hermann341 Member

Mon - 1 hour NordicTrack skiing, 45 min power yoga Tue - 1 hour tempo run plus 5 min warmup & 5 min cool down Wed - 1 hour NordicTrack skiing, 45 min power yoga Thur - 1 hour tempo run plus 5 min warmup & 5 min cool down Fri - 1 hour NordicTrack skiing, 45 min power yoga Sat - 2 to 4 hours race pace or slower running Sun -…

I am currently trying for alcohol free for Lent, plus it helps to cut down on snacking if I do without.

I, too, am a nerd with a spreadsheet. Mostly tracking my workouts, setting workout plans for my upcoming marathons, and tracking my weight. I do not track my body fat percentage.

I tend to weigh in 3 times a day, Monday thru Saturday. Bedtime (heaviest time), waking (after using bathroom. i.e. "empty" weight), and after exercising (which is in the morning). I'm not fixated on the numbers, but use the data to ensure the trend is in the right direction. The post exercise weigh-in is used to keep tabs…

Looks like your phone may be more accurate, but a heart rate monitor is the best way to measure calories consistently.

I did not get the needle test. The doctor (an orthopedist recommended by another doctor) took some x-rays and by process of elimination based on history and symptoms and what I had been doing to that point to correct it, determined it was the overtraining version of compartment syndrome. I had been pretty sedentary and…

I had calf cramps due to compartment syndrome in my calves. I had been working out too hard when I started running, and my calf muscles bulked up too quickly (like over a 4 month period). Stretching helped, but I had to rest my calves for several weeks the last time I had cramps, and then had to proceed very slowly with…

Yoga and running cleared up my sciatica within about 6 months.

Just finished my 5th full and am working on my 13th half for Apr, 14th half beginning of May, 6th full end of May, 15th half in June, 7th full in Sep, 16th half the week following the full, and 17th half in Nov. I'm always training for something. ;)

Transitioned from bridge pose to full wheel pose.

Over the past 3+ years, my experience has been that low carb (15% or less of calories from carbs) has helped me reduce my weight, lower my LDL, tryglycerides, and blood sugar levels as well as complete my last marathon in 3:46. My experience has been that endurance events can be fueled with fat while shorter, faster events…

I haven't lost any weight. I kicked 70 pounds to the curb and told it not to come back.

Awesome job!! I've been in those shoes, and love to keep making progress with my fitness. Whether it's a new distance or another PR, keep up the great work.

Weekdays are indoors, because I don't like running in the dark in the morning, or working out after work. Netflix for entertainment. Weekends are outdoors, no music, but usually with my Team In Training (LLS) buddies.

For a little extra warmth while you're waiting for the start, wear a trashbag. You can either discard right before the start or wait until you warm up a bit. Depending on the size of the event, allow some extra time for traffic, and try to arrive 45 to 60 minutes before the start. Scope out the parking a day ahead of time…

Definitely need less sleep due to weight loss and exercise. Sleep apnea is in remission at the moment as well. Often only need 6.5 hours of sleeping. Even when I "sleep in" on a weekend I'll be done sleeping at 7.5 hours.

It's been a long time since I did any actual cross country skiing. Now, it's all on my Nordic Track in the basement. However, I think I would recommend waxless skis to start. I had the waxable kind and I enjoyed using them, but they were a bit of a pain because you had to check the temperatures to make sure you were…

Worked pretty good for me during my last marathon. I finished in 3:46, and fueled my entire race with 6 caffeine/electrolyte capsules, a couple mouthfuls of Gatorade, 2 Gu chomps (not 2 packages, just 2 chomps - and only because I was feeling a little hungry). Definitely didn't consume enough calories to cover the 3500 I…

I use Superfeet inserts, the green ones, in all my running shoes. Seem to help.

Darn. I thought for a moment it would be about Girl Scout cookies. :(

I had no problems training for my last marathon while in a deficit. I was 210 in May 2014 and ran a 4:28. Lost 30 pounds while eating low carb and ran a 3:46 in Nov 2014. My only recommendation would be to eat back at least half of your exercise calories, but not all of them.

Same kind of story. Stopped logging my food around Thanksgiving, knowing that I was going to put on weight. I enjoyed the holidays and put on about 14 pounds. But now the fun is over and it's back to work this week. Of the 14 pounds I put on during December, I've already lost 10. (Man, I love low carb induction!)

I run three days a week, two of which are on a treadmill. I use the treadmill because I don't like running in the dark (mostly because I can't read my watch). Also, the treadmill gives me very good control over my workout. I can set it to maintain 140 bpm heart rate, or I can crank it up, or I can do hill repeats, or…

Changing up your workout routines on the treadmill will also help. Add some hills a couple times a month (for example, alternate five minutes at 3% with five minutes at 1%), and add some speed work a few times (for example, quarter miles or half miles alternating with slower intervals).

Yep, you've got it. Extend your long run one Saturday, then back off the next one. The last Saturday before your event should only be about 6 miles.

Yoga has some excellent poses for the IT band.

Since you've been running 3 times a week for a couple years, and you've done long runs in the 8 to 9 mile range with 8 weeks to go, I'd have to say you are right about where you need to be. My recommendation on your long runs would be to back off on your next one to about 5 or 6 miles, then do 10, 6, 11, 6, 12, and 6. For…

Same here. Not really annoyed, as I had planned on enjoying myself between Thanksgiving and New Years. And I return to behaving myself next Tuesday when I go back to work.

I kept my original ring on my key chain for about the last 20 years. I was really happy when I was able to put it back on and move my backup ring to my other hand.

I like to take December off and enjoy the holidays and all the treats. I've been keeping up with my marathon training, so it hasn't been a total disaster for the month. I'm actually looking forward to the restart button, as I want to drop a few pounds below my previous goal.