Runner's Forum: Introduce yourself here!

hi,

just signed in today as I moved to North Vancouver like a week ago (lived in San Francisco last three years..) and seeing all these trails around here just makes me go.. "come on, get 'em all".. anybody who knows North Van little better than me and wants to go for a run or bikeride?? would be great.

let me know

petramickova@hotmail.com

Petra

Hi,

 My name is Michael and I live in Brisbane, Australia. I have been on and off for running for about a year, but now live about 3kms from my office, so I've set a goal to run to and from work each day. I am trying to get my time down to about 14minutes for the track (it's pretty hilly) before expanding onto longer trails.

 Enjoying it so far, I spent a lot of time looking for a Google Earth way to map my run, and it was only chance that my ISP ran an article about mapmyrun.com in their monthly newsletter!

Hooray! Love the site...

Michael

Hi Everyone, I'm Naomi. (42rs old)  I'm originally from Japan, married to an american military man. I lived in Hawaii for the last 13years and recently moved to San Diego, CA.

I did gymnastic when I was a child, played vollyball from 7th grade through high school.  I started running about 3yrs ago (not the fastest one).  I recently started to  training for triathlon. 

My wonderful husband has been an inspiration to me.  He is the reason that I want to stay healthy and do positive thing for myself.

He's received a order to go to Iraq for one year.  He is leaving next week.  He's been there for me when I do any races.  I am doing my first triathlon in October, but he won't be able to see it.  It's a little scary, but I don't want him to worry about me.

I will give all to finish this race, so that he can proud of me.

 

I'm Stephen, a 45 y.o. married dad of 2, ages 3.5 and 6.5. A former runner (who spent the last 10 years letting my knees do my thinking for me, and not running), I recently started running to combat increasing weight. A friend (a marathoner) suggested I do an organized run in the fall to provide motivation, and so I'm training for a half marathon in Moab, Utah (The Other Half) in October.

 My running in the past has always been driven by pursuing somewhat undefined speed goals ("Hey, I bet if I push really hard for the next couple of weeks I can drop down into the 6:30's!") Since I re-started I've been running without much of a plan.  For the past 3 months I've been focused mostly on trying to build endurance. So my runs have been slow and long. On each of the last two weekends I've thrown in  12 mile runs at 10 minutes per mile, but remain discontent with my speed. So I'm going to start pushing time again, This time using better information to guide my progress. This site, which I've been using to log my runs during the past couple of weeks, looks like a good place to keep informed. And it's always nice to comiserate.

 Cheers!

Hello all,

My name is Wayne and I'm 43 and I live in Coventry, RI, married with 2 beautiful daughters.  I started running in Oct last year and really didn't do much of any running except in the Marines.  My wife is a 2nd degree Black Belt and my 2 daughters Taylor and Morgan 9 and 6 are into cheerleading and soccor.  So that leaves me with only a couple of hobbies, mountain climbing and fishing.  I felt like I was missing something in my life. 

So I was inspired after reading the Ultramarathon man by Dean Karmazes and have been running since.  I used Hal Higdons half marathon training course and did my first half marathon in February this year and finished in 2:25.  I've done 3 more and have hit 2:02 so the 2:00 barrier will be falling soon.  My times for all races have been getting better and better.

I run anywhere from 25 - 40 miles per week depending on some speed training I do as well as my work schedule allows and all the kids stuff.  I start most of my runs at around 4:00 - 4:30 so I don't rob valuable family time.  I've gotten use to and love my 4:00 long run on Saturdays.  I have went from 211 lbs in Oct to my current 185 which is cool and keeps allows me to run faster.

Great site here!

Cheers, 

     

   

 

Hello all.....

I'm Kate, I'm 28 and I live in Kent, UK. I started running/jogging about February time but it wasnt untill I did the Herne Bay race for life 5k in July that gave me the buzz for races....... so I entered the Bluewater 10k in August and loved it -not too sure about the photos they emailed after tho!!! Got another 10k in a couple of weeks and then hoping to try a Half Marathon!! Got to give myself some targets or my motivation goes out the window, I have to fight with myself some mornings and the Duvet sometimes wins......

Loving the site and look forward to having a nose around....

 

Hi, I'm Carolee from Eugene Oregon - didn't read all the intros but am the oldest and slowest of the ones I read. I'm 62, walk mostly half marathons after doing a marathon to celebrate turning 60. Next half will be in Boise, where I grew up, in October.

I go by santaannarain.net and I have a website, but that's not why I'm writing this. I started run on Arbor Day of this year. I'm 54  years old and until then I always said I'm a hiker NOT a runner. But I ran a ten K Arbor Day run and avearged 11 min miles. This was intruging. I decided to try running and have been talked into, cajoled really, the Portland Marathon. I'm really worried. I think this is way to far way to soon. Any comments? Should I just do it (tm) or walk the darn thing?

Thanks. I'm seriously thinking about running half and walking half.

Hi all, I'm Brian from New Zealand. I just found this thread after posting to "The Lobby". Anyway, married, 2 kids and a cat. I have just started running again after a couple of decades' "break". I have shed a few kilos in the last couple of months, and hope to continue. Maybe even run a marathon some day. Just running a basic 5Km a day at the moment.

Cheers all.

Hi, my name is Jessi, 27, and I live in downtown Detroit. I'm 3rd year Ph.D. student and teach at a university. I'm a research nerd. I started running about 2 months ago as a result of two major events: (1) I turned 27, and for the first birthday in my life I actually felt year older, and (2) I went through a nasty seperation from my husband. When I started I could hardly make it a mile, a skinny weakling who liked to think I was "naturally in shape." To take my mind off things I kept practicing, kept running even on those mornings I didn't want to. Next month I'll run in the Detroit Marathon...but am only doing the half. I usually take one day off a week, and average about 4-6 miles a day with one long run thrown in the mix (9-10 mile run). Anyway, I'm really proud of myself for accomplishing something like this because I was the classic I-hate-working-out person. Wish me luck in the race!

i'm big-d from syracuse, utah.  i'm thoroughly non-athletic.  i ran the mile in hs to hide my inner theatre-geek.  (i never finished last!)  i have always enjoyed biking, especially mtb, but rarely had the time.  my wife "became" a runner almost two years ago.  i tried but only managed a few months on our treadmill.  this january we added our 3rd  son, and i felt the need to take my health seriously, instead of for granted.  i started running again, then to help my "runners knee," i started riding again to cross train and i remembered how much i enjoyed riding.  i now run 3-5mi or bike 9-12mi 5-6 days a week, and for the first time in my 35 years, i am enjoying exercise.  i have lost 20lbs this year, and can now average running at 6.5mph, and riding at 17mph.  i'm hoping to get some 5k's in soon, and then move on to duathalons or sprint tri's in 2008.  the greatest motivators have been my wife, (already back to pre-1st-child weight), and the training log on this site.

I've been running on and off ever since joing the US Air Force in 1986.  After 8 yrs of servcie I became a police officer so I continued to run more out of requirement than joy...though I did love the runners high I would usually get.  I got serious about my training in April as I decided to train for a triathalon to celebrate my 40th birthday.  I LOVED my long runs, and after reading Marathon Man by Dean Karnazes, I knew that distance, not speed, is what turned me on!  I did my triathalon in 2:45, 30 minutes under my goal of 3:15.  Two months later on my birthday I went out for a trail run and decided to run until I cound not run any more.  After 2 1/2 hours I was beat and completed 17 miles.  I LOVE trail running!  I don't do many races becuase I love the isolation of trail running.  I hope to work up to a 50 miler, but I will probably just go out and do it, rather than enter a race.  I also do circut training to keep up my strength, as it is neccessary when doing my job.  The world has become a violent place and my motivation to stay in shape is simply self preservation.  That is another reason I have to run...it keeps me sane after dealing with so much insanity at work.

 

 

Hi folks,

 My name is Kenny, I'm 29 from England.

I just strated running with a good friend, also I just given up smoking

At persent we go 3 times a week and do a average of 1.5 to 2.5 miles per jog...I find it a real test to do 2 miles at the mo.

I had a nasty tibial plateau fracture about 2 years ago.

I'm planning to join the police this year so fingers crossed, hopefuly this will get me in shape for the force.

 

Good morning, Mary here in the burbs of Chicago. Never thought I would start running at 54 years old but here I am. Two sons are married, one daughter graduated from college and is working in Italy, another a senior who swims for SC Trojans and the baby attends boarding school near Princeton. So, here I am adding a new dimension to my life, running. I LOVE to golf so earlier when I gave my age I really had to think hard about doing that because I'd really rather give my golf index than my age! I play on the women's team of my country club and will play in a three day event in Naples next month. The running has been better than I thought and I continue to move forward toward goals I have set for next spring. I would love to have a running partner here in Hinsdale but I'm not doing great distances yet, so Benny the doberman is my running pal for now.

How ya guys, i'm Sandy, living in Cork, Ireland.

I took up running last year but it's only in the last few months i've begun pushing myself.

I have just completed my first kind of marathon, the Cork Women's Mini Marathon which was 4 miles/5k.. i completed it in 38 minutes. Am delighted with myself at the moment.

I've lost over 2 stone since the beginning of last year, all down to running and looking after myself.

I'm delighted i found this site. 

Krista- Don't despair- you'll get there. When I started training for my half in May (my race is in October) I was very daunted at the prospect of getting up to 13 miles. What I found most useful was to have a plan for increasing my mileage, and then sticking to it (no small feat with two kids in the house and nearly constant snotty noses to cope with). I'm now running 10-12.5 miles on the weekends, with 6-7 mile runs 2-3 times during the week. Look up Hal Higdon's Half Marathon for beginners plan and stick to it and you'll be fine. And congrats on setting the goal. Having a specific goal out there has been the key to my running success.

 Good luck!

Hey there, I'm Caleb from the Tri-cities Washington.

  A year ago I weighed 240... I'm down to 210 by diet and exorcise but I've really just started to get into running. I'm hoping to get under two hundred and I'm trying to run every other day. I'm college so right now i'm putting in time on the treadmill at the college gym. after christmas when i'm outa there I'll be running the streets. I'm hoping that by getting in contact with some people here I can stay inspired to run because it is the best way to lose weight!  I hope to learn alot from all the experienced people on here.

Caleb

Hi,

 I'm Kevin, 33 year old, living in Dublin Ireland.  I am currently training for my first marathon in Dublin on October 29th. I wouldn't describe myself as a pure,  or for that matter a natural, runner, as I usually mix it up with cycling, weights, swimming. I tend to go though phases of running, the 6 months of marathon training being the longest stint so far. I'm enjoying it in a perverse sort of way, and I am on the lookout for my next challenge.

 Cheers

I am Jay.  37 years old and I have been running on and off since entering the Coast Guard in 1990.  I have 1 son, who loves to bike and paly video games, too much of the latter.  I began running regularly about 1 and half years ago.  I had never ran more than 6 miles, now I have run a 1/2 marathon, and regulary train in the 6 to 8 mile distance.  I started entering sprint triathlons this season and plan on moving up to International distance Tri's next June.  I am not that fast, but I love to challenge myself.  I have been a cop for 7 years and I have chased a few suspects on foot, I pride myself in running down perps who are in sneakers, shorts and t-shirt, while I am in boots, a wool blend uniform, and 18 lbs of gear on my belt.  Then being able to have the wind to read them their rights!  I also like the condition I am in for my primary passion: Surfing!  I hope to complete an Iron distance Tri in a couple of years, we will see.

I'm Charlie

 

I am 32 years old, married with 1 kid.  

 

Motivation - the little voice in my head that wants to continually compete with myself.  My helps me keep my motivation as well.

 

Running - I run 2-5 miles at a time and nothing longer.  The good thing is I never feel pain! 

 It's not very fast, but I would like to run a 5K under 25 minutes.  

 

Other activities - I also lift weights 5 times a week, so I'm a bit of a heavier runner, but I would like to continue to do both for balance.        

Hi there, Greg from New Zealand....IT Manager for a Kiwifruit Company by day.  I am mostly into running trail/mountain runs.  Done 2 hard core mountain runs last season and about to do another in 2 weeks.  These are alpine runs over half marathon distance at alltitude.....amazing scenery and fellowship of the other runners.  I have 3 kids a dog....oh and a hot partner/girlfriend :)

www.thegoat.co.nz

 

Good Morning Everyone

      My name is Philip and I just started running about two years ago.  I live in Kansas City Missouri.  So far I've done a half marathon, full marathon and a few five ks.  I am not very fast but I still love running.  Also I enjoy all the new poeple I've met while running.  I'm fairly new to this site and looking forward to more conversations with everyone.  Well off for my sunday run.  Best to everyone.  Bye.

                                                                                        Philip

Good morning (or afternoon ;-) all!

My name is Christy. I'm a new jogger/runner and also rather new to Bucks County, PA. I'm in IT (and have gained quite a bit because I tend to sit for hours on end) and want to get back in the shape I was in last year. I did the Livestrong Challenge 5k here in Philadelphia in honor of a family member, and I've been riding and jogging ever since. My goal is to work my way up to running a marathon, if it doesn't kill me.

Hi All,

 Mark here from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Happily married to a girl I've known since we were teenagers in Los Angeles, CA. We have 2 boys, 6 & 3yrs old, 2 dogs, 2 cats and an Oscar. 

I'll be 42 next week. I'm a big guy @ 6'2', 249lb (down from 263lb 3 weeks ago) with bad knees, hips and back. I played HS & college football and surfed but I have never liked running. I always found it to be a chore.

I have been into heavy strenghth training most of my life but slowed down on that about 7 years ago and started brewing (and drinking!) beer instead. I quickly went from heavily muscled and strong to almost middle aged and flabby. I decided it was time to get lean.

So last year I started to "get into shape" by biking doing a scaled back version of Crossfit.   My problem is I that was just not "fit".  

About 3 months ago my wife started running with our neighbor. Now they are running 5 miles, 3x per week. I saw how great she was feeling so 3 weeks ago I decided to take the dogs out for an evening run. I just about collasped after 2.39 miles. I thought I was going to pass out. But I've kept at it and now (sore muscles and all) I feel great. I bought some good shoes and even my knees and back feel better.

I ran this morning @ 5 am  in 4" of snow @ 30 degrees and it was awesome! For some reason, this time the runing bug really has me.

 My goal is to do the Bloomsday run in 2008 and get down to 200lbs by the end of the year.