leadoff Member

Running mechanics may be the problem here? Sounds like you are a classic "heel-striker." :) As far as running shoes, get fitted! :) Personally, I like the Nike Lunarlon series (specifically the Lunarfly). Very soft landing, extremely light, and good arch supports.

Relax! :) I always like to have load up on some carbs a couple of days before a race with a light meal the night before. (Vietnamese seafood and rice noodle soup is my favorite the night before! :) ) A granola bar, a cup of coffee (or two) and a healthy dose of blueberries is my breakfast the day of the race. I like to run…

What are you doing and what is your overall goal? Personally, I don't worry too much about what the scale says in terms of weight. I focus more on muscle mass and body fat % readings. If you are seeing changes in your physique and feel more toned in the process, then keep on plugging away!

I have the Tanita BC-1000 and pair it with my Garmin FR60 for weight, body fat %, muscle mass and 6 other measurements that sync up with Garmin Connect. The review on DCRainmaker's site quotes a pretty accurate reading for the Tanita scales: “A 2007 study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition that compared…

I'm a big fan of the Nike Lunarlon series, specifically the Lunarfly. They are very lightweight with great support. Definitely getting fitted is a must in order to find what works best for you, though. Also, you should have plenty of wiggle room up front for your toes. I am normally a 10.5 but go with 11 for running. Your…

I use the Garmin FR405. I had some issues with the battery draining after 11 months. Three mile runs were draining the battery about 25%. I contacted Garmin, and after some email exchanges, Garmin sent me a replacement. I will say Garmin consumer service was a big help and followed through to make sure I was happy with my…

First of all....congrats and good luck with your training! Sounds like you have a great plan in place by focusing on time instead of distance. I would suggest a good HRM to wear while training. Weekly goals are always a great plan to follow. Push yourself to follow through on those goals, but always listen to what your…

I like mine to stay crusty with salt stains. I have also found the stench to motivate me to run faster...outrun the smell. :)

Same for me. Resting HR for me is low 50s. My max rate (using the good ol' 220-age method) should be 183. However, I consistently hit 180-185 when doing hills and intervals. My average HR during a regular long run at a 9:20 to 9:40 pace is 165, which is right at 90% of my max. I did a half-marathon back in January, and I…

Chair dips. One of my favorites....will make those tris burn! :)

Great advice in this thread to follow! Personally, I have found intervals to work great for me when attempting to increase my speed. You have a good base with which to work....30 minutes. Work in some timed intervals within that 30 minutes. EX. 5 minute warm up at an easy pace then 1 minute at just over or at your…

Good for you! Good luck this season!

I'm assuming your practices/workouts are after school? If so, what do eat for breakfast and lunch? Are you hydrating throughout the day leading up to practice? I am a high school teacher and coach, so I have witnessed firsthand how the majority of high school students eat. :) Pop tart or candy bar for breakfast downed with…

LUNGES in any form or fashion......especially the Mary Katherine.

I had a bad case of shin splints my sophomore year of playing baseball in college. Athletic trainer prescribed 800 mg Ibuprofen prior to practice and also had my arches taped prior to workouts along with added arch supports in my cleats. Luckily, I have only had one case of shin splints since running post college baseball…

Well said. I will add that you will find your speed will gradually increase with your endurance.

I think you have plenty of time! If I were you, I would make sure that one of my three running days is devoted to intervals.

My shin splints were the result of poor arch supports. This was straight from the mouth of our team athletic trainer when I was playing baseball in college. He also gave me a good idea for icing aching shins....paper Dixie cups (the bathroom mouth rinse kind) filled with water and placed in the freezer. After a workout,…

Most watches sync up with a chest strap. However, there are some models that incorporate a bezel on the face of the watch to touch. A chest strap will give you the most accurate reading, though. Personally, I use Garmin since I run and want the pace and GPS features along with the HR info. Polar is probably THE name in…

Definitely get fitted and get some good socks! I tried Asics GT1150s and after 100 or so miles in them, my evil shin splints came back. I switched to Brooks Adrenaline, which felt a little heavy and cumbersome....not to mention the slight twinge in my right knee that developed on long runs. I finally went with the Nike…

Get a Mac. :)

Whatever makes you happy! :) Personally, I like wearing shorts over my compression leggings in cold weather. I like having the option of pockets with my shorts to keep some energy gel for long runs or somewhere to stash my running gloves mid-run if needed. Not to mention I survived the eighties and the spandex…

I think you should eliminate the idea of DIETING altogether. A DIET in the true sense of the word is a way of life. In fact, when you trace the etymology of the word "diet," you will find that it comes from the Greek "diata," meaning "way of living." Our society now considers a diet as a short term solution to losing…

Get shoes with better arch supports. I developed a slight ache on the outside of both knees while playing baseball in college, so I went to the team athletic trainer. He told me told me that I needed better arch supports in my shoes. He explained that the pain would eventually work its way up my leg to my butt muscles…

My favorite running route starts on our family farm's dirt road and carries me along plenty of rural back country roads.....nothing but farms and old farmhouses. I've only had a couple of "questionable" incidents ever since I have been running the route, and both incidents reassured my decision to carry while running.…

I live in a rural area in the south, so I pretty much exclusively run outside. We don't get much cold weather. :) I do my intervals at our local 1/4 mile track, and I have a 3.5 mile loop that I run on our family farm. The loop is half dirt road and paved road....great scenery and very little traffic. :)

First....forget about what those around you think. :) You are training for you...not for those around you. I would recommend doing intervals. Speed walk to warm up then up the pace to a comfortable jog. When you feel you've reached your limit, lower the pace to your speed walk to recover. When you feel ready, up the pace…

Good deal! Like others have said, 5Ks are fun and relaxed...not to mention most are for a good, charitable cause. You have plenty of time to prepare, so start focusing on a target pace. I'm not familiar with the C25K regimen, but if you are to the point of maintaining your run for the 3.1 miles, start working on extending…

The elliptical is a totally different monster for me. I am an avid runner and can run circles around my wife on pavement, but she can kick my butt when it comes to elliptical training! I used the elliptical back when I was training for my first half-marathon, and I firmly believe it helped build endurance and strength in…

I'm a Georgia runner, but I have never done the Warrior Dash....know a few folks who have and loved it, though.