artsyathlete

A marathon doesn't have to take that much time, if you want to do one its a great way to focus your training. The F.I.R.S.T. training program is really good because it has you running only three days a week and people tend to get great timess with that. the workouts are intense but it sounds like you are looking for that.…

Any workout over an hour in duration is going to require some calories while you are exercising. I take a gel (hammer gel, cliff shot or a gu-but gus taste the worst) every 45 min on long runs. This makes a big difference as far as maintaining energy levels and avoid a post run headache. Proper hydration is also a key…

I second TRX but the initial output is pricey compared to a jumprope. Its fun, saves space, and is really versatile though. If you like swimming it would also be worth working up the courage to do it. Good luck finding your niche. :)

9/1/2011 55min indoor cycling class 20miles (approximate this gym has no bike computers) 9/2/2011 TRX/cycle class 10.2 in 30min (gym with a computer) 9/3/2011 40k in 1:12:47 (bike leg of an Olympic distance triathlon) (24.8 miles) 9/6/2011 30miles (indoors) total to date: 85 (I wish I knew how exact this was but I…

I'm a runner (its fun to say and mean that :) ). I did my first 5k right before I got pregnant with my first kiddo (16+ years ago) but didn't start running really regularly until about four years ago when I did my first half marathon. Since then I've done 10 marathons, 1 Ironman, 3 half ironmans, 2 25k trail runs, and lots…

I broke my coccyx 6 weeks (at the peak of my training) for a full marathon this past spring. I was able to still finish the marathon even with the 6 weeks preceeding the race off. I used the Galloway method of adding walk breaks of a set interval into my run from the begining of the race (don't add them in at the the end…

Your arch pain probably due to having flexible arches (your arch collaoses/flexes a lot with each step). The muscles in your foot are most likely still not used to flexing/having to support without the help of a supportive shoe. You said you transitioned gradually, how many miles? Its best to do 2 miles per session at most…

I've got five kids and I towed or pushed (biking or running) whichever one was the toddler for about 12 years. Yesterday I did an Olympic distance triathlon (solo-kids stayed home :) ) and was first in my age group. I credit all the super human weight training :). Great job and thanks for your post, Its good to remember…

Everyone has things they can't do yet. I teach fitness classes and there are times when even in front of the class I'll have to say "I'm going to demonstrate the modification for this one, if you want to take it to the next level, then you do it by..."(and give a verbal explanation). Everyone starts somewhere and the ones…

They could have been refferring to overtraining syndrome? Endurance athletes (more common in age groupers than pros since pros are usually coached) sometimes find themselves gaining weight even when working out for 20+ hours per week. Their performance drops and they often get sick or injured. It happens to regular people…

Once you have more experience with what works for you you should be able to bargin shop for a specific shoe type based on experience of what you know works for you. But this early in your running career getting fit at a specialty store is a really good idea. I buy about three pairs a year and I have tried a lot of…

Your first race is always a little nerve racking but just think: Instead of a whole month to build up and worry about it you only have one day...think of the stress that will save :). Everyone gave pretty great advice already (hydrate all day today-that will make the biggest difference) but I wanted to stress the "have…

I found that oncee I started eating "clean" foods that my body detoxed a bunch of yucky stuff and one way it showed up was on my skin. It only lasted a little while (a few months, then once a month for a few more) and now my skin looks (much) better than before I started. Good luck and try to be patient