Re: The Welcome Thread: Both old and new

[John Kilpatrick]

I'm Gene. I started running in 2004 and joined Hal's boards shortly thereafter. I haven't been active over there for a couple years, though. I ran a few half and three stand alone marathons, but then drifted into triathlons in 2007. Since then, I've knocked off three full Ironmans and four half Ironmans, along with bunches of sprints and Olympic distance races.

When I first started triathlons, running was my strong point, but it fell behind my biking the last couple of years. This year, though, I've fallen back in love with running and I'm running faster than ever...at 50. I've had two back surgeries and my doctors want me to quit or dramatically reduce my running (even though the injuries were completely unrelated to running), so I'm limiting the amount of long races that I'll do. Maybe a couple stand alone half marys and one or two half Ironmans each year.

I'm glad Mark steered me here, it's good to see a bunch of familiar names/faces.

Glad you are here Gene - That is pretty humbling - I am worried about ONE half ironman this fall and you are going to take it easy and only do a couple! Look forward to reading about your exploits and hopefully your back cooperates.....

[John Kilpatrick]

Well gee, I go away for a week and look at how the forum has grown! Awesome!

So, my turn to introduce myself...I'm Colleen, started running back in 2005, ran my first marathon in 2006 (New Jersey) and have been hooked ever since. I was only going to do one marathon and call myself done, but clearly that didn't work out...I've run 10 marathons and probably 20 half marathons since that first one. I still don't feel like I've ever had a really "good" marathon experience. Probably has something to do with the fact that I'm not great about consistently training

My first marathon was with Team in Training, and I've now done 6 seasons with that program and will be starting my 7th later this summer. I love my team and no one will ever convince me that charity runners are bad for the sport. I still do a run/walk, although it's got a lot more running now than it did when I started running.

Oh, and I will fight Chas for the title of slowest runner here. As I recall, Chas, the last race we ran together you finished way before me

Outside of running, I used to live in New York City, but now live in Monterey, CA. I love where I live (great weather for running year-round!) but I really do miss having major seasons. I work at a small software company and love my job/company. I'm also an amateur genealogist and when not traveling for marathons, I spend a lot of time traveling around visiting far-flung family members and local archives.

So yeah, that's me...

Welcome Colleen - that is a lot of race miles in there! Glad your here.

[ChasMcG]

Well gee, I go away for a week and look at how the forum has grown! Awesome!

So, my turn to introduce myself...I'm Colleen, started running back in 2005, ran my first marathon in 2006 (New Jersey) and have been hooked ever since. I was only going to do one marathon and call myself done, but clearly that didn't work out...I've run 10 marathons and probably 20 half marathons since that first one. I still don't feel like I've ever had a really "good" marathon experience. Probably has something to do with the fact that I'm not great about consistently training

My first marathon was with Team in Training, and I've now done 6 seasons with that program and will be starting my 7th later this summer. I love my team and no one will ever convince me that charity runners are bad for the sport. I still do a run/walk, although it's got a lot more running now than it did when I started running.

Oh, and I will fight Chas for the title of slowest runner here. As I recall, Chas, the last race we ran together you finished way before me

Outside of running, I used to live in New York City, but now live in Monterey, CA. I love where I live (great weather for running year-round!) but I really do miss having major seasons. I work at a small software company and love my job/company. I'm also an amateur genealogist and when not traveling for marathons, I spend a lot of time traveling around visiting far-flung family members and local archives.

So yeah, that's me...

Whatever! I did finish before you but I think there was reason for that! Didn't you have to stop in a casino for a bathroom break? You know you stopped off for some blackjack on the way back! That was a great race though! Lots of fun and I'm glad I got to run a few miles with you. Last year wasn't nearly as fun but it was warmer than the one we ran. That is still my coldest race yet. IN VEGAS?!?!?

[dot520]

It's been a while since I've done any formal introductions. I'm Dot, one of those that used to be in the back of the pack and is now somewhere around the middle.

In high school I was a sprinter, 400 relay was my event and I despised having to run long distance. Speed was my thing! For distance I picked up back packing and can trudge from sun up to sun down with 40 lbs on my back, day after day, no problem. Take the pack off and try to speed me up for just a half marathon and it's tough for me. I racewalked 9 marathons before converting over to running. Racewalking was a happy medium between hiking and running but it just created the worst sciatica situation, so I switched to running. First marathon was in 2001, last one was in 2006. Too slow!

Decided to change up my training, work on speed with no more than a half as the distance until I can do a 2:15 half. At that point I'll get my revenge on Chicago. I'm at 2:19 right now. Also decided to work on overall body fitness so I have a trainer that I've been working with for the past 2 years primarily for upper body strength and core.

On a personal level, I've been with my partner, Gene, for over 15 years, live in Indy after living in So Cal for 35 years (what you'll do for a man), have a cat and a parrot. Oh, I'm also vegan (about 19 years), but we don't have to debate the merits of that. I'm self employed, running two companies related to commercial concrete flooring systems. I'm an avid vegetable gardener and try to practice sustainability as much as possible. What else?

[grennifer]

Thanks for welcoming me to the board.

My name is Greg Henneman and while I am not fast I am a running adict. Since I began running in 2008 I have lost almost 50 pounds and have finished one ultra (Ghost Town 38.5), two marathons, three half marathons, and have ran on a whole lot of trails and up the sides of beautiful mountains.

Two weeks ago I completed the Run the Caldera marathon. After not doing so well, I pledged to take some time off and do some core work to strengthen myself before any more races. However, somehow, I am now registered for two 5Ks in July. I have a problem and am glad to be part of a forum where other people are as disturbed as me.

I am also a pastor, I love to write, and have an amazing wife and two great boys.

Greg

[Nick Morris]

Thanks for welcoming me to the board.

My name is Greg Henneman and while I am not fast I am a running adict. Since I began running in 2008 I have lost almost 50 pounds and have finished one ultra (Ghost Town 38.5), two marathons, three half marathons, and have ran on a whole lot of trails and up the sides of beautiful mountains.

Two weeks ago I completed the Run the Caldera marathon. After not doing so well, I pledged to take some time off and do some core work to strengthen myself before any more races. However, somehow, I am now registered for two 5Ks in July. I have a problem and am glad to be part of a forum where other people are as disturbed as me.

I am also a pastor, I love to write, and have an amazing wife and two great boys.

Greg

Welcome Greg!! 50 pounds!! That's awesome!! And don't worry about being an addict. All of us here are, so you will fit right in!!

[ounce]

Howdy, y'all! I'm Ounce and I live in Houston. I've lived in Texas since 1960 and in Houston since 1964. I've run since 2003 after 46 years of hating to run or even exercise and had 270 pounds to show for it. I've run 10 marathons and 1 50K. I finished my 10th at the 2011 Houston Marathon in January. It wasn't an official time, which severely pissed me off. (Therefore, I claim slowest male on this board ) The bottoms of my feet hurt from the pounding for the last 5 miles. So I had to make some changes because just running wasn't cutting it.

I never actively did any cross-training during a training session and I was at 230 pounds in January. I read where the six steps to running faster started with losing weight. At the suggestion of my son, my cross training began on Valentines Day and I started CrossFit (crossfit.com), which is a fitness, free-weight and anaerobic program. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm still weak in upper body strength e.g. I can't do pull ups, but I have near twice the stamina of those that have a really stout upper body. So on a strictly anaerobic workout 15 minute piece (out of a 60 minute session of warmup, weight lifting, then anaerobics), I can do the tasks without stopping to catch my breath and now consistently finish in the top 3 of 9 in the class. To top it off, usually I will have run 3-5 miles before class. I wear my Garmin during the class and have seen my heart rate get up to 85% of max. By the time the Fall rolls around, I won't be buff by any stretch, but my core will be great and I'll be in better shape for running. I also now do yoga once a week at the CrossFit gym, which is part of the price. I can only imagine how well Schuey would do in CrossFit.

Today, I weigh 205 and looking to get to 195 or so before Labor Day. It's my belief that weighing less just might help me go faster. I'm working on running comfortably at 70%. I know it's been since the early 80's since I've weighed under 200. I changed my diet to a Paleo style for athletes diet.

You know, running is fun. But I'm terribly slow, which is why 'running for mediocrity' will be such an improvement. Such an improvement to be average. Thanks for letting me know about this board, Schuey. And thanks for your time.

[Schuey]

No problem Ounce, happy that you are posting over here! CrossFit I hear that is some tough stuff!

[John Kilpatrick]

happy that you are posting over here! CrossFit I hear that is some tough stuff!

+1 and Welcome!

[ounce]

happy that you are posting over here! CrossFit I hear that is some tough stuff!

+1 and Welcome!

Much obliged. CrossFit can be tough, especially on a day where no strength training is part of the "WOD" (workout of the day). If the WOD is the name of someone, it's going to be very tough. But a typical day with strength training involves about 10 minutes of warming up doing different things, then 30 minutes of strength training including a teaching period of the item, then about 15 minute anaerobic conditioning, then a cool down. The anaerobic part could be 3 rounds of: 100 single under jump rope, 20 toe to bar pull ups, and 20 sit ups.

There's alot of creativity that's all purposed to make the whole body fit, not just certain areas. I haven't done a bicep curl once. They are really good about teaching and letting you do things at your pace. I can't do a toe to bar pull up. I can only get my knees above my waist. And my push ups are with my knees on the ground, not my feet. You do what you can do. Some people are kick ass on strength, but crappy at running. I'm not the fastest, but I guarantee you if an anaerobic conditioning part has 3 rounds of something that includes running, I will place in the top 3.

It's worth a look.

[Nick Morris]

happy that you are posting over here! CrossFit I hear that is some tough stuff!

+1 and Welcome!

+2

[Paula Sue]

Hi...most of you already know me...but for those that don't, I'm Paula Sue. Some call be Paula and that's okay, too. I'm an old runner now. I used to be a middle aged runner. I actually started running when I was 42 years old...after I quit smoking. I got the distance running bug when I was 49 and decided to run a marathon before I turned 50. I did that...and since then I've run 32 more marathons in 20 states including 4 Boston Marathons. I love competing. I never knew I had any worth as a runner until I started beating other old ladies. I don't always beat the other old ladies but I give it my all (BTW, I"m 63 years old).

Right now I'm trying to keep myself out of the glue factory (check out my blog). Once I'm back into training, I'll go back to trying my darndest to beat all those old ladies out there

[sir digby]

Hello, my name is Chris and I'm an addict...no really I am but I've been clean for 22+ years.
I've been running since June 2008, it was in May of that year that I got fed up with being a tub of goo (228 pounds @ 5'10") and decided I needed to do something about it. I had done some running the previous years but nothing more than 8-12 a week during summer months. As soon as the cold hit I would quit for the year and maybe start up the next year but in 2008 I started to think about running a marathon.3 years, 4 marathons and 60+ pounds later I'm still chugging along.
Although I have been disappointed with my marathoning career so far it has far exceeded anything I ever expected when I started out. I think I fall victim to comparing myself to other runners and where I come up short instead of focusing on how far I've come and how much improvement I can still make. So although I am mostly a smart ass and a non serious poster I am very serious about my running and pour my heart and soul into it.
I started my training this week for the Lakefront Marathon, I'm cutting 2 weeks out of a Hanson 16 week schedule that will average 70+ miles a week. I'm hoping that my second straight cycle at this mileage will pay dividends. Time will tell and hopefully the telling time is sub 3:20...
-Chris

[Jerry]

Welcome Chris. You are an inspiration!

[Kenny B.]

Welcome Chris. You are an inspiration!

+1 Welcome we are so glad to have you! Sit back and enjoy but don't forget to run!

[Schuey]

Welcome Chris and congrats on being clean for 22+ years. Like you I'm an addict and have been clean from my demons for 5+ years. Good luck with your training and again welcome to 365runners!

[Mrs. Schuey]

Welcome Chris! I think it's great that you have come as far as you have. Keep up the great work!

[Julie]

Welcome, Chris! Running is wonderful for so many reasons. Best wishes on your Lakefront training and time goal!

[Admin]

Sir Digby... has arrived.

[Dave Bussard]

Welcome Chris... You'll fit in well here. We're all a bunch of smart asses! Or is it dumb asses.....

[Michele "1L" Keane]

Welcome, Chris.

[Schuey]

Welcome Chris... You'll fit in well here. We're all a bunch of smart asses! Or is it dumb asses.....

Dave I would have to say that it has to be a mix of both!

[ounce]

Welcome to the fold, Chris.

[Kenny B.]

My name is Kenny B.and I am a grateful recovering active run-aholic. I am sober one day at a time but not including today, yesterday or since June 2006 and I can promise you not tomorrow or the next day.

My M.O.'s include but are not limited to: internet running forums specifically 365Runners, running multiple marathons, running every day as early as 4:30am, running on weekends for hours on end, driving to races over 3 hours away, flying to races, talking about running incessantly to not only fellow run-aholics but to those who don't care, eating and drinking for the purpose to run better, buying multiple pair of running shoes at a time, matching my running clothes to my shoes, wearing compression socks even when I am not running. To name a few!

Repeat ... You know you can relate.

[Penelope]

KMN, maybe you need an alias? Glad to see you back.

Liz, I've decided to take your advice. Instead of going by Kathy (my real name), I'm going to change my username to Penelope, in a small effort to leave less of an internet identity footprint. (In case anyone cares, the name Penelope I got from Penelope from the Odyssey because I like her name and character.)

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