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Re: Bend Turkey Trot 2011 Reviews

guest — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 15:48:18 GMT

This was a nice course, but allowing dogs in the run made it more of an obstacle course. At one point the little chihuahua-type that was next to me got stepped on, then ran in front of me and almost tripped me. Later on, a guy ran by with his lab on a loose lead. The dog ran right in front of me, almost making me do a faceplant, and then did the same thing to the woman in front of me. For an event of this size on bike paths and trails, I would discourage dogs in the future. Otherwise, the staff was friendly, the course well marked, and the after race snacks were good.

Re: Portlanders - Help, please!

guest — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:42:18 GMT

Thanks!

Physically, no energy left over. I felt like I was going to collapse. This is the farthest I have run to date.The goodies at the end of the race helped a lot.

Mentally, WOW! I felt so great! I felt like I could do anything, especially after running UP the bridge ramp to the Steel Bridge. Victory!

I'm really glad I did it. It was a beautiful run, and I did enjoy watching the triathletes swimming up the Willamette. It was pretty inspirational. I wish it had been timed, so I could have had my first PR, but I would do it again. I do plan on continuing. In fact, my sister and I were talking about trying to shoot for a 10K. I'll need a couple of weeks holding steady at 5K distances before I tackle that one. We're also talking about forming a team to run Eugene's Race for the Cure. Looking forward to a lifetime of this!

Thanks for the encouragement.

Re: Frustrated and losing motivation in week 4

guest — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:47:33 GMT

I agree with all the prior posts, especially the part about running slow. I often run on the track, and sometimes when I start it doesn't feel as if I can make it one lap! And this is after the warm-up walk. I push my body through it, just focusing on running slowly and just one more lap, one more lap. Before I know it, the exhaustion goes away and my body gets into a groove.

Enjoy every accomplishment! Each week I would be astounded at what I had just done. Didn't think I could run one lap. Did it! Certainly didn't think I could run a mile. Did it! Sometimes looking back propels you forward.

Do you have a running buddy? My sister and I did this program together and, boy, sometimes it took her encouragement just to get out there and run. I also posted my progress on Facebook. I wanted a little accountablilty, and I knew my friends and family out there would both encourage me and keep me honest. It was great! When I finished, I felt like I was not only running for myself, but for everyone who supported and encouraged me. There are a lot of new threads on this board where you should be able to find people at the same stage as you and often with the same fears and frustrations.

Keep it up! You'll be glad you did.

Re: Calling all Penguins (slow runners)

guest — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:35:48 GMT

Thank you! I am in total agreement. Time doesn't matter. What matters is that I'm 46 years old, overweight, and running again. That's cause for celebration. And I did pass quite a few people, mostly running UP a hill at my slow speed as they had slowed to a walk. It was a fun run, so there were probably a few weekend warriors out there. I felt trained and ready.

Re: Biggest Loser & 'Extreme' Fitness Regimes

guest — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:16:17 GMT

Funny that you post this. I have struggled with my weight all my life it seems and found Biggest Loser to be very inspirational. I finally decided that I was going to "just do it" and started running intervals of about 90 paces running/walking every day. I figured that if they could do it, I could do it. Well, after one week, I was hobbling into the house in horrible pain, wondering if I had bad shin splints or had actually caused a stress fracture - it was that bad! About that time, my sister suggested we try this C25K program. She got a head start. I had to spend the whole next week resting and icing my legs. After that, I stuck to the track and stuck to the program, with great success.

I don't know how they manage to do the exercise. I think it's probably reasonable for them to lose a lot of weight just by moving and changing their diet, but the rigorous exercise program just doesn't seem doable, let alone safe. After my stint with Biggest Loser type exercise, I am a whole-hearted convert to the easy-does-it camp. Even when I want to go back and run on the off days, I force myself to do a different activity (such as my exercise bike) or nothing at all, depending on the intensity of my run. My body has thanked me for it.

I should mention that I'm about 50 pounds overweight, which puts me into the obese category, but not by much.

Re: advice please

guest — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:04:21 GMT

This is a great program. I encourage you to follow it as written. You will feel like you can do more, but your body needs time to adjust and heal. I hadn't run for years and found the first few weeks relatively easy. I had a harder time when the time increments started increasing beyond 20 minutes. (I'm overweight. I think that hinders me quite a bit.) That being said, I stuck with it and just ran the times, even though my distance was considerably less than what they say. I graduated from the program last week and just ran my first 5K 2 days ago. When I graduated, the farthest I had run was 2.5 miles, but I made it through the entire 5K at a slow run.

You can do this!

Re: Calling all Penguins (slow runners)

guest — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:58:33 GMT

I just ran my first 5K. I have to say, it was hard to keep my pace when EVERYONE seemed to be passing me at the beginning. Yet I knew if I tried to keep up, I would never complete it at a run. I'm sure I will always be a penguin, but I do hope to improve my time somewhat.

Re: Portlanders - Help, please!

guest — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 05:36:32 GMT

Well, I did it! I was a little worried about the bridges. Running up the Hawthorne Bridge wasn't too bad. I just took it slow and let everyone (and yes, it did seem like everyone) pass me. The course was beautiful, nice for running. I was so focused on running I missed much of it. We scoped out the course the day before and saw that the Esplanade went under the Steel Bridge, so I was optimistic. When I got to that part of the race, however, we were directed up the embankment to the top of the bridge. I thought I was going to die, but I ran it, passing a lot of people who had slowed to a walk in the process. The rest of the race was smooth. As I was coming down the bridge, the runners from the triathlon started passing. I think it must have been frustrating for them because it was pretty tight on that path.

Overall, loved this 5K. I wish it had been timed, but it was a good first experience.

Re: Getting closer to 5K than the couch!

guest — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:36:09 GMT

I just completed my 1st 5K yesterday! It was untimed, but I ran the whole thing, even up a killer hill to get to the bridge. (Boy, that one had me scared, but the song Elevator came on my playlist at just the right time.) I had just finished the C25K program the week before, but only running the timed amounts. I think the longest distance I had run was 2.5 miles. Still, I made it the whole way. I'm amazed and proud of myself. If I weren't so sore right now, I'd be planning how to improve my speed.

My sister and I have been working on the C25K program together and we were able to run our first 5K together. It was amazing, accomplishing this goal as a team.

Keep going, everyone! Reaching the goal is a sweet reward!

Re: Portlanders - Help, please!

guest — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 03:05:59 GMT

Thanks for the tips! Always looking for a good 5K. Even if I don't get to them this year, I plan on checking them out and maybe bookmarking them for next year.