Nikki, I should also comment that if fat loss is your goal, slow and distance is better HOWEVER, not too much distance. Once you start getting too high in the distance catagory you'll start to have a more difficult time losing. It is almost impossible for me to lose while training for anything. I've noticed that once I start going above 20 miles per week my fat loss haults.
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I read that you should be sucking in or holding your stomach in while you run, is this true?
I have never heard this and I think it would be hard to do! I can't image adding something to the list of things to do while running, (i.e. form, breathing, etc.) I personally have just gotten over the stomach thing. I unfortunately gained to much weight and a saggy stomach is just my punishment, or how about badge of honor that's more positive.
Yesterday I supposed to do 7, but I just wasn't feeling it so I eeked out 5. I may try again tomorrow, we'll see. I'm kinda taking it easy this week, I just feel tired and TOM is around the corner. I still have 3 weeks after this until my half so plenty of time to kick it back up. Next week is peak week too so I want to be rested and ready!
ncuneo: I googled around and the term is called, 'static flexing'. Supoosedly, it helps your stomach muscles look better at rest and in a neutral state. If you flex slightly while doing daily activities or even jogging, etc., the thought is that you train your abdomen to stay in a semi-flexed state permanently. It sounds somewhat feasible b/c I'm a devotee of Pilates and that's the whole function behind Pilates - that the core is the powerhouse, pull your navel toward your spine, etc. It was mentioned on a few running sites so that's why I threw the question out here on this thread. Thanks. Ditto on the TOM, mine's just about over. And it's been so darn hot by me (100 degree heat) so that's zapping me of any energy I may have had.
I read that you should be sucking in or holding your stomach in while you run, is this true?
For me this was true. It's how I got abs from just running. I like to focus my mind on my stomach while making a slight twist from side to side. I know...sounds difficult, but it's really not...and after only a short while becomes habit. Hey...if your gonna run, might as well get the most bang for your buck!
Today we're getting weather like 104 degrees or better. Actually, last night it felt like 110! So no running for me this weekend. I'm going to the beach tomorrow and bringing my bike, boogie board, beach chair and umbrella! Been swimming laps this week. Muscles are really sore...especially my upper body. Gonna get in some deadlifts today.
Joy, make sure those twists are very small, don't get offended but that is poor running form and can really cause issues with your knees and feet. When you run you naturally twist somewhat, but adding too much torque can really mess things up.
I ran 3K in 28 minutes today. Not happy with that time. But in all honesty, it was so darn hot even at 4:45 a.m. like 85 degrees so I was off my game slightly. Oh, I don't know, maybe I'm expecting too much from my middle-aged body, lol. Anyway, I'll try again tomorrow.
joyfulloser: I tried sucking it in but it felt strange, lol. I actually do have a decent (I said decent, not great, mind you) six-pack which I got mainly from eating better combined with the running. I guess whatever works for you. Although I will admit that when I'm just sitting or cooking or something like that I will pull my navel in toward my spine. Who says you can't multi-task? LOL.
ncuneo: You're like a wealth of information! I bow to your running greatness.
Ncuneo - I hope my weight loss does not stop or slow down because of distance. I am jogging 22 miles a week and adding a 1 mile or 2 a week for the next 5 weeks.
Joy, make sure those twists are very small, don't get offended but that is poor running form and can really cause issues with your knees and feet. When you run you naturally twist somewhat, but adding too much torque can really mess things up.
Joyful...offended? Naaaahhh! Hmmm...this might explain my bum left knee? It's not really that exaggerated twisting that I do...it's weird, it's like a "half crunch" held while slightly twisting (if that makes any sense). Anywho...it's probably better at forming obliques.
I learned this trick many many moons (20 yrs) ago, while weight training. Actually, if you just think "abs" you will subconsciously flex them. Just hold that flex for as long as you can throughout the day. You'll be surprised at how much better it works for building ab muscles than situps.
Ok...the heat outside is outrageous! I'm taking half day off work (great thing about working at home) and going swimming.
I guess I'd just say make sure your hips aren't twisting too ya know.
Thanks fitmom.
Envelope, I wouldn't worry about it. Try to enjoy the training and go with it. If you find yourself plateauing distance is the likely culprit. I'm in the high 20s right now, dead halt on my loss, but I dropped to 20 even this week cause I needed a rest and even overate a little and I lost some weight. So I'm just hanging tight til my half marathon then I'll drop my milage for a bit lose this stupid 10 lbs and then start thinking about what's next for me on the running front.
I wasn't able to workout yesterday. DS got sick, had to pick him up early and he threw up all over me when we got home. I was kinda done for the day. Easy 3 this morning and will end cutback week with 9 Sunday. Next week peak week! 33 miles for the week with 15 as my long. Oye! That will be my longest ever!!!
I FINALLY got in a longer run today. I did 5.76 miles in 1 hr 14 minutes at 6:45 am. It was down to 77 degrees, but with the 90% humidity - holy crap! I was soaked by the time I got home!
I am getting worried about being able to handle the half marathon in December. I did less than half of a half today and it seemed to take forever. I hope by then I will be lighter, faster and be able to hang in longer. At this pace it will take me 3 hours to finish!
I did hit my first weight goal yesterday. I challenged myself to lose 20 lbs in 10 weeks and as of yesterday I'd lost 20.2 lbs in 9 weeks 3 days :-) I leave for Vegas tomorrow and bought a size 6 dress for dinner tomorrow night at the Eiffel Tower restaurant! I figure I'm going to gain at least 5 lbs on vacation, LOL! At least we'll be doing lots of walking and plan to run the strip at least once while we're there!
UGH. My left foot continues to hurt when I walk or run. I ran anyway this morning- about 30 minutes. My foot really hurts, to the point where I have to limp. I've been RICE-ing it, which has helped, but it's still painful.
I've decided no more running until it completely stops; at least 3 weeks.
I hate this. Back-to-back injuries? Literally the run my knee stopped hurting my left foot starts?
It's not the shoes (I don't think). I *just* bought Saucony ProGrids 2 months ago. I've only put on about 10-12 miles a week on them, nothing significant.
hdallas - You are already faster than I am and you have lots of time to increase your speed before Dec. I did 8 miles yesterday and it took me 2hrs 3m. My 1/2 is in 7 weeks. This pic was posted on the bootcamp thread I follow and I love it.
Hey all!
Today is a wee bit cooler (under 87 degrees?) so I was finally able to complete my "short run" (4 miles) with an average pace UNDER 11 minutes. My MapmyRun thingy said I averaged 10:29. I'm ok with that, since I felt like I was heavy and dragging a$s the entire time. I'm in a bit of a slump. Bleghck!
Every time I go out for a run, I feel slow and fussy and like I just want to be done. Maybe it's the weather, combined with a bad frame of mind and way too much eating. Siiiigh. Workin' on it.
Joyfulloser-- Love the swimming idea. Do you do it indoors at a gym, in the ocean, etc? How do you incorporate it?
envelope-- That sign makes me smile
indiblue-- Hope they can help you with the foot! PS- your ticker is motivating me. I need to get where you are!
hdallas78-- Congratulations on your weight loss achievement! I hope your vaca is fab. I'm doing a 1/2 in September and I am slightly freaking out as well, for the exact same reasons. I feel like an elephant when I run. Waahh! We'll get through it, even if it does take all day to finish the damn thing...
ncunceo-- Is the kiddo feeling better? How was the uber-long run? You're inspiring me to keep pushing through my 1/2 training!
) I personally have just gotten over the stomach thing. I unfortunately gained to much weight and a saggy stomach is just my punishment, or how about badge of honor that's more positive.
So no running for me this weekend. I'm going to the beach tomorrow and bringing my bike, boogie board, beach chair and umbrella!
Not happy with that time. But in all honesty, it was so darn hot even at 4:45 a.m. like 85 degrees so I was off my game slightly. Oh, I don't know, maybe I'm expecting too much from my middle-aged body, lol. Anyway, I'll try again tomorrow. 
Hmmm...this might explain my bum left knee?
It's not really that exaggerated twisting that I do...it's weird, it's like a "half crunch" held while slightly twisting (if that makes any sense). Anywho...it's probably better at forming obliques.
