sm_usagi Member

Sorry, I should have mentioned - I warm up for a couple of minutes before hand (high knees, walking lunges, walking, bit of bouncing on my toes), and I do some basic stretches afterwards (just calf and hamstring stretches). Maybe I need to do more of both?

That's why I'm still here and losing weight, and my wedding was three months ago! I started losing weight before we were engaged (six months or so) and still have a little ways to go, and haven't lost anything drastic, but I didn't see any harm in using the wedding, and the idea of hundreds of people focussed on me for the…

Awwww but I really did want some (free, MFP-based!) support over the holiday season.

I just did this over the last year or so, happy to help support and motivate! Someone pulled me aside at my wedding and was like "Whatever you're doing - keep doing it!" I was tracking calories with MFP, and doing a boot camp class 2-4 times a week (I called it bridal boot camp!).

GO SOX!

I WILL RESIST THE DISH!!! I am pretty terrified of the holiday season. I want to be fit and healthy and enjoy myself, but not fall into repeated over-indulging or excuses. I acknowledge that I will be hungrier as it gets colder, and that I will be less and less excited about getting up and going for a run. I will try to…

Honestly, I was bored! I wanted something to work towards. I did my first 5K last year, and another one earlier this year, and decided I wanted to do something substantial. I'm in week 5 of a 12-16 week training program (mostly Hal Higdon's novice plan, depending on how long I stretch it out). This weekend was my second go…

The toilet one is important, as is arriving early! Try to pick up what you can the day before, if possible. And DON'T wear the race tshirt to the race itself. Apparently that's a rookie mistake *looks ashamed*. One thing I read when I was preparing for my first that I followed on the day was to deliberately run the first…

Definitely try and relax your shoulders consciously every few minutes, I find mine are often tense even when I don't realise it. I came home from a longer run (for me!) the other day and my jaw was so sore - I realised after the fact I must have been clenching it for extended periods of the run!!

Oh my goodness, that's great! Especially your pace! I am increasing my distance at the moment, also aiming for a half marathon, and my long runs are more like 10:00 pace. I pushed my last mile this morning and just managed to get it to 8:59! I can't wrap my brain around 8:30 yet, let alone sustained over an hour -…

Hahah, that is certainly an achievement! Yay everyone! It's so great to keep track of your progress and see how far you've come.

Awesome achievements everyone! Even getting out of bed, if it's a big thing for you, then it's worthy of the brag thread ;)

That's awesome Tracey, I hope the next week brought new PBs! I ran 6 miles/10km for the first time yesterday. Ten kilometres! Booyah! Onwards and upward!

Thanks guys. I am travelling during the NY Half unfortunately! But good to know Surf City is a good event, I will keep that in mind too.

Okay, I'm looking at runs in January now! There's the Honkers Motivational Marathon - did anyone do that last year?

I've run some 5Ks before and I run regularly during the week, not usually more than 3 miles though. I've been doing the Hal Higdon training plan for a couple of weeks and think I can get through it in the next 8 weeks! But yes, it's pretty quick.

I did 3.5 miles quite slowly this morning after a rest day yesterday with lots of stretching - I was mildly sore in the calves during the run, but felt pretty good. So I will keep it on the easy pace for awhile instead of jumping to race pace!

A cup of tea (with 2% milk and one tsp sugar), and one serve of Zen Monkey Strawberry - rolled oats soaked in apple juice and then mixed with yogurt and finally strawberry added. 130 cals per serving, 5g protein, 11g sugar, 1.5g fat.

Thanks everyone! I did think it was strange to do the longer distance at the faster pace. I will read some different plans and adjust. Definitely having a rest day today - I can walk again this morning but I am a bit stiff!

This is the first time I've tried any proper running training and I am following the RunKeeper program. Maybe it's not set up well? The first week is 3 miles easy, 3 miles easy, 3 miles easy and 5 miles race pace. I thought it seemed weird to go harder for the longer distance but I tried my best!

Ooooh bath. That sounds like an excellent idea. Will it undo my last couple of hours' effort with the icepacks though? If it's going to hurt this much every time I think taking a pre-emptive ibuprofen might be a good idea.

Thanks for the links!! Lots of good information. Sounds like rest and anti-inflammatories and stretching would be a good start (after a doctor's appointment!).

I just carry mine in my hand! Phone in one hand, keys in the other, tissue stuffed in my bra. Sexy.

Kristi - how much is 'over' training?? Pete - glad to hear it's working for you, hopefully I get good results too!

Good luck!!! I am just contemplating signing up for one and starting to train. How long did it take you to prepare? Did you follow a plan? I hope it goes well!

Awww they are still YOUR PR's and they are still awesome for you! Beertroll - that is so cool.

I started at a new gym last week (just moved to Los Angeles) and the gym instructor came over in the middle of a class to compliment me on my great push-ups. Considering at the start of the year I could barely do 7 or 8 girly push-ups on my knees, now that I can do 20+ on my feet, chest almost to the floor, with great…

Bump! I was push-pressing 50lbs this week. Probably doesn't sound like a lot to some, but it's a PB for me! BOOYAH.

One thing I was told was to try to have a bunch of protein immediately after the workout (within 30 minutes). So I have a big handful of almonds in the car on the way back from the gym and then a tub of yogurt or a boiled egg from the fridge when I get home.

Nice work everyone!! It's definitely a good feeling to progress to the harder option! :D