aswearingen22 Member

I weigh myself each morning, but only log the losses on mfp. My "official weigh-in" day is on Friday, and I keep track via a spreadsheet (how many lost each Friday, % of weight loss, how many calories I burned via exercise, etc). I tend to fluctuate a few pounds Saturday - Wednesday, and then drop on Thursday and again on…

Yurbuds. The best thing ever. I can seriously yank on the cord and they won't come out of my ears. The sound quality isn't that great on the actual headphones, but I think you can just buy the little rubber things that go on any round ear buds you already have. I've had mine for 1 year and LOVE them. I run in them 5x's a…

You should be focused on increasing your distance, don't worry about your pace, or how long it takes you. The slower the better actually. You're working to build your aerobic conditioning or your endurance. Your speed will come the more you run (you know, the more you practice, the better you get? same deal with running).…

My 1/2 PR was last spring at 2:19 (very first half was 2:35). I'm hoping to pull a 2:14 or 2:09 this year...I'm thinking another full year of running and where I'm at on places now should allow for that (run long runs around 10:30 pace at the moment). I won't determine those goal paces for sure until right before the races…

You're totally right. Maybe I'll see how I feel and not push it. The training plan I'm looking at isn't crazy speed work...maybe one day a week of intervals, or a run of NS's, or a few miles of RP during the long run, or some strides after an easy run. It's usually only one or two days a week at most, of the 5 days a week…

I'll answer the weight loss question. On average, running 1 mile burns around 100 calories (a little more if you're heavier or less conditioned, a little less if lighter or more conditioned...I burn about 80/mile on the treadmill, right around 100/mile outside with wind/hills). So if you run 3 miles in 24 minutes or 3…

I think it depends on why you want to do it. If it's for fun, absolutely do it. If you want to race it, no, don't do it. We missed the Color Run last year as it was the same week we were on vacation, but did the Glow Run in July (9pm race with glow sticks/costumes/etc) and while fun, it was no fun trying to actually run…

Try posting in the fitness & exercise boards instead, you might bet more response! I've had friends run the Princess half before, and yes, they sorta dressed up! Just compression shorts with a solid color tank and a sparkle team skirt...each was a different color representing a different princess. I agree with the PP and…

Ahh, yes, that's a good reminder for me, thank you. I tend to be an overachiever in all things and a rule follower, so if the plan says I'm running 7 miles today, 7 miles it is. I did get a cramp in the arch of my right foot on Saturday that was super painful, so I forced myself to skip my long run on Sunday and…

Even though I'll have been doing speedwork for 6 months when I start marathon training, you think I shouldn't do it? hmmm, I am really liking the change-up in my runs, and not just running x miles easy every time.

I just looked at Hal Higdon's plans and the one I'm thinking about following (RLAM) is very much like Hal Higdon's Intermediate 1 plan. - Both have roughly same mileage per week. - Both start with a LR of 8 miles. - Both have you running 5 days a week. - Both have the build-up, step back approach (18 mile long run one…

Thanks so much for the answers guys!! Let's see if this changes your mind on plans... For the last two years (2011 and 2012), I've run a base of around 25 miles from December - May and then lose my running mojo when it gets hot and am pretty sporadic with my running from June - November. I just ramped my mileage back up to…

anyone?

I am!! I ran my first half in 2011, 3 more in 2012, and am signed up for 4 half in a span of 7 weeks this spring! eek! 3 of them are part of a 39.3 series where I live, then a 4th a few weeks later. Then I'm going to make Chicago my first marathon on October 13, 2013! Can't wait! My training program will start on 5/27. I'm…

Usually kicks in around mile 4-5 for me. I've actually had the tingly all over feeling several times, but usually that's about the point in my run where I feel totally in the groove and could go forever, the first mile or two tend to be more rough getting warmed up kind of miles. And of course I feel amazing after and am a…

I've run 4 halfs (1 in 2011 and 3 in 2012) and am signed up for 4 halfs this spring! It's my fav distance! Looks like your base mileage is great. Now it's time to take your weekend run and lengthen it by 1 mile each weekend. So run 3x's during the week for 3-5 miles and then on Saturday, run 5 miles. Then next Saturday 6…

I'm at 1200 a day too (female, 5'2") and it's all about smart, filling choices. I rarely eat crackers, chips, etc., as they aren't filling enough to spend 150 calories on. I'd rather eat 75 calories with baby carrots and hummus that will actually fill me up for half the calories (and be good for me, not processed junk).…

as everyone else has said, c25k, or do intervals on your own until you're running longer. Just don't do too much at once as you want to avoid injury.

If you have a Sears outlet, check them too. We bought ours there 2 years ago, retail for about $1500 and we paid $900. My brother just bought one there this week, retail for $1,000 and he paid $600. Both Nordic Track commercial series (mine 1500 his 900). I also recommend CL.

It's hard to describe to a nonrunner why we runners love to run! There's the runners high, stress relief, there's the feeling of pride and accomplishment, there's the escape by ourselves and just living in our own heads for a few hours each weekend during our long runs, being able to do it wherever you are without any…

You can't change the dates of the races, but you can just not go to the races! It's really not worth the injury as it sounds like you're already injured. Your achilles hurting for a day after a run is an injury, that's not normal, it's your body telling you to stop. I would suggest resting it for several days, icing it…

1. make sure you are wearing new running shoes that you were fitting for at your local running store (not ****'s). They need to be replaced every 300 - 500 miles (depends on weight of runner, the specific shoe, etc). Don't wear them for anything but your runs. 2. Ice them many times a day. The more the better, the sooner…

What others said about GU, there is also PowerBar, etc. And if you don't like the gels (my stomach doesn't tolerate them well), there's also chomps (kind of like big fruit snacks), sport beans (like jelly beans), etc. Experiment during long runs and see what works for you. I'm surprised others don't fuel during a half…

You reminded me of my favorite running quote "My sport is your sports punishment"! ;) You know, run laps if you screw up!hehe

No shame at all! I *always* hit the port-a-potty right before I line up for the race, even if I don't think I have to go, just to make sure. I've never had to use one during the race, but I would definitely stop if I had to! It's harder if you want to run with pace groups, you'd have to hurry to catch back up, which would…

I just looked at your training schedule. 8 weeks, running only 3 days a week, and long run only up to 10 miles, yikes. I'm sure you'll finish, but it wouldn't be as strong as you could finish and I think you could be better prepared at the starting line. I really recommend checking out Hal Higdon's Novice 1 and Novice 2…

I ran my first half in 2011, three halfs in 2012, and am signed up for four spring halfs in 2013 (and planning my first marathon in October 2013). I think you've got great advice already, but here would be my additions: 1. Treat your long runs like practice runs for race day so you can find out what works. Experiment on…

Do you wish to increase the distance you can run? If not, I don't think it really matters and I'd do whatever you want during the week, and maybe mix it up a bit, one week do two runs of 5 miles and the next week do 3 runs of 3 miles. Then on the weekend, do one "long" run and if you want, increase that run by 1 mile or so…

Yes. Read up on Active Release Technique and search youtube for videos that give you ideas on how to use it. I roll out at least 5 times a week while watching tv before bed. It feels great. I'm a runner, so I do some things targeted especially for runners (glutes, hamstrings, calves, IT band, etc).

Definitely go with your HRM.