So that is me 36 pounds lighter and much faster!

Hi All,

I don't have pics from the HM yet but I thought I would try to post my "before" and "during" pics so here goes:

This should be my "before" picture which was taken on Thanksgiving 2006
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_{This should be my "during" picture (down 30 lbs) taken during a race set up in August 07}
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Hey All!

OK, I'm back in town again, so I swear I'll get that MCM10K race report posted as soon as I can. I was at the parents house over the weekend, my mom has some stuff going on with her heart and wanted me to go with her to her Dr's appointment. She has full blown atrial fib, mine is only random and rare. She's fine, but I know where I am going to be in 30 years. We have a running joke- you can cure almost everything but genetics. She is not in bad shape, just a little heavier than I am, but it is motivating for me to keep working on the weight. I did get in a couple of nice 3 mile runs with my Dad over the weekend. It was really great to get some time with just the two of us. Don't worry Pluggin, self-centered teens do grow up to be (semi) mature 37 year olds who love to hang out with their parents.

So now that all the drama is slowing down, I have to get back to WW and back on plan. I'll eat right this week, but I probably won't be able to get back to meetings until next week. Anyway, big long day tomorrow so I should sign off

Oh yeah, I'm running in the York PA Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving with my brother-in-law. He signed me up yesterday. A much healthier tradition than eating until we can't breathe.

Hey everyone, I need your opinion.

Last week I was sick and couldnt run for 7 days. Yesterday was my first day back. I did an easy 4 miler and it was TERRIBLE. I felt so awful. If boyfriend wasnt running with me I would have quit.

For my race thats supposed to be this Saturday, I would usually run 5 miles tomorrow, 3 miles Wednesday, and then MAYBE 1-2 miles on Thursday, but most likely rest.

Im completely out of shape, and thinking about not registering for the race to avoid injury. What would you guys do?

See Fritzrun, are you sure you are recovered from your illness? taking just a week off should not drastically make your fitness go down so maybe you are just not fully recovered or maybe you are recovered but it was a shock to the mind and body to get moving again.
For a 5K on Saturday I don't see any reason to do a 5 miler tomorrow. I would go out there and knock out a nice slow easy 2-3 miles (depending on how you feel) take Wednesday off from running and do another nice easy 2 miles along with some good stretching on Thursday.
Just my thoughts

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I'm a Weightwatcher runner

Lifetimer still learning to maintain

Starting weight 228.5
Goal weight 135
current weight 139

Morning All,

Brandy - the pics are awesome!! I can't wait to get my pics from the race. I grabbed a disposable when I went to the race and left a note for DH to take our digital. He grabbed my sons digital which is a cheapy and has issues he didn't know about. The only digital picture is the one I have posted. Today I am going to just take all the other pics and do a one hour developing so I can see them and post them.

Deb - don't worry about the time - your running 30 minutes now - that is awesome!! You can just keep adding more time and your distance and speed will improve as your base builds. Your doing great and its how we all started. You could pick out a spring 5K and it will give you a goal to train towards. I love having the next race out there so it gives me a reason for all this fun - LOL.

Megs - my thanksgiving attire will be decided that morning but I def. think I will wear a pair of tights with shorts over, a long sleeved shirt with my turkey trot shirt over, gloves and a headband. If its really cold I could wear pants and add another layer under my turkey trot but I'll see as we get closer.

Shannon - I signed up to the Virginia Beach Rock N Roll Half it is Labor Day weekend next year - maybe you might consider that one?? I hear its a blast and I am going to go down with a group of 4. Not sure about the full marathon yet. I really want to do one but I am scared of the time commitment in training. I'm trying to get a number for Boston '08 but I don't think I will get it - if I do I have to start training for it in a month! That doesn't even sound appealing - LOL. Your pictures are amazing. You look so strong in your recent shot and shaving 8 minutes off your time is HUGE - congrats!! I think you were the one that told me to "get thee to a PT stat" - yes?? If so, I want to thank you because I did just that back in September when I was having issues with my hip and it allowed me to continue my training and complete this HM.

AEK - you are so lucky to be able to go for a jog with your Dad - that is very cool! How old is he? My Mom called me after my HM and said - your not going to EVER do that again, are you?? No support at all from non-exercising parents, in fact, I then got the lecture about how I was killing my knees and ankles - LOL. So I photocopied my Runners World article on joints from the Dec issue and mailed it to her - LOL.

Jessica - the HM in April sounds like a great plan to keep your motivation on track! I followed the Hal Hidgdon HM training and really liked it. I felt well prepared for my race. Have you figured out what plan you would like to follow? It sounds like you are eliminating a lot of protein sources what are you eating to get enough protein? Soy? Legume? Just curious. My daughter is a vegetarian so I have many conversations with her about protein - I KNOW she does not eat enough.

Fritz - what was your mileage base before you got sick? You mention you tried "an easy 4 miler" with your BF so it sounds like you have a good base. Your probably still not 100% from being ill but I seriously doubt that you are completely out shape as you say. I would rest up this week, eat healthy, take your vitamins and see how you feel by the weekend. A 2-3 mile easy run on Thursday should tell you how you will feel for Saturday and if you don't feel great - there will be tons of others to do when you feel better. Look at it this way - you haven't spent the money yet so there's no pressure to show up, right?

Bo - OK - so it looks FREEZIN where you are!! It is amazingly pretty though - the mountains at the end of your road are so beautiful! I bet you don't even notice them, right? Please tell me you don't run anywhere near them!! If that's the case I will never complain about my hills again!! LOL - Glad my kids aren't the only non-supportive ones. I ran 12 races this year and this was the first one I asked anyone to come to. I knew this was going to be a big accomplishment and I thought - maybe - just maybe - they would be proud of their 40 something Mom doing something that they can't even do! Oh well - I've officially said my peace about that and I'm movin on!!

Rogue - so glad your son is back playing!! YAY - do you guys end with Thanksgiving?? B-ball is just starting up so I am looking forward to watching her play this year (fingers crossed).

Happy - where are you?? Would you believe that my tummy issue after the race was not bad at all. They had a soup contest that local restaurants competed in and we got to judge. I was able to eat it - YAY. I stopped drinking my coffee in the morning and that MAY be the determining factor. The other thing I did was start eating gu on my long runs. I will now have to not drink coffee and not eat gu and see what happens but at the very least I have figured a way to not be terribly sick.

Have good runs and enjoy your points!! Colleen

Well I packed my gym bag today in preparation of going running today after work. Only I forgot my running shoes! Can't really run in high heels. Oh well. I guess I'll be running at home on the treadmill...

Shannon-I think there were around 3000 runners at the race last weekend. Definitely a lot of people! And your pictures look great! What a difference!

plugginaway - Your before and during pictures look great too! Very inspiring!

Do most of you do Core? I think I am going to re-attempt Core again. I did it for two weeks and just couldnt get the hang of it. Any suggestions? Im not a good planner.

Ran 2 miles this morning, climbed 1 mile worth of steps and biked 1 mile. I have not been exercising for a long time (months and have gained about 20 pounds). I need to get it off.

As for me, Im 37, married but no kids. One foster Labrador. Im an IT Manager at a technology firm in San Antonio, Texas. I made lifetime 4 years ago (almost) and now I am beyond what I was before then.