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Favorite National Park to visit in the U.S.?
Hi all! I live in Chicago, IL and I've never been to any of the wonderful national parks out west. I am hoping to do a long weekend (four day) trip out west with my husband sometime this spring or summer and I wanted to get some opinions on where I should go. I'm thinking places included but not limited to: Grand Canyon,…
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Runners: foam roller/the stick? suggestions needed
I am going to be needing some sort of foam roller/the stick for marathon training I can already tell, haha. Suggestions from runners on what to get? I did my half marathon training without anything of the sort, but was sore for days and days afterwards no matter how much I tried to stretch
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Pittsburgh: French fries on salad?
A co-worker told me yesterday that where she is from (Pittsburgh, PA), they put french fries on their salads, and her friends here in Virginia thought she was crazy when they first saw her do it. Has anyone ever heard of this??? It sounds a little unbelievable to me! (she told us this to make a point that I shouldn't be so…
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Krill oil vs. Fish oil? AH!
Does anyone have any 'expert' opinions about which is the best for you - krill oil or fish oil. I heard about Mega Red (http://www.schiffmegared.com/default.asp) which is krill oil and they say it is better for you than fish oil. I am currently taking NEITHER, but looking into taking one or the other along with my daily…
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Marathoners - energy gel, how often?
Marathoners, what was your energy gel formula during the race? Did you have specific mile-markers where you took them? Did you go by feel?? I'm using Gu energy gel, which recommends taking one 15 before, and every 30-45 minutes along the way. So something like miles 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25. (I'll be running around a…
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Marathoners - use pace bands/tats?
Any marathoners use pace bands or pace tats? I love how neat they are!! Since it's my first marathon, I don't necessarily have a concrete time goal, but since my Polar HRM doesn't do splits, it'd be nice to have some sort of reference while running! http://www.pacetat.com/PaceTat-Miles.html…
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Pumpkin recipes - can of pumpkin
I still have two cans of pumpkin left from this fall when I was making pumpkin muffins a lot - does anyone have any good (and not overkill on the calories) pumpkin recipes for me? :-)
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Weight loss for men - from a girl to her boyfriend
Hi all! My boyfriend has been watching me train and run various races, working up to a 5k, to a 10k, 10 miler, half marathon, and now 6 weeks away from a marathon. He is really impressed with my fitness and what it's done for my body (haha) and he is now realizing his weight gain in his stomach. He is 23, in grad school…
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Tune up half marathon - necessary for marathon?
Hey runners, I need your assistance.. I am training for my first marathon (finishing up week 7 of 18) and the weekend of Feb 4-5 my training plan (Hal Higdon novice 2) has me running a half marathon race. Unfortunately I haven't been that eager to find one since there don't seem to be any close by and I don't want to pay…
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Trainers, phys therapists - hamstring strain
I must have strained my bicep femoris in both legs from the recumbent bike last night, which is a machine I never ever use (http://www.livestrong.com/article/511302-what-are-the-functions-of-the-biceps-femoris-muscles/). It hurts in the muscle that is on the back, outside of my knees, and up toward my thighs, maybe 4-6…
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First marathon training plan - what did you use
What marathon training plan did YOU use for your first full marathon? (Hal Higdon? Runner's World Smart Coach?) Looking for advice as my marathon is 18 weeks away! I'm used to running 3-4 times a week, not sure how well I'd adjust to running 5 times a week, just something I'm keeping in mind. I'm looking at probably around…
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62 runners link together, run marathon! - Article
Read a great (and fun!) article today from Runner's World, about 62 runners linking together and running a marathon! WOW! Q&A: Briana Boehmer, Coach of the Jenny Crain "Jennipede" Runners October 4, 2011 5:02 pm By Dimity McDowell At Sunday's Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon, the most talked-about runner crossed the line in 6…
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Bikers/Cyclers - magazine suggestion?
Any biking friends out there? It's my mom's birthday next week and I wanted to get her a subscription to a biking/cycling magazine, but I know nothing about cycling - I'm a runner. She is really into it as a new hobby (she has a hybrid bike, road bike, cycling gear, she rides 2+ hours on weekends, and at least 2 times a…
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30 Day Shred vs. Ripped in 30
Hey all, I am on my second round of 30DS (great DVD!) and have been hearing a lot about Ripped in 30. I've looked it up and it seems to be the same sort of 3-2-1 (strength, cardio, abs) deal, only with 4 workouts, one workout progressing up each week, for 4 weeks. However, how different (or not different!) is the Ripped…
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Anyone else have asymmetrical fat spots?
Anyone else have asymmetrical fat spots? The right side of my (lower) tummy by my hip bone holds a lot more fat than my left! I can tell because of how much of the bone shows, and also by pinching the skin. It seems so drastic to me when I really look at it but I know its not big enough to be noticeable to others haha.…
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Runners - breaking up long runs into two runs?
Hello runners, I am looking over my running plan (I like using Runner's World Smart Coach cause it personalizes a plan to your speed and ability) - it has me running 3 times a week, and I have a marathon in April 2012. I notice that in later weeks (for about 20 weeks total), I am running long distances - 16 miles, 15…
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Picking races to run - strategy?
Hey runners out there, do you use any sort of strategy when picking the distance and order of your races? Or do you just pick good events? For example, I have my long-term goal, a marathon on April 7, 2012, and now I am setting up my summer/fall race schedule. I enjoy having a race a month or something like that, but do…
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Dark chocolate for snacking
Hi all! Can someone recommend some dark chocolate that comes in small pieces/moderation for satisfying the sweet tooth in a "healthy" way :-) thanks!
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Chicken and Broccoli Braid - healthy subtitution advice?
Hi all, so one of my faaaavorite recipes is this chicken and broccoli braid from Allrecipes.com (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/chicken-and-broccoli-braid/Detail.aspx), but it isn't the healthiest.. Nutrition Information: Servings Per Recipe: 6; Calories: 580 Amount Per Serving: * Total Fat: 36.3g * Cholesterol: 99mg *…
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First half marathon - do I need power gels/sports beans?
I've never had any sort of power gels/sports beans/etc. while running, but I've also never ran a half marathon. The longest I've ran is a 10-miler with nothing (just water stations) at the end of March - are power gels or some equivalent something I should DEFINITELY do for a half, or can I get away with just the water…
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Running Playlist - your fav running songs
Hi all, Trying to increase my running playlist - I find that some songs I pick are just too SLOW - I am trying for a steady pace of 5.0-6.0 mph and some faster songs (7.0mph). Here are a few of my favorites: Sandstorm by Darude Fly like a G6 by Far East Movement (haha) Headstrong by Trapt List a few of yours! :-D Thanks!!
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Man sets record as heaviest man to finish marathon
I found this article pretty inspirational, despite his struggles throughout the race - it's amazing what the body can do with some motivation, willpower, and a tolerance for pain! L.A. Marathon: It's official, Kelly Gneiting sets Guinness World Record as heaviest man to finish March 20, 2011 Kelly Gneiting, a 400-pound…
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New/beginner cook - easy, healthy recipes?
Hi everyone! I am moving out of my parent's house and into a place with 2 friends and none of us are cooks haha, we are all beginners! I want to be able to cook, and cook healthy, EASY recipes. (I need to build up my expertise!) Does anyone have any websites or cookbooks they can recommend to a cooking newbie? Thanks!
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Irrestible Cookies - for 100 calories or less!
I just got this email from Eating Well, and it is a collection of recipes for delicious cookies for 100 cals or less! (WAHOOO!!) I hope this helps someone else out that wants to indulge in the holiday spirit a little, but not OVERindulge ;)…
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Train Your Brain with Exercise - great article!
You know that great feeling you have after exercise? Whether it's the "runner's high," or the flow of blood that gets your spirits up? Gosh, I know we all LOVE that feeling! If I'm feeling a little blue, sometimes just getting out for 15 minutes of running really makes me feel SO much better. I loved this article about…
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From an 8k to a 10-miler race? Doable or Stupid?
Do you think it would be possible/reasonable to go from an 8k race this past Sunday, December 5th, to a 10-miler race March 26th (that is 16 weeks in between the races)? I've really been wanting to run this 10-miler because it is in my alma mater college town, and I don't really want to have to wait another whole YEAR, but…
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Weird weigh-in... do I count it?
Unsure about my weigh-in this morning... I weigh in every Friday, same time (7:30am), after the same routine (go to the bathroom, and take all clothes off). Since joining MFP in September, I have had my goals set at -1/pound a week and also losing half a pound a week (current setting). I have been consistently losing a…
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Swimming as a workout - suggestions?
Hi everyone! I am thinking about swimming tonight as my little workout. I have a 5k on Saturday and my hamstrings have been SO sore, so I don't want to do any running. I was thinking maybe a 30 minute swim? Problem is, I'm not sure how to structure it. I swam growing up, from about age 9 to maybe 15-16 on my neighborhood…
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Celebrity Marathon Times :-P
Thought this was interesting! So many celebrities I didn't even know RAN a marathon (And how do they find the time!?) Enjoy! http://running.about.com/od/famousrunners/tp/celebritymarathonrunners.htm?nl=1
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Need help! Switch goals from -1 pound/week to -1/2 pound...?
So earlier I mentioned to some MFP friends that I may switch my goals from -1 pound a week to -1/2 pound. Since I am already in the healthy BMI and don't have much to lose (only about 4-5 more pounds), MFP allows me 1200 cals a day, which is apparently the lowest. On my "rest" days, it is nearly impossible to eat just 1200…
