running
 

I was thinking of trying jogging/running for the first time as well. I ordered a "no bounce" bra from Title 9 the other day and am heading out today to pick up some type of compression short or capri. You guys have motivated me!

I've never jogged before. Running is good for cardio and legs. Any other parts of the body?

Webweevil...I find that it is good for my belly...I have the "incredible shrinking pannus" when I am running regularly! Does it make abs stronger? I try to focus on centering myself and keeping my abs tight when I run and it seems to help. It is great wt bearing exercise for our bones too.

I ran my long run this am....4 miles! My plan is to add 1/2 mile to that long run each week. Half marathon: here I come!!

Congratulations on the 4 miles midwife! that's fantastic.

I got up at 6am and ran 8 miles (farthest I've ever gone), i'm going back to bed, I'll catch up with everyones post later

It was rainy and cool, but at least it wasn't windy. I ran a 5k race today. The turn out was low probably because of the crappy weather. I finished in 23:58, a 20 second PB. And since the really fast women were running the 15k race, I also came in second place (out of five) and got a medal, which my 4 year old dd proudly wore all the way home. Tomorrow, back to the training schedule with the 28k long run that I should have done this morning.

OnlyMe, that sounds like a great race. How did your long run go?

I got out this morning for my run. My training log says that the last time I actually ran was May 23! Anyway, my coach is giving me some definite run/walk splits to help me get back up to speed. Today's longest run interval was 10 minutes, but right in the middle of it I ran into a pack of javelina--they were kind of hidden in some shrub at the end of someone's driveway and before I knew it there we were. Eight adults, two babies. (These look a lot like small hairy pigs with big long sharp teeth and they can run way WAY faster than I can! http://www.desertusa.com/magnov97/no..._collpecc.html) Anyway, mama was angry since I was too close to the babies, and I had to stand really really still for a while, until they decided to move away. I warned off a woman out walking her dog to stay back and not inflame the situation. Whew! Scary. At least my HR got up there!

Then I redid my prescribed intervals.

Here's hoping all of you have BORING runs today! And I do mean that in a good way.

Anne

Anne: eek, I had never heard of taht creature before. Thanks for the pic! I have run into fairly docile animals on my runs. Asides from the usual cats, squirrels and chipmunks, I have run by lots of deer (which are rampant in my area), groundhogs, skunks, snapping turtles and even a porcupine (I had no idea they were close by). Luckily none of them were near their young or predatory. I am sure I would have freaked seeing that creature (the two creatures I am scared of coming across are fishers <a relative of the weasal> and bears).

Only Me: Great run time!!

Cheers!

Ali

My 10k this morning was brutally hot, really horrible weather to run in. I managed to get round in under an hour, (or indeed managed to get round at all - I passed two people who had collapsed and one who was being supported over the last 100 metres to the line), but that's about all you can say for it!

Anne, that is a scary looking animal. I saw a marmot this morning, but it ran away into the grass at the side of the path long before I got near it. Other than that, I mostly see birds. Including mother and baby ducks at this time of year.

Helen, when it's really hot compared to what you're used to, just finishing upright is a good run.

My long run (28k) went pretty well this morning. Better than the 26k two weeks ago both time wise and how I was feeling by the end of it. I left at 6am so that I'd be home in time to eat and shower before the kids swimming lessons. The weather was cool and alternated between mist and light rain, but at least it wasn't too hot. Tomorrow will be a rest day running-wise, but if the weather report is right and it finally stops raining, I'll be doing laundry, lawn mowing, and running errands on foot.

I di my first 10k yesterday, the same one as Helen. I walked and ran and finished in 1:37, which of course is slow, but I *finished* :D and I wasn't last! And now I am more determined and ever to improve my running. I don't really love running on my own, but in a group like that, it's excellent!

Amazing
 

You guys are so inspiring! 5k, 10k, 28k - you guys are amazing! :carrot: I walked my second day for 30 minutes and hope to be bragging about my first couch to 5k week soon.

:hug:

I did my first ever 10K yesterday toooooooooooo! I got 1 hour 22, which is ok considering the heat! :faint:

Last night did my Day 3 of Week 1 C25K. I don't know why I translated the program's first week to a 30 sec run / 60 sec walk, but that's what I've been doing for this first week! So I'll just consider this a pre-C25K and officially start the First Week tomorrow night running 60 sec / walking 90 sec. No wonder it seemed so easy!
At least, I have my routine firming up - that is half my battle.

Congratulations to all in their weekend races -- can't wait to be in there with you.

mental note - do not run at 4:00pm in TEXAS in the summer...ouch - that was not fun...did that on friday afternoon...then a softball double-header that evening -man, i was pooped...

Saturday DH and I did another 35 minutes (mostly walking) outdoors (at 8:30pm this time). then when we got home i ran another mile on the treadmill - at a pace of 8:30/mile - woohoo...that felt nice.

I managed to get in 5 miles yesterday - running about half of it...then i tried some yoga exercises with an exercise ball. I saw the exercises in a magazine - that was really tough. Besides the fact i don't do yoga but i wanted to be able to use my exercise ball more...my arms are a little bit sore today...

I did my first 10k this weekend and finished in 1hr 2mins. I ran a 10min mile and ran the whole time:carrot: I am signing up for the Army 10miler in October. :dizzy:

I forgot to say, I ran my 10k in my new trainers and they were absolutely perfect with no wearing in. I took the tags off them on Saturday evening, tied my chip on and just ran. It helped that I wasn't running at race pace I suppose, but not a hint of a blister and they were blissfully bouncy. Fantastic!

Only- Thnaks for the tip on the Body v Astro Glide. I would sure hate to have made a mistake there!

Runs last week were great but we were in Vegas for the weekend. It was $20 for the gym for one day and 100 degrees outside. So no run there. Unfortunately I was not able to run today because of stomach problems. Hopefully I am back on track tomorrow.

SJ

Hey gang :wave: great going to all the racers, running in heat is aweful!!

Last week was sort of a break week, I was working full days, I'm not used to that and I was having a difficult time getting into the swing of working out after work or before work!! But now it's all good :D...

Sunday I ran 30 mins on the threadmill and today too... did some speed intervals...

Hi!!

Helen, I was actually wondering what you decided about your shoes. I would have done the same thing, but I didn't feel "qualified" to give my opinion. Congrats on the 10k.

Anne, if I would have ran into those animals, I would have had to go home to clean my shorts. I would have been scared out of my mind!!

Velveeta, kykaree, & 2frustrated, congrats on the 10k's. Good for you!

Skinnyjeans, was it a Vegas vacation? One of my brothers lives there, so I like to visit. I find that I get plenty of exercise walking around. Thank goodness I don't sit down at one of the slot machines all week!!

Softballmom, too funny about mixing up the C25k week. I goofed up on it a couple times too. I'd get out there running and forget what I was suppose to be doing. (I'm very, very forgetful...my husband hates it.)

Ilene, sometimes it's nice to take a week off! I hope you benefit from it!

As for me, I only did a 20 minute run tonight. I did it at a fairly fast pace (though i don't know exactly how fast). I also walked 2 miles with my husband. I was so happy that he got some physical activity in. He usually does nothing, and it makes me sad. I want him to live to a ripe old age!

Well week 5 day 3 is in the bag. About 11 minutes in I started getting some cramping in my calves. Took about 30 secs out and walked with long stride trying to stretch them out a bit. Must have worked I ran the other 9 mins no problem. Did you guys notice a boost in self confidence when you started running? When I have a good training run I feel on top of the world...

Helen - too bad about your blisters and your shoe dilemna.

bone idle - What about finding a training buddy? Or a mentor...I know competition with another individual always helps to motivate me.

only me - thanks for the good luck and the good advice. It is over and done with and amazingly I made it through it! Congrats on the great time! I have still to run my first 5k, any tips?


midwife - I live and die by my spandex shorts...they look slimming and I never have issues with chafing. I notice the abs too...I think due to focusing on my breathing so much it makes me really aware of them

softball mom - oh yeah definitely keep going out when the temps are a bit cooler...I went out on afternoon and the temp ws 90 I about died lol. Good luck on the program it is so fabulous. Its seems easy at first but believe me take the easiness in the beginning it steps up a notch toward week 5...

webweevil - I have heard that running is the best form of toning cardio...I have noticed my abs getting tighter as well as my running progresses...overall you just feel so much better. I have a definite boost in self confidence as well.

amberd - Wow 8 miles...I am as always in awe.

anne - oh my gosh your running into wildlife lol...good luck with your training.

kykaree - I imagine group running would be more motivating then going on your own. Great job getting through that 10k.

lucky13 - in this months Self magazine there is an excellent ball routine...

velveeta - Congrats on getting through that 10k

skinnyjeans - I hope you get back on track soon. Did you have fun in Vegas?

Ilene - wow 30 miles...you are an inspiration :)

iowasteph - I know what you mean about wanting your hubby to work out. Doing this running program has motivated him to work out a bit more as well...

I did a 30 minute speedwork session on the treadmill this morning and it felt good! It's been a while since I've picked up any sort of speed in my running and even though I'm mainly focussing on endurance at the moment I felt like having a nice fast session. I did 1k warm up then 3 x 800m fast, 200m recovery, then I was going to do 1k to warm down but decided to carry on til I hit the 30 minute mark at about 5.8k because my legs felt so good.

hey all, long time no see! I ran my 5k (sort of) and finished in about 40 minutes. Not great but not walking the whole time either. I was very proud of my fundraising effort (4,400 dollars) which made up for the sting of a crummy race time. I was also at just about my heaviest in four years (175 lbs)

I have had some time off of running, but im losing some of the wieght i packed on from the stress of the end of school, grad school admissions, graduation/moving etc. (im down 7 lbs since Mother's Day!) I had a breast reduction which has forced me to quit just about all activity. (i can walk, but i can't walk with my dogs because that might hurt my chest and arms) I should be able to go back to working out in a week or so. I have a new program from cooking light magazine that i want to start, it looks fun and like more of a challenge. the couch to 5k program starts too slowly for me. I am also looking for recs for heart rate monitors, any suggestions?

Congrats eadavenp. You finished and that is all that matters. Ladies, i am so glad i found this board. I love coming here to see where everyone is with their running and it gives me so much motivation. Thanks to everyone. Ran yesterday and i am done running until i purchase new shoes on Thursday. I think the 10k did more of a number on my old shoes than it did on me, LOL. Until then, i am enjoying my 2 days off and playing softball. Its not running but at least it will hopefully give me some decent exercise.

eadavenp -- $4,400 THAT's an accomplishment!!

I've been running on the dreadmill because of time restraints but I have been playing mind games and doing speed intervals and having fun with it all so it's a good thing...

Stephie - thanks for the advice - I will have to check it out. The magazine article I have is actually from a Self magazine from two years ago...

I decided to make my running workout a 'circuit' last night - man that was tough. 10 minutes running (1.12 miles), one set of my yoga/exercise ball stuff, 10 minutes of running (1.13 miles), two sets of my yoga/exercise ball stuff, and then another 10 minutes of running (1.21 miles)...man i was so tired...I ended up doing 3.5 miles in just over 30 minutes...

And then the Mav's lost last night...grr... :(

Probably taking tonight off

Hey, CRs! Hope you don't mind my posting here, but I am getting more into running and kinda caught the enthusiasm coming from your posts :). I have run on and off for since I started my WL journey a couple years ago, but I've never been terribly consistent with it (with exercise, yes, just not running!). Lately I've been trying to kick it up a little bit. The other day I ran for 40 minutes straight for the first time. I'm not sure how many miles I did, but I do a fairly consistent 11 minute mile at the gym. I know that's nothing to you guys, but I was pretty happy.

I'm thinking of running a 4-mile race in Central Park next month. Do you guys find that you can "do more" in a race because of the competition factor? Sometimes I feel like I could run longer but am still a little bit nervous about hurting myself. I'm in good shape in general (just found out my resting heart rate is around 60!), so I don't get out of breath or feel like my heart will burst, but my body just feels tired. My dad was a long-distance runner but blew out his knees after running 12-13 miles a day for several years, so I'm a little wary.

Anyway, good to see you all here!

eadavenp: congrats on your race and on your amazing fund raising efforts!

Emily, that sounds like at tough workout. Do you find it harder or easier to keep switching gears like that compared to say, a 3.5 mile run followed by the yoga/exercise ball workout?

teapotdynamo, I can definitely run faster for longer in a race than normal. I thought I'd lost speed since last summer since I'd just been concentrating on distance and hadn't done much running at 5k pace since last fall. I still set a 20 second pb in a 5k race last weekend. I was suprised I was able to pull the speed out of somewhere once I was surrounded by faster runners.

Yesterday was a 14k run including 12k at marathon pace. It was about 70 and sunny, but I didn't find it too hot. Maybe I'm starting to adapt to the heat. (I hope.) There was a nice breeze. Today's plan is 6-8k at an easy pace.

teapotdynamo, I'm with OnlyMe--the adrenaline and excitement of a race means I can go fast and farther. BUT, since it feels easy, I have a tendency to go too hard/fast at first and then just suffer the rest of the way. That is a common problem for a lot of people. So go for that 4 miler, but make sure you run the first mile at what feels EASY. You will be going faster than you think.

Tonight is a little local aquathlon, 800 yd swim followed by a 5K run. If I can get registered I'm going to do it.

Anne

teapot - yes - I definitely find I can run faster/easier with the competition in the air...

Only Me - the workout of switching it up was harder, IMO...mainly because I was so sweaty it was hard to keep hold of the ball and also because I knew I still had more to run after I was done...If I didn't sweat so much it wouldn't have been so bad, I'm thinking...

I'll probably still do that kind of workout once per week just to mix it up because I was able to 'persuade' myself to run faster since it was only 10-minute intervals.

Teapot - I usually run faster in races too (Sunday being the only real exception to that).

I had a really good workout this morning, I ran 5.67 miles and then swam for half an hour, tomorrow is an easy 3 miler which I'm looking forward to. I can't believe that I've actually started looking forward to running rather than treating it as a necessary evil.

There's a half decent picture of me in Sunday's race here, it looks better than most of my recent running pictures.

I did my aquathlon tonight. 800 yd swim with 5K run. My run time was about 42 min and I did a lot of walking. But I'm happy with that considering a) I haven't really been able to train in about a month, b) I'm still sort of on the sick side (cough cough sniff sniff ah-choo), c) it was about 95 degrees F, and d) I just swam hard for almost 17 minutes. Excoooooses, excoooses. But I'm happy with it all the same.

Helen, you look fantastic. Emily, did you have fun with switching it up? That is kind of why I do tris instead of just straight running, always something new to do.

Anne

I've been out for 3.7 miles this morning. I do like running first thing in the morning to wake me up and get it out of the way. Tomorrow is a rest day so it almost feels like 2 days off - the rest of today and tomorrow.

Helen, Today is my rest day also and I ran yesterday at 5 am so it feels like it has been FOREVER since I ran. My exercise plans today include elliptical, an hour of sparring and an hour of other kick cardio.

I got three compliments yesterday that I look "great"! Nothing like running to shrink one's girth, eh?

C25k
 

Yeah! I did it! :carrot: Today was my first day on the C25K program. It was hard but the one minute jogging/running intervals were doable. By about the thirteen minute mark though, I could have used longer than the one and a half minutes walking recovery time. Do you think it would matter if I extended the walking recovery time to two or two and a half minutes? I would still be doing the same six minutes of jogging.

Well done! It will get easier and you've made a great start!

Got up at 5 am (and really really wanted to just stay in bed!) but I ran miles. Like I told my kids, if it is worth doing, it is worth getting up early for.

Originally Posted by midwife:
Got up at 5 am (and really really wanted to just stay in bed!) but I ran miles. Like I told my kids, if it is worth doing, it is worth getting up early for.

Midwife, how many hours a day do you exercise? You mentioned earlier about sparring for an hour and kick-cardio for an hour, as well as spending time on the eliptical. That's all in one day. I just can't imagine spending hours and hours a day exercising. I could never make that amount of time or stick with that intense of a porgram. Just wondering....

Got my wk6d1 run in. Really tried to push myself by running a bit faster and also adding a breif sprint for 30 seconds at the end of each running interval. Felt really good. I have never done any kind of sprinting before. Still having a bit of a concern about my calves cramping...any one have any ideas?

eadaevenp - have you checked out the nikewomen site? They have some pretty decent training programs including one for a 10 k or even a half or full marathon.

lucky - bet that circuit training is going to be awesome for you, plus crunches a good workout into a little bit of time...good going.

helen - that is a pretty good pic!

anne - congrats on your aquathlon...

webweevil - I probably would not mess with the walking recovery time...just try to run a little slower...the program picks up pretty quickly

Hi Webweevil, I messed up my post--my number 3 has been sticking on my keyboard. I ran 3 miles and it took me 33 minutes. Yesterday I did a 28 minute "wt loss" workout on the elliptical plus a 5 minute cool-down, skipped the sparring and did about 50 minutes of kickboxing. I average about 30-90 minutes of exercise a day, plus a total rest day each week. The longest distance I have run is 4 miles, so I have a long way to go to work up to the half-marathon I have my eye on. My next goal is to incorporate weight lifting. Part of my kick boxing classes includes pushups and situps...I have a lot of work to do, but also a lot of time to do it in!

A half marathon isn't so bad once you can get to 4 miles, honest... Once you can run for half an hour at a time it's a lot easier to build up your distance than it was to start in the first place, or that's what I found at least.

Which reminds me, I have a 13 miler planned for Sunday...

Thanks all for the encouragement and your imput! :hug: