Biggest Loser Run/Walker Thread 2012/13--Everyone Welcome! :)

[sissy_ib]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good but not to expensive pedometer?

 

[::Snow_White::]

Hey everyone, we're back!! Thanks for the well-wishes, my friend and I had a great time. We hit the road at 4AM with my family this morning to drive to KC and got to the event around 6:15. We were in the second wave to go through so we started about 7:50. There was approximately 30,000 runners there and apparently the biggest turnout so far.

We walked most of the time, my friend isn't trained enough to run very far and the crowds were mostly walkers. Plus each time we came upon a color we stopped and had them hit us with as much as possible. We went through about 4 different color areas but the after-race festival was the best. Basically everyone gathered in a large group, they played music, everyone danced and every 15 minutes they had the color cloud where everyone threw up the colors they got at the beginning of the race. That's where you really got hit.

Here are a couple photos:

Pre-race, waiting at the start. There were thousands more behind us, we were pretty early luckily.

On the course at the blue.

Finish, festival area.

A photo of the color cloud my mom took while we were actually in the festival area.

Sorry for the size, my photobucket isn't cooperating.

Overall I say that everyone should do it at least once. It's a unique experience and very family friendly.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

That is soooo cool Kayla!!! I want to do one!

I found out there was one here in CT but I didn't know about it until the day of the race. Maybe next year.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Oh I found another one in Amesbury Mass!! Hmmmmm, wonder if I should do it. it's next month.

 

[lisah0711]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good but not to expensive pedometer?

Amanda, I like my Omron pedometer. It fits in your pocket and doesn't give false readings like other pedometers I've tried. There are lots to choose from on Amazon.com -- mine is so old they don't make it any more but the HJ112 is very similar.

Hey everyone, we're back!! Thanks for the well-wishes, my friend and I had a great time.

Overall I say that everyone should do it at least once. It's a unique experience and very family friendly.

Kayla, I'm glad that you had a great time at the Color Run. It looks like a ton of fun! But what I really want to know is -- are you still colorful today?

Oh I found another one in Amesbury Mass!! Hmmmmm, wonder if I should do it. it's next month.

I think you should, Buffy, I think the kids would have a great time doing it with you, too.

 

[Rose&Mike]

Kayla,[/B] I'm glad that you had a great time at the Color Run. It looks like a ton of fun! But what I really want to know is -- are you still colorful today?

Didn't someone else say it took forever to get the color off? I read that it is cornstarch. I thought about doing one when they come here (this month I think) but the color staining would drive me batty, and I would have to ask them if they know if the cornstarch is g-f. Uggh. If I ingested even a little of it with gluten it would be unfun and I'm not sure it wouldn't bother my skin. Sometimes being g-f stinks.

Hey everyone, we're back!! Thanks for the well-wishes, my friend and I had a great time. We hit the road at 4AM with my family this morning to drive to KC and got to the event around 6:15. We were in the second wave to go through so we started about 7:50. There was approximately 30,000 runners there and apparently the biggest turnout so far.

We walked most of the time, my friend isn't trained enough to run very far and the crowds were mostly walkers. Plus each time we came upon a color we stopped and had them hit us with as much as possible. We went through about 4 different color areas but the after-race festival was the best. Basically everyone gathered in a large group, they played music, everyone danced and every 15 minutes they had the color cloud where everyone threw up the colors they got at the beginning of the race. That's where you really got hit.

I'm glad you had a good time! It really does look like a lot of fun!

I am using you people for my inspiration to get outside this morning and do my 10 mile run.

So how was the 10 miles?

Thanks so much for the tips and kind words, Buffy, Lisa and Rose!

My leg IS getting better, yahoo! The it band is still tight, and my glute from the fall, but the hamstring area is much looser and held up well to the bike, some elliptical, and walking. I had a PT appointment, a water rehab class and a massage session this week and things are looking up!

I had hoped to run a race on July 4th, but I'm going to set my sights on The Seafair Torchlight Run on July 28th. You can dress up like a pirate. I hope I don't get a cramp in me peg!

Dressing like a pirate sounds fun! I am so glad the leg is improving. I need to get a massage I think.

One thing the p-t told me, is that to think about professional athletes. They have people constantly working on them. She said in her opinion at a minimum, people who work out so hard should be getting regular massages. Which makes sense. But have I booked one yet, uh, no.....

I love Zumba! I know what you mean with the arms and legs. I went yesterday and there were a few parts where I was pretty much just bobbing up and down or shuffling my feet back and forth!

We had a break in the heat so I went outside and ran about 30 minutes then walked about 35. We had a bit of cloud cover that dropped the temps about 10 degrees so that was much appreciated.

Glad you got a run in. That's me in zumba, though I am improving every class, which is awesome.

Rose,

thanks for the good wishes, my race is next Wednesday on July 4th. The Freedom Run 4 miler. As for heat- being in Fl it is a big concern. This race may be pretty brutal but we run through Historic down town which is well shaded and every year a local neighbor stands on his lawn and sprays a gentle mist at the runners if they want it. I havent been getting in my weekly runs as regular as i'd like due to the heat- have hit the treadmill for a couple of them.

So we will be running at the same time maybe?

It is only supposed to be 99 here on Wednesday, so what am I complaining about. Really, these temps are nasty. I can handle the low 90s and humidity, but today it is supposed to be 105. It is just nasty.

****
so a little off topic. We have been doing projects at our house, because we think we will be listing our house in a month or so. (Which I know I have talked about before, but I think we are really going to do it this time.) Anyhow, NOTHING has gone right. Nothing. It has been so frustrating. And it's not like we are new to home improvement. We put all the hardwood floors in our house, finished our basement, added two windows, etc. But for some reason the projects (which should have been very simple) have been nightmares. Fingers crossed that things start going a little smoother, cause the stress is making me very cranky!

Have a good Sunday!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Did my first long run today. Well 3 miles isn't exactly long but it's an official long run. It wasn't easy, the humidity was horrible!! I missed 3 running intervals, one to get water from my car, the second because of a pack of dogs and an owner on the course, and the last because I was just to tired! I was slow, 3 miles in 50 minutes but I expected that since it was so humid.

Hopefully the rest of the week will be better.

 

[sissy_ib]

Amanda, I like my Omron pedometer. It fits in your pocket and doesn't give false readings like other pedometers I've tried. There are lots to choose from on Amazon.com -- mine is so old they don't make it any more but the HJ112 is very similar.

Thanks! I saw a few Omron pedometers on Amazon that had good ratings. I am going to a sports store today to see if I can get one quicker than Amazon. Even with Prime it was telling me I July 5th.


The color run looks amazing! I think the one in San Antonio was in February so I will be on the look out for it next time.

I found this mud run I am going to do
http://www.godirtygirl.com/

Dirty Girl all women mud run. The obstacles look totally do-able for me. Now I just need to find a running buddy!

When you get a chance you an add that for me for December.

 

[tiki23]

Dressing like a pirate sounds fun! I am so glad the leg is improving. I need to get a massage I think.

One thing the p-t told me, is that to think about professional athletes. They have people constantly working on them. She said in her opinion at a minimum, people who work out so hard should be getting regular massages. Which makes sense. But have I booked one yet, uh, no.....



It is only supposed to be 99 here on Wednesday, so what am I complaining about. Really, these temps are nasty. I can handle the low 90s and humidity, but today it is supposed to be 105. It is just nasty.

****
so a little off topic. We have been doing projects at our house, because we think we will be listing our house in a month or so. (Which I know I have talked about before, but I think we are really going to do it this time.) Anyhow, NOTHING has gone right. Nothing. It has been so frustrating. And it's not like we are new to home improvement. We put all the hardwood floors in our house, finished our basement, added two windows, etc. But for some reason the projects (which should have been very simple) have been nightmares. Fingers crossed that things start going a little smoother, cause the stress is making me very cranky!

Have a good Sunday!

I sure wish I could send some of our cool air and rain out to everyone! It's the 1st week of July and we're not even cracking 70º!

Rose - Massages are great but very addicting! I used to drive a lot for work and would get a full body twice a month...I would have loved to have done it every week. During this leg thing, the first three massages were deep tissue and they HURT but it did the trick to start loosening things up. The last two massages have been less pressure and felt so good. I have one more scheduled in this series, the day after my last PT, but I think I'll try to schedule a massage once a month...if I can afford it.

Oh, PT and MT both told me to try different items besides foam roller such as a rolling pin, tennis ball and golf ball. MT told me I should try a golf ball under my hamstring while driving - I haven't tried that yet, it sounds a little uncomfortable!

Good luck with your house!

~Alice

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Question:

When you do your long runs/walks are you starving the rest of the day?? I have completely blown my calories for the day because I can't stop grazing! Even with 8 glasses of water already down.

OMG, this is ridiculous. One step forward and 2 steps back.
I will not throw in the towel, I will NOT throw in the towel!!!

 

[JacksLilWench]

Question:

When you do your long runs/walks are you starving the rest of the day?? I have completely blown my calories for the day because I can't stop grazing! Even with 8 glasses of water already down.

OMG, this is ridiculous. One step forward and 2 steps back.
I will not throw in the towel, I will NOT throw in the towel!!!

I do!! I only did a "short" run today (three miles) and I wanted to eat everything in sight today! I did get some really good tips though, from a runner at work. She said to eat protein the nights before your short runs (the 30 min intervals) and then carb up the the night before your long runs on Saturday. Then she suggested keeping Sports Beans on you during your run so you don't exhaust everything your body has to get to the end of the track. I'm really gonna try this strategy out next weekend- I have a six-mile run to complete

I feel like I've been away from this thread for so long! Hope everyone is doing well on their running and/or training. Especially in all this heat!

 

[Rose&Mike]

Did my first long run today. Well 3 miles isn't exactly long but it's an official long run. It wasn't easy, the humidity was horrible!! I missed 3 running intervals, one to get water from my car, the second because of a pack of dogs and an owner on the course, and the last because I was just to tired! I was slow, 3 miles in 50 minutes but I expected that since it was so humid.

Hopefully the rest of the week will be better.

Great job Buffy!

I found this mud run I am going to do
http://www.godirtygirl.com/

Dirty Girl all women mud run. The obstacles look totally do-able for me. Now I just need to find a running buddy!

When you get a chance you an add that for me for December.

Got it.

Oh, PT and MT both told me to try different items besides foam roller such as a rolling pin, tennis ball and golf ball. MT told me I should try a golf ball under my hamstring while driving - I haven't tried that yet, it sounds a little uncomfortable!

Good luck with your house!

~Alice

Thanks!
I use a golf ball on my plantar-fasciitis and a tennis ball for my back and hips and sometimes my itband. It works wonders on my back. I keep one at work for when my back is hurting (put it behind me in my seat) and always have one in the car when we are traveling. A trainer at the Y suggested something that I haven't tried yet--she said to tape two together and then you can get right on either side of your spine better....not sure about that one, but I love how it feels everywhere else. Kind of one of those hurts so good things.

Question:

When you do your long runs/walks are you starving the rest of the day?? I have completely blown my calories for the day because I can't stop grazing! Even with 8 glasses of water already down.

OMG, this is ridiculous. One step forward and 2 steps back.
I will not throw in the towel, I will NOT throw in the towel!!!

Try protein as soon as you get home. A lot of people drink milk. I have a spoon of peanut butter. I usually only notice for distances of 6 miles or more now, but when I do, yes it is exactly like that--I want to eat all day. Really focus on what you are eating. No empty calories. It will get better.

Don't look at it as 2 steps back. Look at it as part of the process of learning how to be a long distance runner. It really is a very rewarding (though sometimes hard and frustrating) journey.

Have a good Monday everyone!

 

[::Snow_White::]

Kayla, I'm glad that you had a great time at the Color Run. It looks like a ton of fun! But what I really want to know is -- are you still colorful today? /QUOTE]

Just a little!

We went shopping afterwards so we scrubbed at hard as possible at the race and then stopped in a Target bathroom and pretty much took a bath in the sink for about 30 minutes.

However, a nice shower and some good scrubbing and you should do fine.

I still had a bit of color left in the parting of my hair that is gonna take a few days and a bit on my back that I couldn't scrub very well, but the rest came out within the first day.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I do!! I only did a "short" run today (three miles) and I wanted to eat everything in sight today! I did get some really good tips though, from a runner at work. She said to eat protein the nights before your short runs (the 30 min intervals) and then carb up the the night before your long runs on Saturday. Then she suggested keeping Sports Beans on you during your run so you don't exhaust everything your body has to get to the end of the track. I'm really gonna try this strategy out next weekend- I have a six-mile run to complete

I feel like I've been away from this thread for so long! Hope everyone is doing well on their running and/or training. Especially in all this heat!

Great job Buffy!

Try protein as soon as you get home. A lot of people drink milk. I have a spoon of peanut butter. I usually only notice for distances of 6 miles or more now, but when I do, yes it is exactly like that--I want to eat all day. Really focus on what you are eating. No empty calories. It will get better.

Don't look at it as 2 steps back. Look at it as part of the process of learning how to be a long distance runner. It really is a very rewarding (though sometimes hard and frustrating) journey.

Have a good Monday everyone!

Thanks!! I'm kind of still in the same boat today but I'm trying to not eat for the sake of eating.

OK, protein on Monday and wednesday, carb on Friday. Protein on Saturday or Sunday after my run. I can do that.
And I'll probably throw some sports beans in the car.

This Saturday is a 4 mile run so I'm going a little farther that I ever have before.

I also don't think DH is going to have the time to train for the full this year, he just started a new position in the company and he is just buried in work. So, it looks like I'm on my own for the 1/2 instead. We will aim for the 25th anniversary for the full. But this also gives me a little wiggle room in training if the up-age in mileage doesn't go well. The more I run the less confident I feel in completing the full but I totally thing the 1/2 is doable.

*note to self, get a spybelt next payday. I really need this!

Oh and DS and I found a new trail today. He didn't like it but I loved it. It's part of the old airline trail route which spurs off of the rails to trails route.
Lots of bugs though, so I need to make sure I have plenty of bug spray.

 

[Rose&Mike]

Ok, now I can say it.

Good luck tomorrow Dottie! Have a great race!

 

[lisah0711]

Question: When you do your long runs/walks are you starving the rest of the day?? I have completely blown my calories for the day because I can't stop grazing! Even with 8 glasses of water already down.

It is an adjustment but as Rose said it will get easier. Jeff Galloway recommends carbs and protein within 30 minutes of a run. I have to run on a totally empty stomach so I feel your pain!

So, it looks like I'm on my own for the 1/2 instead. We will aim for the 25th anniversary for the full. But this also gives me a little wiggle room in training if the up-age in mileage doesn't go well. The more I run the less confident I feel in completing the full but I totally thing the 1/2 is doable.

*note to self, get a spybelt next payday. I really need this!

Oh and DS and I found a new trail today. He didn't like it but I loved it. It's part of the old airline trail route which spurs off of the rails to trails route.
Lots of bugs though, so I need to make sure I have plenty of bug spray.

It's not lonely at a Disney race, Buffy, there will be a few thousand other folks running the 1/2 with you!

And you do know that sooner or later you will ingest a bug -- it's a rite of passage for runners. Hopefully the bugs are not too juicy in Blink.

Ok, now I can say it.

Good luck tomorrow Dottie! Have a great race!

And good luck to you, too, Rose as well as Lisa and Dottie! You go girls!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

LOL Lisa!!! the bugs think we are juicy!! Not sure what they are, DS said the looked like a ladybug but they bite!!
Him and DS11 have little welts all over them.

EWW!!!!

************************

OK, so it's official DH is not allowed to run at all. He saw the ortho today (2 torn disks from a car accident in 2007). Absolutely no running so I have to make some decisions. Go, don't go. Run, don't run. 1/2 or full.

I don't know, I'm kind of deflated tonight.

 

[lisah0711]

LOL Lisa!!! the bugs think we are juicy!! Not sure what they are, DS said the looked like a ladybug but they bite!!
Him and DS11 have little welts all over them.

EWW!!!!

************************

OK, so it's official DH is not allowed to run at all. He saw the ortho today (2 torn disks from a car accident in 2007). Absolutely no running so I have to make some decisions. Go, don't go. Run, don't run. 1/2 or full.

I don't know, I'm kind of deflated tonight.

Those bugs in Blink sound nasty -- poor guys!

So sorry to hear about your DH and his back. What did the doctor say about walking? There are lots of folks who are fast walkers and do it JohnVN is one who comes to mind and Panda Dave. It's a tough decision.

What do you WANT to do?

 

[CRUIZEN MAMMA]

Ok, now I can say it.

Good luck tomorrow Dottie! Have a great race!

Thanks Rose! Will be thinking of you during your 10k-ROCK IT!

Under 1 hr YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

 

[Rose&Mike]

Good morning! Hope everyone had a good week.

You all were making me smile with the bug comments. I personally hate it when I get one up my nose. Ick!

Congratulations to Dottie and LisaR on good races on July 4th.

Is there anyone doing a race this weekend?

Here is my mini race report.

This is the third year we have run this race. I looked it up and last year the temp was ~70 for the entire race and it was overcast. Perfect for a summer race. This year it was ~70 at 7am, ~75 at 8am, and ~80 by 9am. The race started at 7:30.

I came home from work Tuesday with a headache, so we stayed home out of the heat. I wasn't too stressed about this race. We laid out our clothes but weren't compulsive like normal. We got up at 5am and were on the road by 5:30. It's about a 75 minute drive. I actually slept which is unusual because I usually sleep terrible the night before a race so that was good.

I woke up with the same headache, but by the time we got to Lexington it was gone. I was too nervous to take ibuprofen before running in the heat.

The race started at 7:30am. They played "call to the post" but we couldn't hear it very well. It was pretty crowded for about the first mile. There are lots of turns until about mile 2 and then it is essentially an out and back. We skipped the second walk break cause it was so crowded. Probably a bad idea, but it was wall to wall people running at about a 9:30 per minute pace with no where to stop. We were running 5 minutes walking 45 sec.

We had water and gatorade with us so we didn't have to stop at the water breaks. Miles 2.5-4.5 are gradual inclines. Around mile 4.5 I was pooped and had to throw in another walk break. I seriously considered just walking the rest of the way. I felt like I was getting overheated. So we walked for about 2 minutes (which included the next break) and I was good to go again. There were lots of misters set up along this stretch, which was nice. There was a little bit of shade, but there wasn't a cloud in the sky so it was warming up.
I ran hard to finish, but already knew I wouldn't have a pr, so did not push too terribly hard. I have never seen so many puke puddles at the end of a race before. You had to work really hard to dodge them.

Last year I finished at 1:01: 34 (78 out of 179 for my division). I was hoping to be under an hour this year since last year I was fighting itbs. But it just wasn't meant to be. I finished at 1:03:13 which was 82/182.

I was disappointed and happy. The reality is, it was warm and I have been fighting headaches all week. If we would have had the temps we had last year, I think I would have been very close to 1 hour. I was happy, because I had many moments where I wanted to quit. But I cut myself some slack, threw in an extra break and finished strong. We hung out for a bit after the race and listened to some music before driving home. By the time we were home I had another headache. The heat/pollution/etc are really bothering me.

Overall, I am really pleased with this race. It was a decent time, and I felt really good the next day. I really felt like for once I was running my own race and wasn't too worried about the people around me. I do think if the temps were more favorable we would have finished under an hour, but that's the way it goes. I definitely did not want to be one of those people who were throwing up at the end, so I am happy with my level of effort.

I did notice that I really have to pay attention to my form during races with the new shoes. But I am hoping that with more miles, it will become second nature and it will become a non-issue.

Thanks for reading.

Have a great Friday!