Running Clubs, Groups, and Partners: Massachusetts-Seeking Running Partner in Quincy, Braintree, Weymouth Area

I get a little carried away when I'm talking about it. But I am really proud of myself. I was a sprinter in high school at a competitive level and back then the 200m was long distance for me. But, sprinting can only go so far and loving to run I had to accept longer distances. I never thought I would have ever gotten to this point.

I never slept well before any of my half marathons and it was the same for the marathon. I was so tired from the long day that I got some good hours in but it was so interrupted. I had so much running through my head. It never seems to affect me race day though - I'm up and out of bed quickly and wide awake.

I probably picked it up a little too much in the middle third of the race. 9:30s should have been my fastest and I had a few closer to 9:15. But I was frustrated witht he 10s I was running near the start - the psychological nature of the pace got to me.

I think the smartest thing I did was go as far as possible before walking and having a set place to walk. I hurt by the time the water stop at mile 21 came along but I could still run at a 10 mile pace. I told myself until I really see a drop in the pace I need to keep running. Only walking at the last three waterstops makes me feel ok with my decision to walk because I pushed myself in between them and didn't give in to the temptation to walk more.

Thanks for asking! Unfortunately my dad had to step off the course at mile 15. He may have started out a little too fast but he thinks a combination of Accelrade and GU that he had never tried before was what made him feel the worst. He's obviously upset but I think this will motivate him for future marathons.

How has your running been going since your half? Find any races yet? I'm looking into some winter races so I'll let you know what I find. Briefly I think there is a 20 miler on Marthas Vineyard and one of similar distance running through three New England states.

It's been 2 weeks now since my race and I've had trouble getting back into a running routine. I've only gone 5 or 6 times. I think part of it is that it gets dark so quickly - I'm used to running after sunset but when I get home it feels so much later than it should be and it's done a number on my motivation. I brought my gym stuff with me to work today so I can hopefully jump start a routine - I'm looking forward to getting back into it. I've made a loose schedule so now I just have to start it!

I love the Thanksgiving Day races! My next race is the Jingle Bell 5K in Somerville mid-December. After that I'm looking to do one 5-10K/month. I'll get back into halves in early spring - I should look into the Hyannis Half - and do a few in preparation for my second marathon next fall.

That's so exciting you're taking on Boston!! What charity are you running with? Even with all the work to prepare, I really think you'll enjoy both the training and the race.

I LOVE cold weather running as well. I recently got an amazing deal on a pair of CWX tights and would live in them if I could. I need a good hat that helps wick away sweat - my knit one just won't cut it again this year. Hopefully we can keep eachother motivated to get out there when the temps really start to drop!

Good job with the running!! Keep it up!

Good job on the 9miles! Especially in that wind! It was probably the last bit of warmer weather running we'll see for a while. Keep that up and your 10 miler will be cake. When is that?

Good luck to your brother on his first race! Has he started to catch the running and racing bug from you? Think of how quick this race will seem to you after all the long training runs and the half marathon!

I am finally out of my funk. It wasn't even just running related - I had been tired and unmotivated to do much of anything the past 2 weeks. I hated taking the time off from running but I guess I really needed it. This weekend I seemed to get back on track and I feel so much better. I plotted out a more detailed routine for the next three weeks. This week will be lighter since I haven't run in 10 days.

I think to keep my competative level up, I am going to run a few races in NYC this winter. NYRR has a winter series of mostly 4-6 mile races with a few halves. My dad goes down often and has really enjoyed them. There is a half in late January of 2 loops of Central Park that I want to do.

Good luck with the running this week!

Oh, and been meaning to ask if you get New England Runner magazine? It's a great reference for races in the area. I think you can even access their database of events online.

Hey! Glad to hear the running has been going well. I've been doing well with my maintenance runs. I'm doing the Manhattan Half January 25 but not planning on pushing myself too hard.

Good luck with the marathon training!! How exciting today is Day 1!! You'll have to let me know how you're doing as you get further into it!

Hey! No worries - I actually don't log my information into mapmyrun anymore either and just come on for the threads. I bought a program that has a great layout and some additional features that this one doesn't. I can upload my garmin info into it as well - mine, however, is a little more outdated than yours. What a great gift!

Glad to hear the training is going well. To be happy with the way things are going during these hard weather months is a major plus. I've experienced the same problems rearranging runs thanks to the snow and ice. I've been doing the gym a few days a week but the rest are difficult since the only time I can run outside is once it's already dark - and that just sounds disasterous. My running is no where what it was before the marathon and I've certainly taken it easy since then, using the weather as a good excuse!

My training is picking up a bit now. I have a half in central park next weekend that we're just doing as an easy run - I'm in no way prepared! After that I have a 5-10K planned each month leading to another half the end of May in Brooklyn that I'll use as a competitive run and merge right into my marathon training.

Good luck with the 12 miler! Keep me updated with your success training for the marathon!

Hi!

NYRR.org (New  York Road Runners).

They sponsor races and running classes. You can also become a member for reduced price registration, but don't need it to run in their races. They have a lot to offer.

Hope this helps!

The temperature kept me indoors today - I'm hoping to get in a run tomorrow and just brave the cold.

Thanks for the heads up about the Legal Seafood race. It sounds like a great scenic run. I'm doing a half next weekend and then a 5 miler in Brockton on Feb. 8 so I should probably take that weekend off!

I do interval runs and strides to work on my speed. (However, I'm a little cautious with the intervals because I injured my knee last spring when I ramped up the speed and was out for 6 weeks) When I had first started, I did longer intervals at a faster pace and have really just been too scared to increase it since then.

For the intervals, I start with 1/2 mile at an easy pace, then a 1/4 at 5K race pace followed by another 1/2 mile easy. I do this for 3 cycles or so. I like to do these on a treadmill just because I can control the pace and distance better than outside.

The strides I do on my road (when it's not so icy!) It's probably somewhere between 50-100meters. I gradually increase my speed over the distance until I'm running faster than 5K race pace by the end (but not a full out sprint)

Hope your running is going well! What distances do you like?

Hey - So I didn't get out last Sunday. I was nervous since my half was coming up and my mileage has been low and no more than 5 miles. The race was today and while I've certainly run better, easier, and faster halves before, it was a good run. The 14 degrees was the hardest part!

Congratulations on the baby and getting back into running! Your 25 mile weeks put mine to shame. Don't worry about feeling slow! Everyone has different circumstances  affecting the outcome of their race.If you get through the race feeling good and proud of what you've accomplished than the final time doesn't matter.

 Good luck!

well, I am still trying to figure out my pace because I tend not to push myself as hard when I am running by myself. I want to say 10-11, not really sure. What is your pace?

Free beer! sign me up! I do plan on doing Ras na hEirreann 5k. Are you going to do Milton 5k/10k in June? I am going to sign up for that race too.  The Brooklyn Half sounds like fun, I would love to do that race but don't think I am ready. I've never done a 10k, so I think I should run some 10k before doing a half. Wow! And your doing the NYC bike ride, that's great.

Good luck with your training!!!

How do you figure out your pace? Do you have a special watch?

Hi,

Just got home from work and need to wash my favorite running shirt. The web site for Milton is the Milton womens club. They're the one who hosts the run.I believe it's June 9th the race.

Hey! I've been thinking about writing you to see how the training has been going. Only a month away! It sounds like your training is going well - that's awesome! Having a good support team, especially for those long runs, is key. What is your projected race pace? What's the longest distance you've trained at?

I ended up having a very light winter training-wise. I ran a half in January but the week after developed tendonitis in my left foot and ended up wearing a boot for a few weeks, followed a few more weeks after that of no running. Boy did I have some free time but I was so anxious to get back out there! Since I started back up 3 weeks ago the foot has been fine, so I guess following orders and staying off of it did good in the end. Better injured in the winter than during the racing season I suppose.

I am registered to run the Hartford Marathon October 12! So, I'm starting to work in my smaller races leading up to it - which includes the Heartbreak Hill Half on May 31 that I can't really see being a fun race considering the course!

I'm about to go take a look at your training blog. How fun to have something like that! Good luck during the next month and keep in touch with how things go!

Hi, thanks so much! Please thank your dad for me, he is so kind to sponsor someone he has never even met before! He told me you guys are planning on running Hartford in October! Thats awesome! I really enjoyed running that as my first half marathon, maybe I will have to go back and tackle the marathon too. I will see how I feel about marathons after Boston first.

I would ideally love to run between 4:20 - 4:30 but really I am going to be happy and proud of myself for just doing it and making that time would be like an added bonus.