MountainMaggie Member

I drink V8, low sodium. I used to hate it, but I made myself drink it a few times and now I love it, especially before a run. They make the somewhat higher calorie fruit flavored ones too of you can't stomach the vegetable juice.

I say do it.

Some of you make me feel so blessed. Left hamstring has been acting up off and on for about 6 months, seems to be getting better and stiffness goes away quicker. I think I was overcompensating for old injury in opposite foot. Being diligent about stretching after, and tweaking my form and posture a little have helped. IT,…

I see what you mean about pace being pace, but if a 7 foot runner with long legs has the same cadence but a longer stride length, he will go a longer distance (on the road anyway) than me with the same number of steps, essentially having a better pace. If your cover 3 feet with one step, and I cover a foot and a half with…

Perhaps height is not the issue, but stride length definitely plays a role. At my job, it is crucial that I know my pace for very specific distances, such as 15 meters, 30 meters, etc., over a mile or two at a time. As an example, for most of my coworkers a 30 meter pace is about 33-35 steps. For me it is 44. Huge…

I run so much easier outside. The dreadmill just bums me out because I put forth more effort and get worse results. It may be partly mental, but I think it's just different for different people. I also have this idea that being short plays a role. I think my feet are hitting the mill more frequently per revolution than for…

I'm 36. I didn't start running till 34, and have 3 halves under my belt, and looking forward to ultras. You don't turn into a pumkin at 35. People run their first mrathon at 50 all the time. It's not a young sport. Be afraid of the masters at your races. Be very afraid. Some of them have decades of runnig experience on…

As for finding a shoe you love, I am on my 3rd pair of Brooks and second of Asics, because they've done so well for me, and I'm glad I have tried different brands/styles.

Get an additional pair of the ones you love, AND a totally new pair after being fitted. You need 2 pairs. Rotating prevents injury, and the more you run the more you will see how some shoes are good for one thing and some for another. For example, I have a pair of trail shoes, a pair of clunkier but more supportive shoes…

Only have about 30 running miles to hit my 100 mile goal, and should have no trouble with that in the next 2 weeks! Hoping for some 'banked" hours to use on another month where I'm behind. :)

Thank you for this thread. If a friend tells you "it's probably just bacause you're gaining muscle," your friend is just trying to be nice. And you're trying to make excuses. If you are truly gining weight from muscle, you already know it.

I'm just witing till I get older nd the qualifying times get longer for my age group. :p

I've been a vegetarian for 20 years. Rule #1: KNOW WHAT YOU ARE EATING. Read labels and know what you are eating. Just like with any diet, you need to watch your calories, and also other vital nutrients. Carbs aren't bad, it's just easy to eat a lot of them. Anything in excess is bad. Complex carbs and whole grains make…

It's a lot easier for people to make excuses for you to fail than to join you in succeeding. Not that she consciously wants you to fail, but acknowledging your fitness issues might force her to face her own. Misery loves company.

This comment stream is the embodiment of why the MFP community is so great. I'm glad you're here. I firmly believe in the 20 minute rule. Or even 10. Wait that long to see if you still feel hungry after eating. It not only works, but if you are eating for a reason other than hunger, you will be far more likely to forget…

I'm 36 and have never felt better, you couldn't pay me to go back to my twenties, and I look forward to 45.

People will always try to tell you not to accomplish your goals, for whatever reason, but it's really to take the heat off themselves (not sure what's up with your trainer). Just like when people tell me I shouldn't run because it's bad for your knees and you can die from running a mrathon. You can also die from NOT…

I hate running in circles. I also hate plans. These two things are true for me in both life and in running. I don't run very fast. But my life is awesome. And I love to run. I aim to to run far. I aim to run till everyone else stops and I'm alone. And then keep going. I don't know why I commented. I am no help. Good luck.

Experiment. A smoothie might work for you pre-race, as you can buy one or taylor make one to your specific needs. I drank half a Naked Juice smoothie before my 15 mile trail race in the mountains because I have a hard time eating early in the morning and it was high in carbs and calories without feeling so much like food.…

No one cares what men wear to the grocery store. No one.

I did not run the day before my first half. Did 3 miles before my 15 because I spent 4 hours driving that day, and I figured driving legs would be worse than 5k legs on race day.

I like to do a short run before my long runs sometimes. For instance, the evening before my 15 miler, I ran 3miles, and kept thinking "Ok. Just gotta do this 5 times tomorrow." I think of it as a warm up. I'd be scared to do more than 5 before a long race, and 5 is pushing it. But I'm no expert, and I'm listening to you…

I love Nike as far as sports bras go. But chafing comes with running, especially longer distances. Vaseline maybe? I use Burts Bees hand cream sometimes in chafing areas. I also have a permanent sideboob "tattoo" from chafing. I like to think of it as a trophy or battle scar. But I have little boobs. And I'm grateful for…

Oh, and I can't think of a better place to be than Anchorage in late June. Been there twice in August. There's a reason this race gets high reviews.

Wow! What an amazing litany of varied advice! I think you're ALL right, and that different things work for different people, and it takes time to learn what works for you. I know now what I should have done differently before my first half, and after my first full, I will certainly see things I could have done differently.…

E-gigs helped me a lot. Ultimately you just have to get to that point where you're done. I had been cutting back for a while but part of me just really enjoyed smoking and didn't want to quit. One as I was smoking my first or second cig of the day, I just became completely disgusted and announced to my work crew: "That's…

Become a distance runner. Then you can eat lots and lots of carbs.

I appreciate all your input and experiences. But if people who have never run a half have plans that call for a half 8 weeks before their full, and I'm already comfortable at 15, I don't see how 7 weeks would be inadequate. But I'll listen to my body. I'm very good at listening to my body. But If I don't feel comfy at 20…

If you're hungry, eat. You're setting yourself up to ruin your metabolism and gain everything back as soon as you reach your goal weight. Sounds like you are on a crash diet, bordering on an eating disorder. You cannot diet and expect results. It must be a lifestyle change. You can't get by on 1200-1300 calories a day for…

It was a very difficult decision to choose one book out of your suggestions. I will read more, so by all means, keep throwing them my way.