2 and 1 full marathon. The half I trained for and 2 months later I trained for 1 day for the full. Best advice, sign up for a massage after. Your body is so compressed after running that when they pull on your parts and stretch them back out, it relaxes everything. One other piece of advice, buy good running shoes and knee braces. If you run without, I felt like my knees were going to tear apart everytime I tried to stand. With the braces and the full run and the massage, no problems. Also, if you need new shoes, buy them now. You need to give them plenty of time to break in. Excited to see everyone there. kennie

Welcome Kennie. Thanks for the great advice.

Hi Everyone! My name is Julie. I'm training for two half marathons--the Mohawk Hudson River Half on Albany, NY on October 10 and then the Denver Rock 'n Roll Half on October 17. I'm going to try to run as well as I can on the 10th and really take it easy and jog/walk in Denver (even without a half marathon the previous week, the altitude is sure to have an effect on my running ability that day).

I do have a question to get things started--do you tend to eat more carbs before and/or after a long run than you would on a normal day? Typically, I'm good at following the 50/30/20 carbs/protein/fat ratio but I have found that some extra carbs the evening before a long run, the morning of the long run, and right after the long run really help my energy levels. What has your experience been?

Thanks to everyone who has joined so far. If anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to start a new post.

Hello! My name is Rebecca I live in Bloomington, Minnesota and I will be running my first 1/2-marathon in Denver October 17th. I am running for Make-a-Wish and of course going to the seminar the Saturday before the race.

I am on my third week of training and so far it is going pretty good. The only problems I have been having is the humidity here has been really high and it is very difficult to run in high humidity and my sciatic nerve has been a little inflamed due to all the running. My yoga instructor gave me some really great stretches to help with that and they seem to be helping. I would really love a good glute rub though. I feel like my muscles are so tight.

Mike- Thank you for starting this thread. I have been trying to find a good support group for my training. Looks like we are the newbies to marathon training, isn't it exciting?

Kennie-Thank you for your suggestions. I already have the good shoes. I never thought about the knees though. Did you always wear the knee supports even when you were training? The massage is an excellent idea! Will you be running the Denver marathon?

Julie- WOW...good for you and your ambition. You must be a marathon novice to take on such a challenge! I have just been following my regular diet. I eat 6-times a day portion control. I don't count calories or anything. I have thought about the same question you have though. I hope someone can answer. I don't know if I could eat anything while running though...blah! I might puke.

I suppose everyone has a long run planned for tomorrow. I am running 5-miles. I have been slowly building my miles. How is everyone else doing on training?

Nice to meet everyone! I am looking forward to the support of the 'new' group!

~Rebecca

I ran my 5-miles today and it went pretty good! I finished 1:03 which is a respectable time for training in my opinion. It was tough with the humidity but I finished and that is most important.

I hope everyone is having a FABULOUS weekend!

~Rebecca

Hi guys! I am also training for the Seaside half thanks to Mike! I didn't know about it until he mentioned it and I'm so glad he did! It is flat and cheap just the way I like it!! LOL
I did my first 1/2 in April and loved it. I never in a million years thought I would run farther than a 5k, but my friend talked me into it. I don't run for speed, just to finish. As an ex-smoker (14 years now) I am just proud that I can get out there an not collapse
As for my training, its not too intense, I actually only run 2x a week, I also do the elliptical 2x a week. Yesterday I ran 8 miles and felt great. I try to add a mile or two each Saturday. Sunday is usually a 5k recovery run.

Robin~ Congrats on finishing your first half marathon in April and on setting the goal for another. I love to run so I think after the Denver race I will be hooked to marathons. I run three times per week and increase my miles every Saturday, as well. I do strength training three times per week and yoga two times per week to keep limber and grounded. I am also an ex-smoker for 8-years now and life is so much better without that horrible vice. I feel so much healthier and I am also grateful for getting out there and not collapsing!

Nice to meet you! Have a GREAT day!

~Rebecca

Good-morning running buddies! I hope everyone is energized and motivated to begin another week of training! I am super excited about running this week because the humidity is going to go away today and tomorrow is supposed to be a nice cool morning....ahhh...the best to run in!

I completed my assignment #9 and #10 and am ready to begin creating my positive mindset. It's so much fun to think about the future and all of the exciting results that are soon to come my way. I have lost 11-pounds in 9-weeks but most importantly, I am starting to feel happy about my life and who I am. That is something I never felt before. I am transforming and it is wonderful!!!

I hope everyone has a great week training and visulizing the finish line!

~Rebecca

Hi. I'm Jeff. I've run eight half marathons but after the Air Force Marathon in September I realized how lazy and unmotivated I've become. My training was poor and my mental approach was awful. I let life's problems take over and gave in to every excuse under the sun. So, I need to reinvigorate my training and change my whole outlook. My transformation starts today!