Coolbikermom- your post reminds me of a thread on facebook the other day...it was from active.com an article dealing with increasing your pace...different people were posting about why can't they be faster than an 8 minute mile etc...I can read those posts from atheletes like that and think wow that's fast and go on about my day...but one guy named chad posted that "all of us in our fancy gear and gadgets can run a sub 25 minute 5k but watching the guy 40 pounds overweight running a 40-45 minute 5k brings tears to my eyes as I watch them cross the finish line...because that takes heart". That post stopped me cold with goose bumps...that one of those "elite" atheletes actually see's the heart of us ordinary people out there running our hearts out, slow as can be but having fun and enjoying our personal accomplishments. I don't think I will ever forget that post...that's fuel for me on the road.

I posted a whole long post asking for advice about my strategy for my HM in 2 weeks! Of course it came back that I could not post a blank message! UGH! This site is driving me crazy!

dyykjt1

"I posted a whole long post asking for advice about my strategy for my HM  in 2 weeks! Of course it came back that I could not post a blank  message! UGH! This site is driving me crazy!"

That has happened to me a number of times. I have now started to copuy the entire post if it is more than a dozen lines long. Then When I get "the message" I go back to the post window, paste my input, and try again.  I emailed the Admin about it and their response was akin to me not knowing how to post. Rather dissappointing.

I know how frustrating it is to spend 20 minutes or more to get your thoughts input and edited only to see them evaporate, but don't stop.

Jack

Hi Joan

I'm 55 and 200+lbs.  I have been working on the C25K program since August 2010.  I have always hated even the idea of running and have a million excuses not to do it.  All that being said, I have renewed my commitment o run a 5k this year!  I got started because my daughter came over one day and said lets go for a walk in the park and it became a regular thing.  Then she suggested we sign up for a 5k walk to help a local charity.  Then over the course of the summer and fall we walked 3 more 5Ks.  (I  even took 1st place  in my age division in one of them .  I was the only one in my age division(!) but I still wear the cap I won proudly!  At some point I found Active.com and this and a couple other threads that I really enjoy reading, and find great encouragement.

So for what its worth and in no particular order, here are the things that I find help my motivation  (all of these are stolen from others, and I thank them!):

• Try to keep the voice in your head positive not negative
• Be forgiving, gentle and show grace towards yourself when you "mess up"
• Find a training partner or someone to encourage you
• Sign up for an event for a charity that you would really like to help
• Keep track of your progress (I have lost about 35 lbs since I started!) and have started trying to improve my times even on my 'training runs"
• Remember (ok TELL yourself) that the hardest part of running is tying on the shoes
• No matter what the weather, tell yourself that it is a Great Day for a run
• Keep telling yourself that you are miles ahead of the people that are still in bed or in front of the TV
• Find motivation in your family, if you have kids or grandkids, tell yourself you want to be there when they graduate, get married or whatever,  or that you what to be a good example for them by living health and getting exercise.
• Remember that exercise can be a quality of life issue
• Consider blogging or journaling your journey
• Help someone else get started

I truly hope this helps and I do encourage you to keep moving!

Thanks for the great post. I am 57 and also 200+ lbs. A lot of your “pointers” are things that I do, and it DOES help to keep me motivated.

Susan – I love the comment from an elite runner who “appreciates” the effort that it takes us slow, overweight people to finish a 5K (in any time).  That is just a great thing to say.

Did my last long run on Saturday before my HM on 2/13 – with NO calf cramps!!  This week will be shorter runs, with a 6-8 mi run on Sunday, and then easy running and tapering the next week.  Mimi is coming over from Mississippi to run this Birmingham HM, so I’m excited about meeting up with her.  Other folks from my tri-club are running it also, and maybe they will all be there ahead of me at the finish to cheer me on.

2nd try

JoAnn:  I'm glad you didn't get any cramps on your last run.  That should give you some confidence for the HM.  Just be sure you hydrate for a day or two before the 13th; don't wait until that morning to drink a lot.

It's great that Mimi is running this with you.  By the time you get through telling each other your life stories, you'll wonder where the miles went.  Enjoy the last mile with the crowd cheering as you cross the finish line.  You will have earned it.  I'm looking forward to your race report (pictures too).  I hope they have good finisher's medals.

We're due for the mother of all blizzards in Chicago starting late tomorrow and through Wednesday.  I'm getting a full can of gas for the snowblower tomorrow morning and then hunkering down for the duration.

Great posts. Tks for all for sharing.

Also a tks for those who reminded me to relax & enjoy. What a difference it made in my run yesterday. Kept repeating the mantra, Relax, Enjoy, Slow Down. Would you believe that it was a relatively painless and enjoyable continous 2.5 miles, in surprizingly the fastest time I've run  . 10 min/mile pace....25 min. Go figure! The difference has to be that I relaxed more than ususal. anyhow, I'm looking forward (as opposed to dreading) my next run.

Good luck to all of you in the path of this major storm. My prayers are with you. Stay safe!

Marie