Whew!! Just finished reading through the thread you have all been busy. I went and weighed in yesterday and was up 3.6. YIKES. I was bummed to say the least. Especially, since I have been hitting the gym at 4:30am for 2 weeks in a row. So with that reality check, I guess it is time to own up to the fact of how important it is to stay OP. Sure I can run for 30 minutes but if I don't watch what I put in my mouth I am not doing myself any good. So I am trying to focus on that for now. We shall see how that goes. It is hard isn't it!!

First off: Good luck to all of our racers out there this weekend. Race season has officially started hasn't it!! You have all trained hard for this and will do great. Can't wait to read the RR's.

Deb: I hope I am remembering correctly but were you the one struggling with the 20 minute run on C25k? And if so, NOW LOOK AT YOU!!! WOOOHOOOOO!!! You are running like no one's business now. That is awesome. I would caution you about speed. I am still trying to get that down and I finish C25K in June. I am still doing just 30 minutes and only 2.25 miles. I did my first 5k in August and then just lost all my focus. Just recently regained it and now am doing One Hour Runner (again) I am on week 3. I am going to do that and build my endurance up and get a solid base then concentrate on speed. It will come, I am in no hurry. I like what Shannon said about speed coming over time. It will come. You have your whole lifetime to run!

Maxie: So sorry about the feet. What a drag. Feet problems are the worst!! Healing vibes to you for healthy race feet! Good luck!

Meg: Good job on running your first 2 miles without stopping. Doesn't it feel great?

Barb: Hope your calves are okay. Are you hydrating? Stretching? Take care you can do this!

Shannon: Sorry about the football loss. Wjen is your season over? We have 2 regular season games left then the playoffs. We are looking to go all way to December!! I am excited, I will be sad to see it end. DS17's last season want it to last as long as I can.

Pluggin: No stress!! You have trained well for your half. You can do this. Not you just relax and enjoy yourself and take in the fact that you are running a half? How stinkin' cool is that?

Melanie: Congrats on a great race. You did awesome. Your times are so awesome. Way to go. I hope to get that fast by this time next year!!

Dan: Go for it!! Do the lawyer thing. You can do it. Why not? Chalk it up to being one more crazy life adventure. It won't always be easy but it sure will be a life experience.

Shannon: You are a Runner. Congrats. Way to go on your race. Thanks for the RR. That is awesome. I like what your DH said about tapping into this!!! Isnt' it funny that it doesn't hit them until the see the real thing?!!! I love race gear and am a sucker for stuff.

Lifeinthepark: Repeat if you need to. THere is no hurry. Don't rush it if you are not comfortable. You will hear it alot on this thread to slow down, take your time and if you need to repeat then repeat. We all have done it at some point in our training. After repeating I am sure you will be ready and confident to go onto week 2. But remember, the challenge is hard are you up for it??

Happy, Bodacious, Niccole Hello!!!
Shout outs to all I have missed!!!
Have great weekend all and Happy Running!

Hi everyone!

I LOST 3 POUNDS THIS WEEK!!!!

Ok, now that I got that out of the way! I still have about 2 left before I'm in "virgin" territory again...

I walked for 24 minutes on the treadmill today. I went for a casual "stroll"... Didn't even bother to change my clothes or shoes...

Rogue, I don't stretch before hand.. I just do the 5 minute walk, but for some reason yesterday everything just hurt... I drink a lot of water... At least 70 ounces a day... So, I think it was just a fluke thing.... Thanks for the thoughts!!

Have a great rest of the weekend...

~barb

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~barb

Barb Shrinks[/URL" target="_blank">

Morning all!

It is a DOR for me today. But I am thinking about all you guys doing your races today. Good luck!

Shannon4 - The podcasts are call 'motivation to move' it was on itunes. Some are only a couple minutes long, but some are around half an hour. He talks about his weight loss journey and his workout routines, (he lost about 173lbs!) and then he has a topic he discusses, like eating out or dividing workouts to different days. Pretty good. It was just something to keep my mind busy. I also listen to the Grey's Anatomy podcast as well (my fav show!).
I'm looking for any other good recommendations to download. Not music though, I need the talking to keep my mind off my wanting to stop running!

Lifeintheparks - Welcome! You will love this board! It has given me so much inspiration to keep up with c25k. Each time I finish a run, I can't wait to come post my experience, challenge or success! The people are wonderful and I love to hear about their runs. It really keeps me motivated. I just started week 8 and I can't believe I have made it this far! I'm 44 years old and couldn't walk around the block without feeling like I was going to die. Doesn't matter how many times you have to repeat, just keep it slow. That really helps with your breathing. Plus, just think of the activity points you are earning with each run! Great job on WW too. That loss, should really keep you motivated to keep going. I've lost 62 pounds and reached lifetime last month. So, if I can do this anyone can!

Rogue - Yes, I was the one struggling with the 20 minute runs. It is so amazing! Thanks for sharing your times. I tend to only hear about the really fast times and those are the ones that make me concerned about my slow times. My goal is to be able to do a 5K under 45 minutes. I just want to complete it, I'm not really worried about the speed. I just don't want to come in 10-15 minutes after EVERYone else does!

myholidayboyz - Congrats on the weight loss! That is amazing for one week! What do you mean by 'virgin territory'?

Hello to everyone else! Have good runs today and enjoy your points!
Deb




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Before & After Pictures[/URL" target="_blank">

Hello All,

Completed my longest run to date (10 miles) and my last long run before the half. I must say it was a really pleasant 50 degree Fall morning and everything felt great. We did a 5 mile out and back on a "rail trail" that is nicely paved and level. I wanted to maintain an 11 min/mi pace and we finished with a 11:05 pace overall. Perfect. Next week with the hills and the adrenaline I am thinking that an 11 min pace is doable. We shall see. My girlfriend is trying to convince me to "keep my base" and train for a full Spring marathon. Any of you marathoners have any input on that? I "Might" be able to get a number for Boston through my running club if I let it be known I want to do it (I would never be able to qualify thats for sure) but I hear thats a hard marathon. Thoughts? or am I as usual getting ahead of myself?? Colleen

oh Deb... what have you done???? I am now a TV podcast junkie!! I've just downloaded about 20 podcasts and subscribed to them too... I never knew I could listen to podcasts about all my favorite TV shows! The Office, Grey's Anatomy, Journeyman, Bionic Woman, Heroes, Survivor.... oh my, I can't wait for my run tomorrow!

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Melanie - mom to 3, WW member since April 2005, runner since July 2006

Hi guys!
just a quickie to let you know all is well, am very tired as have been winging this trip on very little sleep but it has been a great trip!
Happy hope you had energy to sat up and watch the game, you must be really happy tonight! Can't wait to read your report and everything, I spent about 2 hours cheering in the marathoners and I thought of you much during that time. I have never spent an extended amount of time at the end of a marathon and is was a very valuable experience to me on many levels.
I don't know who asked about the marathon but I just have to say do it when you are ready, do it when you can relish and enjoy it and don't feel pressured to get to the distance quickly, There is no rush, no hurry. I have not done one yet and it will be two years before I attempt so my voice is not from experience just from the heart
Maxie it was awesome to meet you today! We must do it again! You looked fabulous and you DH is a sweetheart too.
K I got some pics that I hope are awesome and a race report that I am going to have to keep you all waiting for as I am too tired to do the report justice tonight! When I get back to AK Tuesday I will work on that. Must tell you I am more that happy with my experience and time but am sorry to say that after what I saw today I think all IPODs should be totally banned from races, they were supposed to be banned from this one but people still had them and some of those people were just a danger to themselves and others
K night all

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I'm a Weightwatcher runner

Lifetimer still learning to maintain

Starting weight 228.5
Goal weight 135
current weight 139