Pump You Up: The Fitness Thread

[JustSkipIt]

I ran the Austin Livestrong Half-Marathon yesterday. It is my second year to do it (and my second half-marathon). My goal was to run it in 2:33 which I thought was very doable. But alas... my time was 2:41. I feel disappointed to only improve my PR from last year by 9 minutes. At the same time, I was very touched by the support of my family (sister's family, brother's family, and wife and the kids). They came out to 3 spots on the course to cheer me on and my niece, nephews, and Asher ran up the biggest hill (at 11.5 miles) with me. I [url=http://laf.livestrong.org/site/TR/RUNAUSTIN12/AustinMarathon2012?px=1001645&pg=personal&fr_id=1040fundraised for Team Livestrong[/url] and wrote a list of tribute names on my shirt as well as having the family sign. Different people mentioned my shirt as we ran and said that we've got to make the lists shorter. Yes! Let's eliminate Cancer. The crowd support was wonderful and I met some great people also running for Team Livestrong. While I'm dissapointed that I didn't make my goal time of 2:33, I did make my goal for fundraising. I started with a $1000 goal, then raised it to $1250, then raised it to $1500. Right now I've raised $1374 and I still think $1500 is possible . That's what it's really about for me. Ending Cancer.

[JustSkipIt]

I'm doing a 10 mile race tomorrow. Right now the forecast is good chance of severe thunderstorms and hail. So basically of the last 3 races I've signed up for 1 - cancelled due to weather, 1 - fine, 1 - forecast thunderstorms and hail. Erggghhh.

In 2012, my running is going well. I've had 2 100+ mile months. April - not so much. I've only run about 4 times for 24 miles so far. Very paltry.

[Finey_McFine]

Yesterday my kid participated in her first 5k with her Girl Scout Troop. I'm really proud of her...even though it was the Blue Bell Fun Run and they got unlimited ice cream at the end, lol.

Anyway, we both started Weight Watchers a few weeks ago and she is doing SO much better than me! My problem is that I'm easily swayed, "Hey Shelb, wanna go out to lunch? I'm buying'." Then I make crappy decisions at whatever restaurant we eat at, then I feel guilty, I feel like a failure, blah, blah, blah. Ugh! So, I stuck to it today and I'm freakin' starving, not to mention I have a headache from hell. I sure hope this hungry feeling starts to go away, because I'll never make it like this.

So, tomorrow when J gets out of school, we're making a family trip to the gym. Baby steps.

[JustSkipIt]

Hey Shel,
That's awesome about the Girl Scout 5K. I'm trying to get the family to go to a 5K this weekend. The kids can't run that far and I'm not sure Chiara can really even walk that far so I may end up carrying her but I think it would be fun to do together. The kids are excited about my races and I think they would be very excited to get to wear a race number and have a time.

Everyone I know in WW seems to really love it and feel like basically if you eat a lot of vegies & fruits you can eat a lot! I've seen your posts on the gym so that's cool.

[Finey_McFine]

Thanks Deb!

I actually stuck to it for the entire week, went to the gym 3x and lost 5lbs:) It got easier as the week went on and the 'starving feeling' subsided by about mid week. I've been making a point to eat breakfast every morning, no matter what. Even though I told my employees that I was bringing lunch every day, one of them STILL tried to get me to go out! Grrr!! But I kept my promise to Jordan and didn't go:)

5 lbs down and 1005 to go! ha ha

[JustSkipIt]

I signed up for the Half marathon next February that I've done the past 2 years. And I said to my wife did she want to do it with me. She could run or walk whatever. I just meant to offer to include her but I was sincere but she's sort of really intrigued/scared about it. It's 8.5 months away so she has plenty of time to consider. I think it would be fun if she doesn't totally freak out.

[Foomatic]

Trying to stick to running 3 times a week lately. Started at a 2 min run, 2 min walk interval, then upped it to a 2 min run, 1 min walk. I'm hoping to run a 5k in September. You guys have any recs for a good pair of running shoes or running accessories?

[JustSkipIt]

Foo - I love the run/walk. This guy is pretty much the main run/walk guy. He actually says that there is not a significant value to any longer than a 1 minute walk interval unless you're eating your snack or whatever. There's also this podcast which has like 10 episodes and is totally a run/walk thing. There are 3 versions: Extra Mile (regular/call-ins etc), Galloway edition - training run/walk, and To finish Breast Cancer which is again Galloway and marathon training. The two run/walk ones are done but you can get the back editions to download.

Running shoes - go to a running store to get fitted. They should have you walk/run in them and I would expect to pay at least $90 if not $120 for a good pair. Don't skimp.

Accessories... I like to track my runs but you're doing that with your phone or something. So let's see. A water belt or pack. I actually like to wear either a camelbak pack or a spibelt (that was a giveaway the first year I did the Livestrong HM) and this bottle which I won on the above podcast. The guy is a DM friend and last week he was running a 1/2 price special. Body glide or some other anti-chafing product. Sun screen. Road ID or some other version. I wear a headlamp when I run in the dark.

So... I love accessories. I guess of those I listed above after good shoes and technical t shirts, I would say the most important is the anti-chafing product and then Road ID.

And a 5K in September is totally doable. I see lots of 6 week to 5K programs!

[JustSkipIt]

Foo - Also if you want to run/walk you can get a gymboss interval timer (about $20 plus shipping) or download an interval timer onto your phone. I have the Impetus one (free) on my android and it works great but sometimes it gets stopped by an incoming call.

[Foomatic]

Hey Deb, thanks for the info!

So I got new shoes, my question to you is: what do you do to break them in? I ran in them last night, (right out of the box) and it hurt in the beginning, but got more comfy as the run progressed. It actually hurt more to walk than to run at one point. I read one site that said if the fit is right, you don't need to break them in. Then another said to walk in them for a few days. Thoughts? I got them at the Nike store, after it felt like I tried on every shoe they had. They were the most comfy, and had the best cushioning. I tried a lot of shoes that were supposed to simulate barefoot training, but I felt like I wouldn't get enough support wearing them. I wanted to go to a running store and get properly fitted, but there weren't any near my parents' place and I didn't want to pass up free shoes from Dad.

I looked at a lot of training guides for 5ks, and they seem to be pretty much the same, increase your intervals intervals until you can run 30 min. I'm hoping to bump up my runs a minute each week. So far so good. My neighborhood has some slight elevation changes that really start to test my endurance, so I'm wondering if it would be better for me to find a more level place to run since I'm starting out, or should I stay the course and put in the extra effort on the route I'm currently running?

I looked at a lot of apps before I settled on LogYourRun. It's got interval timing, so I know when to run or walk, a really nice music feature that integrates with the music on my phone, and it's GPS to track my runs. There's also a couple of bluetooth heart rate monitors that are compatible with it, so I'm hoping to reward myself with one after my first 5k.

[sweet satin lover]

doing some exercises on the rug in my living room before bed, feeling quite tired but need the adrenaline rush.

[JustSkipIt]

Well first off, I'm having a hard time getting up at 5:00 to run these days. Jesus, I'm tired. Last night I had a very disturbing dream so I went back to sleep 5-6. Arggghhh.

Foo - I usually take a short walk in them before starting to run in them. Generally if they are well fitted, I haven't had problems. You might also want to consider using a glide product on your feet and what kind of socks you have. My feet blister worse when it is hot because they sweat more. I don't think there's anything to do about that particularly. Good luck!

SSL - Good for you. I've been mixing in some of that as well with my You are your Own Gym plan and some core work.

[sova]

I'm dead in all aspects of deadness. I'm doing apx. 12-16 miles on bike everyday now, and today I pushed myself really hard - there was a huge storm behind me and I usually cycle through the forest, so it wasn't really a pleasant prospect. Hence the deadness. And I had this strange craving for eggs as I got home.

My back aches, 'cause my bike is for taller people and so does my butt - that's nothing out of usual and some stretching would help. My legs are wobbly, but my right knee is kinda... squeaking and I can't lean onto it fully. I tried to find fish oil, because I don't eat meat (much, sometimes I force myself to - proteins and stuff) but I didn't find it.

Is there some other way to make joints better-lubricated and the cartilage stronger? I though about glucosamine & chondroitin (It helps when my dog is limping) but I don't really like the idea. I've been playing basketball for as long as I can remember and I've never had problems - I've stopped a year ago though, so that might be it..? I usually start to limp when I run more than 5 miles, it sucks, and now I can feel the ache even on bike, though it isn't such a restriction as limping. But it's still disturbing, not to mention the noises.

And yeah, I think I should re-consider my diet. I eat too little to engage in physical activities like that. Today I ate an oatmeal, a tuna salad, cooked corn and now 3 eggs to satisfy my strange crave. Too little. I have this weird issue, where I consider eating a waste of time - unless it's chocolate, that is.

I hope my knee gets better, 'cause I really wanna start running again, like before. OK, not exactly like before; I would probably take it slower now - a year ago, when I was on my first run... I ran 8 miles until my fistulas literally burned. Thanks to my basketball training I've never really had problems with endurance, but there's this physical thing I've been constantly unaware of - like diet, joint & bones nourishment, proteins, warm up... I'm not doing the same mistake again.

I would be glad for any suggestions on joints.. and stuff. Thanks! I wish you all happy workouts and runs!

[faolan228]

Sova, I have the same joint problem as you, in three places in fact! My right elbow, my left hip, and my left knee.(I'm 18, so it isn't due to old age) I was told to eat more bananas and prunes, and nowadays I don't squeak as much. My elbow though, still has problems, and I have to wear an elbow brace when training. Perhaps a knee brace or something, til you strengthen that area?

[JustSkipIt]

Sova - I don't really know about what supplements to take for joint issues or anything. I take an Omega 3-6-9 daily and a multivitamin but nothing beyond that. I know that with your endurance you don't need to but I'm wondering if inserting short walk breaks into your running would help your knees. Perhaps run 6:00 walk 1:00 or run 4:00, walk :30 or something. I would give that a few tries and see if it lessens the joint issues. I'm also wondering if there's a way to get your bike refitted for you or is it just too big and no way to adjust that?

Anyway... good luck and please keep reporting back here.

[sova]

Thanks for suggestions.

Starr, I found a knee brace at home so I'll use it next time I'll go on a run, though I don't think it would be soon in this weather. Blech.

JustSkipIt - I didn't even think about something like that, thank you and I'll definitely try it. And nope, my bike is just too big and it's actually for men, but it's okay. I developed a better posture obviously, so my back and butt don't ache anymore. At least they didn't yesterday and day before that.

I also borrowed my dog's joint supplements - they are actually for humans - which contain soya & fish oil, collagen, powder from cuttlefish's bone and glucosamine & chondroitin. This works like a charm for her, and it did for me too. I took a break from biking for the weekend and I took the supplements for three days. When I was on bike yesterday, I did 20 miles and my knee was okay with it, no loud protests or anything. (I even forgot to wear knee brace)

And I should really eat something healthy and nutritious now. It's lunch time. (in my time zone anyway)

And a banana too, obviously.

Thanks again for suggestions, I'll definitely report after my first run. Have a nice day!

[JustSkipIt]

I'm starting a new program Monday. I signed up for some sort of semi-one-on-one training. It's 16 weeks but I think may really be 15 weeks because I'm going to do a HM 9/29 (not signed up yet) which I think is only 15 weeks ago. It's taken a few days of e-mails and how does this work and sign up for this and so on and so forth. But my coach put my first week of workouts on my calendar. It's actually 7 days on if I'm reading it right: 3 run, 1 bike, 3 lift. But the total time is like 5:55 so that's about what I exercise now. The first thing I noticed was that the lifting listed exercises to be done with weights or machines neither of which I have so I e-mailed her and said how about I exchange body-weight exercises and she said yes. She did say that it would be better with weights but I don't want to join a gym or buy weights. I've owned weights and they take up space and get in the way and cost money and then I end up selling them. I may end up joining a gym though because today's run was at 100% humidity. No shit. I didn't know there could be 100% humidity. If I'm going to train for a HM in July/August, I may have to cave to the treadmill. We'll see.

[JustSkipIt]

My training is going well with the program I signed up with. I have a coach but she basically posts workouts once a week and sends me a note or two with some atta girls. I think it's helping although I'm used to just fucking running which is more fun than strength training and shit like that.

Back when I signed up for the HM in February, I said to my wife did she want to do it too. Honestly, I didn't think she would even consider it. But I figured I would ask. She was like taken aback and all "I don't know" and "how would I" and "who would watch the kids" and then has been like not obsessing over it but bringing it back up. Now, understand that my wife just lost 50 pounds in the last year but did that without a lot of exercise. She tends to have a lot of excuses about exercise: it's too late, it's too early, she can't do it with the kids, she's too tired, her knees hurt... So I've been very careful throughout her considering and considering and considering to be supportive without pushing. The truth is that I don't have a preference beyond her feeling good.

Yesterday she was telling me again how she doesn't know how to run and can't breathe and stuff. She has told me this in the past and basically she has always said that she's just not made like everyone else. Well I have a hard time believing that but ok. So I said that maybe she just isn't able to run for a long time fast but maybe she could start slow. She considered it. Today she went out and ran 2 miles by running 10 seconds and walking 50. Woo hoo! You have to start where you are and she did. I hope she sticks with it if she likes it.

[Finey_McFine]

No to toot my own horn, but I'm down 38.5lbs since August.

[JustSkipIt]

Shel - Toot away! That's totally awesome.

[CrazyTaraWitch]

Tonight I went on my first proper run (meaning not just running to try to catch a bus!) in months. It was only a mile, but I ran the whole way (not too fast, cause I didn't want to overdo it) and felt good. A few weeks ago when I donated blood my resting pulse was 100, which is scary considering I'm 23 and theoretically in good health, so I know I have a long way to go to get back in shape. I told myself after that that I would start running again, but kept putting it off and putting it off. The last few days my girlfriend has been telling me about the exercising she's been doing, and it finally sparked me to actually run. My goal is to run again this weekend, and then at least once a week until my classes end (because finding time during the week would be a bitch right now), and then go up to at least twice a week until I move at the end of the year. It's a bit difficult to plan anything for after that, but I think the next few weeks should be enough to get me back in the habit, so hopefully I will stick with it.

[faolan228]

Everything's gone to crap this past couple of months. I dropped 13 lbs after I had my wisdom teeth removed, and haven't fully regained it yet. Then, college started, and I've dropped another 10 or so :( I was already 101lbs to begin with, so this is really bad. Not just plain weight, I've lost a lot of muscle tone, too. I've been trying to have fuller, more frequent meals.

My workouts are less intense then they were in highschool, though. Mostly, lots of long walks and some lifting. Tempted to invest in some protein powder, but not sure yet. I'm sure if I cut back in running, and do more weights/squats etc, I should be fine in a few months.

[JustSkipIt]

Starr - I'm sort of worried about you. You're eating, right? Please do what you can to be healthy. If the protein powder works, then add some to your meals.

[JustSkipIt]

I haven't posted in a long time. I'm "running" the Austin Livestrong Half-Marathon this Sunday.

Except I'm not.

I woke up about 4 weeks ago and simply could not move. After no back issues, I had hurt my back. I've been seeing a Chiropractor and going slowly. Basically SI Joint issues caused by muscle imbalances and lack of flexibility. I'm stretching a lot, taking treatment, and walking a bit. I plan to walk the first 5 miles of the HM and then drop out.

[Finey_McFine]

T-55lbs and counting! The busted knee slowed me down and I actually gained a few pounds, but hopefully I'm back on track!! I wanted to be down another 50 by the start of summer, just because it's so fucking hot here, but I probably won't hit that number and that's ok because as long as I'm still losing...I don't really care:)

[Katharyn]

Justskipit, try Pilates if not already recommended to you.

Look around, there are classes in most places and to be honest you should only need to do a couple to get he idea. Just make sure it's a class for beginners.

It really will develop core strength and flexibility. I'm a convert after years of jus running and bad posture. It's also kind of relaxing and can make you sweat too. Maybe back classes up with a DVD. You get some gratifying "cracks" from your spine as it all goes back into place and does away with back pain I had for years (low level) from sitting at desk all day and then coming home and doing the same thing to write.

I keep going to classes as one days worth of my weekly routine, but yo really can do a lot of good just with a 10-15 warmup session, at least for your spine. The longer sessions add more to core strength IMHO

Even if chiropractor sorts you out, I think Pilates would be a good ongoing thing for you (also as a runner, I get less back pain while/after running)

Feel better!
Katharyn

[JustSkipIt]

Kathryn - Thanks for the recommendation. I'll look into that.

[faolan228]

I'm a physical therapy major and I talked to one of my professors and she recommended swimming for those of you with back, joint, or muscle pain. It's excellent cardio, works the full the body, and doesn't put much pressure/shock on those areas, so you can exercise them without too much pain. Water aerobics was another recommendation, too. So if you guys have access to a pool, I say take a dip, have some fun, bring the kids and make a family thing out of it.

Now for my update, I found a nice little gym right between my school and apartment, and with a combination of healthy eating and exercise these past few months, I've brought myself back to a healthy spot. Now I'm in the high 90s(remember, I'm only 4'11", no heart attacks please lol). Still kinda scrawny looking, but I actually have more muscle on me at this point than at any other point in my life. Thank you, tuna fish.

[CrazyTaraWitch]

I will never understand why summer is the time of year I always winding trying to get in shape. As someone who does very poorly with heat, it is the worst possible time for me, but here I am again. The last couple weeks I've been running again, but since I'm so out of shape and it's hot and insanely humid I've been taking it very slow, just 1 to 2 miles about every other day. Tonight I finally had a run I'm happy with: 2.4 miles in 28 minutes. Admittedly I felt pretty worn out by the end, but I averaged 11:40/mile so I'm quite pleased.

[foxycas]

A fresh new diet, to lose 10 kilos and trying to walk for 1 hour and 30 minutes each day. Just after dinner or before breakfast. Last time it worked, I might even look good next year.