wtgrey Member

I usually go for a walk with the dog the day before a half, but like MobyCarp said, it is all about what works best for you.

After a half marathon, a little tired, but not too bad for 50 years old.

I use a Black Diamond Storm headlamp for me, and a couple of flashing lights on my dog. Both can be bought at REI or online. I am an evening runner, and run almost the entire fall/winter/spring in the dark, and these are excellent.

Mt. Shasta, a couple of years ago. The views were amazing, and the experience unforgetable.

Hi Sthoma, I think the first thing to do is to make sure your gels contain the right kind of sugar. The body primarily burns glucose for energy, so if you use gels that contain glucose (also may be labeled dextrose) then that is the most efficient way to get energy to your tissues. Gels that contain sucrose must first be…

If you are running 50 miles per week, and knocking out 19 and 20 milers before the race, then it sounds like you are certainly prepared! There are many factors that can impact a marathon completion, and training (the most important factor) is something that you are doing well. On top of the training, I would be sure to…

You may want to check out a SPOT GPS, which can bring help if you need it. You also can use it to let family members track you.

I started out with sprints last year, and have done a sprint and an international this year. First half-iron is in August. I think it was good to learn the basics of tri before bumping up to 70.3. Not even sure I'll ever even try a 140.6.

I would probably cut the run on 8/8 to 5 miles. For the week of the actual race, I would not run more than 5 miles on any day, and run only short easy runs the two days before the race. For a full marathon, my last long run (20) is three weeks out, and I do a 10 miler two weeks out. For the last two weeks before the race,…

On trails that I know well, all I carry is water, a couple of snacks, and my phone. If I am going into an unknown area, I will carry more items, including a satellite rescue beacon, and bear spray, if needed. This usually only happens when I am day hiking or backpacking. Most actual trail runs are in areas that I know…

Congrats on the 5K PR in April. I got mine in April as well. I also was able to get my PR in a marathon back in October. I am planning a few road races, triathlons and a half iron in August. I will run the Marine Corps Marathon in October of this year. Good luck this weekend in your next race!

Hello from Concord, NC!

I have lost 100 lbs since starting MFP, and ran the October 2014 Marine Corps Marathon. I feel so much better than I have felt in more than 10 years. Put your mind to it, and you can accomplish what you want to achieve!

I use an MSR Sweetwater filter. ALWAYS bring a secondary treatment option though - I have had water filters freeze or break, and relied on tablets to keep me alive!

I ran my first mile without stopping on 12/20/2013, at a weight of 205 lbs (after losing 68 lbs over the previous year). Ten months later, I ran the Marine Corps Marathon (without stopping) at a weight of 173. My pace dropped from 13:00 per mile in December to 10:08 in the marathon, and is now about 08:00 for shorter runs.…

Could it be callouses that have built up on your feet? I have two tiny ones that build up, and I have to cut them off in order to avoid pretty intense pain.

I do not know anything about those specific shoes. However, I do know that the best advice I have is to go to a specialty running store, and ask for help. My running store folks put me on a treadmill, had me try on lots of different shoes, and used high-speed video to look at my stride and foot strike pattern. They…

I do not require any water or nutrition for runs up to about 14 miles. On training runs longer than this, and in the marathon, I consume 4 ounces of a sports drink, and one glucose gel, every two miles starting with mile 12. I have never depleted my glycogen stores when following this plan.

Hi Everyone! Todd from NC.

Congratulations on losing 30 lbs! Keep up the good work, and feel free to add me.

Congratulations! I have also lost (and kept off) 100 lbs, so I know how hard it is. I have been stuck around the 100 lb mark for awhile, and need to lose 22 lbs more. Feel free to add me!

Note - I recommend that anyone starting an exercise program consult with their doctor first. Before I started the course of action below, I had a full physical and cardiac stress test by my doctor. I ran when I was much younger, then got terribly out of shape and overweight. When I started working out again, in February…

5 foot 7, and a half. The half is important.

Thanks for the compliment. I have been using MFP regularly for about 2 years. When I started losing weight, I counted calories every single day, and I still do. It makes you accountable to yourself, and MFP makes it easy. I could not exercise very much at the beginning, but I did what I could, and slowly built up. I lost…

Awesome improvement in the marathon time!

If you are running 40 miles per week, and can do a 20 miler three weeks before the race, then you probably are in the physical shape to run 26.2. I worked a program where I built up to that kind of mileage, and ran a marathon two weeks ago. I finished (running the whole race) in 04:32. Just remember to start slow and avoid…

Thanks to everyone for your comments. It is awesome to be encouraged by people on the same journey!

Absolutely outstanding! I am thrilled, and inspired, to read your success story!