My Journey to the 13k run and the loss of 15lbs

[braydensmom]

Hey,

I am restarting my eatting healthy habits, after falling off the band wagon for about a month. In that month, I have put on quite a bit of weight and my stomach looks really bloated. I am 5'9 and weigh 150.8 as of this morning, I had myself down to 140lbs a month ago, and while I am sure some of this weight is water weight, I would like to make my goal by October 19th, the day my son and I leave for WDW.

111 days, 15.8lbs to lose

I will be running the Tower of Terror Run 13k, and right now I am no where ready.

Exercise and training goals:

Phase 1

• 
  [*]For the first four weeks, I will get exercise 6 days a week. I will run intervals for 35 minutes 3 days a week, run outside one day a week and do a good walk 2 days a week.
  [*]I will do a stretch work out every morning, consisting of a min of 20 minutes.
  [*]Play Wii for at least 20 minutes a day to just get myself off the couch when Im being lazy!
  

Eatting habits!

• Will have breakfast every morning
• Will have 2 snacks everyday, one in the morning, one in the afternoon
• Will eat a minimum of 4 different fruits every day
• Will eat a minimum of 3 different fruits every day
• Will have lunch and dinner
• Will not eat after 9pm
• Will do my best to record all food items i do eat each day

My last Rule for this "Journey"....if I have a bad day eatting or exercise...we can start fresh the next day.

 

[momof2minnies]

Hey Braydensmom,
Welcome!

Sounds like you have a great plan in place.I wish I lived closer to WDW so I could do the races they have scheduled.I am signed up for the 09 Marathon but I just don't know if it will be practical with the price of plane tix.these days.

Are you training on a treadmill or outside?It does make a difference esp. when dealing with the humidity in FL. on race day because you never know what the weather will be down there.

Keep posting!By the way what is your first name?

Have a great 4th,
Linda

 

[braydensmom]

Hi Linda,

I don't live very close to Disney at all, Im up in Canada by Detroit. Would love to be able to find the time to train to run a marathon, but unfortunitely I have a 12 month old, so that puts a huge limit on my time right there, LOL!
So far I have been doing very well! I have been on a health kick since late January, but fell off the bandwagon for pretty much the entire month of June.
I think that my goals are pretty realistic, and Im thinking of booking a spa treatment the day after the run, as a reward. We are staying at the Saratoga Springs, and it will be our last day so it just seems like perfect timing to me.

I am currently running mostly indoors on the treadmill. I start with running hills for 10 minutes after a 5 minute warm up, and then do 10 minute of speed drills. Currently my pace isin't very good, but i want to take it slow to get my endurance up. I do take my son for walks everyday, and our walks are about a minimum of 2 miles a day....

I realize that it may be very humid outside so Im really not too sure how to prepare myself for that, so if you have any suggestions that would be awesome.

Thanks for the support by the way! I look forward to hearing how you prepare for your marathon!

Amanda

 

[AmyBeth68]

Amanda....good luck with your training. I've run the past two years at Disney marathon weekend and it can definitely get quite humid. My best advice in preparation for the humid weather during any endurance event is to HYDRATE. And not just the day before...look at the week before. Drink a lot of water leading up to the race...and during the race be careful to mix electrolytes with water (gels, gatorade, etc).

As for your training...it sounds like you have a solid plan in place. Just continue to stick with the plan the best you can realizing that things do come up and training runs do get missed...don't stress over the missed runs and just look to the next week. I also suggest to friends and clients to build up their core strength as much as possible...it's amazing how much the core is needed in distance running. If you can get any type of core training into the mix it will benefit you greatly on race day.

Good luck!

 

[braydensmom]

Thanks Amy Beth, I have been trying to work on my core, but due to a botched cesarian 12 months ago, I am having trouble really getting anywhere. Before I had my son I was totally into yoga and pilates, but now it just doesnt work the same...
Do you have any suggestions on good core exercises that benefit endurance in running?

 

[AmyBeth68]

I teach Pilates and yoga/pilates fusion classes...I really prefer Pilates to any other form of core training as I feel it works the body safely and efficiently. Of course...having had a tough C-Section means you've really got to be careful with any form of ab work due to scar tissue and muscle weakness inherent to that type of surgery. I'd *still* suggest Pilates...but please be very mindful about how your body feels at all times. If you feel any sort of "pain" (not muscles being worked but outright pain) then you need to stop that particular exercise. You may also have diastysis which means separation of the abdominal muscles..which means you really have to be cautious. Does not mean you can't do core work..but you do have to be VERY cautious and listen to the signals your body is sending. I'd suggest starting with a post-natal pilates DVD and working up from there. Please let me know if you have any other specifc questions..I work with pregenant and post-natal women frequently! I always suggest the Pilates for Dummies DVD since it's safe and oriented towards beginners. If you can get to a class with a good instructor, that's always best.

Great job on the training. I know how hard it is to fit training into a busy parenting schedule. I give you a ton of credit!

 

[braydensmom]

I started out at 150.1 and on Monday I weighed myself and I was at 148.6, so....

Starting Weight: 150.1
Week 1 Weight: 148.6
Goal Weight: 135

I really need to step up my game, really need to focus on getting some runs in. I did get out and get exercise of somesort everyday but one day, and that one day, I really had no excuse not to do anything.
Haven't had a soda all week, but I didn't eat the healthiest.
Did my best to have the five fruits and veggies each day!

 

[disneyrunningnut]

Good luck with your race. A 1/2 is a tough goal, but I am sure you can do it. I have a few questions based on you post.

Are you following a training plan?

What do you mean by running intervals? Are you planning on run/walking the half or run the whole thing?

I am concerned that you aren't running enough. There is general fitness and running fitness. You only get better at running by running. There is nothing wrong with doing other activities to get fit. They might just not help you as much as you think for the race. Looks like you are 14 weeks away and running 90-115 minutes a week.

Here is a excerpt from Jack Daniels

Training principle #2 - Specificity of training. The system which is stressed is the one which stands to benefit from the stress. While training for one particular sport usually has little or no beneficial effect on your ability to perform a second sport, in some cases there may actually be a detrimental effect. An example of this would be the negative effect that long-distance running has on explosive leg activities, such as sprinting and jumping. The same thing could be said for what body building would do for distance running; the extra muscle mass developed can act as dead weight, interfering with a runner's ability to optimize his or her distance-running capabilities.

To become really accomplished at something, you must practice doing that thing, not some other activity, which may not only take time away from the activity of primary interest, but may also actually produce results which limit performance in the main sport. This is not to say that all non-specific activity is bad, but considerable thought must be given to every aspect of running, and you must know what everything you do is doing for (or to) you.

Here is a link to the article. It has 5 parts. It basically summarizes his book "Running Formula" Great book BTW.

http://www.coacheseducation.com/endur/jack-daniels-june-00.htm

David

 

[momof2minnies]

Hi Amanda,
Congrats on the weight loss! Sounds like things are going pretty well so far.A 12 month old will keep you moving I remember.Boy do I miss those days,when your kids actually liked you.

Canada wow! My DD16 has been up there 2 times to play with the pro ladies soccer team in this area against the Canadian ladies.She was going this weekend but the roster is full and she is not needed.It is a good experience for her.

How has your weather been? Humid here.

Have a great one,
Linda

 

[braydensmom]

Good luck with your race. A 1/2 is a tough goal, but I am sure you can do it. I have a few questions based on you post.

Are you following a training plan?

What do you mean by running intervals? Are you planning on run/walking the half or run the whole thing?

I am concerned that you aren't running enough. There is general fitness and running fitness. You only get better at running by running. There is nothing wrong with doing other activities to get fit. They might just not help you as much as you think for the race. Looks like you are 14 weeks away and running 90-115 minutes a week.

Here is a excerpt from Jack Daniels

Training principle #2 - Specificity of training. The system which is stressed is the one which stands to benefit from the stress. While training for one particular sport usually has little or no beneficial effect on your ability to perform a second sport, in some cases there may actually be a detrimental effect. An example of this would be the negative effect that long-distance running has on explosive leg activities, such as sprinting and jumping. The same thing could be said for what body building would do for distance running; the extra muscle mass developed can act as dead weight, interfering with a runner's ability to optimize his or her distance-running capabilities.

To become really accomplished at something, you must practice doing that thing, not some other activity, which may not only take time away from the activity of primary interest, but may also actually produce results which limit performance in the main sport. This is not to say that all non-specific activity is bad, but considerable thought must be given to every aspect of running, and you must know what everything you do is doing for (or to) you.

Here is a link to the article. It has 5 parts. It basically summarizes his book "Running Formula" Great book BTW.

http://www.coacheseducation.com/endur/jack-daniels-june-00.htm

David

Hi David, Im not running the 1/2, Im running a 13k...and I am running as much as I can, but as a single mom with a 12 month old, its pretty hard to get out for longer runs everyday.
Right now when training on the treadmill, I am maintaining a 5.2mph run (i know not fast) for 30 minutes, inwhich the first 15 minutes i do 3 sets of hills, running at the 5.2mph. The last 15 minutes I am running speed intervals, which means that i speed up to 9mph for certain amounts of times.
I also do take several long walks each week, but make sure i get out for a walk everyday.
I am not doing this race to win, I am doing this race as an accomplishment to myself

 

[braydensmom]

Hi Amanda,
Congrats on the weight loss! Sounds like things are going pretty well so far.A 12 month old will keep you moving I remember.Boy do I miss those days,when your kids actually liked you.

Canada wow! My DD16 has been up there 2 times to play with the pro ladies soccer team in this area against the Canadian ladies.She was going this weekend but the roster is full and she is not needed.It is a good experience for her.

How has your weather been? Humid here.

Have a great one,
Linda

Hi Linda, I appreciate the support, Ive been doing a little better this week with my staying active...the food situation is also getting better.
Im heading out for a run right now actually, its been sooo humid here (98 degrees here today with humidity), and the added jogging stroller in just that much more of a struggle. Perhaps Ill just hit the treadmill today.
Again, thanks for the encouragement

 

[disneyrunningnut]

Hi David, Im not running the 1/2, Im running a 13k...and I am running as much as I can, but as a single mom with a 12 month old, its pretty hard to get out for longer runs everyday.
Right now when training on the treadmill, I am maintaining a 5.2mph run (i know not fast) for 30 minutes, inwhich the first 15 minutes i do 3 sets of hills, running at the 5.2mph. The last 15 minutes I am running speed intervals, which means that i speed up to 9mph for certain amounts of times.
I also do take several long walks each week, but make sure i get out for a walk everyday.
I am not doing this race to win, I am doing this race as an accomplishment to myself

13K -13M, missed that one, sorry

I am not criticizing your training. Just trying to help. I wouldn't have taken the time to look up the article and post it for you if I wasn't trying to help. I am sorry you misinterpreted my response.

I don't care if you finish first or last. I am glad you are running the race and have a great goal.

If you like doing Intervals keep doing them. Good luck with the race I hope you have a great time. If you want any running advise just let me know.

 

[postesf]

Hi there! Just wanted to wish you well on your training. Getting started can be tough. Sounds like you've got a good base with doing 30 min at 5.2 with hills! The Disney events are so fun! You'll have a great time!

Stacie

 

[momof2minnies]

Amanda,
How is it going this week?
Linda