Kathybad

Welcome Canoie... some of us have been running for awhile, and some have just started... but we all need support, so feel welcomed and join on in! I just finished my week of major stress at work - customer meetings and business plan meetings with the global VP. Its all good, but OMG I've been preping for this for over a month. Meetings are all done now, and it went well, but I am tired. I've never been the type to fall asleep in front of the TV, but on Thu & Fri night DH and I were watching some TV in the bedroom and I fell asleep about 5 min in. He positioned my pillows for me and covered me up, and I woke up a few hours later... dazed but comfy. I ran a couple of times this week, but just short 15 min runs... just to keep me loose. I didn't really even get winded, but I didn't have any time for anything else. I'm planning a longer run today and should be back on schedule this week.

Mary... sorry about the foot. I hope it starts to feel better soon. Carol... glad your DH is supporting you. Sounds like he's proud of you! As for your purse, here's a link to info on purse stealling scam that we should all watch!! Facinating! http://www.wimp.com/goodsamaritan Georgia... yeah, congrats on week 2! As for your band... are you sure you haven't sprung a leak? They say losing a bit is normal, but not a full 1.0 ml, that seems like a lot. Suzanne... sorry your foot is still hurting, but I'm glad you're able to go for the 20 min. If it seems too boring try changing your route or run location. That always re-energizes me. Thanks everyone for your support and comments on my race photos. I really had a great time. This week has been so stressful. I've been away on business since Monday and the next two days I have our Corp. VP visiting for a business review... just a little stressed But, when the end of day comes on Friday, it will all be over! I finally found a family doctor in my city... very hard to come by. And she has agreed to take the training to manage my fills. So I think I'm going to get a small fill soon so I can get the last 15-20 lbs off.

I completed my race!!! And accomplished both goals... I ran the whole distance and completed it 1 min, 30 sec faster than last year!!! 42:09 Here's the pics...

Kristen.... I was so much a "band geek" but it went beyond that... I was also a "choir geek"... all round nerd (and I do mean Round) LOL. I played the flute too. Ok, I'm heading off for my race. The kids and DH were going to run it with me, but DH now has a stress fracture on his foot so is in a walking cast and off work to let it heal. So the kids and him are going to cheer me on at the half way point and then be there at the finish line.

I have my race tomorrow and I'm a bit nervous. I haven't been running as diligently as I wanted to be at this point. But I did run the 5k last week and was able to do it, although I know I've lost some of my stamina... I can still do it. So my plan is to get back to a every 2nd day run... either inside or out, depending on the weather or time. I've allowed myself too much lattitude! So my goal tomorrow is to 1) finish without walking at all, and 2) complete it in 43 min or less. Last year I ran it in 43:49, so I'd like to improve upon that, even though I know I could do much better if I was more consistant. I went to my highschool reunion yesterday and today. It was my school's 40th anniversary, so all alumni were welcomed. I was quite involved in the music program when I was in school, and we were very good. We used to compete in major competitions all over the place - NY, Boston, Montreal, D.C. and it was just an amazing time. So they asked the alumni back to perform again along with current students, and my old music teacher came back to conduct. This guy is world famous as a Horn player and a teacher, and we were very fortunate to have him at our school. It was a lot of fun... eventhough I haven't played in over 20 years... it was amazing how much I could still remember.

Georgia... my heart goes out to you and your family, especially your SIL. My prayers are with all of you! Kristen... WTG!!! Congrats, that must have felt great! Suzanne, my fingers are crossed that this will fix everything. Glad you're able to continue to run for now. How long will you have to stay off your foot after the surgery? Mcrowder... don't feel lame, you're doing great and making all the right choices! Every step down this running path is a step to a healthier life! I can't believe how long I've been MIA! It's been one of the busiest 2 weeks in a long long time. Still not slowing down yet, but I took a breather tonight. I've been crazy at work and the kids just finished the first 2 weeks at school and new babysitter. So far, all's been great. My DS has transitioned amazingly well to his new school and daycare... oh I was so stressed about that... and my DD loves the new daycare. so I think I can breath a little easier with all of this. I had been slacking off a bit lately on the running, using my busy schedule as an excuse. But started back at it more seriously this week. I've run 3x since Mon., and just finished a run now. I'm going to do my race route on Sun and do a couple of lighter runs Tue & Thur and then rest before my race on Sunday. The race organizers called me to ask me to try and help them raise more funds. Apparently I'm one of the top fundraisers this year, which is great, but also sad since last year the top 3 fundraisers raised about $1500 each and so far I've raised $360. That's not bad for me, but its certainly not $1500. I guess the economic downturn is hitting the smaller charities pretty hard, and this race is just a week before our really big "Run for the Cure" race.

Georgia.... Yeah!!! My C25k buddy is back! I'm saying my prayers that the headache cycle is truly gone! I agree with Kristen, your stamina will probably come back quicker. Just do me a favour... no falling!!!! Kristen... hope your run was great this morning. I imagin your runs are very scenic. I love running in parkland instead of on streets. I find the sceanery is much nicer, and imagin trail runs to be even better. Yesterday we went over the border to Pt Huron for some of your deals. With the Canadian dollar a bit closer to par it made a lot of sense. I got the kids 2 pair of shoes each, tops, bottoms, backpacks, etc. etc. etc. for just about $100, where here it would cost at least $200 or more. We dropped our DD off with her birth sisters foster mom and she spent the day with them (she doesn't have a passport to cross the border yet) and we took our DS with us. We had a ball and so did our DD. Today we're off to Toronto to visit family and go to Chinatown! I took the dog for a run this morning. She kept dragging me, but it was good for her. We only did 2m, but it felt nice to get out with her. I'm going to run again tonight on the treadmill when we get home.

Georgia... Glad to hear about your headache freedom! Saying prayers that they stay away! Don't worry about the extra pounds... that will come off soon enough - beauty of the band! Just heal up and get back on track! Kristen... you are such a great motivator! The trail running is really agreeing with you. How does the altitude impact you... lack of oxegyn?? Are you a teacher or in school yourself?? It has been one H of a week for me. I was out of town overnight and work has been crazy. But the kids go back to school next week and I'm stressing on the schedule change. My DS is switching schools, which he is not happy about, and it meant a change in bussing times, which required a new daycare... long story! So now next week he starts at a new place and then the following week my DD joins him. I'm really hoping this is going to be a good change for them. DD needs more one on one time during the day, which this woman should be able to provide. The added bonus is that the cost is almost half of what we are paying right now. We go from $45 a day to $25 a day!!! I'm stressed about school, but looking forward to the routine again so I can get back on a normal running schedule! Its been a bit difficult lately.

Brandy... when I started I ran every other day and made my weeks 6 days long instead of 7. So I'd move up after 6 days... if I was ready. That worked for me.

I did pretty much the same as Suzanne. I lost my first 50 lbs in year one post band, with no changes except for food. Then I hit a bit of a plateau so started running just over a year ago. The weight came off fairly slowly, but not the sizes. When I started running I was a size 20, now I'm a size 12-14 depending on the cut. The motivation wasn't too hard. I just found I loved the feeling I got with running. It took about 7-8 weeks before I actually liked running WHILE I was running instead of just afterwards, but once I hit that, I was hooked. I have joint problems too, so I know my limit is about 6-7 km or so. I'd like to do one 10k race, but not yet. I'm 3 weeks away from my next run, and training hard now. I want to beat last years time.

Thanks Kristen.... I know you aimed that at Carol, but I'll take your kick in the butt advice too. I haven't run much lately, and am finding excuses! Today I'm going to run.

WTG Suzanne!! I've got my fingers crossed for you. If you have a tensor bandage for the knee, you might want to use it for a few days. I agree on the stretching thing. The only thing I do is stretch my calves a bit on the step before I head out. Then I walk about a minute or two and then run. I stretch for about 5 min after... probably not enough, but that's what I do.

I got the shoes about 2 months ago, so I don't think I can return them. I'll just have to wear the old ones for most runs and maybe the new ones once in awhile. Then when I can afford them, I'll go for new ones again with new knowledge. The grass track was great. It was harder to run on, but felt better on my joints. It was an eye opener for me on my running stride. The grass was cut a little shorter than the field around it... but it was still a little long. So I realized that I don't pick up my feet very far, cause they were dragging through the grass. I ran 3km total, but had to stop cause the kids were whinning ! They ran and walked about 2km and then played in the playground. We just got back from a 5km walk with the kids and dog! So I think we got our exercise today.

Thanks Kristen! We went for a drive yesterday in the rain and took our DS to visit his new school - starts on Sept 8. He's quite nervous about the switch so we've been going by there a few times over the summer. When we got there the rain had stopped so we all went over the the playground and discovered they have a grass running track! I wasn't dresses for running, so today we're going back and the whole family is going to run on the track! It should be fun. We'll tell the kids its a race and they will get into the run, and I'll get a chance to run on a softer surface to see how that works on my hip and back. BTW, I switched back to my old shoes and the ache in my hips and back receeded a bit... so I think the new shoes did impact my gait.

Well, since I didn't get the torch run, I guess I can share my essay. Keep in mind, I had a limit of 220 word and I had to share how I was living an active healthy lifestyle, and points were given for people to helped to motivate others too. So here it is... I have been obese for my entire adult life. Two years ago, at the age of 41 and as a Mom to 2 special needs children, I made a decision to stop my destructive choices and instead “choose healthy”. At that time I was morbidly obese, weighing 292 pounds, with diabetes and the beginning of heart disease. Initially, I focused on my eating plan, choosing healthy foods from all food groups, and healthy portions. After losing 50 pounds, I began running. Over the course of 3 months, I advanced from running 1 minute to running 45 minutes non-stop, and completed my first 5k race in September 2008. I joined an online support group for obese people like myself. Through daily postings, I try to inspire, motivate and advise the 50+ members in their diet and exercise programs. Many have taken this challenge seriously and are well on their way to healthier lifestyles. Today, I am 110 pounds lighter. I continue to eat healthy, run 4 times per week and now strength train 3 times per week. I am training for my first 10k race, and so happy I “chose healthy”. Most importantly, I’m now a positive role model for my friends and family, and can face the daily stresses of my children’s challenges with energy and clarity. Love life, “choose healthy”! Thanks for reading!

Hi Everyone... Welcome to everyone who's new! Suzanne... Yeah on the running. I'm hoping it helps to break down the scar tissue, rather than surgery! But glad you get to run. I've been MIA for a few days. Way too busy with work and the kids, and summer! Rough week though. I had a migrane from the weather - sunny, thundery, sunny, thundery... migrane came and went all week. I think its finally gone though! Yeah! I'm not going to run until tomorrow, cause I can still feel a bit of its pattern and I don't want to set it off again. I'm so excited about my run in sept. Last year I raised $180 for the charity and it was my first race. This year I've raised $270 so far and I've got my DH and the kids enterred too. They are going to walk/run the 2k part of the race and I'm doing the full 5k. The charity is Community Living London, which supports children and adults with intellectual disabilities. As most of you know, both of my kids are intellectually disabled, so this is near and dear to me! I've got to get myself in gear though to beat my 5k time. I haven't run much this last 2 weeks, so I need to build a training program for the next 4 weeks.

Carol... I would try to push for farther on your long runs. This is where you want to drive for distance. Work up to the distances anyway that works for you. For me I just run until I can't, and then that sets another distance goal for me. I'm pushing for 5 miles now. That way, when I run 3 during a race, it feels more like a medium run. Well, I didn't get the Torch Run. BooHoo. Kind of bummed out, but such is life. I am running my 2nd annual 5k race in Sept and then want to try a 10k race in Oct. I guess the 1k Torch Run is not in the cards for me.

Carol... remember, every run is worth the experience. My opinion... you let your head get in the way! I wouldn't go backwards, I'd go forwards. Vary your distances frequently. So if you're running 3-5 x a week, then run a short, medium and then push yourself to run a long run at least once. Here's what I'm working on right now... Mon - 40min intervals: 3min light jog; 1min sprint Tue - 30 - 45 min mod speed run Wed - rest Thur - 40 min intervals - same as above Fri - 30 - 45 min mod speed run Sat - long run - I'm pushing for 7-8km Sun - rest I don't always get these in, as I haven't been as dedicated lately, but that's my plan. If I miss a run, I still keep the same schedule. Hope this helps. Mac... congrats on the Garmine. My Nike+ keeps acting up, but I think its my iPod, not the Nike.

Congrats Carol & Anne! Well, I'm on VACATION!!! YEAH!!! And the weather is nice today... but I did have to ask my DH what the yellow bright thing was up in the sky... LOL! We're heading into Toronto to take the kids to the zoo and then to Chinatown for dinner... mmmm yummy! Tomorrow I'm taking my DS to a movie with his BFF and then they are going to have a sleepover at our house. This will be my DS's first ever sleepover... OMG, I've got a tear in my eye. For those of you who've heard me talk about my kids, you'll remember that my DS is special... he's deaf and intellectually disabled, so I really never thought he'd have a normal kid experience. Well, he's getting his sleepover and he's so excited about it. His BFF is also deaf and has tourettes, so they are quite the unique pair together. They really compliment the other, and it helps that my DH and I are good friends with his parents. On the running front, I'm challenging myself to run 4x during my vacation. I looked at my running history on Nike+ and realized that I did so much better in the winter when I ran inside, as I wasn't dependant on the weather. So now I have to create a plan to go regardless of the weather... inside or out!

Mac... way to impress!!! You are such a success and an inspiration to us all!

Carol... I'll say a frivolous prayer for your weather! If you say one for me to get the Olympic Torch Run. I'll find out if I get to carry it sometime between July 31 - Aug 5... I hope I hope I hope!!! I know I haven't posted much lately. I've been kindof in the dumps a bit. I'm still running, not as much, but still running. The weather here has been the worst in a long time. I don't mind the cooler weather, just it rains and thunders sometime everyday for the last 2 months! There are mushrooms in my grass when normally the grass at this time is brown and dried up! Its been so hard to actually get outside to run because of the weather. So that's got me bummed out a bit. Then of course there's money... or lack of it! Who would have thought that being out of work for 4 months a year ago would have put us so far behind still 1 year later, and there is no end in sight of this mess. This has eaten away at my normally optimistic attitude and has sent my DH into an eating frenzy when he was always the healthy one! Ok, question on the running side of things... I got new shoes awhile ago. They feel great and stop me from turning inside on my right ankle. But in the last month or so, my lower right side back/hip/spine area is throbbing all night long after I run. I stretch it out and it helps for a few minutes but then starts to throb again. I know I have mild arthritis in that hip, but it has never acted up like this from running. Is it possible that the new shoes change my gait or running stance so that it is irritating another part of my body... or am I wishful thinking??

Georgia... good to hear from you. sorry for your issues! Kristen... very graceful! I've done that once, on a busy neighbourhood street, and after a few minutes went right on running too! Suzanne... hang in there. I can't imagine the pain! I've not been on here as much lately. Kind of busy with work and the kids. I have been running, just not as frequently as I want. I'm going about 2-3 x a week, rather than 4-6x. The weather has been horrible here... thunderstorms every night or massive downpours. And try as I might, I can't get motivated to get on the treadmill - I like running outside so much more! I've registered for another 5k in Sept. This will be the 2nd time I've run this race. Last year it was my first 5k race. It's the Community in Motion run to help support Community Living London, an organization that supports children and adults with intellectual disabilities. They provide us with support for our 2 kids... great group, and a great family support system.

Good luck both of you!!! Enjoy your run (& tri).

Lyn... Happy Bandaversary! Tomorrow is my 1 year running start date anniversary! And soon will be my 2 year bandaversary. Life's Good! Just got home from a business trip and I'm exhausted. No runs, lots of drinking, lots of food, really really tired!

I just finished a 7k run, 3k was week 2 of c25k with my friend and the rest was just me running. I feel really good. No aches in my joints tonight. I bought a new pair of jeans tonight... size 14!