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let's run! or walk! or something....

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Keri:
When I finished a marathon last October (very slowly, somewhat painfully!) I had a few people say on the forum - 'hey I've done half marathons; now maybe I'll try a full." or "I used to run and need to get back into it." When Patrick finished his half on Sunday, i heard someone say, "I need to try Houston half one of these days." It's encouraging to think that when one of us tries something post op, we can help others maybe try the same.

I am a very UNdisciplined runner. I think many times people think of runners as these super fit, slim, fast people who are on this runner's high. Well, that's not me! A lot of the time I don't even like running! I never run just for the sheer joy of it all.  I run because I stupidly or crazily do things like sign up for half marathons or marathons just to keep me training! Without this impetus, I'm not sure if I'd ever run. To clarify - I do like it most of the time once I get going and get warmed up and just get my butt out the door. And when I'm done with a run I'm ALWAYS happy I did it and feel generally better about things, like I've accomplished something, etc.

So I thought I could start this thread (kind of a continuation of the NY's resolution thread) so that we could share our goals or what we'd like to try to do. This is not just for those who would like to do distance - it's great if someone sets a goal of a 5K or just to start walking regularly, or exercising, etc.

Here's what I've found helpful as I've gotten more serious about running:
<<the screen is bouncing around and i can't see what i'm typing now so i'm going to continue this on a reply>>>

Keri:
part 2 i'm not trying to write a book here, it's just when my post got long, the screen started doing weird things.

Here's what I've found helpful as I've gotten more serious about running:
-get a running friend or partner. if you can't find anyone, join or check into road runners clubs of america. they have chapters all over the country. i'm a member of my local running club. in the DC area alone, there's the DC road runners, montgomery county road runners, howard county road runners; there are 'road runners' in every county around here. when i went to FL last summer on vacation, i checked into running with the ft myers road runners (although on vacation, i never felt like getting up early and running with them).
These road runners chapters have all speeds of runners - from those who are trying to Boston qualify to 'back of the pack' groups. They have training groups for 5k's, 10k's, half and full marathons. The one i'm in has a training group for beginning runners, for women and for walkers.

-subscribe to Runners World or go to their website. I used to see this magazine (which almost always features 'plastic looking perfect people' on the cover) and think it was just for fast runners and so wouldn't be helpful for me. It appeals to and helps all runners. They have a section just for slow runners and a section for beginners. They have training tips and diet / food info, shoe info, race info, stories, all kinds of info. Their website has all kinds of specific info as well, info on injuries, etc. It's a great magazine.

-if you're going to run, get a GOOD pair of shoes. this really helps in the injury department. i've found it helpful to go to a running store (not just target or whatever) and talk to someone that is used to helping runners find a good shoe that fits their gait or style or whatever. it's a little more expensive but is worth it. also, get good socks.

-if you're moving from doing a half marathon to doing a marathon, i think a training group is really necessary and very helpful. when you have to knock out weekly long runs it's so helpful to have a group or person to talk to pass the hours and also stay accountable to (like when you'd rather stay in bed on saturday morning).

i'm sure others have great advice to share or we could share some goal races we'd like to try, etc.
happy running, walking, etc
keri

lori67:
Great idea Keri!

I was training with Team in Training back in 2005 when I found out I was pregnant with Erika, so there went that idea.  Then there was the move to TN and the AN...always something.  I want to pick up and start running again, but the hard part is the kids.  What the heck do I do with them while I'm running?  We did just join the YMCA so hopefully that will work out (they offer free child care).

As you know (thank you!), Paige, my 7 year old is doing "Operation Smile - Final Mile" with her school.  The kids run the Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon but instead of doing it all at once, they have from now until March to do one mile at a time on their own and then they do the final mile together at the actual event.  It's to raise money for Operation Smile, a charity that provides medical care to children born with facial deformities, such as cleft lip.  So, we've been doing some walking together and will work up to running.

I'm also planning to do the "Run for Aaron" 5K in South Jersey in April.  It's a memorial run for my nephew who passed away when he was 10 years old.  (You should come up for that - it's not too far for you - and all the old Italian ladies cook the pasta dinner the night before and lots of goodies for after the race!).

I don't particularly like running either and I won't do it unless it's for a good cause (other than my staying healthy).

I credit the forum and the start of the book club with getting me back into reading more -so maybe this is what I need to start running!

Lori

texsooner:
Great posts Keri and Lori. I'm more like you guys than you think...I don't just love to run all the time either, but I know it's good for me. It's tough getting motivated sometimes. I have to have a reason or an event to shoot for. If I don't declare to people in writing that I'm going to do something like long distance running or biking events, I probably wouldn't do it. I think you're right that for me to be able to run a full marathon after only doing 3 halfs, it's going to take a lot of motivation, and a training group sounds like a great idea.

My next goal (as it has been every year for the last 7 years) is to ride my bike 170 miles from Houston to Austin in support of raising funds for those afflicted with MS. I'm starting that training with my bike partner this weekend. The actual ride is in mid-April.

Oh and Keri, I know you've had to have some discipline to be able to run a full marathon, and I don't care what pace you run. I know what it takes to run a half, so I'm in awe of those that have run 26.2 miles all at once.

cindyj:
Good thread, Keri!  As some of you know, I did a 1/2 marathon on Halloween (one year post op)...have been training for another one in Feb in Florida (a breast cancer fundraiser).  There are four of us who have been training together for months - I could NOT do it without them.  It makes such a difference to know that someone is out on the path waiting for you - otherwise, I'd always be coming up with excuses to not train.  We alternate fast walking and jogging- very new to me to run, but I'm enjoying it...well, mostly ;)

For a gentler type of exercise (and much more fun), Brad & I have just started dance lessons at our local rec center.  It's the West Coast Swing - we are terrible, but it is great fun and we really do feel like we get a bit of a workout with it.

Know we have our standup paddler, Bob, and a number of runners and bikers and horse riders.  Hope to hear from more of you about what you're doing!  Donnalynn, you were doing some indoor rock climbing there for awhile - I'd love to try that!  What else, y'all?

Cindy

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