Kathybad

YEAH!!! I got off my butt and ran! Since I was inside on the treadmill I decided to use it to its advantage. I trained for speed tonight instead of time. I figured that if I want to increase my speed I'll have to approach it similarly to how we learned to run... through intervals. I generally run at about 4.5 mph and would love to increase that to about 5.0 mph. So I started out and ran for 2 min at 4.5 and then bumped it up to 5.0 and ran as long as I could at that speed, which was 10 min. Then I alternated run vs. fast walk (5.0 vs 4.0) every 90 sec until I reached 30 min. Seemed to work! By midway through the run, I was getting used to the pace. I was always struggling by the 90 sec mark, but continued for the full 30 min. I'm going to keep doing this everytime I run on the treadmill. Each time pushing myself to go as long as I can at that speed before starting the intervals. It felt really good to get back to running!

Thanks everyone! You guys are the best! I needed that kick to get over my pity party. Ok, still no news, but rather than sit around I called a head hunter in Toronto and went in to see him about a few jobs they have right now. I've been resisting opening myself up to other cities (especially Toronto) as I really don't want to move... but if this job doesn't come through, then I don't have a choice. So rather than sit around waiting, I thought I'd just DO something. So I drove in this morning and just got back. 5 hours driving... yuck! Oh well, at least I wasn't sitting by the phone! Georgia... :tt2::frown::smile::w00t::cool2: ... bells and whistles!!!! Congrats! Remember when 90 sec. was really hard! I'm so thrilled for you. You've now inspired me to get off my butt and go run. I can't do it right now cause I have to pick up the kids, but when DH comes home I'm going to run on the treadmill. My goal is 25 min... never ran that long on the treadmill yet. Thank you for motivating me! Another scale victory today... although not really deserved, but I'll take it! I was down 2-1/2 lbs this week, despite my bad habits and stress eating. But I also just finished my TOM, so that probably explains it. I'm now officially 2/3 of the way to goal, and within spitting distance of Onederland and my 100lbs lost. Ok, with that in mind... and using everyones advice... I'm going to keep on running. It really does make me feel great!

Renewed... glad Dylan is feeling better! Too bad you missed the challenge end date... you would have kicked him!!!! Ok... my turn to need help! I haven't run since last Friday, and have no motivation. I've been eating poorly (lots of chocolate!) and just having my own pity party. I'm so stressed over this job, its driving me nuts! I lost patience and called the HR Mgr today and she just had the standard stuff to say... still working on it, but I'm still in the running... I can't stand the waiting, and my family's financial future is waiting on this! Yuck! So I've had absolutely no motivation to do anything at all. I know you guys are all going to say the same thing I'd say to myself... but writing it down to you guys is helping me get over my immobility! Say a prayer for me if you can.

Renewed... Great news! I'm so relieved its not MRSA! Will keep praying for his recovery! Poor little guy! Fanny... my advice... don't worry about your speed! Right now, just worry about increasing your running time. Once you can run 30+ min at whatever speed, then you can start to work on speed. That's what I'm doing. In my first 20 min run, I probably ran at around 6 km/h and now have worked my way up to 8 km/h or better. I didn't start on speed until after I ran my first 5k. Lyn... no I haven't heard anything yet on my job. I spoke to 2 of my references, and they haven't been contacted yet... so don't know where it stands. I'm going to call the HR Mgr on Friday if I haven't heard from them by then. I HATE WAITING!!! It's driving me insane! I've got my fingers crossed and prayers being said for you on your job! Good luck on your run this weekend. Take care of those shin splints! I'm looking forward to the post-race details! BTW, I still use your "Two - Two" when I need it! LOL. So, for your question... here's my list of goals for the next 3 months: Exercise: To run the Resolution Run on Dec 31 with my DH and get a time under 38 min. Lofty goal, but I think I can do it. That would be 6 min faster than my last race. Body: Funny, my first thought was what I wanted to weigh... but I changed my mind to what I wanted to FEEL! I want to be in 1 size smaller. I want to continue to have a huge amount of energy. I want to feel stronger than I do now. I'd like to cross my legs and have the back of my knee rest on my other leg (I'm very close to that now). Life: To be employed, digging my way out of the vast amount of debt we've accumulated while I've been off work! Kind of the obviouse one for me! LOL. Good one Lyn! Let's remember these!

Renewed... glad to hear Dylon is doing better... still in my prayers. Keep me posted. I don't know why the thread is so quiet... scary! I was wondering if everyone went away on vacation! I haven't run since Friday! I've been too busy to run today, so will have to wait until tomorrow! If I'm not careful... I'll forget how! LOL

Renewed... sending prayers and warm thoughts your way!

Welcome Lacey... week 5 seems to be a hard one for most of us. My advice... just empty your head, don't think about it and just go for it. If you can't do the 20 min full out, no worries... try again next time. I spent 3 or 4 weeks at week 5, increasing my time slowly. I found the intervals messed me up at that point. Most of all... I find my head will either work for me or against me... mostly against me! LOL. Good luck!

Whosya... congrats! 7 miles is amazing and great time on your race!!! Georgia... take a break if you're sick!!! I know you want to keep going, but if you're sick, running might prolong your healing?? Take care! Ok, I didn't run all weekend. This is our holiday today, so we had a nice long weekend. I don't feel bad about taking the long rest. I've been going on long walks with the family, which have been fun, and enjoying the time with family & friends. Where is everyone? There have only been a few posts all weekend?

Lyn... good job on the 4 miles!!! I can barely get 1/2 slice of pizza in without it getting stuck! I'd actually like to enjoy the occassional slice of pizza or other food, but most starchy things I can't. Chocolate goes down just fine, and most high fat ice creams... of course! Had a great day today with our friends. They have a Wii Fit, so we all tried it out. My DS was having a ball playing soccer, running and hula. I tried the hula and running. What a blast. We're going to ask Santa for one!!! We have the Wii, just not the "Fit". Glad to see everyone is enjoying their weekends... I assume, since no one is online! Well... happy Canadian Thanksgiving! LOL! I'm stuffed... we had ham, lots of veggies and pumpkin pie.... yummy! Now I have to run tomorrow!

Renewed... I agree that you should not push yourself too far. You've run a lot of miles the last few days... and there will be other races once you've healed up. When you're ready, you'll do great! Besides, you don't need a race to prove you rock! Your still kicking Whosya's butt... that's all the proof you need! HAHA.

Morning everyone... I had a great day yesterday. Lots of fun people watching at the concert. Although my ears are still ringing! Turtler... I started on the treadmill and then moved to outside. I prefer outside, but might not have if I started there. I'd suggest you try both and see where you prefer. Congrats on the shoes, and good luck. I find it addicting!!! Renewed... WTG on the 10k. When you read this, you'll probably be finished... so congrats! I knew you'd go for the longer distances!!!! Not sure if I'm going to run today or not. I've run 6 out of 7 days, so might... but not sure! This is our Thanksgiving weekend. Tomorrow we're going to our friends for dinner. Should be fun. I'm making a pumpkin pie, and plan on eating it!!!

Whosya... I was going to say "you're looking HOT", but then I figured you knew that already and could use a cold shower instead! You're such a man!!!! Nice photo! Ok, now off with DH to a concert... ok, get ready for it... "Alice Cooper". Yes, my DH is into that type of music. So I'm going to people watch. Funny thing is, we've got front row seats. Ahhhh!

Don't have a lot of time to post... will later. It's my DH's B-day, so were having fun! We ran the 5k race route and I did it in 40:20 !!! That's almost 4 min faster than when I did the race! Having DH beside me to cheer me on was a real bonus! Then we went to our favourite sushi restaurant for lunch and then decided to run a bit further around our park, so we ran another 1.5k and that was in 11:04 min, which is at a slightly faster pace than my morning run. So... I did a total of 6.5k today, and 15.5k so far for the week!!! Had to share with you guys!!! Will drop back in this evening. Have a great day!

Tomorrow is my DH's birthday... so to celebrate... he took the day off work to spend with me and he wants to go for a run with me! How sweet is that. Of course, he'll have to slow down, as he runs around 6 mph and I only run at about 4.5 mph. Oh well! Its supposed to be a beautiful day too. BTW, I'm attaching a cute pic of my 2 angels. Took it at the park on the weekend.

Aclubb... I really only drink water throughout the day. I don't like the taste of sweet drinks... never have, so don't drink the energy drinks. Like Georgia, I don't carry water with me (yet), so do get very thirsty when I run. I'm going to have to get a water bottle & belt soon, but haven't yet. I drink about 6-8 cups of water a day, and when I forget to start drinking, my body tells me by about 2pm... as I get hungry and thirsty all together. Since being banded I never feel hungry, so I know its water I need. Also, on my run days (now pretty much most days) I have to have drank at least 4 cups of water that day before running... otherwise I won't make it. I would suggest drinking more fluids than you are and front end load it (i.e. drink more in the early part of the day). Also, see if you are eating anything that will dehydrate you. I think some things do that... not sure though. I just got back from my run. The rain stopped and the sun came out around lunch time, so it is an absolutely beautiful fall day... so I ran outside. Wow... the fall colours here in Ontario really are a beautiful sight and its so nice to run through the neighbourhood and see everyones gardens. Really energizes me! BTW, I pounded out cancer the whole way!!!

Renewed... you are just flying!!! Good for you. How are you holding up re: TT... are you getting nervous or excited??? Georgia... love the new pic on your progress!!! Ok... I caved in to the shopping bug! Although I don't have the money... I really needed the emotional lift, and really needed the clothes! LOL. If I get another interview with 3M I'll need another suit, and when I start working I certainly need it as I've got no business clothes that fit. So, now that I've explained my logical reasoning... here's what I got!!!! * Black blazer that is short waisted, and looks really elegant * Grey pencil skirt... very sleek and sexy * Chocolate brown pencil skirt... same cut * Pink sweater * Black coat with a faux fur collar I got them all at a normal sized clothing store... not a plus size store!!! I can't believe they fit... everything I tried on fit!!! I absolutely loved trying on everything!!!! What a great emotional lift. So now I'm set pretty good with some business clothes. I better get this job!!

Whosya... having lost both parents, uncles and friends to cancer... I LOVE your suggestion. I've got the marker out and am going to do it! After all, this is exactly why I started running... to get healthy so I could hopefully beat cancer myself!!!

Leslie... I'm glad you've got an appt with your Doctor. I think this has got to be related to your changing meds, thyroid or other hormonal issues. The thyroid can impact so many different glands... so is probably messing with you! The fact that you've reached out for help to us and your doctor is an excellent sign and step. You know we really care about you and want you to succeed! So for now, just talk to us or someone through your issues and then as the docs get to work figuring it out, we'll help you! You might also want to let your DH know what's going on so he can help you through this too! Keep posting... I'm here. If I don't hear from you soon, I'll PM you too!

Lyn... congratulations!!!! You've officially graduated! I'm so proud of your accomplishments... and proud for you too! I love the fact that you've signed up for the 1/2 marathon... lofty goals keep us moving forward, and I know that you will have such an amazing day! Luluc... ohhh you have to wear something fun! I'd love to be there and do that triathalon. The biking would kick my butt, as I haven't been on a bike for 5 years! But the rest would be good and I love the whole halloween thing! I think you should go out and get one of those bra tops for women runners... in a sexy colour, then a pair of running shorts, and then put your hair in high up pig tails and paint on some freckles on your cheeks and some rosy overdone blush. Then you would be considered "dressed up" without interfearing with your performance... and you'd look cute!!! Renewed & Georgia... separated at birth huh! LOL. Ok, I've but it in my signature too! Georgia... you are so close to "graduating" to your 5k... I know you'll get there very soon!!! Today I've got to run again on the treadmill :wink2: as its still pouring rain. But my training plan calls for tempo running, which is perfect for the treadmill anyways. I have a question... I know seasoned runners will run in any weather, even on race day. What would you do on race day if it was raining?

I love this thread too. I've connected so well with all of you, and you have motivated me to accomplish such a huge goal. I really don't post anywhere else. I've visited a few threads, but don't have the connection elsewhere, nor do I really want too. So if this does dwindle... then I'll be the sad person out there in cyber space twiddling my thumbs! LOL. This is now so much more that a running thread for me. When I have good news... after my DH, you guys are where I go to share... same with bad news! Let's keep it up! We have such a great knack for motivating each other!!! Bea... sounds so challenging... way to go! Georgia... thanks for finding out acronym... I was going to say I knew Lyn came up with it, but couldn't remember... LITE!!!! Renewed... you are kicking his butt!!! My advice... log a whole bunch of miles and then claim the challenge over so you win! LOL! No I never cheated on board games!!!! Lyn... glad to hear the interview on Friday went well. I'm crossing my fingers that its yours! I hate not knowing! I haven't heard anything else from today's interview. But did hear from my contact that the people last week really really liked me. So I'm hoping and praying this is the one. I really liked the woman who I met with today, and by the sounds of things, its a great place to work. I took today off from running. I had a Psychometrist here today to test my DD... IQ/EQ testing to find out where she's at developmentally. She's almost finished the testing and its been going so well. Sarah has fetal alcohol syndrome (thanks to her birth mom :eek:), which will cause her a lifetime of issues. So to help her get the services she needs at school, we've been having her tested for all sorts of things... sensory, behavioural, IQ/EQ, motor and speech. The bad news is she doesn't have the basics (no clue on #, letters or colours) the good news is she's almost age appropriate on concepts. So teaching her the basics will be difficult, but not impossible and that will help her continue to progress. I've always believed she's a very bright little girl, and this just proves it. She's learning challenged, not learning disabled! My little miracle girl!

Renewed... ok, you might be crazy, but at least you're getting great benefits from your insanity... and kickin' someone's butt in the process... no offense Whosya! Its a girl thing! LOL - you go for it Renewed! Georgia... Excellent!!!

Thanks everyone... it helped! The interview went very well. I had an immediate rapport with the woman... it started with the fact our outfits were very similar! HAHA I think I did well, so am really hopeful to get an offer. At the end of the interview as she was walking me back to reception, she said something about hoping the rain didn't mess up my day, so I mentioned that I had planned to run 5k that afternoon, but not if it was raining. So that started the conversation about running, my race and my plans to run another. She asked how I started training, so I told her about the C25k program, etc. It was a really cook conversation, that I know scored me brownie points. The other cool thing was that when I told her I was a runner, there was no surprise reaction on her face... you know the one "You! You're a runner?" prejudging based on body shape. Her reaction was more, "wow, I admire runners". Tee Hee Hee!!!! Aclubb... congrats... you are almost there... 30 min is awesome! Bea... what a great challenge! Personally, I'm hooked on running outside. I find it really difficult now to run for any length of time on the treadmill. It is more difficult to run at a consistent speed outside, but I just get lost in the scenery and I can breath better and control my heart rate better. I think an indoor track would be good too. Georgia... hope your son feels better soon. I hear you on the cuddle time. When my son started getting bigger I started to miss those moments. Good thing he still likes what I call "full body hugs" at bedtime... the kind where he just melts into my arms. My DD is still very young and small enough for good cuddles... but I'll miss it big time when she get older. I'm a very affectionate person, and love those tender moments with them. Renewed... hope your son heals up soon! Nice that you took a break yesterday from running... your body probably needed it! Leslie... hey girl, no worries! Take care of your back and don't push it if its not ready. Swimming would be good for it, or something that doesn't strain it. All in good time. As for "snacking" consider yourself on report! LOL, I'm not one to talk, as I'm currently eating chocolate! Post-interview celebratory binge!!!!! No running planned for me today... its raining cats and dogs and I've got to get the kids early today for some appts.

Well, I'm heading off for my interview... send prayers and positive thoughts at about 10am EST!!!

Ok, here's a fun question... for those who run outside... what is the funniest or strangest comment you've received from bystanders? I've already shared my experience of receiving my first "runner's nod" as I crossed paths with another runner. That was fun. Then the time I crested the really big hill and another runner heading down gave me a high 5. But my most encouraging so far was over the weekend... I have been running a very similar path through my neighbourhood and as I ran past this one house on Sat, a woman was outside. She yelled out "Your really getting better at this running thing! Keep it up!" She must have seen me running by a number of times. Then the next day she was out again and yelled to me "If I was young like you I'd start running too... keep it up and when you're in your 40's like me, you'll feel so much better!" - I thanked her and smiled the rest of the run... I'm 42! And I look 42, but I guess she just didn't expect a 40 something person to start a running program. So that's my stories... how about the rest of you?

Leslie... I just saw your newest pictures! Wow, you & your girls look beautiful! Ok, back from my run. I did 4k in 32 min... so getting a bit faster I think. At the half way point I thought I didn't have enough steam to finish the 5k, so turned back toward home. Then decided I could do more, so I kept going until I completed 4k. For awhile I got lost in my thoughts, and wasn't thinking about running at all. I think that's what happens as you build strength etc... you have to think less about it and just enjoy the moment! I liked that.