Axe34 Member

I ran my first ultra at the Haliburton Forest Run (50K) last year. I'm training to do the 50 mile winter Beast of Burden in February followed by the 100 miler at Haliburton next September. Prior to that I'd run half a dozen halfs and one full. The ultra was amazing. I loved everything about it -- running in the forest on…

30 pounds and 6 inches off my waist with 5 months of running/cycling/strength.

I just did 21.1K in -2C (-10C with the windchill). I wear La Sportiva Wildcat GTXs which are Goretex lined and have lugs on the bottom. They keep my feet toasty. The rest of the outfit includes fleece lined tights, two long-sleeved tech shirts and a windproof running jacket. Nike running gloves under a good set of winter…

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Axe34/view/the-outer-limits-578197

Ran 8.5K on the trails at Ardagh Bluffs in Barrie this morning -- my first technical trail run (as opposed to the straight, flat Trans-Canada Trail). Lessons learned: 1. Trail running made me feel like a kid again, running through the woods, playing cowboys and Indians. 2. Trail running is much harder than road running.…

I find concrete much harder on my joints than asphalt. Also, sidewalks stop and start and you lose running rhythm when you're constantly going up and down curbs at intersections. That being said, I always run facing traffic so I can see what's coming. I run in the middle of the oncoming lane where it's more level and move…

Here's the Top 10 things I've learned about running over the last three months.... 1. Just getting out the door is one of the biggest obstacles to overcome when you first start. Once you're out, you're golden. 2. If you're new to running, use a program like Couch25K. Don't just throw on sneakers and run until you can't run…

I would respectfully disagree that it gets easier. What it does, however, is go from I-hate-this-so-much-why-do-I-do-this-to-myself difficult to I-love-pushing-myself-and-the-feeling-of-being-fit-and-fast difficult. I started Couch to 5K June 19. I hated the first three weeks. HATED IT. There were times I wanted to quit…

LOL. My wife said not to ride too close to it because if they figured out I came all the way from Barrie they might not have let me leave.

This is exactly why I bought a home gym. I despise gym culture.* *Yes, I know this is an overbroad generalization. But I have yet to encounter a gym where 'bro' culture doesn't slap you in the face within 2 minutes of entering.

Name: Jason Ballantyne Started running June 19 Average distance last 30 days: 9.4K Average pace last 30 days: 6:53/K Just ran my first non-race half-marathon in 2:28 Running my first race half-marathon Oct. 20

When I changed my lifestyle I was 5'8" and 206lbs. My and my doctor agreed that 175 was a good weight to aim for. I'd still have to lose another 11 pounds to get to the top end of the "healthy" range of BMI. Whatever. I'm now down to 185 and have dropped my body fat from close to 30 per cent to 22. Even more important, my…

You'll find some people can be very hostile to others -- usually in a passive-aggresive form -- when they've changed their lifestyle to a healthy one. I suspect most of it is rooted in a deep-seated jealousy and feeling bad about their own lifestyle.

Thanks! According to my Fitbit One, the elevation changes on the ride were the equivalent of climbing 103 stories. Good luck on your 50K!

Oh, and for anyone who might be interested in how I got to this point (because I know I've received soooo much inspiration from so many stories here)... 1. I suffer from major depressive and anxiety disorders. I've been on disability for them for two years. Prior to that I had worked since I was 14 -- I'm now 41 -- and had…

Thanks! Although I have to say, as someone who's battled major depressive disorder and low self-esteem for most of my life, my first thought on finishing was, "Big deal. Guys on the Tour go twice as fast and twice as far EVERY DAY!" lol I did eventually felt good about it. =)

Major depressive disorder (recurrent) and generalized anxiety disorder here.

I started June 19 and ran my first 5K two weeks ago, my first 10K last Friday and my first 15K this week. I also registered for my first race, a half-marathon, this October. I'm 41 and was 30 pounds overweight when I started. I've dropped almost 20 pounds, four inches off my waist and 20 points off my blood pressure (I…

Also, I have no desire to have people screaming in my face while I'm working out. But that's just me. =-)

It's certainly a polarizing topic. My brother loves it but is realistic enough to know a) it's not for everyone b) if you don't have a good trainer/coach you are at risk of seriously injuring yourself Case in point -- when he tried out at one box, the trainer was a lunatic. He had beginners doing clean and jerks when…

Thanks everyone! Well, it's official. I've got two months to train for my first race -- Base Borden half marathon on Sun., Oct. 20. Just registered. As George Costanza would say, "You want to get nuts?!? Alright, let's get nuts!!!"

Started C25K June 19 at the age of 41 and 30 pounds overweight. Ran 5k for the first time two weeks ago, 10k this past Monday, sub-30 min 5K yesterday and biked 24k today. 15K lined up for tomorrow at dawn. Turns out my bad knees just didn't like hauling around a bunch of fat because they're A-OK now. :laugh:

You should definitely NOT run through pain -- as opposed to just general soreness from working out muscles for the first time in a while. Keep in mind, not all C25K programs are equal. I tried one program two years ago and it started with walk one minute > run one minute X10 the first day. That's 10 minutes of running…

Yesterday as I was walking to the door of the gym, this huge, sweaty dude opens it and spits right on the sidewalk in front of the door. Effing disgusting.

Ice cream, specifically Smarties or black cherry. They are my arch-enemies.

Just ran 10K. As Ron Burgandy would say, "Well, that escalated quickly!" I guess I was using runner's logic -- if I can run 5k, surely I can run 10. =)

Thanks everyone. It is certainly tough enough grappling with mental health on a daily basis -- something healthy people take for granted every day -- so it makes it extra special when we accomplish things in spite of our illness. That's what my father always tells me when I'm down on myself because of the things I've…

I bottomed out at my physical on June 16. Heaviest I've ever been -- 206 (I'm 5' 8"). I also had high cholesterol and blood pressure. The next day I started a food diary here and the Couch to 5k program. I've only missed one scheduled run since then and I've added strength training and speed work on my non-run days as I…

Congratulations on sticking with it, even though life threw you some ready-made excuses. I think your can and can't list shows a very balanced and mature outlook. So often we set ourselves up for failure by setting unrealistic goals. Best of luck as you continue your journey.