MFP Runner's Club

Kelynn -- I wish I new the magic formula. I've been running for 1.5 years and have yet to figure it out. But I have been told (but haven't tried it yet :embarassed: ) to keep a journal for a while....noting what you eat and when and when you run and how you felt. Maybe that would shed some light! I'm still waiting for someone to say eat this at this hour -- and then I'd feel great:bigsmile:

Good morning! I have a question for all you runners. I am in the middle of the couch to 5k and wondering when and if I will ever NOT struggle. Do you all feel like you were born to run or did you get into it later? I hear everyone talk about how much they love to run--do you think ANYBODY could feel that way or is it some crazy running gene or something?

I did that program twice (took a winter break between times). I didn't start running until I was 31 and had never considered myself a distance runner. In fact, in junior high my track coach punished my for skipping practice by making me run the 800 (1/2 mile) in the following meet. (My events were the 100 and the 400; I thought I was going to die running the 800!!) Anyway, I struggled big time with the C25K program...but I loved the feeling of accomplishment. I am currently training for my first half marathon and I still don't love running. I do, however, love the way it makes me feel! I love that I control it. I love the way it makes me look. And I love that it is something that I accomplish completely on my own. When I get to opportunity to run with friends, it is so much easier and more fun. Good luck and keep up the hard work! You are definitely not the only runner without the "running gene."

Shuntae--reading your post just makes me so proud of you and all of us that are C25K graduates and how our conversations how evolved from "how are we going to really run 5 minutes straight?" to "what race are we going to run next?"

I have had several "little" moments lately where I have gotten to realize how much has happen since Ive started. I passed the loop that I took my first steps at as a runner. I can now run that 20 times in a row without stopping. I remember thinking "ok I can only get around this loop" LOL

Then on Sunday I ran 8 miles on the same route that I could only run 3 miles 3 months ago.


Keep at it and you will be where we are now!!

I hope everyone else enjoys watching runners born every day on here. It takes time to crawl before you are running, but it's amazing to see em when they take off. Great job all you C25k folks. Ya know, everyone ran a 1st mile sometime.

Diet and running is a very personal matter. After 15 years of this you just know what works and doesn't. Something I studied a long time ago was to learn foods and their glycemic index (I think that's still what they call it). It's the rate food converts to blood sugar, and hence energy for whatever you are doing. A banana has a super high value and converts to energy in a little over an hour. So, it's about the only solid I'll eat before a run. It takes alot of trial and error to know what doesn't give you problems and also give you energy. The other think I have learned, that less is certainly more when it comes to energy and not feeling like a brick.

If you are not getting enough water (yes, just water) it can really make you feel sluggish too.

Something all runners come to know, you simply have good and bad days. Try to enjoy the good days all you can, and know your bad days eventually lead to good one's. Just keep going forward.

Great job all, I better shut up now.

Raymond

5 mile run for me today. Group of 4 of us ladies running at 5AM... love it! :bigsmile:

Thanks!! I will check out that site tonight. I like to think that my fitness level is moderate. I walk 4 days a week, about 1.25-1.5 miles. And, I do love the support here!!

Ran by myself during my son's cross country workout again today. Got in 10 K in just under an hour, so not a bad work-out. Running in a new park, so I had some exploring to do. Always good to get a change of scenery. (And knowing that the team may come up and lap me at any time is good motivation not to dog it too much.:laugh: )

I need to know when I can start running. :huh: I am very heavy and am scared to death that I'll "run" out of air and collapse miles from home. Any suggestions???? :huh:

Don't over do it first off. Second, choose a route in your neighborhood and don't stray far from home. I started on the treadmill first and when I go outside I give myself a time limit, 15 minutes out and 15 minutes back home and I slowly increase the time, as your speed grows that 30 minutes can be all sorts of distances.

Also, I would recommend using a program like couch to 5k so you can build up to a full run. you can just google couch to 5k to get the program, you do not have to buy the book all you need is online. Using a training tool like couch to 5k will guide you through pacing yourself and increasing your endurance and hopefully avoid injury.

:drinker:

Oh my gosh! I haven't been on here in a long time!!! I missed you guys!

I have been super busy....the college is a buzz with all the activity and the new students. I've been working 10-15 hour days lately just to keep my head out of water. This time of year is always crazy for us when the fall semester starts. Tomorrow I start teaching at the prison again, so that will take away some of my free time (what little I get lol).

I've been doing great on my running. I average 4 miles on my normal days, and 7 miles on my long runs. I am now to the point where I am wondering where to go next on my runs so I've been scoping out the area a lot lately.

Hopefully I'll be able to log into here more often but probably not until the school semester dies down a little. I'm teaching two classes plus my normal I.T job.

Anyways, take care all and I miss you guys!

Happy Running

Liza