part 2 i'm not trying to write a book here, it's just when my post got long, the screen started doing weird things.

Here's what I've found helpful as I've gotten more serious about running:
-get a running friend or partner. if you can't find anyone, join or check into road runners clubs of america. they have chapters all over the country. i'm a member of my local running club. in the DC area alone, there's the DC road runners, montgomery county road runners, howard county road runners; there are 'road runners' in every county around here. when i went to FL last summer on vacation, i checked into running with the ft myers road runners (although on vacation, i never felt like getting up early and running with them).
These road runners chapters have all speeds of runners - from those who are trying to Boston qualify to 'back of the pack' groups. They have training groups for 5k's, 10k's, half and full marathons. The one i'm in has a training group for beginning runners, for women and for walkers.

-subscribe to Runners World or go to their website. I used to see this magazine (which almost always features 'plastic looking perfect people' on the cover) and think it was just for fast runners and so wouldn't be helpful for me. It appeals to and helps all runners. They have a section just for slow runners and a section for beginners. They have training tips and diet / food info, shoe info, race info, stories, all kinds of info. Their website has all kinds of specific info as well, info on injuries, etc. It's a great magazine.

-if you're going to run, get a GOOD pair of shoes. this really helps in the injury department. i've found it helpful to go to a running store (not just target or whatever) and talk to someone that is used to helping runners find a good shoe that fits their gait or style or whatever. it's a little more expensive but is worth it. also, get good socks.

-if you're moving from doing a half marathon to doing a marathon, i think a training group is really necessary and very helpful. when you have to knock out weekly long runs it's so helpful to have a group or person to talk to pass the hours and also stay accountable to (like when you'd rather stay in bed on saturday morning).

i'm sure others have great advice to share or we could share some goal races we'd like to try, etc.
happy running, walking, etc
keri

Great posts Keri and Lori. I'm more like you guys than you think...I don't just love to run all the time either, but I know it's good for me. It's tough getting motivated sometimes. I have to have a reason or an event to shoot for. If I don't declare to people in writing that I'm going to do something like long distance running or biking events, I probably wouldn't do it. I think you're right that for me to be able to run a full marathon after only doing 3 halfs, it's going to take a lot of motivation, and a training group sounds like a great idea.

My next goal (as it has been every year for the last 7 years) is to ride my bike 170 miles from Houston to Austin in support of raising funds for those afflicted with MS. I'm starting that training with my bike partner this weekend. The actual ride is in mid-April.

Oh and Keri, I know you've had to have some discipline to be able to run a full marathon, and I don't care what pace you run. I know what it takes to run a half, so I'm in awe of those that have run 26.2 miles all at once.

I cross country skied to my mailbox the other day.

Keri,
Your letter sounded a lot like me and how I feel about running. I ALWAYS like it when I'm done too. Running with other people makes it muc more fun.  I run with 2 or 3 other friends.  We keep each other motivated.  This summer we are planning  on running in a 50 mile relay.  It's a cancer fund-raiser.  We invited my daughter to run with us.  She can be fast while we do our slow runs in between.  :-)  Somewhere I read that the only difference between jogging and running is your attitude.  I'm consider myself a running...albeit slow.  Anybody ever gets to the UP of Michigan I can show you some fun routes to run. 

Jean

Tell you what, Keri....you go run and I'll stay home and eat waffles and drink coffee for you!  It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it.  I'm willing to take one for the team!   

Lori

We went cross county skiing on the lake this morning.  Gorgeous!  Now, if I could do that for the next ten days, I might be able to get my bathing suit on in St Croix without horrifying the residents.  Off to a potluck eating marathon now.

Patrick,

Wish I'd read your suggestion BEFORE I ate the pancakes!   

My only workout today involved doing my taxes and paying bills.  My fingers, eyes and brain are very well exercised now - I think I'll give them the day off tomorrow.

Nancy, I used to cross country ski all the time when I lived in Upstate NY.  I still have my skiis, but they don't get much use since I've moved south.  But if it ever does snow here - I'll be the only one prepared! 

Lori