Cool Running for the week of August 14, 2005

[ttdriver]

Re: Cool Running for the week of August 14, 2005

Aw, thanks you guys for the consoling. I really need it! You are soooooooooo right, Sarah, they were working my @ss off and all I got was crap for it. I am through doing this: It felt good to walk out of there yesterday and not look back. Lots of good jobs here so no need to put up with that crap any more. DH is very supportive too which really helps.

I got out there on the trail today and did 7.5 miles in the brutal heat. Holy cow, heat index was 105 and the sun was INTENSE. I should have taken a water bottle with me, but I did stop at McDonalds for some ice water at the half way point .. ugh, the smell of that grease in that place! BLECH.

Anyway, I made it and I feel better, physically anyway. I've applied for a bazillion jobs online and have already heard back from one place .. keep your fingers crossed I get more responses .. I really need to work.

Great job cm, and never be embarrassed to post on this thread! Girlie, nobody runs slower than me. But it ain't about speed. Its about persistence. KEEP AT IT!

Rach, you are so sweet. Thank you for your I love you all!

Betty

[iyamamaschke]

Re: Cool Running for the week of August 14, 2005

That's sooo great Betty I know you will be a lot happier away from there it was a place of constant stress for you and to tell you the truth I am glad you quit and didn't look back. I know you'll find a great job where you are appreciated and actually aren't worked like you were at your former job. Way to get out there in the heat and run You are so increadible. I look at your post and thing Man I wanna be Like Betty when I'm almost 50 that is such a Huge accomplishment.

I am still trying to figure out how I can get to Disney land in a few years so we can run together that would be an all time high for me. I am proud of you you have no idea.

Any way I know you'll find a job we got your back and I'll say a little prayer for you so you find work swiftly. You take on work like you do running crazy girl.

Any how Take care sweety

Sarah

[ttdriver]

Re: Cool Running for the week of August 14, 2005

Thanks so much, Sarah. Girlie, I have no doubt you will be running with me at Walt Disney World in January 2007!! Matter of fact, Effie, Rach, Monica and everyone else on this board can come too!!! Wouldn't that be a blast!!

You are so right; I am waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better off away from that job. It was the SOLE cause of my depression last year. Maybe now I can work on getting off the drugs!! I want my life back and quitting that job is the first step! I feel SET FREE!

You guys are simply the best! I LOVE YA!

Betty

[iyamamaschke]

Re: Cool Running for the week of August 14, 2005

YAY Betty that would be cool 2007 running with you what a blast I'll be in peak proformance rating by then. I am sooo wanting to run all the time now it's crazy I never would ahve thought I would get the runners high WOW I get it every time I exercise I LOVE IT. I'm addicted. Thank for helping me get there Betty YOU ROCK!!!!

[texwife&mom]

Re: Cool Running for the week of August 14, 2005

Great Job Sarah!!

Ok if I join you guys at Disney in 2007, who will come across the pond with me in 2012?

Rach

[nikki_e]

Re: Cool Running for the week of August 14, 2005

Hope you don't mind me intruding here, but Sarah said it was ok for me to come and visit!

Well, I think I have convinced myself (or Sarah has convinced me with her story and advice) that I am going to start the Couch to 5K plan. I have never ran in my life. I have never thought that running even looked like fun. But all of a sudden today, it feels like its the thing I need to do, so I'm trusting my instinct.

I have been walking for exercise at about 3 miles an hour for at least an hour (or at least I think its about 3 mph). Ok, warning...I'm going to ask a lot of dumb running questions. How do you measure how far you are running. At first, I am going to focus on time and not distance, but I am just curious.

Do you all run on trails, tracks? I think I would like doing a track, but I do not belong to a gym. Do schools open up their tracks for public use? I remember my high school was open to the public during certain times, but I didn't know if that was just a small town thing to do.

Sarah has already given me some info about getting good shoes. How do I know what's a good shoe? I don't want to spend a boatload of money, but I don't want to buy the total crap ones either. I also have a really wide foot, so its always hard to find good shoes. I know that New Balance has wide widths. Are any New Balances a good shoe? Or does anybody have any suggestions for a wide foot or where to get advice for this?

Also, any advice on a stop watch/watch? With the Cto5k plan, I'll need to time the intervals that I am running and walking. Any ideas?

Ok, I'll leave it at that for now. Thanks in advance for all of your advice!

[texwife&mom]

Re: Cool Running for the week of August 14, 2005

Hello and welcome!!!! I measure my distance in the car. Our speedometer is digital and measures to tenth of a mile. ( I obsess and check my measurement in my MIL car too, several times in both cars to prove I really run THAT far.silly girl)

I don't know about schools, but I am curious too. I run on a concrete hike bike trail in my developement, and the pavement. They are building a new middle school here and I have dreamed of doing speedwork on their track.

I love nike rifts. Betty loves New Balance and can tell you what to look for.

I would get a stopwatch/hrm combo. I just ordered a Nike Imara ( really wanted the timex bodylink with GPS, but I have a BUDGET) and I should get it this week.

I am sure Betty and Sarah will be along with more and better advice, but until then
Good luck and again welcome.

[ttdriver]

Re: Cool Running for the week of August 14, 2005

Hope you don't mind me intruding here, but Sarah said it was ok for me to come and visit!

Well, I think I have convinced myself (or Sarah has convinced me with her story and advice) that I am going to start the Couch to 5K plan. I have never ran in my life. I have never thought that running even looked like fun. But all of a sudden today, it feels like its the thing I need to do, so I'm trusting my instinct.

I have been walking for exercise at about 3 miles an hour for at least an hour (or at least I think its about 3 mph). Ok, warning...I'm going to ask a lot of dumb running questions. How do you measure how far you are running. At first, I am going to focus on time and not distance, but I am just curious.

Do you all run on trails, tracks? I think I would like doing a track, but I do not belong to a gym. Do schools open up their tracks for public use? I remember my high school was open to the public during certain times, but I didn't know if that was just a small town thing to do.

Sarah has already given me some info about getting good shoes. How do I know what's a good shoe? I don't want to spend a boatload of money, but I don't want to buy the total crap ones either. I also have a really wide foot, so its always hard to find good shoes. I know that New Balance has wide widths. Are any New Balances a good shoe? Or does anybody have any suggestions for a wide foot or where to get advice for this?

Also, any advice on a stop watch/watch? With the Cto5k plan, I'll need to time the intervals that I am running and walking. Any ideas?

Ok, I'll leave it at that for now. Thanks in advance for all of your advice!

Nikki, this is soooooooooooooooooo cool you want to take up running!! WOOHOO!! You are MORE THAN WELCOME on this thread!!

First off, the Couch to 5k program is outstanding!! I know alot of people who have done it who have virtually gone from couch potatoes to full-fledged runners! YAY YOU!! I know you can do it!!

Second of all, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION. Ask away!!

I was NEVER a runner in high school or even adulthood .. I started out WALKING in January 2002 when I started Atkins, then sped it up to POWER WALKING, then decided, 'oh what the heck' and tried jogging. Well, that was then! Now, I am a full-fledged running addict who runs 30-35 miles a week! Let that encourage you!!!

I strongly suggest you invest in a heart rate monitor .. they aren't cheap, but then what is your cardiovascular health worth?? Go to Sports Authority (if you have one near you) and invest in a good Polar HRM .. I have the M61 and its helped me tremendously .. it will keep you honest as far as your speed/intensity is concerned. WHAT YOU WANT IS TO GO SLOW ... VERY SLOW .. ALMOST TO THE POINT WHERE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU COULD WALK FASTER THAN YOU RUN ... That is the point where you burn the most fat....trust me on that. Speed has NOTHING to do with fat burning. Think: SLOWER, LONGER, STRONGER. Speed will come with time. FOCUS ON GOING SLOW. When you think you can't go any slower, SLOW DOWN MORE. You want to workout at 70-80% of your maximum heart rate .. the typical way to measure your maximum is to take 220 minus your age and then figure 80% of that. Try to stay under that rate.

Know that running is NOT a RACE .. its a progressive, persistent goal. If you can run 5 blocks now, GREAT. Next week, shoot for 6 blocks. Personally I HATE (more like DESPISE) treadmills. There is no way that running on a treadmill even remotely gives you the same workout as running outdoors. So try to run on asphalt outside if you can. Dirt is even better, although here in west central FL, dirt is SAND, and that's impossible to run on, so I choose asphalt. Concrete is VERY HARD on the joints, so avoid it if you can.

As for shoes, you want to invest in a GREAT running shoe with excellent cushioning to protect your joints. Personally, I love New Balance 1221s .. I have very bony feet and need all the cushioning I can get. I purchase mine online at www.onlineshoes.com .. they are cheaper and you don't have to pay shipping or sales tax. Some people swear by Nikes, but Nike has never provided my bony feet with enough cushioning. While you're at it, invest in some socks made from cool max. They are awesome and whisk sweat away from your feet.

The main tip I will give you is to START SLOW. Never increase your mileage more than 10% at any time. Take 2 rest days a week. Give your muscles time to repair themselves. Eat a high protein/fat brekkie before starting out .. allow 2 hours minimum for your food to digest. Stay well-hydrated. LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER.

Any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask. The only dumb question is the one you're afraid to ask. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. I am so excited you're going to start your running adventure!! YOU WILL SOON DISCOVER THAT RUNNER'S HIGH AND ITS AWESOME!!

Let us know how we can help you further. Post your progress here so we can cheer you on!



Betty

[iyamamaschke]

Re: Cool Running for the week of August 14, 2005

YAY Nikki e I am sooo glad you came over if you wanna find some shoes that are great the best thing to do is go and try on everything I did that and found the best Shoe everyone is different I like Adidas they are like my soul mate they were made for my feel. NB shoses for me were too wide in the toe, nike was ok but, didn't fit me quit right the revook were to hard for me so I got me some Adidas and I Love them. When you go try them on if your in a sprts store go ahead jump up and down walk around some places have treadmills you can walk on to see how they feel. Good rule of thumb if you take them home and run and your feet hurt like **** take them back it's not worth it. Get a different pair till your sold on what you bought. You'll find something great.

I am still trying to get money together to get a HRM I am Bad I know but, I have learned from just doing it where I should be I guess I really want one cause maybe I'm not running fast enough or maybe I'm running too fast it's a great investment for the running future.

We are all here for you like Betty and Tex said we have a very close knt community and we are all cheering eachother on no matter what I have had a lot of bad health and these guys are always cheering me to the next level and I love them all for that and appreciate it more then words can say.

I think you will come to love running I absoulutley love the runners high I get it every time I run it's like a mental thing now and all the way it's I CAN I CAN I never say I can't so you can do it girl and I'll be here cheering you on all the way I'm soooo excited for you WOOHOOO!!

Better run LOL

Sarah

[texwife&mom]

Re: Cool Running for the week of August 14, 2005

6 miles this morning. Hubbie got home late last night, so I didn't get my extra couple in will try again tonight.

Calling all runners, where is everyone???

See ya.

rach

[texwife&mom]

Re: Cool Running for the week of August 14, 2005

Betty and Sarah, you didn't answer my question.

Will you all be coming to London in 2012? A real life in person Olympic Marathon in one of the world oldest and most beautiful cities????huh?huh?

rach

[Effie]

Re: Cool Running for the week of August 14, 2005

Hey all,
I went to Minnesota for the weekend, and since I got back I've been really busy with work so I've been going in early and getting home late. I haven't run since last Thursday. Betty - What do you do for work? Sorry to hear about your situation, or maybe I shouldn't say sorry, because it sounds like you made the right decision. So... congrats?

Nikki - I've been thinking of doing the C25K too. I was running a few weeks ago, but got burnt out, and need to restart. Do you mind if I follow in your footsteps? Tex, Sarah & Betty have already answered your questions, but I'll add my 2 cents as well. Definitely go to a running store to get fitted for shoes. The only shoes I ever wore that DIDN'T kill my feet were shoes that a running store suggested I wear. I did a lot of research and tried on a lot of shoes, but every time I'd buy what I thought I needed, I'd end up injured. Once I even had to call for a ride home in the middle of a run because I just couldn't even stand up anymore. My arches hurt so bad, and it was all because of my shoes. Sarah -- I'm with you on the Adidas. I wore Adidas Supernovas, but the style I wore is discontinued. I am still toying with the idea of buying new shoes, but I just want to make sure I'm going to stick with the running thing before I hand over all that money.

I run at a local park, which is 3/4 of a mile around one loop. On my long run days, I'll drive down to the river and run along the esplanade. I measured this using my car odometer. I had to measure like 80 times because it was .1 mile off, and when you run out & back, you could be off by almost a quarter of a mile. I've run at the high school track before, but not when school was in session, and not when any teams were there practicing. Give it a try. The worst that can happen is that they kick you out.

I don't have a HRM, but I do have a stopwatch. I bought a cheapo athletic digital watch for like $15, and it's been working for going on 4 years now. If I get really serious and really into running, I might invest in a super-duper running watch that saves your split times, or beeps at set intervals, but for now, I'm ok with just the start/stop feature.

So tell me, did you start your C25K already? I'm going to go print it out right now. Where's FightingTheFight been? I know he was doing C25K too. I should head over to the journals and check in on him.

It's glad to be back all....

[Effie]

Re: Cool Running for the week of August 14, 2005

I did it! I decided to skip ahead to week 2 of C25K, since I didn't exactly start out as a couch potato. So, 25 minutes alternating walking & jogging. I know I've had this realization before, but it's so nice not to run under pressure of having a time or a distance goal. Ahhhhh...... I ran in my neighborhood, which I never do, but I purposely avoided the park because I knew that I'd be aware of exactly how far I was going, and I didn't want to be disappointed that I only did X amount of loops. The important thing is that I got out there, right?

[ttdriver]

Re: Cool Running for the week of August 14, 2005

Will you all be coming to London in 2012? A real life in person Olympic Marathon in one of the world oldest and most beautiful cities????huh?huh?

If there's a London left in 2012, SURE! Keep the terrorists away!!

Welcome back Effie!! Great job, girlie, getting back into the program!! WOOHOO!

I worked for an engineering firm and yes, it IS a good thing to be out of there, so thank you for the congrats! Now I just gotta find me another job!!

Yeah, SOMEBODY rattle Fighting's cage!!

Betty

[texwife&mom]

Re: Cool Running for the week of August 14, 2005

It survived the blitz, the IRA, and countless other adversities, I have no doubt it will be there!!! (This city is a bit like you, thow it what you will, and it will come out better for it!!) I'll reserve a place on the Thames for you

HI EFFIE we missed you!!!

As for shoes as with most other things in life I guess I am an odd ball. My trainers are almost waffle racers, very little in the cushion department. But I love them, I guess I have to compensate for my fat wide feet. Some parts of me will always be out of portion. Even when I was 18 and weighed 115 (at 5'7"), I had fat fingers, chubbie cheeks and wide "full figured" feet.

See ya later taters!!

Rach