trlrnrgrl

Absolutely you can do it! You've gotten some great advice already. I was also going to suggest adding in some shorter races between your 5k and your half. Breaking down a big goal like a half into smaller bits might make it seem less scary and will keep you motivated throughout the year. Your 5k is gonna be great, and you…

Oh yeah, I can DEFINITELY relate! The stress eating is the absolute hardest for me. I only have 1 kid, and I'm always fighting stress eating, so I can't imagine how difficult raising 6 would be. And, yes, when he's difficult and tantrumy (or getting sick or teething), those are the hardest days for me. I just sent you a…

Hi there! I've done several halfs, and am working up to some longer distances this year. I love the half distance! I think you have time to do the full 1/2 on your own if you want to, but it's cutting it a tad close (to give yourself enough training time) if you wait too much longer to decide. Generally, a lot of people…

Hi, welcome! Sounds like you have some great places to hike!

Hi Melissa, Welcome! Wow, a 12 day trip, that sounds fantastic. Will it be along the AT or in the Smokies? I lived in Cookeville when I was in grad school and LOVED getting out to the Smokies whenever I could. What got you into hiking and backpacking?

Hi! That's awesome you just started hiking! I was in Tucson a couple of years ago and had one of the best hikes ever on one of the trails in Saguaro NP. It was so beautiful and peaceful. Welcome!

+1 on getting fit at a local running store for some good running shoes. Another option to try is to run on softer surfaces than asphalt or concrete roads or sidewalks - dirt roads, trails, even tracks. Sometimes you can even run along the sides of roads (off the road) on the dirt part and that can help. Also, are you…

It's really very individual - what works for one person doesn't work well for the next. So it ends up just being lots of trial and error. For me, I start to need some carbs if I'm going to run longer than 5 or 6 miles - otherwise, I start losing energy (I also run on trails, which usually burn more calories than roads). If…

Whew, my hats off to all of you running in that kind of cold! We don't get cold like that in central Texas, though I did run a race in 8 degrees one time, which is crazy cold for where I live. Then again, I love the heat and will run even into the mid 90s. I imagine running in extreme cold is like running in extreme heat -…

I don't know about the breathing part of your question. But I can say that I usually prefer running alone because it wears me down to have to talk with someone else. For me, I think the quiet, meditative, internal aspect of running is what is so great for me and helps me feel happy and refreshed at the end of my run. When…

This is awesome - I didn't know you can just use ziploc freezer bags and pour boiling water in it. That's what I love about the store bought dehydrated meals - there's no clean up, no mess. I'm definitely going to try TrlRnr's chili and the dehydrated hummus and refrieds, too. Thanks for these ideas. Oh, by the way, if…

Tortillas, that's awesome! And a good idea, too - I'm gonna try it. Chomps also make me feel bloated. So I've also had to play around with different foods because i start getting bloating and cramps on anything over about 8 miles if I don't eat the right foods. It seems like for me, I have to go with something easy to…

Wow, good question. I've never really thought about it. But I'd have to say it was when I was about 12. I've always loved running and ran track and field in Jr. High and HS. But I remember one day during a workout thinking nothing compared with the feeling of running as fast as you can - it made me feel free, strong, and…

I think the best thing is to go try on several packs if you can. Everyone's different, so what one person loves doesn't fit right on the next person. I tried the REI Flash (65 I think), which got great reviews and won an award, and really didn't like it. I wanted to like it, but it hurt my back and was just a tad too…

Hmm, Baja Fresh, I'll have to give that a try. My usual places are whole foods, thundercloud (just the nada chicken sandwich), Einsteins bagels (the lox and cream cheese with lowfat cream cheese), and Pei Wei (the tofu lo mein), and I recently tried Galaxy cafe and Maoz falafels, both of which had a few healthy options. I…

Are you running on trails? If not, I'm wondering why you are wearing trail running shoes?

I've only done this combo once, so I can only share that one experience. I ran a very easy 5k race then donated and I was shocked at how tired I was the rest of the day! But I would say I felt fine by the next day. It sure seems like you ought to be recovered enough after a day or two to do your next LR?

Oh absolutely! You'll be just fine. You still have 8 wks to go and you are already at a 4-mi long run, which is fantastic. I would even say you are right on schedule. If you followed the 10% rule (mentioned by a prev post), then you'll have 4.4, 5.0, and 5.5 mi long runs left. With that, you could either repeat long run…

If you already have some kind of fitness base, which is sounds like you do (in other words, you've already been doing some cardio in other ways), you shouldn't feel "wiped". Out of breath, tired legs, maybe, but not "wiped". That makes me think there is something else going on. Here are some other things to consider: Is…

If you like the outdoors, hiking can be a good option, especially if the trails have some incline. You can do a fast hike where you are walking, but keeping up as brisk a pace as you can. If there are hills on the trail, it's sort of a lower body strength workout along with moderate cardio. It's not gonna get your heart…

That's so awesome that you have a bunch of great trails nearby. Arizona seems like a great state - every once in a while I bug my hubby to move there or New Mexico. Texas has some good places to run, just not very many places. There is very little public land in Texas; what we do have is nice, but we just don't have much.…

Wow! Very cool! As a Texas, I cannot fathom running in snow, much less icy snow! Shoot, I start to complain when I have to run in anything lower than 60 degrees! Congrats to you and I love the pics, too!

Hi! Welcome! I've also been on MFP for about a month or two and also have a toddler - he'll turn 3 in April. I work a few hours a week at a non-profit, but mostly stay at home with our son right now. I'm a couple of states away from you in Texas, but also love running rocky single track trails. I live in central Texas,…

Thanks for the encouragement! It comes at a good time - my back (bulging disc) has been flaring up this week, so I've been feeling annoyed. It seems like every time I start getting good momentum in my training, my back starts acting up. The only thing I can think of is that I'm just pushing it too hard too quickly (even…

Hi! Wow, the Imogene Pass race sounds magnificent! I just put it on my race bucket list. I've only been to the San Juans once, but it was amazing, so I'm sure it would be an incredible race. You are in the Utah area? I've never been to Utah, but am thinking of getting there in the next year or two to check out the 4…

Running form is the subject of lots of articles and debates amongst runners of all levels. There are all kinds of books and articles written on the subject, and not all agree. Some say heel strikes are bad, some say that doesn't matter. Some say barefoot is good, some say not. I've been running off and on most of my life,…

I chuckled when you said you are dreading the transition from the crib! I was also dreading it until, one day, I was leaving the room in time to see our son (almost 3) pole vault himself out of the crib, do an entire flip, landing on his back on the floor. Luckily there was a blanket there where he landed (and it's…

Hi! I also have a 2 yr old (well, closer to 3 now), so I can understand being exhausted at the end of the day! Maybe you've already looked into this, but I'm wondering if it's possible to start transitioning your daughter to you not having to stay in the room with her for an hour in order for her to go to sleep? I know…

What you're going through sounds really rough! I only have a 3 yr old at home and work a few hours a week from home, and I can't seem to keep it all together sometimes, especially when our son is sick or home from school. I can't imagine adding caring for an older adult, too. Getting up early has worked pretty well for me,…