denny_menter Member

TV is a huge problem for me. I wouldn't even have one if my family would allow it. I can't sit in front of it without wanting to eat something. My solution is just to simply not watch. Even if the family is watching one of their shows (American Idol!!!) I don't sit down. I'll go to my home office and do something…

I have to hit an even mile. I couldn't stand the .99! I also can't stand to run without my watch because I always want to know pace and distance EXACTLY. My Garmin puked at mile 20 at my last marathon. If it wasn't for my pace group I would have gone nuts!

I'm only planning for one specific race right now - Grandmas Marathon (MN). I will likely choose a fall marathon later. If any smaller, convenient races come up along the way I'll run them too :)

It has worked for me, but I have to watch it that I don't go overboard. I've been logging in MFP and programs like it for years now and I have a good estimate for what I eat even when I don't log. On an off day, I still weigh whether that bowl of ice cream is worth a 4 mile run to work it off. I can't help it! I look at it…

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I appreciate the feedback. I think I will try it and if it's unbearable I'll go to a fall back plan of Higdon's Intermediate.

Another voice here saying hitting a wall isn't mandatory. I've had physical problems (bad knee, asthma attack) turn my race into hell, but as far as the normal "hitting the wall", it hasn't happened to me in my short 5 race career.

Eat them back, but beware of eating too many back. Runners weight gain is fairly common. We work so hard that we think we can eat whatever we want afterward. It's real easy to burn 6 miles' worth of calories and eat 7 back to "reward" yourself.

Thank you all for your great input. It makes me feel like it's another great accomplishment to add to the list of things I never thought I would do! I will get Relentless Forward Progress and give that a read.

Keep it up! This site gave me the tools I needed to lose 30 pounds that I had gained over the last 15 years. It's not as significant as the loss you're targeting but the process is the same. It helps me to remind myself that if you play by the rules, this works - guaranteed! Losing that weight changed my life, and I'm sure…

I may run some 5 or 10K's, but the only race I'm focusing on right now is Grandmas Marathon (Duluth MN). I ran it last year and had a blast. My goal is to break 4 this year (4:13 last year). I will also run a fall marathon, but don't know where yet. If anyone has recommendations for something within 8 hours of Wisconsin…

Sounds corny, but just believe in yourself. If you've trained properly and you have no injuries, the hard part is over and you've proven you can do ti. Don't let the unfamiliar last 6 miles scare you, and enjoy the finish. Nothing can stop you now. Remember that during the tougher miles at the end.

I looked at the next level of Higdon, but it isn't time-based. RW has time based plans that give exact goals (run xx miles at 10:04 pace). Being a computer guy, I love knowing the exact numbers. It's goofy I know, but it works for me. A friend of mine has a book about running a 4 hour that I'm going to check out. If that…

Do you follow a specific plan? I've got the same goal.

I looked at the next level of Higdon, but it isn't time-based. RW has time based plans that give exact goals (run xx miles at 10:04 pace). Being a computer guy, I love knowing the exact numbers. It's goofy I know, but it works for me. A friend of mine has a book about running a 4 hour that I'm going to check out. If that…

My main goal is to run a marathon in under 4:00. My best so far is 4:13 and I was very happy with it, but it's time to step it up and do some speedwork. I'm going to follow a more aggressive plan this year with my goal time in mind. I'm thinking of giving up trying to find a free one and buying the Runners World 4 hour…

I believe that you're NEVER too heavy. You just need to adjust to your current ability. If it feels hard, it's supposed to. If it feels impossible, then give yourself a break and walk as much as you need despite what the plan says. Just don't stop. All of us start somewhere, or we spend our lives overweight and miserable.…

Fuel belt with 4 bottles. For a long run when I need to carry all four, it's a little heavy at first but it gets lighter quickly.

My son and wife were at my side for my last race for the last two miles. I wasn't sure if it helped or not. Sometimes I prefer quiet to words of encouragement when I'm that exhausted. It was something to always remember though. I like the fact that my boy will look back at that day and remember his dad working that hard

I haven't signed up yet, but I'll probably be running the Seattle Marathon in the fall. A buddy of mine just moved there and it will be his first. If my wife doesn't approve the travel budget, I'll find something closer to home :)

I ran five miles tonight wearing my old Garmin and the Nike. The watches reported the overall distance as the same and the pace per mile as the same. But the immediate pace was WAY off. I repeated my experiments from the other day, only this time I ran slower. I purposely ran about 9:30. I thought that the slower I run…

My advice - do not assume that you will get gels or any advertised food during a race. At my first marathon they ran out of gels and I had to borrow from a stranger. I pack my own since.

I just started looking at Seattle yesterday. Have you run it before? Are the hills really that bad?

I can't stress enough - go see a physical therapist if at all possible. I'm married to a PT assistant so it was easy for me. My knee problem was about to stop me from running. I thought I was going to have to give it up. The solution? Believe it or not, my big toes were not flexible enough. Along with a few other…

20 miles while training my first year, but not anymore since I learned it's OK to slow down for water breaks. I'd love to say that I don't take any walk breaks during marathons, but I learned a few races ago that I do better if I allow 30 seconds or so at each drink station.

Grandmas' Marathon, June 2013. This will be my fifth. I'm hoping for a PR. Unknown marathon in the fall. Maybe Seattle since I've got a friend who will be running it. Turkey Trot - Eau Claire Wisconsin. This one's a family tradition to justify overeating and overdrinking the rest of the day.

I've used Higdon Novice 1 and 2. They both work just fine. It depends on your preference. Advice (take it or leave it): You sound like you're about where I was 2 years ago (2:08 half) before my first marathon. Don't put any great pressure on yourself for the marathon. For the first one, just finish. That's a hell of an…

That's awesome. I lost 40 pounds a few years ago using a different tool, but it was the same concept. It's a great feeling to give away clothes because they're too big. I'm also a fellow runner, relatively new to the sport. Keep at it. I started with 5 and 10Ks three years ago, have now run three marathons and am…