Pump You Up: The Fitness Thread

[JustSkipIt]

HC - Cool. Have a great time!

BreatheNoMore - I'm not sure I've seen your login here before but welcome. That all sounds great. I belong to Gold's Gym and used to do a lot of classes but I found that I don't like classes so early (5:30 am) because people expect you to talk to them and stuff.


I've been keeping up with my running after taking a few weeks off to rest my sort Achilles tendon. But I don't want to list it all out here because that's just sort of tedious and unnecessary. But... I'm now doing a 12 week to train for a 10K (really I'm going to run a 5 mile race) program. Yesterday (first Saturday) was a 5 mile run. Wow. I ran 5 miles. 3 times I walked for about 1:30 each time. I probably could have pushed through the 2nd break but I found that I could run faster after. My basic goal was 5 miles in under an hour and 2nd goal was 5 miles in 55:00. Including the breaks and a warmup it took me 55:51. I'm super happy about that. More than that, as I was running at one point I was just totally shocked at myself. I started running in April having never managed to run a 1/4 mile at a time and I had run >2 miles without walking and was just sort of "wow."

[JustSkipIt]

Yesterday I was scheduled to donate platelets but I had been feeling sort of fluey Monday and early Tuesday. But I'd already asked for the hours off in the afternoon so instead, I came home and ran my 4 miles (really 4.19). It was raining constantly but it was pretty fun anyway. I was extra careful on painted concrete to not slip and forgot about school getting out so had to avoid all the elementary school kids with umbrellas. It felt great though.

[JustSkipIt]

Ok. I'm not posting all my runs but today I hit a major milestone. I ran 4 miles without having to stop and walk! My pace was under 11:00 for the length of it. When I think that less than 6 months ago I had never run 1/4 mile I'm blown away.

[HalfCamel]

Deb - That's awesome! Keep up the good work.

Today I completed my first 12 mile bike race. It was a great, fun experience and it made it even better by helping raise money for breast cancer awareness. There were single riders, groups of friends/family, families with children. It was really fun and would recommend it to anyone one.

I had such a great time that I am hoping to participate in the Live Strong Challenge next month. And it's for a good cause too!

[JustSkipIt]

Hey everyone,
So my running is going well. I ran 5 miles without having to walk once last week and again this week.

But more importantly...

You probably know Hidden Watson/Watty. She started running around two years ago and has been very inspirational to me in terms of my own running. Sunday she will be running her first marathon - The Chicago Marathon. Please pass on best wishes and congratulations if you have a chance.

[Zooeys_Bridge]

Woo! Go Deb and Watty!

I tried running but cannot for the life of me get the hang of it.

[Owl]

I tried running but cannot for the life of me get the hang of it.

Seconded. I've always been envious of people who could run long distance so Deb and Watty, you're pretty much my heroes. I'm dedicating the 16 mile bike ride I just got back from to you guys (and finding a nice corner in which to collapse with exhaustion)

[Zooeys_Bridge]

16 miles! Jeepers, that's quite an accomplishment as well, Elle (hey, that rhymed). Congrats all around!

[JustSkipIt]

I tried running but cannot for the life of me get the hang of it.

That's where I've been my whole life but this time... I don't know. It just took and I'm really enjoying it.

I'm dedicating the 16 mile bike ride I just got back from to you guys (and finding a nice corner in which to collapse with exhaustion) derr

Thanks! Great ride.

Anyway, I'm still enjoying running. I'm seriously considering running the Austin/Livestrong 1/2 marathon next February. It looks like I could sign-up for the Livestrong team with a commitment to raise at least $500. That would put me on the team with my race registration and shirt and I'm not sure about training and everything. I also just found a training program that I might be interested in. The guy who founded the program is by Jeff Galloway who's pretty big in running/training. It looks to me like he advocates running and walking a planned interval for long runs. There's a weekly (I think 13 weeks) training program that starts November 6th and it's like $95. I'm interested in doing it.

I'm still hesitating though. My wife has not been particularly supportive over the years of any of my hobbies: writing, working out, riding my bike, whatever. But with running, she's been super supportive. A few months ago she was saying to me: so why don't you run a marathon? And I told her that I didn't feel ready, didn't know that I wanted to do it, and more than that, it would take a lot of time away from the family to run long runs on the weekend and possibly some evenings (rather than just at 5:00 in the morning when I usually run). And she shocked me. She said, "well, that would be fine. Whatever time you need, you should do it." Fast-forward to last night. I sent her the links about the program yesterday and we've been talking about my running the 1/2. But she hadn't looked at the links and I brought the program up last night. We got interrupted but what she had to say before the interruption was basically that it sounded like it would take too much time away from our family. Hopefully she'll change her mind when she realizes that my going to one group run a week won't take any more time than my Saturday morning runs would take anyway but I don't know.

[JustSkipIt]

Ok. I did it. I just registered for Team Livestrong and the Austin 1/2 marathon. Wow. That's February 20, 2011. I'll be running a 1/2 marathon. I think I better say that a few thousand times to get used to it.

[Zooeys_Bridge]

Congrats, Deb! You'll kick some hard ass, I'm sure of it.

[JustSkipIt]

I'm running regularly and I've raised $395 toward my $750 goal for my half-marathon with Team Livestrong. I have a 5 mile Turkey Trot scheduled for T-giving day and then I'll get into the half-marathon training. I'm trying to decide between two training programs (Jeff Galloway vs. Nike Running plan). If you want more details on my training, I post them at my blog and on Facebook.

[JustSkipIt]

Well, I was running well until I came down with a cold/flu last weekend. I missed the Turkey Trot entirely which is a bummer because I had been training toward it and my sister, BIL, and nephew all ran the 5 mile so I would have been with them. Anyway, my half-marathon training will officially begin on Tuesday with a 4 mile run (if I'm up to running). I'm doing this plan from Nike+ which will take me right up to the half-marathon on February 20. I still need to raise at least $75 more for the minimum goal but I really wanted to raise more like $750. I'm very excited and just hope I'll feel up to it in a few days.

[JustSkipIt]

I just had such an awesome run. I've been feeling like my runs were dragging but today I just felt smooth and fast (for me). 5 miles in 55 minutes or so is good for me.

[JustSkipIt]

I'll be running my first half marathon sunday.I'm excited and sort of scared.my sister and her family are coming to support me.

[wayland]

Good luck for Sunday, Debra.

Hope you really enjoy your run.

[JustSkipIt]

Wayland - Thanks so much.

I did it. My official time was 2:50:24 which is about 5 minutes slower than my goal. I guess considering that I wasn't really fully ready for the hills and didn't take in account the portapotty lines, I did pretty well. Hell, I finished! I'm happy and want to run another and want to run it faster!

[Zooeys_Bridge]

I'm halfway through the second week of Shaun T's Insanity workout program. It is as crazy as I thought, but even already I feel stronger. At first, I could barely make it through the warm up, let alone the workout itself. Now, I can get through a lot of the workout, albeit at a slower pace and with some breaks.

I'm not sticking to the regimen exactly, some days I couldn't exercise, and the diet plan requires this thing called Shakeology, which is super expensive. I stopped making smoothies when the weather got cold, but now that spring is in the air, I'll go back to it - so easy! Just milk from the fridge and some frozen fruit from the freezer. I'll try to buy some protein powder to compensate.

Working on my cooking, but I can't seem to make chicken breasts well. Maybe better luck at cooking them, then dicing whatever chicken into a salad or pasta dish.

[JustSkipIt]

Rachel - Awesome. I've heard really good things about his Insanity and P90X workouts. I thought about doing Insanity but what I really wanted was something to do 2 nights a week to supplement running. I think 6 days a week is too much for me to do along with running. I hope you love it though and really see results! Thanks for posting.

[Zooeys_Bridge]

Thanks, Deb! You're absolutely right, the Insanity/P90X programs are definitely workouts of their own, not supplementary material. I'd use something else to add to your running. Are you looking for more cardio or strength training? I have a Jillian Michael's DVD that's about 50 minutes long (including warm up/cool down) and really works the muscles good. By the end, I'm shaking a little bit!

As for Insanity, it really is nuts. I've just started the second month and I feel like I'm back at square 1 where I couldn't finish the workout. It's a similar in structure - warm up consisting of intervals that repeat 3 times, going faster each time. Then there's a stretch period, about 4 minutes. That in itself feels like a workout, but its barely begun! The next 45 minutes are another three brutal intervals that again repeat 3 times each. After the first one, I could only do the first one, I skipped ahead on the DVD a little bit.

How people complete this program is beyond me. Lord, give me strength and stamina!

[Zooeys_Bridge]

Dear Runners,

How do you prevent your feet from tingling/going numb when you run? Even after just a mile, I start to feel it, also around my ankles later on. I could go on longer if not for the feet thing. On a lighter note, I actually did 3.7 miles today, which is the most I've ever done outside! Whee!

Thanks,
Sincerely,
Rachel

[JustSkipIt]

3.7 miles! Fantastic! I haven't had that problem much. Check the for of your shoes, possibly go to a running shop for fitting. I use stretchy ties so I don't have to tie and untie my shoes and they have give. Also, maybe concentrate on relaxing your muscles from the knee down.

[HalfCamel]

I'm going to stick my two cents in here. I hope you don't mind.

Deb, Have you thought of biking instead of running? I really got into it and bought a road bike and I love it. Not that you have to get a road bike. But it would be easier on your joints and it's fun. I ride at the Veloway down south which is a 3 mile track.

Rachel, my sister did the P90X workout and the Insanity and she was singing the same tune as you. She ended up loosing weight and toning up like crazy. I did the "beginner" P90 workout and lost a bunch of weight. Also, when I tried to start running that would happen to me a bit too and I went to a running shop like Deb is talking about and got fitted for shoes and that solved the problem.

Now to me. I've been riding about 6 miles on my bike everyday and signed up for 30 miles at the Real Ale Ride. I'm really excited but kind of worried at all the hills that are going to be on the trail. I'm looking to find an easy group ride and venture out on the roads/feeder roads.

Jackie

[JustSkipIt]

Jackie,
I Love the veloway but now I live in pflugerville. biking won't work for me as a regular workout because of my schedule. it's fun and a great workout though. I'm glad your having a g ood time. Actually I am going to borrow a built trainer so I have more options to workout at home.

Running is going well. I still don't have my speed where I wish but i'm doing it and walking write a bit. Last month miles were over 75 and this month I want to do 100.

[JustSkipIt]

Yesterday I registered for a Fall half marathon. I had been considering it but saw a half price deal and that decided me. October ninth and it's close r to my house than I knew. Actually it's even closer than the austin half that I ran last year.

[JustSkipIt]

I started my half-marathon training program on Tuesday. I'm doing the to-time goal program because this will be my 2nd half-marathon. I had a really good run this morning.

[Ariel]

Wow, Deb that is incredibly exciting! I'm writing very humbly to say that I've been just walking more and feeling good about it. I have a ways to go but I can't imagine a more kind or encouraging group than the KB, so I'm (nervously) putting it out there.

Ariel
How I Met Your Mother

[CrazyTaraWitch]

I have been running fairly consistently over the last couple weeks, and I've finally gotten to the point where I'm running almost every day, instead of the every 2nd or 3rd day I was doing at the start. I'm slow and I can't go more than a mile or two without a break, but I'm slowly getting better. Today I had two short runs totaling just shy of 30 minutes. I want to be doing a lot more, but with the weather I feel like I need a shower after every run which makes it hard, especially on mornings I have work. Thankfully I'm not working much this summer, so I'm hoping to get in the habit enough that once August rolls around and I'm working full time again it will just feel natural to run before work; to that end I'm also trying to adjust my sleep schedule to getting up by 8 everyday. Plus if I'm up by 8 and don't have work I can manage two runs before the heat gets god-awful.
I'm currently trying to decide if I'm brave enough to do the same half-marathon Deb's running or want to take the easy way out and just do the 5k. There's no hope of me actually being able to run a whole half-marathon in 3.5 months, but if I really train I might be able to alternate running and walking; it's a very daunting task though, and I have a few more days to decide if I'm really up for it. I'm gonna take those days to try to run as much as I can and see how I do.
Regardless of the length, come October 9th I will be doing my first organized run in 3 or 4 years. I'm both excited and nervous.

[Ariel]

Hey, CTW - that's FANTASTIC!!!

You're really moving it! Good luck, pick what's right - push yourself but don't be crazy! Listen to your body!

Ariel
How I Met Your Mother

[BeMyDeputy]

I never make resolutions on New Year's; I'm always on vacation, and changing habits on vaction just doesn't happen.

I like to use my birthday instead. And guess what? Yesterday was my birthday.

My goal is to do two things daily: write at least 300 words and bike at least up to the library and back every day.

Today I did both. I'm sweaty and tired and I feel like I've gone a lot farther than the two mile round trip I just took.

But I did it, so I'm happy.