Kathybad

Oh what a glorious day!!! I took my DS to a birthday party today at the movies. This is the first time that I dropped him off and left. Usually I stay to keep an eye on him and help out, but the boy's mom is my friend and she just pushed me to let go and go have fun! So I went shopping and got a Nike ladies running coat. Its a really nice colour blue... kind of ocean/teal in colour. It is Nike+ compatiable and holds the ipod and threads the ear phone cord inside. It fit perfectly and looks really nice! Then I went for a nice lunch by myself and finally picked up my son before heading home. I then took advantage of the beautiful weather (26F) and ran outside. It was perfect. I love running outside. I did just over 5k and my pace was really fast for me. I finished in 36:15!!! Just another 1:15 to hit my "under 35 min" goal. I could feel my pace was so much quicker that in the past when I ran outside. When you're on a treadmill you don't notice the pace as much. It sort of propells you along. The only problem was I wanted to check my distance so I pressed the centre button of my iPod and it ended the run, so I had to restart another run instead. So it recorded it as 2 runs instead of 1. That was unfortunate, as I think it would have been a PB record for 5k. Oh well. Maybe I do another tomorrow! Lyn... Tim Horton's eh! You must be Canadian at heart! That is like our national treasure! We have a Tim Horton's on every major corner around here... kind of like Starbucks in Seattle. I know they have some stores in boarder cities, but didn't realize they went as far as you. As for how I handled not telling people about my band... well I hadn't told my previouse work friends either. I just tend to talk a lot during meals and move food around. I nibble and make a good show of it. If they ask questions, I just say I'm not a big eater. Then if the worst happens, I just excuse myself and go to the washroom. I haven't had any major issues yet. They all know I diet, but that's it. Carol... congrats on your 3rd race. Don't beat yourself up. Each race is a major accomplishement. Good luck on your C25k training!

Georgia... my goal is to get the 5k in under 35 min, which is just a bit faster than 5.0mph. I hope to be able to do that by end of summer. Right now I typically do it between 37 to 38 min. DeGirl... I had mine out in 1993, when laproscopic was really new. I recovered very quickly and was back to work in 3 days (had to... no sick pay then). The lapband surgery was pretty similar for me, so don't worry, its no big deal! BTW, did you read Whosya's post a long time ago about writing the word Cancer on the bottom of your running shoes? That way every time you run, you're stomping out cancer! I did it, as its such a family medical tradition!

Opps... it posted before I was done... I ran intervals again tonight. This time I pushed my top speed but took a longer recovery time, and it worked a lot better. Over 20 min, I avg 4.9 mph, which is really fast for me!!! I am wiped though, and only did 20min cause its late and its been a really long week. Plus I want to try for a really long run tomorrow at the park.

MacMadam... congrats on signing up for your St. Patty's race. I haven't signed up yet, but plan to run in a 5k of April 5th and another on Apr 26. The first one is a huge race here in the city for Retina research. It usually has about 2000 people in it. The other is in a small town not too far away for Autism. My son is not officially autistic, but the Docs and most of us think he is somewhere in the autism spectrum, plus we have a few friends with autistic kids... so I plan to raise money for that one. I've been checking on the races and they are starting pretty soon here... nothing close by in March, but 3-4 in Apr and a bunch each month until Nov. So I think I'm going to try running 1 per month.

Carol... good luck tomorrow! I hope your weather is good, and remember to look around, take it all in and enjoy the race! Georgia... I hope you & your family feel better soon. Nothing like getting the "iky" as a family! Ninner... if you PM Whosya with your email address he can set you up on the challenge for Nike+. I agree with you... I got the Nike+ for Christmas and it has been such a great tool for me. It motivates me to see the details on my computer and to see my progress. Then, being in the challenges drives me to keep going. Whosya... maybe you should post the team challenge status now!!!! Salsa finally joined the challenge and all of her runs added in!!! Oh it feels nice to be out front, even though its not me personally that did it! LOL. Beantown... hope the auditions went well. MacMadam... what a bummer! Minxz... Welcome! Go ahead and do your runs at lunch. Anyway, anyhow, you can count the runs! Happy Friday the 13th everyone! I was so hoping the good weather would hold until the weekend so that I could run outside. We had a huge melt, which caused lots of flooding, and now the roads/sidewalks are all clear. Of course - today the temp dropped and it snowed again :frown:. Not sure if it will be good tomorrow or not. But if possible, I'm getting out tomorrow afternoon for a nice long run. Tonight will have to be the treadmill again. I went to the chiropractor last night. I haven't seen him in a few months and he was just amazed at my size/shape! It was kind of funny!

Suzanne... take a look at your nutrition. When you run you need the right fuel. I know Renewed and Georgia have followed (successfully I think) a low carb diet. But I can't do that. I tried it for a week and couldn't sustain enough energy to run. I'm not a perfect eater... I figure the band is there to help me, so I still eat a bit of my comfort food! But I know if I eat right, the energy is there for the running. I try to eat a balance of good protein even if it has a bit of fat (I tend to eat chicken thigh, fish and ground turkey), whole grains for fibre and veggies. Thats what I focus on. Fruit when I can. Another thing... each week on C25k is different, and some are harder on your body than others. Just when you think "I can do that" your body slaps you around! LOL! Just keep at it and you'll get there! Carol... LOL - I thought the same thing, then I thought "OMG - how can the human body do that!" Lyn... What a feeling that must be! However, even with that as a motivator, I don't think I could get up that early to workout. I'm just not a morning person. I'd rather stay up late! I ran the interval program again, but shortened my "recovery" time to 30sec. This wasn't long enough and I couldn't sustain my high speed. Now I know! Still had a great run.

Suzanne... as for treadmill to road, there is a difference. I really prefer running outside, but with all the snow and ice, I rarely get out now. It took me until 1/2 through the program before I ventured outside, and once I did I loved it. I'm a bit slower outside, but can go much farther. I struggle with boredom on the treadmill.

MacMadam... congrats on the 45min (almost) full run!!! DE... As your team challenge buddy... Thanks for the 5m run! Suzanne... Don't get overwhelmed or discouraged by where we're at in comparison. We ALL started at week 1 and we ALL struggled with each new challenge. If it helps, I'll give you the short version of my progress... I started in mid July, and struggled each week with the first 2 runs, then by the 3 I was able to do the planned intervals. I progressed each week (although i often thought I should repeat a week). Then at week 5 I struggled a LOT with the 20 min run, so it took me about 4 weeks to do it. Then the switch was turned on and I moved from week 5 to week 9 in about 2-1/2 weeks. Once I stopped doing walk intervals, I was able to run much longer. As for speed, throughout the program I ran at about 4.2 - 4.3 mph and walked at 3.5 mph. I thought that was really slow, but I couldn't do any faster. Some people run slower and some faster... we each do what what we can. Today I run 5-6 times a week, and usually run 12-15 miles a week. My speed is improving, I run at 4.7 - 5.0 mph and walk at 4.0 mph. I'm increasing my speed through run/jog intervals. This is definately a lifestyle for me now. I look forward to my runs and love what it has done for my health.

Suzanne... go for it. That should be plenty of time in between. Time it so you know, and don't worry if you're not finished with the c25k yet by the race... just do what you can. Carol... you've got a great plan hatching. You are going to have a great run on the weekend... no matter what the time! Georgia... glad your weekend was good. I didn't run yesterday as planned. We took a spontaneous road trip (again!) and ended up at Ikea in Toronto. Love that store! I weighed myself again this morning and alas... still stuck at the same weight. But at work people kept saying "you've lost weight" (I was gone last week so its more noticable). So I just did my body composition and measurements and compared it to Jan 1st... drum roll... I've lost 5lbs of body fat and 2.0%, gained 2lbs of muscle (lost 3lbs on the scale). I've lost 1.5" off my bust, 1" off waist, 1" off hips and 1" off thigh. All since Jan 1st! So, I guess I'm doing just fine! I've got to stop getting frustrated with the scale!

I was really scared the first "work" dinner I had with people who didn't know about my banding. To this day I still get the occassional PB experience, so it can be a bit dicy. But I just tend to eat really slow, talk a lot (which is easy for me, LOL) and move stuff around my plate so it looks like I've eaten a lot. When someone notices, which is not often, I just say something like "Oh, I'm not a big eater" or "It was very filling". That always works! :thumbup: Its funny, when I was morbidly obese I thought people were always watching what I ate... now I don't think so. I ran 30 min, pushing my speed a bit today. I did 10min at 4.7, then 3 min at 5.0, then 5min at 4.5 and the rest at 4.8. A month ago 4.5 was my high speed and 4.7 was my sprint. Now I've elevated it a bit. If I keep this up, I'm going to get to that goal of 5k under 35min.

Hello Everyone... I'm back! I'll first get to some quick responses... Welcome Suzanne... and congrats on week 1. Its the hardest one cause of the decision to do it! Enjoy the ride! Pnw... Congrats! That first 20min full out run was so hard for me. You are truly a runner! Carol... go for it! Don't set any time/speed goals, just do it for the experience! I think you'll love it. Lyn... I'M SO HAPPY AND PROUD FOR YOU!!!!!! I have been waiting so patiently, hoping and praying that you would get the job! Funny how it happens. You praying for me to get mine, in place of you... and now, as my new job gets better and better, you get your dream job! I'm so happy for you! Glad you had a wonderful vacation too! BTW, when do you start? Georgia... congrats on the weight loss, and the speed! Renewed... I'm glad you're healing up from the revision. When will you be able to run again? Ok, now for my update... OMG, St Paul was COLD!!! And you know that must be cold coming from a Canadian! LOL. Whosya would know what I'm saying, as he is just a little ways away from St. Paul (and a bit North I think!) My week was amazing. I met with all of the people I need to work with, and I think I impressed them. They kept saying "You've only been with us for 3 months? Wow, you've certainly picked up a lot!" So that was fun. I only got to the gym once as my schedule was really busy. The hotel treadmill was aweful too. So I have a bit of catching up to do on the individual challenge. I've already conceeded defeat to the Power Team on the team challenge! Ok, for the NSV's to add to my list... some of these are achievements on my list of goals! * I FIT PERFECTLY FINE IN AN AIRPLANE SEAT!!!! This is huge for me. The last time I flew was Nov 2007, and it was horrible. I needed an extension on the seat belt, and was sitting with my work colleagues, so was really embarrassed. This time, I sat in the middle seat on a crowded plane and had lots of room. * I WALKED THROUGHOUT THE AIRPORT EFFORTLESSLY, AND TURNED SOME HEADS!!! This was fun. I bought a new winter white coat that is very st ylish and was wearing my slim, sexy new jeans, which together make a nice outfit. I could just feel the eyes of some guys watching me... and man was that fun! * PEOPLE NOTICED HOW LITTLE I ATE AND COMMENTED THAT "YOU FIT PEOPLE EAT SO WELL" LOL, that almost made me gag when they said it. Here I am eating small amounts due to my band, and these guys who took me out for dinner are ordering 22oz steaks, and I'm ordering salad and fish. One guy says, "Wow, when I travel I just pig out. You must really be dedicated to your fitness to eat so well all the time". That was fun! Ok, so enough NSV's. Let's just say I love my band, but I love running even more. I never would have gained the health and level of strength and fitness I have today if I hadn't started running this last summer. So for all the people new to C25k... keep it up! It's so worth it!!! Glad to be home. BTW, I'm still stuck at 193.5, no loss still.

Have a great week everyone. I'll be offline until Thur/Fri

Carol... I know that all of our encouragement and "great jobs" are sincere, but can't replace the disappointment you feel inside. I'm sorry it wasn't the success you'd hoped for. Having said that, I'm still going to say... I'm so proud of you! You shaved a lot of time off your last race, you trained so hard for this, you got out there and ran/walked through the race with SOOOO many people, and you did it in very cold (for you... LOL) weather. To everyone else you were a huge success. So bask in our happiness for you! Be tough on yourself another day. As for the learning you had... that's great. I know when I ran my race, I found it very different than running on my own. With all the people there cheering me on, it was both exciting, but also distracting. I only had a few hundred people in my race, so I can't imagine having 21000 people. I would have found that too daunting to try. In fact, when I did run my race, I chose to enter the smaller, less known race rather than the "Run for the Cure" race, just cause I was afraid of all the people. I learned from my race too, and now like to run where there are lots of people. In the spring I'm looking forward to going to our park to run, which always has lots of runners, walkers, bikers, etc. Congrats on finishing the race! This is definately way better than many people ever do! This is living at its best.

Krtork... How far are you running now at the end of week 9? If you're close the the 5k distance, then adding a few minutes will help build your endourance. If you know the course route for your race, train on it if you can. However, just running the 5k around your house will help prepare you too. Now that you've finished, there really are no rules. I tend to run a few long runs each week and a few shorter ones. I also run between 5-6x per week. Pick your favourite music and have fun. Carol... I hope your race goes well today!!! I bet you're already there, so sending positive thoughts your way.

Wow what a week! I ended up having to take 4 days off running, and not sure if I will be able to run tonight! After my muscle strain on Mon., I rested as suggested on Tue. Then Wed I had plans with DH, so couldn't find time. Thu I was out of town until the wee hours of the morning. So although I wanted to run, I never found the opportunity. Yesterday I wore my new "sexy" high boots and pencil skirt. I attended a design school presentation and cocktail reception, and have to admit... I looked fine! But OMG, my feet hurt today! These were 4" heals, and I did a lot of walking in downtown Toronto. Plus, I wore them to work today with my new jeans! So my poor feet are screaming at me. I'm going to give the run a try, but I don't think it will be very successful! DH had the treadmill company in today to tune up our treadmill. We've had it for 3-1/2 years, so it was time. They told him that the treadmill is in excellent shape. They just recalibrated it a bit. I'm off to St. Paul on Sun to Thu next week. I haven't decided if I will take my laptop with me... so if I don't I'll be offline for awhile. I do plan to run while I'm there. Renewed... you have got to get back up on that treadmill and shake off your mood. You're spiraling into a self fulfilling prophesy of "run hatred". Stop telling yourself "I'll start my schedule tomorrow" and just get on the treadmill and get it done! Then start your schedule, and stick to your plan. You can't go full force 24/7 and not burn out. You have to pace yourself. Please start back, cause you've accomplished so much to give into the "dark side" now!

Thanks Whosya... I can see what you mean about changing my stride... I did notice how I was compensating - not good! Renewed... which is your favourite, or do you just rotate them? Do you need any special equipement for these? I was thinking of getting something like this for strength training to motivate me. Have you ever just had "one of those days"! I went to lunch with a few friends today, and just after sitting down, I dumped my coffee cup all over myself! No burn, just major embarrassment and a mess! It actually dumped into my purse too! Yuck! Then as I got back to the office to get my computer and head home (work the rest of the day at home), someone came off the elevator and bumped into me and spilled their tea all over me! Now my coat is a mess too! I feel like a target! LOL. So I drove home smelling a lot like a diner!

Renewed... No you wouldn't survive here in the cold... but then again, I don't want to be here either! I hate winter, and this year it's going to be 6.5 months long! Yuck! Your plan looks good, and I promise to remind you to lay off when you get too manic!

Ugh... I knew I wasn't really up to running tonight, but went ahead. As soon as I started walking, I could feel the muscle strain in my hamstring?? (back of thigh). It's not damaged, just not stretched enough. But I really couldn't run. So I fast walked a mile, and ran maybe 3 min. Disappointing, especially with the challenge(s) on!

MacMadam... great run! Congrats on adding even more time. I think your endourance is great! Whosya... Happy Birthday!!!

Georgia... congrats on racking up the miles... OMG you shot like a bullet to the head of the group (except for Whosya). Renewed... congrats on the lbs lost! On the running, maybe keep your treadmill runs really long and then do a few shorter runs on occasion with the boys outside. That could break up the monotony of the treadmill. I hope you know I'm only joking when I tease about the "heat" of Texas. Given my freezing climate, anything above freezing is downright warm! So its just my jealousy speaking! Carol... "doc in a box", LOL. I just love using the "I'm a runner" line. I don't know if it will ever come out of my mouth where I don't stop and giggle internally. Feels good, enjoy it!! Leslie... so good to hear from you! I've missed you. I'll read your Avengers post, but can guess at a bit. Hugs to you. One step at a time, and be selfish for yourself.

Whosya... Congrats on the Win... you deserve bragging rights. 90+ miles in 3 weeks is huge! I've joined the team challenge and am stoked to get started! Hopefully Salsa gets her sensor so we can kick butt!!! BTW, happy birthday tomorrow! Renewed... glad Dylan is healing up! Here's a suggestion on your all or nothing... set a schedule for the next 4 weeks. One that's challenging, but attainable, and is a schedule of run days and REST days, so that you're forced to take a break. Maybe 4 days on 1 day off. Also, rotate running inside and outside. Heck, you're in Texas, its got to be warmer than here for running outside!!! Georgia... Congrats on the 3 lbs. You're now back on track at your 100lbs loss!!! Carol... I'm with Georgia, the Nike+ has totally motivated me. So if you don't have one, consider getting one! It is amazing. Go to www.nikeplus.com for more info.

Good luck Carol! I remember being so excited before my run. I've only done 1 official race back in Sept. I was supposed to run our "resolution run" on Dec 31, but it was a blizzard, and I'm still too much of a beginner to do that! So instead of running it outside, I ran it at home on the treadmill. Not official, but worked for me. You are going to do great. Do you have a plan on how you're going to run/walk it? MacMadam... I'd say your scale is broken! I'd like to break mine. It just keeps telling me the same weight, day after day after day. Very frustrating. I burned about 900 cals yesterday, and my weight is still the same, and I ate properly. So I better be building muscle. I don't do the bioimpedance test often, just about 1x/month. Georgia... fingers crossed for a big loss... but if you're struggling like me, don't let it get you down! Good luck today Renewed! I hope your revision goes well and I hope Dylan does well at the doctor. Lyn... have a drink for me!!!!

Mama... Welcome Back, we missed you! Hope your DH is getting better. Ok I so wanted to hit 60 km in our first challenge, that I ran 9.5 km today!!!! I did it over 3 separate runs, but I did it! MacMadam... I've heard bioimpedance is better than calipers too, because very few people are well trained on the calipers. But I've also heard the home model bioimpedance scales are not overly accurate, but are directional. I have one and love it. But if I really needed to know my true body fat %, I don't think I'd trust it. Based on what the article said, and my current body fat and weight, I think I need to lose 25 to 30 lbs of fat and then I'm at an ideal weight. Since starting running, all my weight loss has been fat, so I'm thinking I'll end somewhere between 165 to 170. So I might adjust my ticker goal weight.

That article was perfect. Thanks Carol!

I agree Carol. It is amazing shopping at a normal store, off the shelf!!! And it's a lot less $$$. For me, the NSV's are my main source of motivation... way more than the scale. Right now the scale is my main source of frustration. I've only lost about 4 lbs in the last 2 months, but have dropped several inches and 1-1/2 sizes. So I know I'm losing fat and gaining muscle... which is great... but I really also want the scale to drop. Does anyone know what fat % is considered normal for a woman?? I know I'm still too high, but would like to know where I need to stop.