Getting Back in Running Shape

LummiBay

I have been a runner for many years and try to compete in at least one marathon each year. Although I am still within the BMI for my size I have found that over the past few years my weight has been slowly increasing and my race times have been becoming slower. I would really like to get back to where I was a few years ago when I ran my fastest race. That means losing about 13 lbs.

MyFitnessPal is an excellent tool for tracking my calories while still getting credit for the miles that I am putting in on my runs. It's really working for me and is making much more aware of the calorie content of many of the foods I enjoy.

I would love to meet other runners who are working on keeping themselves in the best training shape. Maybe we can even celebrate meeting our fitness goals by running a race together one day. I live in the NW USA but had an extra fun year with running last year -- I had the opportunity to run in both the Berlin Marathon in September and the Wakashio Marathon in Tateyama, Japan in January. Running is a great excuse for world travel

Equus5374

Hi there! I'm a distance runner; I'm at the half marathon distance now but working on a full within the next two years. I live in Mass. and would love to run Boston someday; not because I can qualify, I'd have to join a cause and fund-raise. I'm trying to become a stronger runner by incorporating lifting weights into my cross training regiment. I also swim and bike, and a sprint triathlon or two may be on the docket for this year. My most exciting event will be a running festival in August, where I'll run a 5K on Friday, a 10K on Saturday, and a half on Sunday. I also like to travel to races; I agree, it's a great excuse to get on a plane!

Equus5374

Grrr...*regimen*...I don't have a cross-training army.

LummiBay

Congratulations on your training. Your August event sounds fun -- is it the Goofy Run at DisneyWorld?

Qualifying for Boston has always been one of my goals. I came within 7 minutes of qualifying in 2009 but I have not been as close since. Not carrying around the extra weight might help! Who knows -- maybe this will be the year.

Your efforts are much better than mine with the cross-training. I love to bike but I am not a particularly strong swimmer so I have never been too excited about doing a triathlon. I keep telling myself I need to do more strength training but never seem to get to it.

I live in Bellingham, Washington -- an ideal running community with lots of trails and mild enough weather we can pretty much run outside year-round. Spring has definitely arrived and the days are finally getting longer so I am really enjoying my early morning runs.