[riley0003]

Hello everyone, I just heard about this running forum and wanted to introduce myself. My name is Susan and I live in NY with my husband and our two french bulldogs. I have 3 grown kids who (thankfully) don't live with us anymore. I've been running off & on for years, but got back into it more seriously about a year ago. Then at Christmas time, I ripped my right calf muscle and couldn't run for 4 months while I did intensive physical therapy. It was tough to begin again, but I'm back up to 2-3 mile runs pretty consistently. Mostly now I run at my gym on the treadmill early in the mornings, but I'd like to start getting outdoors a little when the weather cooperates, especially on weekends.<br><br>
My current routine is:<br>
run 3ish miles Sunday<br>
do nothing on Monday<br>
run 2 miles Tuesday - faster pace or incline<br>
do nothing on Wednesday<br>
free weights & lots of abs on Thursdays<br>
run 3ish miles Friday<br>
power yoga on Saturday<br><br>
I've only run 1 5k so far and I finished it in 34 minutes. I'd like to run another one or two this fall if I can find one in my area that works with my schedule.<br><br>
My goal right now is to increase my mileage back up to where I was before my injury, which was about 5 miles per run, about 4 times per week. I just met a woman at my gym who wants to start running so we may try to be running buddies at least once a week. I think that would be helpful to me.<br><br>
Anyway, as a bit of a newbie, I welcome suggestions from you more experienced runners! BTW I live in an extremely hilly area which is another reason why I seldom run outdoors.<br><br>
Susan Riley

 

[altoids]

Welcome!<br><br>
It sounds like you're coming along nicely on the comeback trail!<br><br>
I'm a mom of 4, 2 in college and 2 at home, so I haven't experienced that elusive empty nest thing yet.<br><br>
I've been running 3 years now, and really loving it. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[riley0003]

Thanks for your welcome, Altoids! I must say I'm enjoying the empty nest.<br><br>
When my kids were babies (I had 3 in 3 years), I used to run around a college track with them and they sat in their strollers and screamed every time they saw the "duckies" in the pond nearby on the southern end of the circle. Now I'm a step-grandmother and things are a lot different!

 

[tigger]

Welcome!<br><br>
So your dogs speak French do they? Le ruff! Le ruff!!

 

[riley0003]

Hahaha! Actually they don't bark much at all. They do this horrible screaming thing once in a while when they want something badly (a cat, a toad, etc). And they sure aren't good to run with! But Truffle & Remy are wonderful dogs.

 

[tigger]

Time to get yourself an avatar and move into the Post Race Tent for some coffee and discussion!

 

[altoids]

Do you have a picture of the pups you could upload for an avatar? That would be cute!

 

[riley0003]

I do! I'll try to upload it tonight but I'm not quite sure how to do that. It may take a little fiddling around.<br><br>
This morning I went to the gym early and ran a hot, drippy 3 miles at about a 5.6 speed, which is a little slower than usual. The air conditioning was on but it was still terribly muggy and I was dripping sweat big time by the finish. But I felt good about accomplishing this despite the weather. Tomorrow is yoga -- hooray! -- I have the most wonderful yoga instructor and I think it really helps my running a lot.<br><br>
Susan

 

[runningINnyc]

Welcome Susan!! I gotta imagine I'm downstate from you in NY b/c the only thing hilly around here are the bridges. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">

 

[riley0003]

Hi Maria, thanks for the welcome! I live just barely north of Westchester, on the border of Danbury CT. I work in Mount Kisco and am the director of the public library there. It's really, really hilly around here, which is a big problem for someone like me who's still struggling to improve my running! Conditions have to be perfect for me to have the confidence to tackle those hills outside (low humidity, perfect temp, etc). That doesn't happen too often, LOL!<br><br>
My daughter lives in NYC near Lincoln Center, and she does a little running outside b/c her boyfriend is training for the marathon. But she's in law school so she doesn't have a lot of free time. Mostly she swims & goes to the gym at weird hours.<br><br>
Susan

 

[runningINnyc]

I know exactly where you're talking about ...had friends living near Mt. Kisco. It's pretty up there.<br><br>
I live very close to Lincoln Ctr too! It's great being equidistant to Central Park and Hudson River Park/Riverside Park ...that's where I spend the majority of my runs. I've probably run by her and/or her boyfriend at some point. Small world.

 

[Liam3494]

Hi Susan, and welcome to the boards. If you take a look at the 5K Training programmes on the site, the intermediate one may just meet your requirements as to the best way of developing your running.<br><br>
You'll find a lot of humour, and a lot of good ideas, as well as the odd mad one, here at kickrunners, but most of all we're like a big family, and everyone will try and help and encourage you as you progress. Good luck<br><br>
Liam

 

[riley0003]

Hi Liam,<br>
Thanks for the info - I will certainly look into that! I'm taking my progress very slowly though as I'm nervous about getting hurt again.<br><br>
Are you really in Dublin? My family is from Limerick (family name is Gaffney).<br><br>
Susan

 

[Liam3494]

Yep - I'm really in Dublin <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"><br><br>
Originally from Banbridge in the North, but have been living here for a few years now, and an adopted Dub <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"><br><br>
So, a Limerick Lass - When you get yourself all fit and ready for that first marathon <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">, I expect you here in Dublin <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"><br><br>
Liam

 

[riley0003]

I'm a little old for running my first marathon (born in 57), although my dad ran his first one around age 40. My sister, who is 46, is running her first half marathon on Cape Cod this fall.<br><br>
I've been to Dublin as a teenager but haven't been back there since. My (new) husband & I hope to visit Europe, especially the British Isles, in a couple of years. The last time I was there, I bought lots of Mary Quant makeup, which wasn't available in the States at that point, as well as a poncho! I was so fashionable, hahaha. Now I spend more money on running gear than work clothing (according to the new hubby).<br><br>
Speaking of "gear", and to change the subject a little, does anyone recommend a heart rate monitor for training, even when doing short distances such as 3 miles? Maybe I'll post a new thread on this topic.<br><br>
Thanks,<br>
Susan

 

[Dankinia]

Welcome to KR Susan.

 

[Liam3494]

The beauty of running is that you are never too old to start - And never too old to run your first Marathon, or anything else.<br><br>
Not sure if Mary Quant make up is still around, but we do have some great Guinness <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"><br><br>
Liam

 

[riley0003]

I've actually been to the Guinness factory! The smell of hops was overwhelming. At the time (I was a teen), I preferred drinking shandy, LOL.<br><br>
I had a good weekend running, despite the extreme temperature & humidity. I ran in my gym on the treadmill. 3 miles on Friday; yoga on Saturday, and 2.5 miles on Sunday with 20 more minutes on the rower. I hope to start the second phase of the C25K training in a few weeks after I become more comfortable running a consistent 3 miles at a pop. I'd like to get up to running 5 miles regularly.<br><br>
Susan, who couldn't upload the picture of the dogs as my avatar....

 

[Buxtehude]

Hi!

 

[riley0003]

Thanks to everyone for your very nice welcomes. This seems like such a nice group! This morning I started the "60 minute" plan by Switzer and I think that might work out pretty good with my schedule. So I ran 30 mins at about a 10.20 speed and a 5% incline on the treadmill. My DH had loaded up some new songs on my mp3 so once I got into the run, it went along pretty well, but I must admit that I was counting down those last 2 minutes.<br><br>
Susan, information goddess