A while back I posted about 5-hour energy and Gels....well, I'm here to report that I am now up to 9 miles and using 2 gels during my long runs. The gel that works the best for me (since I dump) are the Cliffs brand...they are 90% organic and do not kill my stomach. So happy that these still work for me as I have a few half marathons planned and now I don't have to worry about losing fuel.

Yay...another run/walk/runner!!! I am still doing this on all my long runs and as you said, I have much more energy at the end while improving my overall time. I am doing another half in June in Irving, TX and I'm going to continue to use this method and see how much I can improve on my time, as well as increase the enjoyment of the whole thing. Then in November I'm doing the San Antonio Rock and Roll marathon and my wife is doing the half marathon.

Hey BTB, is that the Wounded Warrior Half you're talking about in June?

Hey BTB' date=' is that the Wounded Warrior Half you're talking about in June?[/quote']

Yes it is. My wife is running the 10K and me and a buddy are running the half that day. Have you ever done that one?

Now you are motivating me to try this on 10 k run. I am usually a little fatigued after 10 k' date=' but not too bad.[/quote']

Fiddleman, from what I've read, the key is to walk early and often, don't wait till you get tired. You're intervals can be anything....5 minutes running/1 walking.....whatever you want. I've been doing 2 min run/30 seconds walk.....and going to 45 seconds walk on 8 miles or more. Experiment on you're long run and see what you think. I personally don't think this is for everyone and certainly not for short distances that one can easily handle. But for extending your distances I think it may be the ticket.

Yes it is. My wife is running the 10K and me and a buddy are running the half that day. Have you ever done that one?

I haven't done that one yet, but it is one that I was looking at doing.

I haven't done that one yet' date=' but it is one that I was looking at doing.[/quote']

Cool...well if you do I'll be there.

Hi I have being reading everyone's posts' date=' looks like everyone is doing a fantastic job. I started running back in late sept early Oct. did my first 5k in Nov. I've done 9 5ks and today ran my first 10k. My official time (from web site) was 1:12:15 . I don't have anything to compare it to. So I guess I am going to say I DID A DAMN GOOD JOB,,

I am training for a 1/2, I haven't registered for a race yet. My goal is to run a race or two every month.

Something that did help me in this race and the last 5k I'd to run/walk/run, that was something I read when BTB mentioned it on MFP. I did improve my time in the last 5k and didn't get to exhausted in the 10k.

I will continue to pop in and read your post. Thank you for all the advice and knowledge you share

GOOD LUCK TO ANYONE THAT HAS A PENDING RACE[/quote']

Woo hoo, YOU!! That is a DAMN GOOD JOB!! I'm glad that u found a strategy that improved ur time! Thanks for keeping us posted about how ur doing! Feel free to share the race pics. I like trying to do an event a month as well. It keeps me on top of my game. I'd like to register for more, but boy do the expenses add up. Lol! Would I be grasping at straws if I called it an investment for my health?!

Okay' date=' so I did my first "official 10K race" today in Ft. Worth. I say official because I have run several 10K distances in my training so far. What upsets me about this race is not how I did, but the fact that I don't think the distance measured for the 10K was actually 10K! I started my GPS tracker as I was crossing the start line, and I was not hitting the distance markers like I should have. What's worse is that When I crossed the finished line, I had actually done 6.41 miles instead of 6.2! Really screwed me up trying to get a PR in the 10K.

Here is what they have me officially in the race (I'm number 7 down):

And here is what Runtastic (My GPS app I use) says I did:

Here are my split times from Runtastic:

So it leaves me to wonder, just what was screwed up here? The race distance or my GPS? I started the GPS right as I crossed the start line, and stopped it just as I crossed the finish line.

What do you guys think?[/quote']

I agree with BTBs post below. The marking of the course might be off. I did a half last weekend and it was almost half a mile short. sadly it happens sometimes.

I'd also like to share that sometimes my Nike GPS is off. I have to calibrate it every now and then.

Woo hoo' date=' YOU!! That is a DAMN GOOD JOB!! I'm glad that u found a strategy that improved ur time! Thanks for keeping us posted about how ur doing! Feel free to share the race pics. I like trying to do an event a month as well. It keeps me on top of my game. I'd like to register for more, but boy do the expenses add up. Lol! Would I be grasping at straws if I called it an investment for my health?! [/quote']

I've wasted more money on less important things. I think if the events keep you motivated then go for it. I wish I could find more around here but during the summer months there just aren't very many.

Just checking in...today I ran the 10mile Broad Street Run in Philadelphia, Pa. Was my first time competing in the event, it was a blast! I ran my best time yet!! I finished 1:46:25!!! Woo hoo!

Just checking in...today I ran the 10mile Broad Street Run in Philadelphia' date=' Pa. Was my first time competing in the event, it was a blast! I ran my best time yet!! I finished 1:46:25!!! Woo hoo![/quote']

Way to go!! Ur becoming quite the fast ass! Lol. I LOVE the new profile pic!!

Just checking in...today I ran the 10mile Broad Street Run in Philadelphia' date=' Pa. Was my first time competing in the event, it was a blast! I ran my best time yet!! I finished 1:46:25!!! Woo hoo![/quote']

That's awesome. Truly impressive time. What do you have planned for your next race?

Still need to work on this nutrition thing but inspite of that, I was able to turn in a 4:41 in my first full marathon, Pacers were so good I probably could have finished at 4:30 but my quad knotted up at 25 miles and I walked from 25 to near the finish before jogging across the finish line. Couldn't stand the thought of walking across the finish line. Even though I thought it might be stupid at the time, I biked to the airport and home for my flight to the marathon. Turns out the bike ride home was one of the best things I could have done to loosen me up. Legs feel great.

Still need to work on this nutrition thing but inspite of that, I was able to turn in a 4:41 in my first full marathon, Pacers were so good I probably could have finished at 4:30 but my quad knotted up at 25 miles and I walked from 25 to near the finish before jogging across the finish line. Couldn't stand the thought of walking across the finish line. Even though I thought it might be stupid at the time, I biked to the airport and home for my flight to the marathon. Turns out the bike ride home was one of the best things I could have done to loosen me up. Legs feel great.

Wow...congrats. That's a great time and I know you must feel very proud having accomplished such a feat. Men half your age can't do it. Happy for you.

Still need to work on this nutrition thing but inspite of that' date=' I was able to turn in a 4:41 in my first full marathon, Pacers were so good I probably could have finished at 4:30 but my quad knotted up at 25 miles and I walked from 25 to near the finish before jogging across the finish line. Couldn't stand the thought of walking across the finish line. Even though I thought it might be stupid at the time, I biked to the airport and home for my flight to the marathon. Turns out the bike ride home was one of the best things I could have done to loosen me up. Legs feel great.[/quote']

Way to go Mass!! That's SO awesome. Congrats!!

Hey all. Just wanted to come check out how all you all are doing on running. Looks like everyone is doing great. Congrats!

I got cleared by my physical therapist to start back into training two weeks ago and I was finally able to "run" yesterday. I had been doing this run/walk/scoot thing getting my spine accustomed to the rigors of running. I think I might actually be able to "run" again, which makes me quite happy. When I first started PT, he said he doubted I would ever be able to run again after having a laminectomy. Never tell me never.

So it leaves me to wonder, just what was screwed up here? The race distance or my GPS? I started the GPS right as I crossed the start line, and stopped it just as I crossed the finish line.

What do you guys think?

So, one thing you have to know about GPS devices, is over time and distance, errors creep in. Signals bounce off trees and buildings and it is going to skew your results. I have a top of the line Forerunner and it has had me running through buildings and in the middle of a river, before. Over a period of an hour and a distance over 6 miles, you gotta know even more errors are going to creep in.

Another thing is the race itself. I only do *certified* races now. Well ... prior to my surgery and now, hopefully, going forward. Races that are not certified WILL be off on their distances. Pretty much guaranteed. It should be noted somewhere on their website, but if it isn't contact the race coordinator to find out. It is costly to have your race certified so a lot of races don't bother as for the most part, they are just fun, community fund-raising events and the participants know that.