Marathon Training Thread for the week starting 5/17

[karebear1]

Hey everyone ! Don't forget we're strating a new thread about marathoin training every week now.

I haven't recieved this weeks training schedule yet. I emailed Patti and I expect she will be posting it soon- at least I hope so. When she does- I'll post it. Sorry!

Some of you have been posting about not breathing right when you run.... ya know, I kinda have nightmares like that! I'm dreaming I'm being chased and I have to run for my life.... and I'm not breathing AND I'm running in slow motion! I HATE that dream! I can never get away!! I guess I never thought breathing would have to be something conscientious you needed to do when you ran- but I guess I'm wrong. That must be very frusxtrating to have to deal with that problem as well.

Hope everyone has a good training day today.

 

[mishoe01]

Hi Karen - good morning!

Thanks for starting this next installment thread....it'll make things easier to read!

Hope everyone's weekend went well....

I bought new shoes on Sat (Saucony) and some coolmax clothes (socks and a shirt on clearance).

Did 1 hr on the TM last night - not doing too well speed wise (24 min mile) but it wasn't too taxing to walk for 1 hr. I think I'll continue to try to increase the time before I really start trying to increase the speed.

Hope everyone's day goes well today!!

BTW - thanks for the pic Jackie --- love your companion!! Perfect for the scrapbook.

Bev - thanks for your email about the pics - will look forward to getting something of the 3 of you.

 

[trola2]

Good morning everyone!! HOpe your days are off to a spectacular start!! I only got in about 25 minutes this morning...just couldn't get my body working, so I stopped my walk and just started the rest of my day. I don't think I've gotten enough rest over the last few days and that tremendously impacts my walk and also my food choices!!! So I'm determined to get my rest tonight and if I can I might even sneak in a 20 minute cat nap this morning!!

Karen- congrats on hitting a weight low yesterday. I hope it sticks!! I seem to hit a low, then the next week gain, then drop a little, then maintain, then drop to a new low...a 4 week cycle. Hmmmmmm. 28 days...does that sound familiar?lol
Thanks for starting the new thread!

ohMom, I admire your jogging routine!! Good for you and you will be just jogging and not thinking in no time!

Melanie, it's hard to switch your routine when you prefer one kind of exercise, isn't it? Hang in there and remember variety is the spice of life!

Monica- nice to find a bargain on workout stuff!! Let us know which shoes and if you like them. Good for you on the treadmill. Iwill see if I have a picture for you but I've been camera shy for so long it might be hard to find!!

Have a great day everyone!
~~Beth

 

[karebear1]

Well- I just finished my 50 minutes on the treadmill and I feel pretty good. A little cramping in the right foot, but it walked out. I did 2.41 miles in that 50 minutes and burned 540 calories! Thta's lunch plus breakfast in calories! YES!!!!

monica- I think my training session expired and that's why I don't have a new schedule. So- I renewed it and should get the new one soon. In the mean time- I'm keeping to the same schedule as last week. I'll post when it comes in.

meme- I sent the magazine on Staurday- so look for it in the mail soon.

Beth- the weight low lasted only a few hours- I am back at the same old weight again this morning. Oh well- at leats i saw it for a moment!

So- here's my question of the day....
What do you all think about when you're walking/running so you don't get bored???

 

[ohMom]

ok i'm stalling -- bags of mulch in the back of my van are calling so loud the neighbors hear

thanks for the kudos trola -- this program is a better way to transition back to running. my old way was lace up the shoes and jog 2 miles -- cold turkey from the get go. I can say my tendonitis is not bothering me so this is good.

karebear -- I hear ya! I jog with a neighbor some and sometimes we talk and sometimes she gets too far ahead of me. So then I try NOT to think about my jogging and let that go naturally -- so instead I talk to God (pray and thanks for my blessings and that's a great way to start the day for me) -- or I think about what's ahead for the day, the marathon and trip to Disney, how tight my hamstrings feel , I try to look at other houses in my development for flowers that I like, but mostly I guess I pray.

PD to all

 

[karebear1]

OhMom- I love that you mostly pray. What a sweet sentiment. I'm trying to visualize myself going over the finish lilne. This morning I had 1 minute left and could see Mickey waiting for me! It was fun.... but I am soooo afraid that in real life, when I do cross that finish line, I am just gonna bawl!

Monica- I finally got the schedule! It wasn't me after all- she was out of town all week last week and thought she'd gotten to everyone, but in actuality- passed over me! HA! The story of my life!!! Anyway- here's this weeks schedule. Now she is shifting to distances and times she wants me to meet those distances in. It should be ok- because they're what I have been doing in the last week.

Mon- 50 mins.
Tues-rest
Weds- 1 mile- 20 mins.
Thurs- 1.5 miles - 30 mins.
Fri- 1 mile- 20 mins.
Sat- rest
Sun-3 miles- 60 mins.

Patti says that my progress has been great and told me not to forget that I still have plenty of time to train and not to push it so fast- so- thta should apply to ALL of us! She also told me I should go out and buy some new excercise clothes- she said I deserve it! Hmmmm- I wonder if they have joggin stuff in really big sizes?

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by karebear1

Some of you have been posting about not breathing right when you run.... I guess I never thought breathing would have to be something conscientious you needed to do when you ran- but I guess I'm wrong. That must be very frusxtrating to have to deal with that problem as well.

Hope everyone has a good training day today.

This is funny that this came up- just yesteday I was running with a PT and I was wearing a hrm and it went up too high, she told me to slow down and let my hr come down, it didn't...she told me to walk and let it come down and it came down only a little, she told me to breathe diaphragmatically and it came down 5 beats in one breath.

Here's some more info I found- it pertains to meditation, but I think it could be helpful:

<font color=blue>When the diaphragm muscle contracts, it pulls the bottom of the lungs downward, causing them to fill, while the ribs flare outward to the sides. The chest and abdominal muscles are not used in diaphragmatic breathing. Conscious diaphragmatic breathing is extremely relaxing to the autonomic nervous system and is essential preparation for deep meditation.

*

The diaphragm is a huge muscle that rests horizontally across the base of the rib cage. Imagine an oval shaped dinner plate, turned upside down, and inside your lower rib cage. The diaphragm is connected in the front, along the sides of your lower ribs, and also along the back.

Diaphragmatic breathing_
is one of the most important_
foundation practices for meditation._

On inhalation, the diaphragm muscle contracts, and pulls downward, such that the ribs flare out slightly, and pulls the bottom of the lungs downward to bring in air. On exhalation, this releases and the air goes out. With deep diaphragmatic breathing, the space just below the breast bone, at the upper abdomen pushes in slightly so as to exhale more completely._

When the diaphragm is used for breathing, there is little motion in the lower abdomen, and the chest remains still. However, we lead stress-filled lives, and learn bad breathing habits, using the abdomen and the chest. This creates further tension that leaves us in a vicious cycle of mental chatter driving bad breathing and physical tightness, and the bad breathing, in turn, causing trouble to the mind._

It is important to note that modern medicine has finally acknowledged what the yogis have known for thousands of years, that the breath is intimately connected to the autonomic nervous system and the mind. Even some hospitals and medical establishments are now willing to train people in breath regulation._

We need to consciously practice diaphragmatic breathing. This involves a retraining program, and while another person can teach us how to do it, it is actually a self-training program. Nobody can do the actual awareness and training for you._

The benefits of learning and practicing diaphragmatic breathing are immense. </font color>

 

[pixiechick]

Thanks Karen for starting us off this week!

I ran 4.5 miles this morning, slowly but surely! Getting up at 5 am has become a habit , I think (hope!) My shins have been bothering me again, the legs were definately a little leaden this morning. But I made it.

Monica: I'll try to get a photo off to you. Coolmax clothes rock! So much better than cotton when you're sweating!

Beth: I think rest really makes a difference. How can your body heal if it's worn out? Plus there's a lot of research now that shows when people are stressed they produce a chemical (or something along these lines) that causes them to gain/ maintain weight. I don't recall the whole thing but I think it causes us to metabolize differently.

ohMom: Go release that poor mulch! I think a run/walk mix is a great way to ease into the stress of running.

Annie: Thanks for the info. I will pay more attention to my breathing and check out the effects on my performance.

Karen: Glad you got your schedule. Don't worry, those pounds will go eventually.
To answer your question: I talk to myself a lot! What cracks me up is when I realize I was in the middle of some big discussion with myself and "zoned out". How can I yell at DH for ignoring me, when I ignore myself! Lately, I've been using a mp3 player. I limit that to my early weekday runs though. It helps me get out and back as quick as possible. On my long runs, just me. Talk about building mental toughness!
Colleen

 

[mishoe01]

Hi there everyone - can I tell you that you did it again? This time for me.....I was soooo tempted not to do anything tonight, just come one here and post that I have 3 copies of Running Times w/ the Marathon ad (if anyone still wants one, PM me)....but here I am reading all your posts and then talking myself into getting my butt (and everything else ) on the treadmill. THANKS!!!

Ok - here's a ? for you....is it better to work on the time aspect at a slower pace (then try speeding up), or now that I seem to be able to handle 1hr on the TM w/o issues do I speed myself up, and then build up more time????? I'm so confused by this!!


Now - if only I could be so disciplined that I were to use my alone time to NOT be alone (and talk to God) I'd be so better off! I've been watching TV while on the TM so haven't neccesarily been "thinking" while I walk.

Thanks Molli for your pics (you and Bev)....
Colleen - can't wait to see yours!

Everyone else - please don't worry if you don't want to send a pic - you will be immortalized in my scrap book anyways!! With tons of love!!

Have a good evening everyone!!

 

[karebear1]

AnnieT- thank you for posting that info on breathing. Who ever would have thought that it could be so complicated?

pixiechick- you get up at 5 am to run????? WHOAA! Way to go girl! I guess you'll be especially ready come marathon time- getting up at 3 should be a snap for you! I am so impressed that you're doing 4.5 miles- running! I'm barely up to 2.5 miles walking!

Monica- I really don't know the answer to your question about time or speed first- I can just go by looking at the schedule my trainer gave me. the first 6 weeks she had me training only by time- the speed (or amount of mileage covered while I was walking) was just added this week. I think she was waiting to see me naturally speed up as I returned my distances and times to her. After 6 weeks of walking and slowly building up on time (started at 20 mins. 3 times a week- but was supposed to split that 20 mins. into 2 10 minute sessions- now I'm up to what I just posted for this weeks schedule) my walking has naturally become faster. How long have you been walking now?

 

[Debbie]

Hi everyone! I'm pretty proud of myself. I went to Curves even though I REALLY wanted to go home after work. I didn't get up early, though. I slept right through the 5:45 alarm. Sometimes, I think that I need my sleep.

I bought my second pair of shoes on the weekend. I'll wear them for a couple of weeks, and then alternate my two pairs of Saucony shoes (different models, but I like 'em both--so far).

I'm getting my 10 000 steps pretty much each day, and I even walked to pick up some veggies yesterday.

As to the question what do I do when I walk? I got a personal CD for Christmas 1½ years ago, and I have, until recently, used it to listen to music-Disney of course. The last few times that I've been out, though, I didn't take it (the fanny pack is "heavy") and just enjoyed the warmth of the spring sun, the green of the spring trees, the sound of the spring birds and the smell of the spring grass.


Did I mention that spring is finally here?!?!

 

[ohMom]

good morning

i'm only doing the walk/jog routine three times a week. Firm believer in cross-training and preventing burn-out which I'm very prone too

so today I did my PowerWalk with leslie DVD and 20 mins on the stability ball with Denise. Dont' dismiss strength training everyone!

monica -- glad the pics came to you fine. are they ok? I just love my DCL sweatshirt

i'm not a fitness expert but evansmom is, where is she? PM her with ?? too if you want. But I think it's best to focus on stamina first (time) and then work on speed later. personally it's more important to me to cross the finish line than what the stopwatch says. but i am so very not competetive either.

MULCHING DONE! whew!

karebear -- i will be very much in a boo-hoo way at the Disney finish line. trust me

I have an appt with a podiatrist thurs for new orthotics. can't wait! PD to all have a great day

 

[Auntmeme]

Well I forgot about the new thread and pstsed on the old so I'll just be quick.

If you have a Dicks sporting goods in your area, they have a saucony running shoe at 40 % off, I bought them last night & love them. I also found running times & a new low carb mag.

Thanks Karen for mailing out the ad however since I just found a copy does anyone want me to mail it to them?

I hear you about mulching & consider gardening to be a great cross train activity My thighs ache from the squatting.

I usually use a cd player but hate the skipping. Colleen can you tell me about MP3 players, I'm clueless and just looked at some in the store.

Off to walk- Keep up the great job

 

[AlreadyexcitedGrammy]

I wanted to say yesterday that I got in 2 miles of tming -1.5 at a jog pace for me and a Curves session. Needed to rest my lower bod (8 mi Sun+ 2 Mon) so it's just a Curves night for me.

I think that stamina is before speed on the walk/jog question - but I amsure Evansmom will know for sure

I am still trying to figure out the heart rate thing - staying in THR and yet being able to add the endurance.

While I treadmill I generally watch tapes of Dr. P and O. Have to say that I only do the weight related Dr. P's. I really like the outdoors walk time to pray too. Sunday did a long walk - out of tapes - so I watched Rachel Ray make a WW friendly brocolli and beef salad!

Sometimes I wish I had a tape recorder so that I could "memo" all the things that I am thinking I need to do - generally forget by the time I get home and try to write down my "to do list" !

OMG - Karen - you will have "earned" those tears of joy when the finish line is behind you! I'll be there too needing the kleenex!

Keep up the good work everyone

 

[MelanieC]

Hey guys,

Everyone is doing so great. I plan on getting on the TM tonight. I plan on running 1 mile and walking 1.5 maybe more.

Bev- I agree that a tape recorder would be a great thing.

Auntmeme- I never thought about gardening as cross training. Thats a good analogy!

Molli- I need to do my walk/jog program 3 times a week. For some reason, there isn't enough hours in the day.

Debbie -Congrats on going to Curves even when you wanted to go home!! Woo hoo!

mishoe01- glad this thread motivated you to get on the treadmill!!

Pixiechick- Have you been stretching prior to walking/running? I know that stretching really helps my shins and keeps them from hurting. The few times I didn't stretch my shins hurt really bad.

AnnieT- Thank you so much for the article. I am going to have to look into breathing. I feel like I am not breathing right when I am running.

Karebear- I think the going out and splurging on new workout clothes sounds fantastic!!!


Keep up the great work everyone.

 

[ohMom]

ok -- just wanted to report in that I survived my walk/jog today. OMGosh my DN (darling neighbor as i'll refer to her) is really working me. actually, it's good, it pushes me just enough. I just drove our path today b/c we felt like we went further, I was disappointed that adding .5 miles onto the distance really felt like much much more Anyhow I covered 5.3 miles today in about an hour -- running 2.7 of that. Our first 10 min block she was really cooking (i was really struggling with the breathing thing) and we went 1.2 miles! I'm a 10 min miler at my best, so I was pleased that I hung in there. I slowed down on the second interval and covered .8 in 10 mins.

ok what is the math formula to figure out my pace? just curious

my hamstrings are really really tight -- anyone else?

melc -- are you ok with dropping some of your FIRM workouts once you are putting enough time on your TM? remember somtimes less is more. our muscles MUST recover and rest

oh yea -- almost forgot to share this inspiration with you -- when I pulled out of my garage to measure our distance there were two Mommies jogging with jogging strollers. Now mind you it's like 60 degrees here this morning, very humid, but one Mommy has a double stroller and the other a triple! The kids were wrapped up in blankets and just sitting there calm as ever. Now that is dedication!

have a great day!

 

[Auntmeme]

I did a little over 2 miles yesterday and hope to do more today. My new sauconys are great but I think I would have had a blister if I had gone farther.

Thoughts on how to avoid blisters? And what type of socks are the best?

Way to go Molli - your neighbor sounds like a free personal trainer And those women with the strollers - oh my a double & a triple - how inspiring, women are truly amazing

 

[trola2]

Hey everyone!! Well, I've bumped up my routine again...I've burned a new walk CD so now I'm doing a couple songs from my walk 1 CD (3 mph) and then I do 5 songs (almost 25 mins) from my walk 2CD (4mph) and then 18 more songs from walk one. I decided I'd walk the entire CD and it ended up being 75 minutes!! Now if I can keep that up. I thought I would die before I finished that 5th song from walk2, but I made it and then the easier pace I could keep going. My 8yo DD joined me at first, but then decided she'd rather be on her bike instead, so we had an early exercise day!! OH, and my sis just gave me a fanny pack for my player, so it's nice to not be carrying that in my sweaty hand!

All I'm doing at this point is my walk. What else should I be doing? I know it is still quite a ways off, but I am having dreams about the "sweeper" getting me!lol

Molli- way to go on the increases!! How nice to have someone to push you like htat!!

MaryEllen- good for you on the 2 miles. Just don't over do with the new shoes!! I like any sock that is mainly cotton and says "cushion" on the label. Of course my Hanes are easier to match coming out of the wash with that big pink 'HANES' on teh bottom. lol. Also, on the CDPlayer skipping...check the skip protector number if you are looking at a new one. Get the highest number on that that you can afford. Mine is a 180 second skip delay and I've never had a skip, but I'm not a jogger~~ yet!lol MP3 players are beyond me.

Melanie, good for youon the jog/walk on the TM. I am still amazed with all you TM'ers out there!

BEv, I like the idea of a tape recorder, too.

DEbbie- lol about Spring. We had that for a day or two. Now it is just hot and humid and if you dont' exercise before 7AM, it is unbearable outside!

Karen, how are you doing today?

All for now!
~~Beth

 

[karebear1]

Well- I juts back from another rousing adventure at the dietician's. No weight loss again! this is the 3rd week in a row. She keeps talking about insulin resistence. Is there a difference between insulin resistence and diabetes??? Does anyone know?
I did my 1 mile in 20:44 this morning. I was supposed to do it in 20:00, but that's pretty darn close, and since the marathon isn't really a timed event for me- it's close enough! I'm going to burn a cd today with some music from that Mowtown 45 th Anniversary show that was on the other night. Did anyone else see that---- good times! And good music to walk to.

Trola- what songs do you have on your 3mph tape and how did you figure out that it's 3 mph?? I think it's great that you have your daughter joining you! Don't worry about the sweeper- if it's picks upo nayone, it'll be me first and I'll tell them to by pass everyone else I know!

Maryellen- socks that pull the sweat away from your feet is what you need. the friction and the moisture is what causes blisters. Go to a footwear store and tell them you need socks that will prevent blisters- they're expensive, but well worth it! In the meantime. There is some really great stuff you can use for blister that is a gel like pad you put over the blister, then covwer that with a b and aid. this stuff is fantastic! You will not even feel the blister if you use it. Where are the blisters on your feet?

Mom- What are neighbors for??? I appreciate the comment about .5 mile seeming so much further then it really was. It helps me to be aware that at the end of that marathon, I really need to be in great shape- because if I'm not, it'll be so much harder and take the enjoyment of the marathon away for me. It also helps me realize that even people that are in good condition (like you) struggle with what we might concieve a small change in our routine. Indeed- we really need to appreciate every 1/10th /mile we walk that is beyond the norm for us!

Grammy- I have to agree with the stamina righth now- I think that would be better to concentrate on rather then the time.

Everytime I'm on that TM I think of you guys and I keep going even though I sometimes want to quit! I'm glad I ahve you all to haunt me!

 

[MelanieC]

Ok, I must say that I suck big time. I keep saying I am going to get on the treadmill at night, but NOOOOOOOOOO! Each day I don't get a chance till about 10pm and thats just too late. The last time I treadmilled was last Wednesday night and I ran 1 mile and walked 1.5.

What do you think about eating late at night after I TM. I didn't last Wednesday and I was pretty much out of it till I took a rest day on Saturday. My body wouldn't move very fast on Thursday and Friday when I worked out in the morning. Do you think I should have eaten a snack afterwards to give me energy again. I know that they say when you exercise in the morning to eat protein and a carb within 1 hour of working out. I try really hard not to eat late at night (except I have thad a snack the last 2 nights in a row). Any ideas??

I did a cardio tape that was only 35 minutes this morning, so I am really hoping to supplement it tonight. I WILL find the time tonight to treadmill.

Molli- I really think I am going to have to get rid of my FIRM cardio days and supplement them with TM'ing or I will never be able to get good enough to do the race. Its just really hard because I really enjoy the FIRM workouts. I typically do 2-3 cardio's a week, and alternate with weight workouts the other days plus a rest day. It varies by week.