Hey, check these pics out!! They were from that 10K that I got first place at a few weeks ago! Man, i have NEVER had a photographer take so many pictures of me! lol! I think its cuz i was in the lead hehe

http://www.proimagesoftware.com/[email protected]

Awesome pics! You look wonderful and super strong!

Thanks!! But i think i look really LARGE...like TOO muscular!!

Oh! Hey all guess what?!?!? I JUST achieved a LIFELONG Fitness goal!!! It was up there with "run a marathon" in the list of outrageous things i never thought id accompolish-------- Do a PULLUP!!!! I can do a pull-up!! WAHOOS!!

Hey all! Sorry I've been MIA this week! But don't you worry...I'm baaack!

Welcome to all the new members! It's great to see you here. This is such a wonderful thread for inspiration and advice and it's always nice to see some new faces! I look forward to hearing all about your running (and other stuff!)!.

FatPants - Size 8!! You go, skinny girl!

Mk - I love your running plan! It's so well thought out and seems like it'll keep you in great running shape and will be challenging without pushing yourself TOO hard. Can't wait to hear about your progress as you kick butt in the 10K! Love the new pics too. You're not quadzilla!!! You look teeny tiny, in the strongest, healthiest type of way, which is freakin awesome! And ya, the photographer clearly had a little crush...haha!

As for me, I've done a few short runs this week (3-4 miles) and am attempting my first 7 miles tomorrow morning! I'm super nervous, since the most I've done up to this point is 10K (~6.2 miles). I know it's mostly mental and I'm sure I can finish, but it'll just be a matter of pushing myself and not letting myself stop. Do you guys think I should bring some water/gatorade with me? I've heard that you should either hydrate or eat something after about an hour, but since this is my first time, I'm kind of lost as to what I should do. I also don't have a water belt or anything, so I'd have to carry a bottle with me, which could be a pain. What do you think?

How's everyone else doing? It's good to be back!

I've been MIA this week too...reading all your posts but having nothing to share Here's where I am at...

I am thinking about registering for my first 5k on December 5th (and I am already signed up for one on January 1st) but am worried about whether or not I can do it.

Now, I generally run 5K three times a week at home on my treadmill and, although I am running slowly, I can run it no problem. But I have NEVER run outside in real life. This week, I was determined to try because I need to start getting used to it if I am going to do these upcoming runs.

So...I've been totally psyching myself out and wimping out (it's cold...it's raining...whatever). So much so that I haven't run at all this week...not even on my treadmill! (Wha' the?)

So tonight...I finally went outside and started running. And it felt like I had never run before!! I couldn't find my groove, my breath was raspy and difficult, I didn't even make it a mile (in fact...closer to half) before I walked. Ug. I did only a mile and then gave up, picked up a friend and walked for four more.

What am I going to do? How do I make this transition? What am I doing wrong?

This just sucks. I am just feeling really discouraged with myself...

Is running outside REALLY that much different? I know it's cold and windy tonight but this seems crazy. I am still coughing like I did after my first 20 minute run during the C25K. Ugh.

Any words of wisdom?

MK - you look AWESOME! Your plan is quite inspiring too! holy cow!

TC - Good luck with your 7mile run. Your "short runs" are my current "oh my god I'm going to die" runs so I'm no help in the rest of your delima!

Momof5K - Since I haven't ran any real distance I may be off here, but last winter, I was doing some indoor track running and treadmill running and I could "run like the wind" on the in door track and the treadmill and then when summer came I went outside - but outside KILLED ME. There's wind, and uneven pavement with rocks, leaves, sticks and the occasional road kill to watch out for, hills, turns, traffic, other people, there's hot days, cold days etc... just a small breeze aimed at you will feel like you're running into a brick wall... I'd suggest getting in as much outdoor running as you can before your race. I'm sure your body will adjust if you do. All of your work hasn't been in vain.

Amy - Thanks for the good luck! Just a few months ago, my "short" runs were also my "I'm gonna die" runs!! It's crazy how quickly your body adapts if you keep it up fairly regularly, just a few times a week, and stick with it. Honestly, some days still, running 3 miles makes me feel like I'm gonna die, but I think that happens for a while until you're a superstar, like Mk!

Mom - A few months ago, I was in literally the EXACT same situation as you are now. I was doing great on the treadmill but couldn't make it for more than 20 minutes outside without feeling like ****. Amy gave you some great advice. It's really just as simple as running more outside! Sometimes I still dread my outdoor runs because for me, the treadmill is easier, but the more you get out there, the more comfortable you will be. Also, make sure to put the treadmill at a 1% incline and never ever run at 0% because it helps prevent injuries and also simulates outdoor running, though not perfectly. Make sure you're pacing yourself when you're outside, since you don't have a treadmill telling you how quickly you're running. And just take it slowly! Your body WILL adapt as long as you keep at it. Please try not to get too frustrated or get down on yourself. It'll all come together and you'll do great in your races!

momof5K-- i keep reading that as "mom of 5 K (Distance)" and not Mom of 5 kids.......
Anywa...when you start out runningoutside, its gonna feel weird, its gonna feel different. Thats a given. The ground does not move beneath you outside!!! I always feel like i get a better workout running outside!!
I can make ONE more suggestion as you transition into outdoor running (seems like takingCharge has it covered pretty well!) Try and make sure you find as FLAT a course as you can, to begin with! Alot of times, when we drive places, or even walk places, we dont realize we are going up a hill, unitll we try to RUN up it! Maybe you have a small lake with a path around it? (lake are usually pretty level the whole way around, if they are small enough). In anycase, going uphill and dealing with terrain maybe is a factor that really worked you!! Look at it this way though, everytime you go for a run outside you are getting a REALLY GREAT Workout!! Good luck, and keep at it! it will get a lot easier. I like to think of treadmills only as a backup plan, if i cant run outside, ya know?

ShrinkingAmy, you will get there!!!! And takingCharge, you know, we ALL have bad "oh my god im going to die runs!!"

Ok. getting ready to leave and go for my FIRST OUTDOOR RUN ALL WEEK!! WAhoos!! Or maybe its my second.... :l anyway, i have a 7 mi LA Threshold run.....Long run tempo, so i guess that mean i run it at an 8:03 mile. We will see how that goes..its still VERY icy out here.....

Mk you are AMAZING! Congrats on the pull up and FIRST friggen place in a 10K????? YOU GO GIRL! You look so strong in those pictures! Reading your posts are so inspirational to me, makes me feel like I can do ANYTHING!

Hope everyone has a nice Halloween and stays away from the evil candy!

MK - thanks for the advice. I'll try changing it up and do strength before cardio, and spend more time on the treadmill. Good luck on that icy run!!!

Fatpants - great to see you here. congrats on size 8! Single digit size!!!

Dancer - I'll have to explore and see if there are other options besides sidewalk/pavement to run on. Maybe not immediately nearby, but perhaps if I drive instead of just starting out my front door.

So, I have some exciting news: I ran 5k last night! I bypassed the elliptical totally and hopped on the treadmill with my iPod. I've never run more than one mile at a time, so I thought 5k might be impossible, but I pulled it off. I ran/walked it in 35:40, which I know isn't too fast, but hey, it was my first time ever doing it! I felt great afterwards, and my legs/glutes aren't even really sore today, just that "I had a good workout" feeling in the muscles, you know? So this makes me feel like I could get somewhere in this running business, like maybe even run a 5k in summer 2010 if I am diligent in my training and weight loss efforts. Thanks for being an inspiration, everybody!

Mk - Good luck with the run! Hope it's not too painful!

Blueridge- Congrats!!! That's such a great accomplishment. You should be really proud of yourself that you pushed through and make it through a whole 5K. Once you get comfortable with that distance, your running will take off before you know it!

As for me...I did it! 7 miles!! Well, I think it was 6.9, but whatever. I am TIRED. More tired than I thought I'd be, considering I've done 6.2 before and didn't feel too bad after. I planned the route so that the first half would be slightly uphill but the second half would be slightly downhill, which was great for the second half, but by mile 3, my legs were dying with the uphill! I also got pretty tired at around mile 5 and ate a few almonds, which really didn't do much, so I need to invest in some of those wacky gels or shot blocks or whatever. I also brought along some vitamin water but out of habit, I bought the low sugar 10 calorie version, so not much help in the sugar/energy boost department!! Lots of lessons learned to prepare me for my 8 mile attempt next weekend! That sounds miserable right about now, haha, but maybe after a good breakfast and some coffee, I'll change my mind.

How's everyone else doing today? Nothing like a great run to start off halloween! Hopefully I won't negate it all with cocktails at tonight's party!

blueridge-- sounds to me like you can run a 5 K now!!! Why wait till summer? Congrats, BTW, and 35 minutes is a GREAT 5k time!! Doesnt it make you feel like you are on top of the world?!

Evel-- thank you!1 i was actually SQUEALING and SCREAMING with joy when i did a pull-up!! it was the greatest feeling!!

And thank you ALL for the Compliments on the Pictures!
I just want to point out to ALL OF YOU, that i have only been running for about 1 and a half years!! I was overweight, outta shape, and on top of all that, a recovering methamphetamine addict and a pack a day smoker (just quit smoking). Your running will take ALL OF you as far as you want to go with it!! You have to keep trying, and keep working and keep pushing! The rewards are tremendous!!

mk - on the pullup - that's awesome! And NO WAY were your photos too muscular - you looked slim and strong!

blueridge - happy dance for your great run! Amazing what you can do if you give it a shot, isn't it?

tc - nice to see you back and hope the run today goes/went well!

Blue, congrats on your 5k!

Takingcharge, great job on 7 (or6.9) miles! That's AWESOME! Don't let the cocktails win!

Me, I'm on my rest day today. I just started c25k yesterday and my run/walk went really well! I've attempted c25k in the past and week one was a lot harder than it was yesterday so I'm getting better!

I have a beginner's question (or two) for you wonderful ladies.

I am EAGER to go go go and this first rest day is killing me! I want to go and run again, but I've heard from sooo many people that taking it slow is critical to not getting injured especially when you are starting out. I've been exercising 6-7 days a week for 12 weeks now and I'm curious if on my run rest days if I should still do other kinds of exercise? I know I need to be resting my joints and my legs and stuff but I'm worried that I won't lose as much weight if I don't keep up with my exercising. What should I do?

Secondly, I've been reading reading reading everything I can about training and I've been hearing a lot about 'carbo-loading' and eating a higher amount of carbs while you are running. Well, for the past 12 weeks of my weight loss journey, I've been following a high protein and low carb diet. It's been getting me great results to date. I'm worried that if I still keep my carb intake limited it will sacrifice my runs or if I up my carb intake I will gain weight. Ack! What's a chick to do?

Thanks for reading and any help I can get is GREATLY appreciated!