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Faster Half Marathon
Hello! As per the title of my post, I'd like to run a faster half. My next race is approximately eight weeks away. I've been using the Hal Higdon Intermediate 1 training program which is endurance based. I am considering his speed-based Intermediate 2 or Advanced for my upcoming race. Problem is, I don't have enough time…
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To gym or not to gym????
Hello, I am torn over what to do (or what not to do). I have a long run scheduled for tomorrow morning that will involve quite a bit of hill work. I have already finished today's run and have the opportunity to go to the gym on my lunch hour. I really want to take advantage of this opportunity but I KNOW if I do my regular…
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Need help determining race pace
Hi, I really need help setting a goal pace for a half marathon I will be running in August. FWIW, I have run both a half and a full within the last year. In both, I focused on completing vs. a time goal. This time around, I want to set a time goal. I am running the same half that I did last year. The course is hilly and…
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Sore muscles = effective workout?
So I started doing Stronglifts 5x5 about a month ago. I started the program after taking 3 months off from lifting to focus on marathon training. Since starting the program, I have progressed on all lifts except OHP. I find it strange that I've had no muscle soreness on this program. Before taking my break from lifting, I…
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Squats - difference between breaking parallel and ATG?!?
Hi, I am currently doing the Stronglifts 5x5 and want to ensure that I go deep enough into the squat for it to count as a rep. My question is - how low should I go? The program recommends that you "break parallel." From what I understand (and have read), you break parallel when your hips dip below your knees. I tried doing…
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Is it too late to change my race day nutrition strategy?
Hi, I will be running a marathon on May 1st (my first) and thought I had my nutrition strategy pretty much laid out. (Gu chomps, water, and GU electrolyte tab water every 5 miles). The race will not have the GU electrolyte beverage I've been training with but will have Gatorade. I plan to carry my own gels but am really…
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Question re last long run before taper
Hi all, This week I started tapering for a May 1st marathon. I completed my training plan early so decided to repeat the last section of the plan before my taper. Due to work-related travel and a minor injury, I was unable to complete my repeat of the last section (got a few more long distance runs in but did not finish a…
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Pre-marathon anxiety?!?
Hi, I have signed up for a marathon (my first) on May 1st. I started training in Dec. and have been loosely following the Hal Higdon Novice 2 plan (I follow the long-run schedule but run more weekly miles than the plan calls for.) I run approx. 50 miles a week (give or take a few). I have completed all of the long runs and…
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Long Run Advice Needed (Managing hunger and side pains)
Hi, I am in need of some advice for upcoming marathon:). During my long runs (18-20 miles), I have been dealing with hunger about 3/4 of the way through. I use GU chomps and regularly take in electrolytes but they really don't help with the hunger. It is a bit demoralizing to deal with hunger knowing that I still have at…
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Will complete marathon training plan early - what should I focus my remaining time on?
Hi, I will be running my first marathon on May 1st. I am loosely following Hal Higdon's Novice 2 program. I follow his schedule for the weekly long runs but do my own thing during the week (I run more short and middle distance miles than his program calls for). On a good week, I run between 40-45 mpw. My longest run so far…
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Marathon training plan for beginner
Hello! I am running my first full marathon in May 2016. I am looking for an effective training plan. In the past, I've used Hal Higdon's plans for half marathon training. However, his full marathon beginner's plan peaks at the 20 mile long run. I've looked at a few other plans and noticed the same thing. Maybe it's just me…
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Please help a newbie figure out how to taper for a half marathon
Hi, I am running my first half on 8/15 - yay!!! I plan to do a 2 week taper beginning 8/1. I've researched how to taper and have arranged my taper weeks accordingly but I'm a little confused as to how the decrease in mileage should be allocated based upon the different elements of the taper (I'll explain this in detail…
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Half marathon training stalled.....please help!!!
Hello, I just completed Hal Higdon's Novice 2 HM training plan. I am now focusing on running the HM race course in the next 6 weeks leading up to the race. The course is hilly and I mostly ran on flat terrain while I was doing the training plan. The last two long runs in the training plan and my first run on the race…
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Seeking suggestions for training for a hilly half
Hello, I am signed up to do my first half marathon in August - yay!! I've been following the Hal Higdon Novice 2 training program and will have that completed in two weeks' time. The half I am running has two majorly steep hill climbs and I want to be well prepared. I've thought of a couple of different ways to go about…
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Pre-workout supplement for lifiting in a fasted state
I train (heavy lifting) in a fasted state 3 days per week (training times are close to when my feeding period would start). I've read that BCAA's can help prevent the body from using muscle as fuel when engaging in fasted training. I'm curious to find out if anyone supplements for this reason and what your experience has…
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Lifting in a fasted state
I'm looking to see if anyone does this and what their experience has been. I'm currently cutting and having a difficult time with hunger in the evening. To allocate more calories later in the day, I'm considering not eating breakfast nor my usual mid-morning snack. I lift four days a week and on two of those days I start…
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Need help determining % of calorie deficit for cut
Hi, I am starting a cut and need help determining the percent of calories to decrease. During my bulk, I gained about 5-7 lbs. and I'm not sure how much of that is fat vs. muscle. I started my bulk at a low weight (for me) so was comfortable going up a few pounds. Since I didn't gain that much on my bulk (according to the…
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Runners do you bring your own water to races or do you rely on getting it at the aide stations?
I ask because I am running my first half in August. The distance is not new to me but the race experience is. When I run 10-13 miles I don't stop or take any water. Due to the fact that the run will be in the middle of August and involves two hill climbs, I think I might need some water during the run. I've seen pictures…
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Please shed some light on this: Is muscle mass compromised by distance running?
I've been lifting since January (4x per week involving each major lift) and recently started increasing my running frequency and distance as well. I know I need to focus on one more than the other......however, I keep having people tell me, "you know you're going to lose some muscle with all the running you're planning on…
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Coming off bulk....need help with calorie goal for cut
Hello, I need some help determining how "big" of a calorie deficit I should maintain as I go into my cut. Background info: I began a heavy lifting program in January (Thinner, Leaner, Stronger). I lift 4x per week; each session focuses on one of the major lifts (e.g. squat, deadlift, bench press, and overhead press) with…
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Accuracy of Tanita scale for body fat%?
Hi, I've been working with a personal trainer for a few months and have regular progress checks where I am weighed and measurements and body fat % are taken. Body fat % is taken with a handheld device (I grip it w/both hands and it shoots out a number). At my last progress check (about 2 weeks ago), I was at 25% body fat…
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Can you help a girl out?
Hi, I am looking for advice on how to approach the next phase of my journey (sorry, I couldn't think of a better word to use). I've been dieting since January and started working out in March (strength training and jogging). I have reached my goal weight but after having four kids my mid-section needs ALOT of work! I can…
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TDEE question
Hi, I'm sure there is a very logical explanation for this but......can anyone tell me why my TDEE keeps going down (based upon the calculators) as I consistently lose pounds? I am at goal weight but may try to lose another five pounds. I strength train 4x a week and jog 1-2 x per week. I was looking forward to maintaining…
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Opinions needed (well coveted, actually), please!!!!
Hello! Thank you in advance for bearing with this long post but I feel the information is necessary to provide context. Background: I began a reduced calorie diet in January (around 700 cals per day) and dropped 20 pounds. Joined the gym in March and began working with a personal trainer. Based on his advice, I've upped my…
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Confused....how is this possible?
Hi there, I hope someone can explain to me how I can lose inches but not necessarily pounds.....Background: I have been dieting since January and lost 15-20 lbs. After this loss, I began a functional training program 4x a week at the gym and have been following their eating plan (4-6 small meals per day). At first, I kept…
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Gradually increasing calorie without weight gain???
So, I'm officially an idiot!!! I've been on a severely reduced diet since January (around 600-800 calories a day). I started working with a trainer 3 weeks ago and he told me to up my caloric intake to 1300; which I did. After being on this site for a few weeks I'm worried that I may have damaged my metabolism. My MBR is…
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Ladies.....HELP!!!!! Bladder control issues!!!!!
So, I started a functional training program a little over 2 weeks ago. I am working one on one with a personal trainer. So far, it's been mostly resistance exercises but today he amped things up a bit and added quite a bit of cardio. To my unpleasant surprise, I started peeing myself. Now granted, I've had 4 kids (most…
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Anyone on Isagenix?
I have several friends who are on this product and are raving about their weight loss success. I'm wondering if anyone on here has any experience with the product? I have been on a reduced calorie diet since January and have begun weight lifting with a trainer. I decided to invest in a trainer rather than Isa products…
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Confusion about calorie intake
Hello, I started dieting in January and lost 15 lbs. due to slashing calories. I am not overweight but am definitely out of shape:) My goal is to loose 10lbs. of fat for 10lbs. of muscle. To achieve this goal, I recently started a functional training program (4 x a week). The trainer I spoke to said I need to eat 2300…
