Is this realistic?

[Waiting2goback]

I am not feeling any pain in my foot now, didn't have much yesterday and the pain I had after my bike ride, after thinking more about it, wasn't the same pain I had after my race. It was more on sore tendons, which I also had in my right foot and have after every run where I increase my distance. So, I will give running a try tonight.

Good for you on the diet. I know about wide feet. Most shoes are to narrow for me.

Did you ever buy a bike, I can't remember if you told us?

I just saw your ticker in your signature and got reminded that your trip for this race will also be your first trip to WDW ever. Trust me when I tell you that all this work you are doing will not only make it possible to finish the race but it will allow you to enjoy your trip so much more. Tell your husband when he is too tired to exercise to picture himself walking in 90' heat and 90% humidity throughout the parks all day. I heard the average person walks at least 5 miles a day each day they are in the parks. If that doesn't motivate him to get in better shape nothing will.

Last August when I went I got through the days fine but my back and legs were killing me at the end of each day. Being down 25 lbs as of right now, and hopefully at least 40 lbs by October, will make a HUGE difference in this trip. I can't wait.

 

[StayCool]

I am not feeling any pain in my foot now, didn't have much yesterday and the pain I had after my bike ride, after thinking more about it, wasn't the same pain I had after my race. It was more on sore tendons, which I also had in my right foot and have after every run where I increase my distance. So, I will give running a try tonight.

Did you ever buy a bike, I can't remember if you told us?

I just saw your ticker in your signature and got reminded that your trip for this race will also be your first trip to WDW ever. Trust me when I tell you that all this work you are doing will not only make it possible to finish the race but it will allow you to enjoy your trip so much more. Tell your husband when he is too tired to exercise to picture himself walking in 90' heat and 90% humidity throughout the parks all day. I heard the average person walks at least 5 miles a day each day they are in the parks. If that doesn't motivate him to get in better shape nothing will.

Last August when I went I got through the days fine but my back and legs were killing me at the end of each day. Being down 25 lbs as of right now, and hopefully at least 40 lbs by October, will make a HUGE difference in this trip. I can't wait.

I hope your foot is fine after your run. Good luck!

I did not get a bike yet. I'm still looking. I don't want to spend much on one so I am looking for a used one. It is not a huge priority for me right now so I'm just looking at yard sales and on craigslist etc.

I understand that I will feel better in the parks. Heck, I already do! My husband gets that too. But he does not want to get up early to exercise and then lacks motivation in the afternoon... I get up early so that I do have motivation to do it. Idk. He will have to figure it out, or not. I'm not trying to be mean but inertia is strong in my house. So I've got to keep moving!

 

[StayCool]

Today I attempted to run. I say attempted because I only made it about 17 minutes and 0.8 miles. I woke up hungry so I had a chocolate chip granola bar. Then I just went right down and got on the treadmill. I felt really good so I decided to push myself to go a little faster and at first it was fine. Then it suddenly wasn't. I became nauseous and dizzy. So I stopped. I am not sure what actually brought that on. Hunger? I don't think I was dehydrated. I'm not sure.

My second question is, how do I know when to push myself further? I feel like sometimes I become complacent because it isn't "easy" so I don't try to do more. Today I did try and it didn't work out. So much to work on...

 

[Waiting2goback]

Today I attempted to run. I say attempted because I only made it about 17 minutes and 0.8 miles. I woke up hungry so I had a chocolate chip granola bar. Then I just went right down and got on the treadmill. I felt really good so I decided to push myself to go a little faster and at first it was fine. Then it suddenly wasn't. I became nauseous and dizzy. So I stopped. I am not sure what actually brought that on. Hunger? I don't think I was dehydrated. I'm not sure.

My second question is, how do I know when to push myself further? I feel like sometimes I become complacent because it isn't "easy" so I don't try to do more. Today I did try and it didn't work out. So much to work on...

This is a tough one. Maybe try a banana when you wake up instead. I know the few times I attempted to workout in the morning I felt sick as well. This is why I moved my workouts to night time. It is hard to do after a long day but I had much better workouts because I wasn't hungry.

I always questioned how I will know when to push harder. Then I figured out that my body will tell me when to push harder. My brain and my body are very rarely on the same page. My brain still thinks my body is 16 years old. So, I can't do 1/2 the stuff I want to do anymore, as quickly as I want to do it. I think that is why the training programs are important. If your program says to do 3 miles, do the 3 miles. I think making it through the 3 miles is more important than how fast you do it. Walk it if you have to. From everything I have read and heard about it (Listening to the Mickey Miles Podcast has taught me a lot) the beginning stages of training are more about getting your body used to the pounding it takes from running. Even if you are walking it your body is getting used to the mileage. (This was from Jeff Galloway himself on the podcast)

For me, I had pain everywhere when I first started running. Then, suddenly one day I was 4 miles into a run (By now I was typically in pain, sucking wind, and my leg was numb). I heard on RunKeeper that I hit 4 miles. I said, "Wait, I feel really good, what's going on. Can this be right?" This is when I realized it was OK to push myself.

You also need to consider, these training plans are not set up for people who are 50+ lbs overweight typically. So, you need to consider that you are doing something most people aren't doing. Not many people who are 50+ lbs overweight are training to run 10 miles in extreme heat. (When I say it like that it makes us sound crazy, huh? ) My point is, do the miles it says but do it at a pace that allows you to complete it. Then move to a pace that gets a bit harder. A month into it you will notice you are feeling good, you'll be a few pounds lighter, the feet hurt less and then you can push it more. Just modify to your situation for now.

Hope that helps.

 

[StayCool]

This is a tough one. Maybe try a banana when you wake up instead. I know the few times I attempted to workout in the morning I felt sick as well. This is why I moved my workouts to night time. It is hard to do after a long day but I had much better workouts because I wasn't hungry.

I always questioned how I will know when to push harder. Then I figured out that my body will tell me when to push harder. My brain and my body are very rarely on the same page. My brain still thinks my body is 16 years old. So, I can't do 1/2 the stuff I want to do anymore, as quickly as I want to do it. I think that is why the training programs are important. If your program says to do 3 miles, do the 3 miles. I think making it through the 3 miles is more important than how fast you do it. Walk it if you have to. From everything I have read and heard about it (Listening to the Mickey Miles Podcast has taught me a lot) the beginning stages of training are more about getting your body used to the pounding it takes from running. Even if you are walking it your body is getting used to the mileage. (This was from Jeff Galloway himself on the podcast)

You also need to consider, these training plans are not set up for people who are 50+ lbs overweight typically. So, you need to consider that you are doing something most people aren't doing. Not many people who are 50+ lbs overweight are training to run 10 miles in extreme heat. (When I say it like that it makes us sound crazy, huh? )

Hope that helps.

I was out of bananas that morning which is why I grabbed the granola bar. It was odd because I'm not a breakfast person, so me waking up hungry is weird. But I will definitely keep that in mind. I can't do workouts at night right now because I will not do them. Sounds stupid but after a long day I just don't want to exercise. I will wake up in the morning and drag my butt out still rubbing the sleep out of my eyes and I'm good. Wait all day and I will talk myself out of it. So for now it's mornings. Once I get further in my training program I will have to figure out running later so that I can prepare for the night race but for now it's a deal breaker.

As far as feeling 16, lol I definitely feel like that. Until I try to do something I shouldn't and my body tells me to cool it cuz I'm in my 30's!

Being overweight and training is not something I have given a lot of thought to recently. I *know* I am overweight but in my day to day life I don't dwell on it as much as you might think. Mostly only when I have to go shopping for clothes actually! lol On the plus side, I've noticed that things are definitely looser in just the short time I've been working out so that makes me excited!

Hope everyone is having a great day. I've got to get back to reorganizing my flower beds while the weather is nice.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I was out of bananas that morning which is why I grabbed the granola bar.

I can't do workouts at night right now because I will not do them. Sounds stupid but after a long day I just don't want to exercise. I will wake up in the morning and drag my butt out still rubbing the sleep out of my eyes and I'm good. Wait all day and I will talk myself out of it. So for now it's mornings.

As far as feeling 16, lol I definitely feel like that. Until I try to do something I shouldn't and my body tells me to cool it cuz I'm in my 30's!

Being overweight and training is not something I have given a lot of thought to recently. I *know* I am overweight but in my day to day life I don't dwell on it as much as you might think. Mostly only when I have to go shopping for clothes actually! lol On the plus side, I've noticed that things are definitely looser in just the short time I've been working out so that makes me excited!

Hope everyone is having a great day. I've got to get back to reorganizing my flower beds while the weather is nice.

If you can pull off the morning workouts all the power to you. It is actually a very good time to workout because it uses more fat because you haven't eaten yet so the only source of energy the body can draw from if the fat. I just couldn't do it. My workouts weren't as good cuz I was so weak and I felt sick.

I don't know if this will make you feel better but I did my 10K on Sunday and ran my fastest time ever. Today was my first run since the 10K. I was resting my foot. It was one of my worst runs. I added almost 2 minutes to my pace from my 10K. I was dizzy, had no energy, and was dragging my butt the whole way. I ended up walking quite a bit.

My point in sharing is to piggyback on the conversation we had yesterday about your run where you were disappointed with your results. I think everyone has good days and bad days, whether new to running or been running for years.

EXCELLENT news on the clothes fitting looser. That can be very motivating.

 

[StayCool]

Today I was supposed to run a mile for my 3rd run of the week. After being bent over weeding, planting and hauling mulch my hamstrings and lower back made their presence known this morning. I was moving very slowly this morning. I decided it would probably not be a good idea to test them out so I skipped my run. Instead I went on a motorcycle ride. I will be on program again Tuesday morning. I can't believe it is already Sunday evening!

 

[StayCool]

Weighed in this morning and was down 0.8 lbs this week. Not much but glad it is in the right direction. My legs and lower back are still pretty sore today so I'm hoping that I am just retaining water. lol I did get on the treadmill this morning for 30 minutes. I started out with a walk/run but I got that feeling that it was not going to go well. So I just walked the entire time. I did have a banana this morning before I worked out so . I'm wondering if it has to do with the humidity. It is only 70 out here in the morning but the humidity is 100% and ready to rain at any moment. It will be good practice for TOT only about 15 degrees cooler! On the plus side the only pain I have when I run is in the arch of my right foot. It's almost as if the insert just is not high enough for that foot. I do have a physical therapy appointment Friday morning so I will speak with my therapist and see what else he recommends. Otherwise I can probably go back to the orthopedic doc and get inserts made if I have to.

Edited to add that I did 1.4 miles this morning.

 

[Waiting2goback]

Weighed in this morning and was down 0.8 lbs this week. Not much but glad it is in the right direction. My legs and lower back are still pretty sore today so I'm hoping that I am just retaining water. lol I did get on the treadmill this morning for 30 minutes. I started out with a walk/run but I got that feeling that it was not going to go well. So I just walked the entire time. I did have a banana this morning before I worked out so . I'm wondering if it has to do with the humidity. It is only 70 out here in the morning but the humidity is 100% and ready to rain at any moment. It will be good practice for TOT only about 15 degrees cooler! On the plus side the only pain I have when I run is in the arch of my right foot. It's almost as if the insert just is not high enough for that foot. I do have a physical therapy appointment Friday morning so I will speak with my therapist and see what else he recommends. Otherwise I can probably go back to the orthopedic doc and get inserts made if I have to.

Edited to add that I did 1.4 miles this morning.

Congrats on the continued weight loss and the 1.4 miles. In my opinion, I think your issue with not feeling well during your workouts is your body's way of testing to make sure you are serious about this exercise thing. Afterall you did start and then stop when you got hurt. It probably wants to see if you are going to keep going when it makes it a little difficult for you.

I'm not sure if you do podcasts are not but I figured I would pass on some info on a new podcast I found. I listen to the Mickey Miles Podcast which is great info on the Disney races but not so much on running itself. The hosts are basically regular people who run and do a lot of Disney races. I found this new podcast called Runner Academy. Matt Johnson is the host. He is a certified USTFA coach. Running is his life as opposed to a hobby. So far he has helped more in the actual running info. I listen in the car and on my runs/bike rides. (Incidentally, he said bike riding was an excellent form of cross training. I just made it up on my own. I am glad I actually did something right for a change. ) If anyone decides to listen I hope it helps.

 

[StayCool]

Congrats on the continued weight loss and the 1.4 miles. In my opinion, I think your issue with not feeling well during your workouts is your body's way of testing to make sure you are serious about this exercise thing. Afterall you did start and then stop when you got hurt. It probably wants to see if you are going to keep going when it makes it a little difficult for you.

I'm not sure if you do podcasts are not but I figured I would pass on some info on a new podcast I found. I listen to the Mickey Miles Podcast which is great info on the Disney races but not so much on running itself. The hosts are basically regular people who run and do a lot of Disney races. I found this new podcast called Runner Academy. Matt Johnson is the host. He is a certified USTFA coach. Running is his life as opposed to a hobby. So far he has helped more in the actual running info. I listen in the car and on my runs/bike rides. (Incidentally, he said bike riding was an excellent form of cross training. I just made it up on my own. I am glad I actually did something right for a change. ) If anyone decides to listen I hope it helps.

I will check out the Mickey Miles podcasts. I don't think I am ready for anything more hardcore than that right yet. lol Maybe some day.

Today I managed to have enough motivation to get up and do 30 Day Shred. It works the leg muscles that running does not and my core as well. I haven't been the ab and squat challenge so I figured this would be a good compromise. Plus it only takes me 25 minutes so I can fit it in in the mornings.

I saw on Facebook today that a local dance studio may be offering Zumba in the mornings at 5 am. That would be awesome for me! I am really hoping that it works out because I would love to be a little more social with this instead of stuck in my basement.

So far I have been pretty good on diet control. I am following My Fitness Pal and staying within the guidelines they set for me. Things seem to be bumping along nicely.

 

[StayCool]

I just have to say how excited I am that Zumba is being offered tomorrow! I may be a little crazy because it is at 5 am and it is my day off but I really need the support to stay motivated. My friend is going to go with me. Tomorrow is my run day, but I might do it tonight instead. My "long" run is on Sunday which is 2 miles. So silly to be excited over stuff like this but to actually have local classes is a huge win for me.

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

I just have to say how excited I am that Zumba is being offered tomorrow! I may be a little crazy because it is at 5 am and it is my day off but I really need the support to stay motivated. My friend is going to go with me. Tomorrow is my run day, but I might do it tonight instead. My "long" run is on Sunday which is 2 miles. So silly to be excited over stuff like this but to actually have local classes is a huge win for me.

Good luck with it! I am off schedule this week too. Hoping to get in a few miles this weekend

 

[StayCool]

Whew! I gathered up my courage and went to the Zumba class this morning. It was so much fun. Much more fun than my treadmill. According to my UP band I did 6000 steps and about 3 miles in that one hour. Much more than I would have done on the treadmill this morning. Now I just have to shuffle my runs so I am not doing both on the same day. I think tomorrow I might walk the 30 minutes, and then the 2 mile run on Sunday which is walk/run too.

I went to my physical therapy appointment and they had discharged me. Not cool. But whatever. Onward and upward. I feel good.

 

[jbuckent]

Today I attempted to run. I say attempted because I only made it about 17 minutes and 0.8 miles. I woke up hungry so I had a chocolate chip granola bar. Then I just went right down and got on the treadmill. I felt really good so I decided to push myself to go a little faster and at first it was fine. Then it suddenly wasn't. I became nauseous and dizzy. So I stopped. I am not sure what actually brought that on. Hunger? I don't think I was dehydrated. I'm not sure.

My second question is, how do I know when to push myself further? I feel like sometimes I become complacent because it isn't "easy" so I don't try to do more. Today I did try and it didn't work out. So much to work on...

My running history: I started out on the couch, never exercised, never played any sports, nothing. It just wasn't my thing. I didn't need to, I was always thin. In college I started to pudge a little, after I got married I gained more. There was a weekend I went with friends back to our college town during marathon weekend. It was so inspiring to me. I saw people who were 30+ lbs over weight like me running a freaking marathon! Holy Cow! Who knew! I thought you had to be an athletic twig to do something crazy like that! So I decided then I want to return and run Grandma's marathon one day. I started running. It sucked. I was following the cool running couch to 5k program. It sucked. I did good in the beginning, was still inspired from marathon weekend, but it made a jump from something like run 5 minutes walk 2 repeats one week, then the next jumped up to run 15 minutes straight. I couldn't make that jump. I had to adjust the plan to work for me. Not really sure exactly what I did, but most likely increased the run portion and kept the walk break. I spent that summer signing up for 5k's. Eventually I was able to run a full 5k around Thanksgiving time, I would estimate this being around 1999. Then came the snow and then stopped the motivation. Every few years I'd decide I'm going to do this again and quit after awhile. One year I trained for the 5k, and kept going, signed up for the 10k the next year. During this time I had what I knew was a mental block to go that distance, couldn't get past the 3 mile mark without feeling like death. I decided one day I need to just see what 6 miles was. So I got on my bike and I biked the distance. Yikes that seemed crazy! But now that I knew what I needed to do, I adjusted my training. From that point on, I started to do 6 miles every weekend run. I ran my 3 miles, stopped my watch, and planned to walk the rest, building on the 3 miles each time. What happened is, I ran the 3 miles and turned around to head home. Walking home also sucked, it was a long boring walk, so I'd start to run part of it to make it over sooner. Then walk, then run, then walk, then run. I didn't look at my clock because I stopped it back at 3 miles, didn't look at the distance because that too wasn't tracking anymore, just did what I felt like doing. That was my turning point. It was my choice if I wanted to walk or run, it wasn't some program telling me what to do. Eventually I was running more, walking less. By the time my 10k came along I was able to run the WHOLE thing! Wow I was proud of myself! This was in 2011. After that I was going to train for the 10 mile the next year. I ended up getting injured (plantar fasciitis) and wasn't able to continue. In spring 2013 I was finally able to run again without pain. I was back to the beginning. I had learned alot since I first started this run thing and didn't even try a couch to 5k app this time. I just did what I felt like doing, building VERY slowly! I was still REALLY scared the plantar fasciitis would come back. Took me 9 months to build up to that 5k on 1/1/14. At this point I was already signed up for 3 other races, final race being in the fall of 2014 a half marathon. So I had to keep going. Right now I'm doing 6 or 7 miles on the weekends hanging out here until my half training starts.

After all that, your motivation to push harder vs risk pushing too hard has to come from within somewhere. Think about your reason to sign up for this in the first place. I still picture one girl around 20 years old, 30lbs over weight, bright red face, on an extremely hot day, with 2 miles to go of a marathon. It motivates me ALL THE TIME! Following a 'program' didn't work for me. I needed to do what I could do, not what some expert thinks we all can do. During that 10k training, going the distance, even if it meant walking 3 long boring miles home, got me to my goal. Maybe that is a good thing for you to try. Start with 3 miles, run what you can, not what the program says you can, and walk the rest. At some point start completing 6 miles on the weekend however you can. Then just keep building. Maybe this won't work for you, you are not me, but its a new idea to try. It also gives you time to think what will work for you, what will motivate you to keep going. Maybe you just need to picture Mickey giving you a high five at the finish line. That also got me through a few runs when I wanted to quit. You'll figure this out and cross that line. I know you will!

By the way I have NEVER finished a couch to 5k program, they always have a jump that is too high, and I have to modify it to fit my needs.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I will check out the Mickey Miles podcasts. I don't think I am ready for anything more hardcore than that right yet. lol Maybe some day.

Today I managed to have enough motivation to get up and do 30 Day Shred. It works the leg muscles that running does not and my core as well. I haven't been the ab and squat challenge so I figured this would be a good compromise. Plus it only takes me 25 minutes so I can fit it in in the mornings.

I saw on Facebook today that a local dance studio may be offering Zumba in the mornings at 5 am. That would be awesome for me! I am really hoping that it works out because I would love to be a little more social with this instead of stuck in my basement.

So far I have been pretty good on diet control. I am following My Fitness Pal and staying within the guidelines they set for me. Things seem to be bumping along nicely.

I didn't mean that Runner Academy podcast was hardcore. I just meant it was more focused on running as opposed to Disney races. It just provides a lot of answers to many questions I have had myself about running. There was a guy I listened to yesterday that is an Ultramarathoner. While I will never get to that point, hearing his story on how it was so hard for him to get started in running and how to overcome it is the kind of stuff that helps me, especially listening as I am running. Makes fighting through those mental blocks A LOT easier, for me at least. Another one was about cross training to prevent injury, and tapering (resting your body when your race is approaching to give you the best chance for a good race). The tapering one was VERY informative.

Good news on getting discharged from PT. Sounds like you are better. Great news on sticking to your diet.

It's been a busy week for me. My son graduated preschool Wednesday. My #2 daughter graduated Kindergarten yesterday. My oldest had a presentation for her end of the year project today. It was an all day event and all my other kids are now out of school so I had them all with me for this. It was a tough day. Try keeping a 4 yr old and a 2 1/2 year old quiet while kids are reading stories they wrote for the report. I went running last night at 8:30. It was dark and off and on rainy all day but I had to get it done. I was getting cranky because I haven't run since Saturday. I figured it was good practice for the ToT.

 

[StayCool]

My running history: I started out on the couch, never exercised, never played any sports, nothing. It just wasn't my thing. I didn't need to, I was always thin. In college I started to pudge a little, after I got married I gained more. There was a weekend I went with friends back to our college town during marathon weekend. It was so inspiring to me. I saw people who were 30+ lbs over weight like me running a freaking marathon! Holy Cow! Who knew! I thought you had to be an athletic twig to do something crazy like that! So I decided then I want to return and run Grandma's marathon one day. I started running. It sucked. I was following the cool running couch to 5k program. It sucked. I did good in the beginning, was still inspired from marathon weekend, but it made a jump from something like run 5 minutes walk 2 repeats one week, then the next jumped up to run 15 minutes straight. I couldn't make that jump. I had to adjust the plan to work for me. Not really sure exactly what I did, but most likely increased the run portion and kept the walk break. I spent that summer signing up for 5k's. Eventually I was able to run a full 5k around Thanksgiving time, I would estimate this being around 1999. Then came the snow and then stopped the motivation. Every few years I'd decide I'm going to do this again and quit after awhile. One year I trained for the 5k, and kept going, signed up for the 10k the next year. During this time I had what I knew was a mental block to go that distance, couldn't get past the 3 mile mark without feeling like death. I decided one day I need to just see what 6 miles was. So I got on my bike and I biked the distance. Yikes that seemed crazy! But now that I knew what I needed to do, I adjusted my training. From that point on, I started to do 6 miles every weekend run. I ran my 3 miles, stopped my watch, and planned to walk the rest, building on the 3 miles each time. What happened is, I ran the 3 miles and turned around to head home. Walking home also sucked, it was a long boring walk, so I'd start to run part of it to make it over sooner. Then walk, then run, then walk, then run. I didn't look at my clock because I stopped it back at 3 miles, didn't look at the distance because that too wasn't tracking anymore, just did what I felt like doing. That was my turning point. It was my choice if I wanted to walk or run, it wasn't some program telling me what to do. Eventually I was running more, walking less. By the time my 10k came along I was able to run the WHOLE thing! Wow I was proud of myself! This was in 2011. After that I was going to train for the 10 mile the next year. I ended up getting injured (plantar fasciitis) and wasn't able to continue. In spring 2013 I was finally able to run again without pain. I was back to the beginning. I had learned alot since I first started this run thing and didn't even try a couch to 5k app this time. I just did what I felt like doing, building VERY slowly! I was still REALLY scared the plantar fasciitis would come back. Took me 9 months to build up to that 5k on 1/1/14. At this point I was already signed up for 3 other races, final race being in the fall of 2014 a half marathon. So I had to keep going. Right now I'm doing 6 or 7 miles on the weekends hanging out here until my half training starts.

After all that, your motivation to push harder vs risk pushing too hard has to come from within somewhere. Think about your reason to sign up for this in the first place. I still picture one girl around 20 years old, 30lbs over weight, bright red face, on an extremely hot day, with 2 miles to go of a marathon. It motivates me ALL THE TIME! Following a 'program' didn't work for me. I needed to do what I could do, not what some expert thinks we all can do. During that 10k training, going the distance, even if it meant walking 3 long boring miles home, got me to my goal. Maybe that is a good thing for you to try. Start with 3 miles, run what you can, not what the program says you can, and walk the rest. At some point start completing 6 miles on the weekend however you can. Then just keep building. Maybe this won't work for you, you are not me, but its a new idea to try. It also gives you time to think what will work for you, what will motivate you to keep going. Maybe you just need to picture Mickey giving you a high five at the finish line. That also got me through a few runs when I wanted to quit. You'll figure this out and cross that line. I know you will!

By the way I have NEVER finished a couch to 5k program, they always have a jump that is too high, and I have to modify it to fit my needs.

This sounds very familiar to me. The difference being is that I have always been overweight... since I was about 7 years old I think. It wasn't anything drastic until the last 8 or 9 years or so. My goal is to feel better physically and feel better about myself emotionally. I'm not strictly following a 5k program for the same reasons you stated. I know I can't make the jumps like that. So instead I'm focusing on my fitness. 2-3 "runs" a week, hopefully 2 days of Zumba, but if not one day of Zumba and one of 30 Day Shred. I figure that I need to be "all around" fit, not just able to run. And as far as motivation to stick with it, for now it is my stubbornness making me move. I've decided it is time to get fit and that is that. lol

I didn't mean that Runner Academy podcast was hardcore. I just meant it was more focused on running as opposed to Disney races. It just provides a lot of answers to many questions I have had myself about running. There was a guy I listened to yesterday that is an Ultramarathoner. While I will never get to that point, hearing his story on how it was so hard for him to get started in running and how to overcome it is the kind of stuff that helps me, especially listening as I am running. Makes fighting through those mental blocks A LOT easier, for me at least. Another one was about cross training to prevent injury, and tapering (resting your body when your race is approaching to give you the best chance for a good race). The tapering one was VERY informative.

Good news on getting discharged from PT. Sounds like you are better. Great news on sticking to your diet.

It's been a busy week for me. My son graduated preschool Wednesday. My #2 daughter graduated Kindergarten yesterday. My oldest had a presentation for her end of the year project today. It was an all day event and all my other kids are now out of school so I had them all with me for this. It was a tough day. Try keeping a 4 yr old and a 2 1/2 year old quiet while kids are reading stories they wrote for the report. I went running last night at 8:30. It was dark and off and on rainy all day but I had to get it done. I was getting cranky because I haven't run since Saturday. I figured it was good practice for the ToT.

I will look into those podcasts. I downloaded some of the Mickey Miles ones and I am not sure if I just started listening to the "wrong" ones, but I was not impressed. I will listen to a few more before I decide though.

Kids are tough. I am very thankful that mine are at ages where they can help take care of themselves. I can go get on the treadmill or go for a run, or even a Zumba class for an hour without worries. Congrats to both of your daughters on their accomplishments.

 

[StayCool]

So today was a "run" day for me. The distance was 2 miles. I decided not to run it at all but instead the hubby and I went for a walk. We walked the 2 miles in 37 minutes. It equaled about 4200 steps. I held off on running it because my legs are still a bit heavy and sore from Zumba on Friday. I didn't want to make that worse. The pace was 18.8 min/mile. I've got some work ahead of me but at the beginning of the year I couldn't do what I'm doing now so I'm happy that I am making progress.

To all the fathers out there, Happy Father's Day! I hope it's a good one.

 

[Waiting2goback]

My running history: I started out on the couch, never exercised, never played any sports, nothing. It just wasn't my thing. I didn't need to, I was always thin. In college I started to pudge a little, after I got married I gained more. There was a weekend I went with friends back to our college town during marathon weekend. It was so inspiring to me. I saw people who were 30+ lbs over weight like me running a freaking marathon! Holy Cow! Who knew! I thought you had to be an athletic twig to do something crazy like that! So I decided then I want to return and run Grandma's marathon one day. I started running. It sucked. I was following the cool running couch to 5k program. It sucked. I did good in the beginning, was still inspired from marathon weekend, but it made a jump from something like run 5 minutes walk 2 repeats one week, then the next jumped up to run 15 minutes straight. I couldn't make that jump. I had to adjust the plan to work for me. Not really sure exactly what I did, but most likely increased the run portion and kept the walk break. I spent that summer signing up for 5k's. Eventually I was able to run a full 5k around Thanksgiving time, I would estimate this being around 1999. Then came the snow and then stopped the motivation. Every few years I'd decide I'm going to do this again and quit after awhile. One year I trained for the 5k, and kept going, signed up for the 10k the next year. During this time I had what I knew was a mental block to go that distance, couldn't get past the 3 mile mark without feeling like death. I decided one day I need to just see what 6 miles was. So I got on my bike and I biked the distance. Yikes that seemed crazy! But now that I knew what I needed to do, I adjusted my training. From that point on, I started to do 6 miles every weekend run. I ran my 3 miles, stopped my watch, and planned to walk the rest, building on the 3 miles each time. What happened is, I ran the 3 miles and turned around to head home. Walking home also sucked, it was a long boring walk, so I'd start to run part of it to make it over sooner. Then walk, then run, then walk, then run. I didn't look at my clock because I stopped it back at 3 miles, didn't look at the distance because that too wasn't tracking anymore, just did what I felt like doing. That was my turning point. It was my choice if I wanted to walk or run, it wasn't some program telling me what to do. Eventually I was running more, walking less. By the time my 10k came along I was able to run the WHOLE thing! Wow I was proud of myself! This was in 2011. After that I was going to train for the 10 mile the next year. I ended up getting injured (plantar fasciitis) and wasn't able to continue. In spring 2013 I was finally able to run again without pain. I was back to the beginning. I had learned alot since I first started this run thing and didn't even try a couch to 5k app this time. I just did what I felt like doing, building VERY slowly! I was still REALLY scared the plantar fasciitis would come back. Took me 9 months to build up to that 5k on 1/1/14. At this point I was already signed up for 3 other races, final race being in the fall of 2014 a half marathon. So I had to keep going. Right now I'm doing 6 or 7 miles on the weekends hanging out here until my half training starts.

After all that, your motivation to push harder vs risk pushing too hard has to come from within somewhere. Think about your reason to sign up for this in the first place. I still picture one girl around 20 years old, 30lbs over weight, bright red face, on an extremely hot day, with 2 miles to go of a marathon. It motivates me ALL THE TIME! Following a 'program' didn't work for me. I needed to do what I could do, not what some expert thinks we all can do. During that 10k training, going the distance, even if it meant walking 3 long boring miles home, got me to my goal. Maybe that is a good thing for you to try. Start with 3 miles, run what you can, not what the program says you can, and walk the rest. At some point start completing 6 miles on the weekend however you can. Then just keep building. Maybe this won't work for you, you are not me, but its a new idea to try. It also gives you time to think what will work for you, what will motivate you to keep going. Maybe you just need to picture Mickey giving you a high five at the finish line. That also got me through a few runs when I wanted to quit. You'll figure this out and cross that line. I know you will!

By the way I have NEVER finished a couch to 5k program, they always have a jump that is too high, and I have to modify it to fit my needs.

I meant to respond to this last time. I agree with you very much. I got a running program and have read some others but I don't follow one. I basically needed to learn the basics, like how often I should be running, etc... But, I don't follow the mileage recommendation because there have been days when I wasn't "feeling" it that day so I didn't run the "distance" and other days I was feeling great so I ran longer than recommended.

By the way, that is awesome you are able to run a whole 10K. When I ran mine, I walked much less that I usually do when I train but still had to walk. To be honest, I don't stress over it. I have heard Jeff Galloway say he still does walk/run for his marathons. He says it is a less stressful run on your body and you can recover quicker. He also says it actually improves your time because even a 30 second break gives you more energy to run the next few minutes quicker.

Either way, great job sticking with your plan and making progress. I have no doubt you'll run that marathon some day.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I will look into those podcasts. I downloaded some of the Mickey Miles ones and I am not sure if I just started listening to the "wrong" ones, but I was not impressed. I will listen to a few more before I decide though.

I hear what you are saying. Some of them are not so good. I found the ones with the nutritionist (she is the "Disney" nutritionist for runDisney) and Jeff Galloway the best. But, that is the reason I went looking for another podcast to get my running info. They are good at the runDisney info. What it's like to run with 11000-35000 people in them, or what to expect for the expo, tips on avoiding the crowds at the expo, etc... Info on running they sound like they are guessing. Mike has never run a marathon but somehow gives tips on preparing for one?

This new podcast is full of running specific info. How to avoid injury, running in different weather conditions, cross-training, etc...

Great decision on doing the walking today by the way. It would be so easy to not do anything when you're sore. So, you might have a "long way to go" as you said it but I think you are much closer than you think. Remember, your goal is to just finish the race and by making smart decisions and NOT getting hurt again I know you will do that.

 

[StayCool]

I listened to one of the Runner Academy podcasts and liked it. I've never listened to podcasts before so this is new to me. I'm going to continue to check them out as I have time. Tonight I convinced the hubby to walk with me so we took one of our dogs and walked for a mile. It was my rest day so it wasn't anything crucial, but I felt like it so we went. Tomorrow is a 30 min run.