Stacie's Journey for Weight Loss and the 1/2 Marathon Jan 09!

[hockeygirl]

Hi Stacie--sounds like your training is going great! I haven't had a chance to go back and read your whole journal, but from what I read you are doing great with the c25k plan! Keep up the good work!

As for running pants, I prefer tights, and I love the SUGOI brand tights. There is a website, runningwarehouse.com, they have tons of running clothes, and the best part is the WISH racing team gets a discount!!! On the home page, click on Team Discounts and put in WISHD and you get a 15% discount on most products!!

Keep up the good work!

 

[postesf]

Hi guys!!! It is windy and cold here today!!!

Wanted to post an update...

Day 2 of C25K was Wednesday... The plan was warm up, run 8min, walk 5, run 8 more cool down. I went into it thinking...hmmm 8 min...I'm not too sure about that. Well. I got to 5 and thought, only 3 more to go, keep pushing, keep pushing. So, Did I do it??? YEP! I did it!!! Whew hoo!!! I was too tired to be too excited, but I did it!!! I did end up icing down the side of my shins??? It's not the front of my leg, but between the front and the side of my leg towards the bottom 1/2 of my leg. I was told that muscle is connect to the shin muscle and since it's bothering me to ice it and stretch my calves and shins really good. Is it just me or does anyone else find it difficult to stretch your shins???

So, today or tomorrow is Day 3. Haven't decided which one yet. It's cold and windy today and I just don't know if I can attempt 20 min w/ no breaks in this windiness. In one way I'm dreading Day3, in another way I am excited to attempt it to see just far I can go.

Sometimes I think I confuse myself! As I'm jogging, I know I'm taking very small strides. I do this to go slower and conserve energy, but I wonder If I tried longer strides, if my legs/muscles would fare better??? I'm almost scared to try because I know I'll be exerting more energy to do this and I'm afraid I won't be able to go as long before feeling so winded and
having to stop... I need a coach!

On a down side...I've gained 1lb!!! How has this happened??? My official weigh-in day is Tuesday, so hopefully it's gone by then!!! The idea is to lose a lb a week...not gain one!

hockeygirl...thanks for stopping by!!!
born2bird...thanks for stopping by!!! Good luck on your training! I'm very suprised how my body has adapted to the C25K!
Caitsmama...thanks for asking that question...I've been wondering too! lol!
Amy...As always...thanks for your insite!
Beth...Thanks for being a pest! lol!

Everyone else...THANKS GUYS!!! I really appreciate you all so much!

Oh, word to the wise... If you ever decide to paint a white wall red, burgundy, berry... PRIME w/ a dark color! My mom decided to paint her kitchen "berry cobbler" and it took SEVEN coats! We saw it Wed. Turned out really nice! It only took 2 week though!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!
Stacie

 

[Caitsmama]

Congrats on W5D2 Girl!!!!

I know you can do D3!! I probably won't get back on til when i get back -- but i will be looking forward to a great report then!!

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi Stacie!!

Here comes some straight up tag team action right out of the WWE:

*tags in*

To address your stride issue, I've read you actually want to take shorter, smaller strides as opposed to longer ones. The shorter strides minimize the time you don't have contact with the pavement and therefore provide a decreased risk of injury. I think each foot should hit the pavement 90-100 times each minute...or at least that's what I remember...

*tags out to Dr. Amy*

 

[AmyBeth68]

*tag in* this makes me laugh!!!

Hi Stacie!

for the leg pain .


Hmmmmm.....some thoughts. Could be shin splints....could be just simple overuse. Icing is your best bet right now...and maybe some advil too. Try this little tip...fill up dixie cups about half full. Freeze them. Then just roll the cup up and down the leg for an ice massage. To stretch the front of your shins...stand next to a chair or something that you can hold on to. Slightly bend your front leg....and put slight pressure on the top of your foot of your back leg. The key is to put most of your weight on your right leg...hold on for support...and gentle stretch the top of the foot and shin. Another way to stretch the shins is to lay on the floor....taking a towel or tie place it around the bottom of your foot and hold it with both hands. Stretch your leg toward the ceiling and point and flex your foot slowly....then do a nice hamstring stretch by bringing that leg toward you...gently. Finally....take both ends of the towel in your left hand....anchor both hips solidly in the mat....and gently bring your leg across the plane of your body. Hold that stretch for 20 to 30 seconds. It's not a pleasant stretch but it gets the shins (some have told me) and the IT band AND the glutes/piriformis!

And hey! CONGRATS on a great run yesterday! SOOO proud of you .

 

[ScoJo15]

So are you still in or did you tag out?

...geesh...

 

[AmyBeth68]

OK...I'll play along Scott...

*tag out*

 

[postesf]

You guys are hillarious!!! Thanks Dr Speedy McSandwich and Dr Amy (oh, maybe we can call you Dr Pilates???)!!! I'm going to have to seriously concentrate and visualize those stretches... The ice massage--got it! The tie/towel stretch--think I got it! The chair leg thing...not so sure... are you putting one foot on top of the other???

I've been trying to do the leg/toe point/flex thing...

How do you bring your leg across the plane of your body??? Can I get some pictures here??? Wait, is this a pilates thing??? Do you kinda twist your back??? Oh, I'm confused!

Thanks for the stride info. Guess I'm doing ok then. So the closer your strides, the more you contact the pavement and this is better for you??? In one way I guess this makes sense, but in another way you would think the longer strides, less contact/jolting the joints, better for you?

Why do you guys have to live so far away??? I need some onsite training here!

Thanks--I'm kinda proud of me too!

 

[ScoJo15]

(since I think I was tagged in...)

With the strides...the longer stride you take, the more you tend to "overstride" meaning your heel touches the ground first, which acts as a brake and slows you down (in addition to causing more of an impact to your legs/joints).

But as with all things, there is a comfort level there too...you don't want to feel like you are taking itty bitty steps either....I'd suggest just using your normal pace and counting the number of times the foot hits per minute and see how it compares.

*tags Dr. Pilates*

 

[AmyBeth68]

Ughhh.... *tag in*


Hi Stacie...yeah...it's totally confusing without someone demonstrating LOL.

The shin stretch...you keep your feet hip distance apart. You really just do that front of the shin stretch by pointing the toe of your back foot placing it on the floor and kind of lean into it. Here's a picture. It's not exact but it gives you the positioning...I think you may already be doing that one.

http://www.kidsregen.org/naturalMoves/1101/stretches/images/4_dragon_toe.gif

For the hamstring stretch, this is how you start (see the link). From there just take both straps in one hand and bring that leg across your body slightly. For instance...if you are stretching your RIGHT leg...take both straps in your left hand. Gently pull that leg across your body to the left and anchor both hips down to the mat. Just bring that leg to the left until you feel a deep stretch and hold it. You can use your right arm to support your body by bringing it out to the side.

http://www.sissel-online.com/exercise/yoga_sup_1leg-hamstring-str_strap.php

Good luck...let me know if that helps .

*tag out to somebody*

 

[ScoJo15]

Awww...thanks for playing buddy!

(sorry Stacie!)

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Hi Stacie-
Thanks for coming to post my journal...sorry it took me so long to get over here--its been a crazy few days! Ill be around more often now..

Have a great weekend

 

[postesf]

Thanks guys! You are so much! I can always count on you to make me smile!!! Thanks for the links Dr Pilates! I think I've got it! I get what you're saying Dr Speedy McSandwich, but I thought your heel is supposed to touch the ground first??? I think next time I'm out there I will try to count my strides for one minute and see what happens...

Now, I'm not normally a weekend poster, but I just had too this weekend...

Yeterday when we got home, decided to do Day 3 of Week 5. I knew yesterday was the day mentally to attempt it. I needed to complete this. So, as soon as we got home, I changed clothes and headed outside into the 50 degree weather. We walked for 5 minutes to warm up and then I mentally "settled in" for my long run! Yes, I said long run. This is no 8, 10, 12, 14, or 16 + miler. It was 20 minutes, but my long run! It's actually supposed to be 2 miles in 20 minutes. I am SLOW!!! I think I actually jogged slower than I walked!!! I have never been so slow in my life. I think I only got a little over 1 mile! BUT...I did jog 20 minutes! That is all I care about it. I did it!!!! I jogged for 20 minutes! This is something I NEVER thought I would accomplish. 6 Weeks ago, the only time I ran was to the bathroom! I am just completely amazed. I feel like this opens up now so many possibilites. Maybe I can do longer races past the 5K. Obviously, I will need to work on the speed, but I knew I need to be slow so as not to get too winded and be able to last the 20 minutes. My body felt pretty good until I stopped jogging and started walking! Go figure! My left leg started cramping up a little, but I walked for 5 min and then stretch really good. The place on my leg I've been complaining about (lower close to my angle between my shins and the side of my leg) are still sore to the touch... Weird, but I know that doing something like this that I've never done before--I'll have a few aches and pains.

So--there you have it. I jogged for 20 minutes! I must say to you guys that during the menally tough times, it helps to think about you and what you're accomplishing and that helps me to make it through.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday!

Stacie

PS. Thanks BLUEEYES for checking in!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

WOOHOOO!! way to go on jogging for 20 minutes!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Stacie! Congrats on jogging 20 mins straight!! That is great!!! You are doing so great with your training. I remember back in January when I could barely make it 20 min without stopping, and now I can go a long way without stopping. Moral of the story is that in no time, 20 mins will seem like nothing to you. Keep up the good work.

As for the stride conversation, I find that if I run on my toes, my legs really hurt. Therefore, my stride is kind of a heel-toe-push type movement. When I was younger and on the track team, that is how my coach told me to run, and quite honestly it is less painful for me, so that is what I do. I guess everyone has to find what works for them.

Keep up the good work!!!

 

[postesf]

Just wanted to give you guys a "before" picture. This is Matt and I back in July out to dinner with his family for his brother and sister in law's anniversary. It's always nice to put a face with the name...

 

[ScoJo15]

WAY TO GO!!! Holy cow!! That's a great accomplishment there Stacie!!

Like Laurie said, every one of us has been there...I can remember the day I ran 10 minutes without walking...it's a HUGE accomplishment that you should be very proud of...it doesn't matter how far you ran, it's the fact that you did it non stop for 20 minutes!! Great job Stacie!! I have the feeling it's just the first of many successful running milestones for you :

And just for the record...I run with my heel touching first too The mid foot thing is just what the experts say you should do...us commoners tend to like that heel strike first

Thanks for the pic too!! It's great to associate names and faces....also this way Amy and I will know who to cheer on at the 5k in January

Have a great weekend!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Yay Stacie!!!! Wow...congratulations . That is a really awesome accomplishment and you deserve to be proud of yourself. Like Scott said....don't take anything away from it by worrying about distance. What you accomplished is outstanding regardless of the mileage!

And THANK YOU for sharing a picture! I think it should be picture sharing time on the Journals . I know Kim will be posting them soon from her trip. It is really great to put a face with a name! And I know you said it's a before picture but i have to say that you look really lovely in that photo!

 

[traceycooper]

Great that you ran for 20 mins stacie
Glad Matt is doing well after his surgery
Loved the pic its so nice to put a face to the name!
Thanks for sticking with me during my 'move'

 

[kimwim8]

Hey Stacie! I'm finally all caught up. You've been ROCKIN' the training, girl! Great job!

Congrats on the shopping spree too (sorry, I've been gone for a bit ). I absolutely LOVE NY & Co!! Be careful, it's addictive - especially with all of the coupons they send!

Keep up the great work, girl.