Hey all! In case you haven't seen it, I've relaunched the podcast, and the first two episodes are live. I've been working on it for several months. Of course, they address people at the very beginning, behind where you are, but I bet you'd still enjoy it. Tried t be super motivating because, as you all know, that's critically important. WHAT's DIFFERENT: The 'Village' is free. That's the General Discussion area for people to interact and share wins, etc. I'll pop in every day to answer questions, simple ones that only require a couple of sentences to answer. There is also be a Cadence/Breathing masterclass pinned to the top of the General Discussion category. Then, there will be a paid tier for $12 a month, to start. Those people will have access to the Classroom. I've reorganized the information I had there before and added stuff. Perhaps the most important feature of the paid tier is the return of Beginner Dinners, but they'll be once a month, ongoing, every second Thursday, at 6:30 p.m. They'll differ from last time in that they'll be entirely Q & A. People can submit questions ahead of time in the Questions for Deb category, prefacing the questions with, "This is for the next Beginner Dinner." You - because you're special due to being in my first Skool class - will automatically be in the premium tier, no fee. I hope you'll resume the conversion in the General Discussion area. I want to hear from you all. One thing you'll notice is that I've updated - slightly modified and simplified - the training schedule. You'll see continuing changes and additional information over the next week or so as I continue to build it out.

Virtually all beginner runners report struggling to breathe, which makes perfect sense because any running is intense for anyone not accustomed to it, but over the years, I've discovered a way to make running much easier, even in the first few weeks. The secret is taking quick, tiny steps. We call this high cadence, but that's just part of what makes my program easier. There are four parts: 1. High cadence 2. Only running for the duration that is appropriate for your current fitness. 3. Keeping the duration of the entire workout within what is appropriate for your current fitness. 4. Progressing extremely gradually over a period of months, not weeks. 5. The diagnostic test will help with #2 and #3, and for those registering for my premium program, there will be a specific schedule with every day's workout prescribed. However, you can certainly determine this on your own. Using my schedule will likely provide reassurance. Now, more on cadence: Start with running in place. You want to aim for 170 steps per minute. Download a metronome phone app and set it to beep 170 times per minute. 180 is considered ideal, but it'll be easy to move up to that, later. Alternatively, you may want to set your app to half that and only count every other step. Either is fine. I've attached two videos to help with mastering cadence. In the second video, the man, Scott, a member of my local group, has his metronome beeping at 90, because he's counting every other step.

Welcome to the Village! I want to make sure you get the greatest possible benefit from this group. PleaseI start by introducing yourself, and then, stop in every day and make many friends. I promise to log in every day to keep an eye out for questions. On this wall, I can only answer questions that can be answered, briefly, but if you are a premium member, which will be just $12 a month until the end of the year, we will have a Beginner Dinner live Zoom call once a month, on the second Thursday, for you to ask any questions. You'll be mainly using one or two areas of this Skool group. You'll be mainly focusing on the discussion on this wall, and as you can see, there is already a Breathing Easily Masterclass. If you are in the premium tier, you'll spend an equal amount of time in the Classroom, and of course, participate in the monthly Beginner Dinner Building friendships with other runners will enhance every part of your running journey. I am super happy to have you here! How to use Discussion Categories: • QUESTIONS for Deb: The place to ask two types of questions. One, brief questions I can answer in a couple of sentences. Two, longer questions I can answer in the monthly Beginner Dinner for premium members. For these, start with "This is for this month's Beginner Dinner (Live Q & A.)" • ANNOUNCEMENTS: These will be announcements from me. • INSPIRATION: This is where you - or I - post anything we believe will be inspiring to the members of this community, whether it be a milestone you reached, a motivational quote, or an article. • PODCASTS: This is where I'll link to each episode when it goes live. • EXERCISES and DRILLS: I'll share the ones I feel are most important and most appropriate for beginners

Hi all! Hope you are all doing well. Please check in to update us all. I'm anxious to hear how you're doing. I've been working on tweaks to the program; that's what I mean by 'change,' but it won't be too different. The next class will begin January 7th, and I have people on the waiting list for that, but you all will automatically be in it, veterans; you can still participate in all the Beginner Dinners. Plus, your experience will be appreciated by the new members. You'll see new podcast episodes pop up soon. I'm headed up to North Carolina for a five-week vacation, and that will be podcast production time. It's been a tough year, so far. I've lost three close friends, members of Run Tampa, one in February, one in April, and another in June. Running has helped, of course, but my heart aches. They were all wonderful people and longtime friends. Then, in April, I tripped, while running, and broke my arm. I'm all recovered and was able to run the whole time it was healing. I have graduated from physical therapy and am training for the Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Half in September, the club's 2026 destination race. Speaking of destination races, you are all invited - encouraged - to join us for any destination race. I don't make any travel arrangements, but I do plan a dinner for the group, and I take a lot of pics. So, it's easy for people from out of the area to join us, and they often do. In 2027, we're doing the Cincinnati Flying Pig, which offers a full marathon, half, and 5K. Please consider joining us, and don't think that it's not worth the trip to just do the 5K. Connie will tell you that our trips are wonderful, no matter what distance you do. She did the 5K when our destination race was the Corning Wine Glass Marathon/Half/5K in upstate New York last October. I'll attach a pic of Connie at the finish line with our friend, Denise, who now lives out of state. I'll also add a pic of the group dinner, also a pic of Run Tampa at a 4th of July race. Please update us and post some pics.

Good Morning! I think of you often when I’m out running and always feel grateful for your coaching!! Just wanted you to know that it’s all going well!! I am slowly working my way up the levels. Sometimes I have MCAS flareups and have to take the week off but I feel great when I get back at it. I’m figuring out my own schedule but the goal for me is always to interval run more than 10 miles a week. I’m excited to get to higher levels and start signing up for races and to visit Tampa at some point. Just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you and your coaching! Your program gave me hope after a long and discouraging phase of illness. Thank you!!! Smiles, Brandy