Training Check-in/Encouragement Thread

[BriarRose0708]

I signed up for my first 1/2 marathon (Pittsburgh in May).

I'm behind on my training. Between 5 to 7 days a week at kickboxing and the weather its hard to run. I don't want to put out money for dreadmill training at a health club and the elliptical is so BORING.

Any suggestions?

A half?? Woo hoo, yeah Mel! I wish I had better suggestions for you about winter time training. It's so difficult when it's below 20 degrees to go outside. And I'm a bit of a wuss, I don't like to run outside if it's below 40! Unless you can find an indoor track, treadmill is your best option.

[AgentC]

I signed up for my first 1/2 marathon (Pittsburgh in May).

I'm behind on my training. Between 5 to 7 days a week at kickboxing and the weather its hard to run. I don't want to put out money for dreadmill training at a health club and the elliptical is so BORING.

Any suggestions?

Fantastic Mel! Unfortunately I can't help you with training suggestions since my solution is wait a day until it gets nicer.

I also really hate treadmill running. We belong to the Y and I will go and run there when it is too cold or too hot but I don't enjoy it at all.

[badkitty]

Hey Mel! Treadmill is all I have to offer for cold weather. It doesn't get as cold here as it does for you but I'm still a wimp. The treadmill is okay for some training but it doesn't prepare you for pounding the pavement during a race. Is there possibly an indoor track near by?

[JMTStone]

Hey Mel! Treadmill is all I have to offer for cold weather. It doesn't get as cold here as it does for you but I'm still a wimp. The treadmill is okay for some training but it doesn't prepare you for pounding the pavement during a race. Is there possibly an indoor track near by?

I have to find a treadmill nearby. Or an indoor track. Inexpensive though.... I have an elliptical in my basement and I'm spending 5 to 7 days a week at kickboxing.

Weather over 30 today. I may get a long run in this Saturday.

[Melanie]

It's been a little over a month since we've checked in. How is everyone's training going? I'm desperately wanting spring temps so I can get back outside! The gym just doesn't do it for me.

[cer]

It's been a little over a month since we've checked in. How is everyone's training going? I'm desperately wanting spring temps so I can get back outside! The gym just doesn't do it for me.

This. I am a morning runner, so while it is beautiful in the afternoons, (I can't complain) I am waiting on warmer mornings...

[JMTStone]

I won't be doing the 1/2 in Pittsburgh as planned. As most of you know, I was hospitalized in February for diverticulitis. That took me off of the road and mat for a month. I'm actually doing my first run in a LOOOONNNNGGG time this coming Saturday.

I'm still planning on doing 5K, 10K, and possibly the 1/2 in January. I already ordered a second #runICOT shirt so I don't have to wash and hang-dry. If I don't run - I will cheer. Will re-imagine our ICOT Yeti in some way on a poster or prop. He's adorable.

Other than that... I've reached a total of 77 pounds lost since 1/1/2013. Which is why I also ordered a NEW Yeti shirt because the old one was SWIMMING on me.

[cer]

Other than that... I've reached a total of 77 pounds lost since 1/1/2013. Which is why I also ordered a NEW Yeti shirt because the old one was SWIMMING on me.

So awesome.

[Christine]

I won't be doing the 1/2 in Pittsburgh as planned. As most of you know, I was hospitalized in February for diverticulitis. That took me off of the road and mat for a month. I'm actually doing my first run in a LOOOONNNNGGG time this coming Saturday.

I'm still planning on doing 5K, 10K, and possibly the 1/2 in January. I already ordered a second #runICOT shirt so I don't have to wash and hang-dry. If I don't run - I will cheer. Will re-imagine our ICOT Yeti in some way on a poster or prop. He's adorable.

Other than that... I've reached a total of 77 pounds lost since 1/1/2013. Which is why I also ordered a NEW Yeti shirt because the old one was SWIMMING on me.

You are AMAZING!!!!!!!

[GMRO]

Good job Mel!!! Hope you fully recover too!

**

Good to hear folks are still sticking with it!!!
Winter in PA this year has been BAD…long and cold. Started in mid NOV. – had snow and until just this week I’ve NOT been outside to run at all. Luckily last August we purchased a very good treadmill and began using it in OCT on rainy days. It’s been a life saver and really helped DW and I keep fit and on our routines as well. The feeling after a run, there’s nothing like it!!! I’m a junkie for it. Do I miss outdoors, YES but this investment has been great.

I’ve been using incline 7 and speeds of 6.8 to7 for run pace and 4.0 for walks. Using JG’s app I usually on the treadmill use the 2:30M for run and 1:00M for walk portion for 5K and 4 mile runs- during the week. Saturday mornings are my long run of 7miles where I use the 400 meter / 200 meter interval training JG uses on his app. Needless to say it’s paid off…the treadmill with a good incline setting makes you work hard. Hard enough that I saw my min per mile settings go down to it was taking me longer to do the same run by a little. But I kept at it and just enjoy the runs knowing that no momentum on the treadmill is likely the cause.

SO fast forward to this past Tuesday and today in PA where I got to get in my FIRST RUNS OUTDOORS for 2014. What did I do??? Well I knocked off 1 min from my best time last year for my 5K runs. AND I’m easily using JG’s app at 4 min run and 1 min walk pace for my 5K as I was last summer to – I was a little concerned that I’d drop pace. I’m running longer and faster than last summer which really has me pumped up. True test will be summer months in PA but I feel very good and strong after and especially during the runs on my normal outdoor route. During this weeks 2 outdoor runs at lunchtime I got in 3.5 miles in the time I usually completed my 5Kruns at work during lunchtime.

I’m very happy with the treadmill purchase. Very happy with my health and my DW’s health too. She’s been a real trooper and been hitting the treadmill very often this winter too. Her data shows great improvement too as she’s been upping her incline and pace too. I can’t wait to see her outside and do her first 5k aand see what she has managed to shave off her time from last year.

Personally I think if you stick with it you can do it. Incline makes you work harder and condition yourself to run so when you do get outside you breeze thru it. Least that’s how I feel. At no time did I feel winded or tired when outside. I actually was shocked that 4mins had expired and it was time to walk!!!
We will do the 5K on Castaway Cay this May and I can’t wait to run it. I hope to see improvement as well as enjoy running on the ship in the middle of the ocean!!!

Take care ya’ll!

PS> I have a set of shoes that will hit 1000 miles shortly. YES they still work. It’s a personal goal to retire them at 1000 miles. Do they say at 400 to 500 miles they should be thru per the innersole…yes. But they still work and are not causing me any pain after a run. I feel I can finish this goal up way before May. I purchased them last May while at the WORLD at the Nike outlet. I will be at approx. 1350 miles for the year between this set of shoes and another set of Nikes that match. I call them my HOME SHOES and my WORK SHOES. If I can keep up with the pace I’m on the HOME shoes will hit 1000 miles no sweat. Had not thought much about a goal last May when I really began to get more serious about running. But if I had…I don’t think I’da set a goal so high… heheh Just shows you how addictive this can be.

[PirateLover]

Mel- Sorry to hear about your hospitalization, and hope that you are feeling better.

I really slacked on running this winter. We have no upcoming races, so that doesn't help. Recently I've been doing more elliptical and recumbent biking at the gym, and they also have Cybex ARC trainers which are pretty neat for a little high intensity cardio that's easier on the knees than the treadmill.

DH wants to train for a 1/2 now. It's a tricky situation because his back doctor really doesn't want him to keep running as his main hobby/exercise regimen, but without a goal to work towards he's been feeling really unmotivated. He thinks if he cuts down the # of runs per week and does more cross training, it will have less of an impact on his back. I am supportive of him and would love to see him do a 1/2 but just makes me nervous with his degenerative disc disease. He is only 30 and I just don't want him to potentially damage his back even more with the continued wear and tear of running.

Keep it up everyone!

[JMTStone]

DH wants to train for a 1/2 now. It's a tricky situation because his back doctor really doesn't want him to keep running as his main hobby/exercise regimen, but without a goal to work towards he's been feeling really unmotivated. He thinks if he cuts down the # of runs per week and does more cross training, it will have less of an impact on his back. I am supportive of him and would love to see him do a 1/2 but just makes me nervous with his degenerative disc disease. He is only 30 and I just don't want him to potentially damage his back even more with the continued wear and tear of running.

I would be worried too. I don't have advice but a question... How important is your back? Its very important. You can't do anything without it. I know you're nervous and I would be too but he has to come to the decision himself.

[PirateLover]

I would be worried too. I don't have advice but a question... How important is your back? Its very important. You can't do anything without it. I know you're nervous and I would be too but he has to come to the decision himself.

Exactly right on all counts. He was bedridden for months 7 years ago leading up to his back surgery so he knows very well what it feels like. A few months ago he had some bad spasms and was laid up for a few days- that's when we spoke to his doctor. That visit showed he has the beginnings of arthritis. The doc said it's nothing to worry about, but did stress that running is the worst exercise for his condition. understand needing a goal, and there's nothing else he's really interested in. He'll bike at the gym but he's not interested in cycling events or anything like that. At the end, it's his decision, but he knows can't keep it up forever...I'm thinking (maybe wishfully) that training smartly for one 1/2 won't kill him, but that's where he'll need to draw the line.

[GMRO]

Worth a mention...

DW and I received our runIcot shirts this past week for our trip in May2014.

WOW - very impressed with the bright color and the detail and quality. Now we can represent on the 5K on Castaway Key as well as when we run at CBR in the AM before our park days.

THANKS!

[MushuGrl]

I have started and stopped Couch to 5K numerous times due to injury, the weather, and illness. I'm back up to week four for the third time (hopefully this is the sticker with spring coming up!) and hope to be up to ten miles for the Tower of Terror 10 Miler in 2015.

My first 5K MAY be next month (we've been in the middle of ownership change for a while and I'm in that 'terrified to plan anything' mode ...plus I have a Disney trip in ten weeks so its money squirreling time!).

[BriarRose0708]

After an almost three month hiatus due to injury (tendonitus in my hip) and lots of physical therapy I got the ok from my Sports Ortho to start running again!!! I can only go a mile twice a week for now, but can add 2 minutes to each run every week as long as my pain levels don't jump up. I am so relieved. Unfortunately I can't train for any races for the remainder of this summer (although I might sneak in a late fall half marathon if I can swing it), so I am living my race fantasies vicariously through all of you in this forum!

I am so happy for everyone signed up for races no matter what the distance or if it's runDisney or not. It's so great to read about your accomplishments. Keep up the great work everyone!

[Yungbuck73]

After an almost three month hiatus due to injury (tendonitus in my hip) and lots of physical therapy I got the ok from my Sports Ortho to start running again!!! I can only go a mile twice a week for now, but can add 2 minutes to each run every week as long as my pain levels don't jump up. I am so relieved. Unfortunately I can't train for any races for the remainder of this summer (although I might sneak in a late fall half marathon if I can swing it), so I am living my race fantasies vicariously through all of you in this forum!

I am so happy for everyone signed up for races no matter what the distance or if it's runDisney or not. It's so great to read about your accomplishments. Keep up the great work everyone!

so sorry to hear about your injury. Don't push yourself too hard, don't want to wind up being on the Disabled list again.
Glad to hear your on the mend. This site and this forum has been a blessing for me. Need to get back out there and hit some miles.

[JMTStone]

I'm worried about everyone's injuries. And do me a favor Justin, get that calf checked.

I'm signed up for the 10K training program with No Boundaries (New Balance sponsored) and its coming along very nicely. I also downloaded the Galloway 1/2 app for my phone and bought a Garmin Forerunner. (This is where you say "I think its getting kinda serious"). I think I'll be ready for the 1/2 in January.

So, my race weekend has no official name (5K, 10K and 1/2) so I'm calling it the Mickey Hat trick.

[Yungbuck73]

I'm worried about everyone's injuries. And do me a favor Justin, get that calf checked.

I'm signed up for the 10K training program with No Boundaries (New Balance sponsored) and its coming along very nicely. I also downloaded the Galloway 1/2 app for my phone and bought a Garmin Forerunner. (This is where you say "I think its getting kinda serious"). I think I'll be ready for the 1/2 in January.

So, my race weekend has no official name (5K, 10K and 1/2) so I'm calling it the Mickey Hat trick.

I'm resting the calf for a few days and if that doesn't help then going to dr. Also love the name Mickey Hat Trick is great.

[Tri Minnie]

I hope all of the injuries are on the mend and training is going smoothly or back on track.

JMTstone, I hope you are continuing to progress after your hospitalization. I am so impressed that you are back to running already. Maybe next year I will see you a the Pittsburgh half. I did run it this year and mostly enjoyed it

I am so excited to read about all of the race plans for marathon weekend. Until my children are a little older, I plan to stick to the 1/2 marathon distance. Although I am glad I did the full, I just didn't find the training enjoyable and don't feel I am able to commit as much time as I would like. So, I will be running the 1/2 in January. Currently, I am in maintenance mode and running 5-7 miles three times a week. Hopefully, I can squeeze in a few longer runs.

Good luck with the training and staying injury free!