I just caught Eric's interview on the Connect Run Podcast while on my 8-miler yesterday. Excellent interview, Eric! While listening, it reminded me of how far I had come as a runner since I started 5 years ago and how The Cool Impossible had helped become a better runner.

I was diagnosed with hypertension about 7 years ago at age 36. At the time, I was a smoker of 17 years, sitting around much of the day, and eating fast food regularly. Somehow, I had deluded myself into thing that I was still fairly healthy after years of living like that. The day that I felt light headed at work and had an RN check my BP was a wake up. When she gave the numbers (182/121 or thereabouts), I knew something had to change, something other than just the medication my MD prescribed.

The very next day, I smoked my last cigarette, went shopping for some healthier foods, and started walking. Amazingly, it all stuck with me. I added in some resistance training and a little stationary bicycling as time went on, and eventually something that I was initially doing to fight off nicotine cravings and cope with stress had become part of my lifestyle.

One evening, I decided to try a jog around the block instead of riding the old stationary bicycle. I only made it half a mile or so before I had to walk, but it was fun. The stationary bicycle was riding off in the back of someone else's truck within a week, and I was out run-walking 4 days a week with my 3 year-old in a jogging stroller after that.

Before long, I was running 3 miles regularly and figured it would be fun to try one of those local 5Ks out. I started training for my first 5K using a pretty basic plan I fond on the web and completed my first race a couple of months later. I knew I was hooked the moment I crossed the finish line.

I started reading magazines and books and internet articles feverishly, learning more about form and training. I chose my next race and started doing some tempo and interval work. Along the way, I came to the realization that I was heel stinking a lot of the time. As I began to increase my mileage, I ran into the old shin splints and achy knees. I ended up finishing my second 5K 4 minutes faster then my first, but I knew that I needed to make a change to my form if I wanted to continue improving and wanted to avoid injuries.

I came across Eric's book at my local library. I flipped though it and quickly realized it was just what I was looking for. I started the transition to the mid-forefoot strike about a week later and purchased a new pair of more primitive shoes and a Watch/HR strap. I started doing the exercises in his book.

I registered for my first HM and started the TCI training plan accordingly. I finished my first HM with a nice time. Most importantly, I had had experienced less pain and no significant injuries while training at much higher mileage. I decided to go more primitive with my shoes and to go through the TCI plan a second time while training from my next HM. I ran the same race 6 minutes faster.

Last year, I completed my first marathon just 15 minutes slower than the BQ cutoff.  While I used a different training program, I continued to employ a lot of the stuff I learned from Eric's book and in the forum here. I continue to get faster at age 41, and I owe a lot of that the Eric's book and this site.

This year, I am focusing on 5Ks and looking to maybe finish one under 20 minutes. I'm actually doing those slant and wobble board exercises more regularly than ever before. I'm still using Eric's HR zones and employing a little barefoot running in my training. I still check my watch periodically to assess my cadence and visualize myself running over logs when working on my form.

Happy running, everyone.

Thanks again, Eric, for helping me achieve my cool impossible each day!

This is my second time through the TCI program. Last year, I focused mainly on transitioning to the forefoot strike and my form in general. I find that I am benefiting even more this season having already gone through the program once before.

I completed my 1-mile retest yesterday and was 55 seconds faster than I was when I tested at the beginning of this training period! That was in 20 mph winds also. When I started my training I wasn't sure how feasible my personal 5K goal was, but my 1-mile time confirmed that I am on track for reaching that time goal. My 20-minute retest later this week should give me a lot more info.

Thanks to Eric and all on here who have given their advice and support!

I get to feel like a track star for a bit. :)

I am really enjoying my second time though the TCI program thus far. Last time it was all about adjusting to the form changes and getting used to running a little slower during most of my easy runs. This time, I have really been able to focus on the bigger picture. Instead of just trying to make sure I land on the forefoot and get my cadence down, I can really tune in to the entire form (stability, consistency, and fluidity).

A huge thanks to Eric the book and this site! I can't say enough about his generosity in providing feedback and guidance to those of us who ask for it.

Well, it was a great end to my season. I crushed my previous HM by over 5 minutes! Thanks to Eric for the book and his replies to this forum over the year as well as to all of you who have participated here. I am sore in all the right places this morning (calves, glutes, and hip flexors), so I know that I transitioned well.

Aside from the increased weekly mileage and the form tweaks, the rolling hills long runs in phase 2 helped e the most I believe, since my race had about 4 miles of steady inclines of varying grades from about mile 6 to mile 10. I was able to cruise uphill without waning while passing several walkers who had gone out ahead of me on the flatter portion.

Eric's HR training baseline tests and charts are the best I have come across. I am looking forward to getting a new GPS/HR device for Christmas this year to replace my base HR device. I can't wait.

Next up is my first full marathon. I have done 2 HMs and a few 5Ks. My PRs are 22:19 (2012) and 1:43:01 (2014). At age 39, I have been running for 3 years and averaged about 40 miles/week this past year.

I plan on increasing my weekly mileage to 50-60 this season in preparation. I also plan to be more consistent with my slant/wobble board exercises.

What else should I consider when setting goals and planning out my training for my first full? Any advice is welcome and appreciated.

Thanks all!

Just 5 weeks left until my HM following a season of the TCI training plan. I timed my training so that phase 2, week 9 would be my taper week. I repeated weeks 1-4 of phase 2, similar to suggestions I read from Eric in the forum. I am thinking about changing up my remaining long runs, however, since I have repeated those weeks and am approaching race day. Instead of running rolling hills, I am thinking about running relatively flat routes in HRZ 1-2 and finishing my runs  at half-marathon pace. Thoughts? If I do this, I am not sure if I should finish them all the same (say the last 1/4 of the run) or at increasing lengths up to the week before my race. Any advice or suggestions for my final weeks of training would be much appreciated. This is my second HM, and I am hoping to improve my time of 1:48.

I have been so psyched to start Eric's program. It felt like the time would never arrive. I have been doing the strengthing exercises and running 3-4 days a week for a little over a month, and now it's time. I did test #1 yesterday afternoon. I still need to become more consitient with my strength training and start working in some of the drills, but I am almost ready to go.