Active Community: Message List - Need some words of encouragement!

Re: Need some words of encouragement!

SocialD — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:36:40 GMT

Malyna,

I did my very first Half Marathon in June 2009, I had only been running an average of 3-4 miles for a couple of months. I have no doubt you will be able to do it just as I did. Just remember to pace yourself that is so important, also just being around all those other people and seeing everyone on the sidelines along the way made me feel like I had so much energy (even though no-one I knew was out there). May I also suggest that you do not take any GUI if they offer it, if you are not use to it, it will only make you sick to your stomache (take my word for it). Stretch really well and drink the water and juice they offer you at every stop, its so important to stay hydraded! I goaled myself at 3 hours and ended up doing it in 2hrs and 37 min, not too bad for my first time. Good Luck!!!!

Re: Need some words of encouragement!

Malyna33 — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:51:26 GMT

I am doing great! I am very proud of myself. I am jogging 4-5 miles monday through thursday and Saturday is the long run. I am up to 6 miles on the LR. I follow my training to the T. Weight is not falling off as fast as I would like but I adjusted my diet with a little more carbs. I am ok with that because I don't see the scale moving as fast but I get compliments on how great I look. I feel great and can't wait for the moment that I become a runner from a jogger. Lol!

Re: Need some words of encouragement!

MISTTennis — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:47:05 GMT

Girl, you are doing so much more than many overweight people do, so concentrate on being proud of yourself and ignore the naysayers. Sometimes people are comfortable putting you in one category and will have trouble relating to you if you're not the fat chick in the group. Don't worry, they'll adjust if they love you.

I don't know you, but I'm proud of you for setting this goal of the 5K. It can only have positive outcomes. So run, walk, crawl, moonwalk across that finish line. Be proud of the woman in the mirror.

Re: Need some words of encouragement!

ultimatehlth — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:19:26 GMT

Hey Malyna33,

Tell us how the training is going, would love a status report . I have a client who has lost 135 lbs. to date and every time I train her she amazes me. You can do this.

Cheers!

Weight loss Los Angeles/Hollywood/Studio City

Re: Need some words of encouragement!

DTibuni — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:27:20 GMT

Malyna,

We can accomplish what we set ourselves to do, but the key is to prepare for it. From the sounds of it, you're working on that. My recommendation is to continue to increase the distance a little every week to every other week until you get to where you can run about 10 miles at one time. Alternate short runs, with longer runs during the week and then a very long run on the weekend. Don't forget to rest in between. You slowly progress and you'll be amazed how your body responds; as long as you're healthy. When you do your long runs, eat something small to re-energize your body about an hour after you start and every 45 min-1 hour afterwards. This ensures your muscles are charged and won't give up on you. Also, pray for the Lord to give you the strength and determination to do it. You can definitely do it!

The first time I ran my first marathon, I started preparing for it in Jan to run it in Jun. I was going for the full so I had to really dedicate myself to the training. Prior to this, I would run about 2 miles at the most. Anyway, I progressed using the above and by the time I ran the San Diego marathon, I was ready. Mind you, that is a tough run with all the hills, but the preparation paid off. Ran it non-stop at 4 hours 32 minutes. Speed was not the concern; finishing it was. Don't worry about speed. run your thirteen miles at your pace. I know you can do it!

Best of Luck!

Re: Need some words of encouragement!

georgie1967 — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:10:36 GMT

I can truely understand where you are, I started walking/jogging back in February/March (4 times a week, like you) and recently went on vacation to Ontario, where I completed my first 5km race on August 1st. I had only a few expectations of myself: 1) finish the race, 2) do it without injury, 3) have fun and meet new people, and 4) not to come in last place - all of these I managed to do, making this a successful first attempt for me!! I will be attempting to do a 1/2 marathon in October (full if my training continues to go as well as it has). My main source of encouragement is my family, my husband and son text me while I am running asking where I am on the road and sending "atta girl"s throughout my long runs. My mother will pick me up when I run between work and her place before we continue on to do our normal shopping. Although they sometimes think I'm crazy for running following a night shift, they still do all they can to support and encourage my efforts. In reading the rest of your blog, we truely have much more in common than you would believe...your story mirrors mine in so many ways (my father was diagnosed 25 years ago and passed 15 years ago). We are the stubborn (foolish to others), the motivated, single minded people who, with just a little nudge can and will succeed...

Take care and all the best of luck

Re: Need some words of encouragement!

adventurebrandon — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:33:28 GMT

You can do it and you will do it. Just keep telling yourself that you will succeed. Use everything that people are saying whether they are positive or negative as motivation. The steps you have already taken are huge and you will only get better and faster.

Re: Need some words of encouragement!

Barry11 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:40:53 GMT

Absolutely you can do it. I'd try a 5k and or 10k before November to get the "feel" and a shorter term goal may help keep you motivated. As for those telling you "you can't do it". Its probably because THEY can't do it. Do the race and even if you walk some of it: Be very proud of yourself. 290 to 195 is a hugh accomplishment you should be very proud of. Your kids will thank you in 10 years when your still here.

Re: Need some words of encouragement!

dmtoughguy — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:23:43 GMT

Good for u! I would suggest you try a 5k soon and see how that goes. That would be a stepping stone into a 1/2 marathon. As far as the naysayers and debbie downers that would make me train harder! Good job with the weight loss it is a lifestyle change!

Re: Need some words of encouragement!

weeno8 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:13:18 GMT

Hi! I couldn't help but respond after reading your post. My triathlete coworker had to drag me, kicking and screaming, into running. It was her idea that as an office we run the Big Sur Marathon Relay. I have never been a runner, though I tried a few times but hated it. However, knowing that I had people depending on me was the motivating pressure I needed to research training plans and get serious. I started training in January; mostly walking with just a few minutes of jogging - and worked my way up to 5 miles by the end of April for my leg of the Relay.

A big motivator for me was watching the film "Running the Sahara", a documentary about 3 runners that chose to run across the Sahara desert, and essentially ran a marathon every morning and afternoon while doing it! Ray Zahab is one of the runners, and early in the film, as he talked about how he started running, he said he found that running is "90 percent mental, and 10 percent mental". Everyone laughed, but as I ran my leg in the marathon a day later, I realized he was right. I had trained for this moment. My BODY was ready for this moment. It was time for me to toughen up mentally and JUST DO IT!!! Finishing my first run was awesome, especially when it was at the Big Sur Marathon and I was surrounded by all that energy, all those people and such beautiful surroundings! It was such a high and such a personal accomplishment.

Since then, I ran a 5K on Mother's Day and amazed myself when I placed 3rd in my age group! I will now be running a 10K on the 4th of July and then will train to run a half marathon at some point. I know that I have to keep going, that I have to keep racing, because I have worked too hard to get here to let it all go and have to start over. In addition, signing up for races keeps me training pretty consistently; otherwise, I know I am not the type to just "go for a run". I always remind myself that running is MENTAL.

My point is, YOU can do this, no matter how much walking or running you're doing. Walking is not the enemy. In my eyes, you are a ROCK STAR for doing this, and you absolutely CAN do this. Please do keep us posted on your progress and let us know if you need any more words of encouragement!!! Just take it one day at a time. Good luck!!!