FAT-- what happend to the mountain air marathon? ( i think thats what it was called...)

Thanks mkroyer! I am so proud of you for signing up for the marathon!
I've had so much stress lately and there is nothing like a great sprint to help you with that! :) I can't maintain it for 3 miles right now... But I'm hoping over break (when I'll be running outside) to get my endurance up once again. I think the reason is I've been doing weights (focusing on my hamstring muscles especially, which I pulled this summer running) and now I can do over 100 lbs of weights on them! :D

And FatPants: That Garmin sounds awesome... being a broke student sucks. =P I'll just have to do Google Maps...

A discussion about when to have babies happened... LOL. I think I'm going to focus on half marathons this year, and go for the Colorado Marathon in May 2011. Unless the Ft Collins marathon goes REALLY well and I can up my mileage... I don't know. It just seems so aggressive and I've not even had a full year of running under my belt at this point!

Hi there. I am starting the C25k program soon. I will be running the recommended 3x/week. I am just wondering what you would recommend the other 2-3 days? I'd like to exercise 5-6x/week. I am planning on MWF doing the C25k. I am 5'1" and I weigh around 205 so I need a program that will encourage weight loss!
Thanks!

NBaxter- welcome!! Congrats on starting C25k!!

do NOT underestimate the importance of weight training...it is a MUST if you want to be successful!!! try and incorporate it in at least 2 or 3X a week, maybe on your off days? Cycling is the most popular for of cross - training for runners, but we have been known to swim as well -usually only when an injury prevents us from being able to bear weight on a limb though ;)

Fat-- (sorry ?)(glad?) to hear that youve put the marthon training on the back burner....there ARE lower mileage training schedules out there, FYI. It definitely cant hurt to have a little more running under your belt though! :)

So........when can we expect a baby??

lol...no need to be sorry! I'm happy and comfortable with the decision. I am pretty much ready for kids, but I'm also so excited about the upcoming year in terms of running, and really shaping my body to be athletic. I think I *feel* like I should be having kids because I'm 27 1/2 and isn't that what everybody else is doing my age (at least according to my mother AND MIL)? Most of all I know how long it takes me to work up the miles and I just don't want to set myself up for disappointment with a marathon, by not being able to complete one. I really need to get comfortable with endurance running... 13 miles doesn't make me too nervous, but 26 miles does.

I think the baby making will commence sometime in fall 2011, or around our 5 year anniversary (Dec 2011). I actually feel like a weight has been lifted... it's good that DH and I are on the same page!

NBaxter ~ I cannot stress how important weight training is. I only added it into my program in the last two months and it has made a SIGNIFICANT impact on my running (endurance/strength).

Yup, I was SO nervous and it was SO much fun! My next run is on January 1st. Can't wait!!

Wow, lots of chatter today!!

Purplefirefly - don't hesitate to sign up for the 5K. If you know you can walk it, or walk/jog it -- then there's no pressure! Go out and have fun! One word of warning though, running events CAN be habit-forming! (but I can stop anytime I want to) :D

MK - don't forget to taper! You know it makes you crazy, but you'll gain more from the rest than from piling on the training! Although do what I say and not what I do! :p I ran my last weekend half for a PR, after finally taking *one* day off from working out! (my first "rest" day since Labor Day!!) Of course, a half is significantly less stress on the body than a full ....

NBaxter - me third on the strength training. I think it's key in preventing injury. That, and stretching!

FatPants - good luck on the baby making in 2011! Until then, you can always practice. ;) :o

Wow! Thanks so much for the fast responses! I think I will try biking on the other days and also incorporate strength training! Any ideas for strength training exercises I can do around the house without equipment?

Also, what would you recommend eating/drinking before and after running?
I am running my first 5k April 18th!:carrot:

NBaxter- did you just register?? Its SO exciting!!! I luv racing!!

As far as great exercises (especially for runners) you cant go wrong with lunges!! Every form, every variety. High rep low weight, or High weight low rep! Make sure you change it up though! Also anything that works your CORE is crucial...think PLANKS and side planks! And the best upper body exercise that ALSO works your core--- PUSHUPS!! i also really like doig things like single legged squats, and straightlegged deadlifts ( you will need heavier-ish weights for those though...dont know what you have at home)

As far as nutrition and running...this is a very personal and diverse topic. It depends on so many things, such as how FAR you are running, and how FAST you are running, and how LONG you are running (these are all different things). Honestly, i dont eat anything different before OR after a run, unless the run is over 90 minutes. I even run before i eat breakfast, sometimes as much as 12 miles, without eating anything first. Anything longer, and i will at least have my normal brkfst. Anything longer than about 2.5 hours and i will even carbo load a little.
If you are just getting started running, then DONT worry at all about nutrition, ESPECIALLY if you are trying to lose weight! Many runners fall into the trap of thinking they can eat "X" becuz they just ran 3 miles, or 5 miles. Hence they dont lose weight. Do what works for you though. If you find you cant run on an empty stomach, or that you dont have enough energy to make it through your runs, than you want to eat carbs..preferably complex carbs, like oatmeal or fruit, or whole wheat bagel. After you do strength training though, you DEFINITELY want to have a protein, to help your muscles repair, else you will HAVE WASTED YOUR WORKOUT!!

hey ladies! you guys are such an inspiration!!!!

NBaxter, i do Jilliam Micaels tapes 2-3x a week for strength training w/only 3 lbs hand weights, my fav. is the no more trouble zones, its more foused on toning than cardio.

p.s. I'm excited to say that I'll be running around the lake at my grandmother's house this weekend for my C25K run. I hope its as serene as it sounds.

When do you strength train? Before you run? after you run? on non run days? after a short run? .......... I've never been able to figure it out for lower body work. When I was training for my triathlon I only did upper body/ core work. The science of when is important but confuses me.

correct me if I'm wrong, but you should train lower body on your non-running days to avoid injury.

to be honest, you should strength train BEFORE you do any cardio ( ie run) to reap max benefits. The Reason-- as you are strength training, your muscles are going to use the immediately available glycogen for energy. If you do cardio first, you will use up the glycogen during the cardio, and your muscles wont be ablt to be pushed as hard during the sttrength session later. Your Body can use your fat for energy durig cardio (although it prefers glycogen). however your body CANT use fat for the strength training.

Since you are a beginner at strength training, AND at running, i would not do both on the same day, for NOW. However once your body adapts to the stress of both activities, there is no reason why you cant train your lower body and run on the same day. I do it all the time, as a tool---- if i tire my legs out with strength training, than i will be running under a different sort of stress (ie; lactic acid buildup)...very useful for marathon traiing!!/