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12/31/09 11:33 P

I'm actually willing to travel just about anywhere for a race... I have this silly idea of doing half marathons in every state. But at the rate that I'm going, I'll be in my 60s before I finish! Or maybe even my 70s!

Hmmm....

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12/31/09 2:05 P

I agree!!!

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12/31/09 2:02 P

Gettingslim,
"My determination is greater than my concerns." I like that! Great outlook. You should post that in our 'things that motivate you' area. :)

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12/31/09 1:57 P

Lab,
I'm all the way up in Washington State so doubt I have any good race suggestions for you. I hear you on the training in hot weather though. I picked my March race because I can both train and race in cold weather. Heat wipes me out. My suggestion would be to figure out whether it's the heat or hills you're most concerned about. That might help you narrow a race down. I personally find hills are quite do-able if the weather is cooler (and I've trained for them). If it's hot a flat as pancake course is still tough. Good luck!

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12/31/09 7:25 A

Lab, there is always Disney in January 2011, temps will be in your range. November, Space Coast was MOSTLY flat and a very well done race, I'll be doing it again next year (I just did the half) there were some hills, but for us in Florida, not what typical people call hills! Space Coast has been given props by RW. It's run the weekend of Thanksgiving. It runs along the intercoastal waterway so it's a really nice run. The temps were in your range. I think for the temps you are looking for in that time slot, you'll have to look at Arizona, So. Cal or Florida.

Disney has a cutoff, I think it is what avgs out to be a 15 or 16 minute mile. Space Coast gives you 7 hours!

I ran the Space Coast half with CCISLOOKINGOOD, IMARUNR, SCHLACKS, SUEZETTE-414 and SMURFETTE0725 who ran the full! If you are interested in it, there are some people who can give you an opinion on it!

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12/31/09 6:57 A

I've been hanging out on the edges of commitment to a marathon for a few months now. My running partner doesn't want to do it (she'd do a half at the same race though), and I've been putzing around trying to find the perfect race.

I define "perfection" as:
a November/December 2010 (or maybe January 2011) Half...
in a place where the temps are cool but not frigid (so 40-60 degrees)...
where there is at least a 7 hour cutoff (or more) cuz I'm slow...
and where ipods are allowed...
oh yeah, and flat is a bonus...

I'm concerned about whether I have the time to train -- I have a demanding job... I'm concerned about training in the summer when its hot... I'm concerned about whether I have the toughness to do this... Miles 10-11 were a bit of a "wall" for me at my half... I ended up walking more than running for a while (but it was HOT!)...and I'm concerned about getting injured -- once I start getting up there in miles (defined as 10 or more) various aches and pains start to surface!

The only thing I'm NOT concerned about is bathrooms. I live in a pretty rural areas with lots of woods and so rest stops are plentiful! I don't usually need to, but I don't think twice about using the woods!

I'm reading the same book for first time marathoners and my first thought was the the training schedule (which seems do-able to me now) was REALLY ambitious for a non-runner.

Still, I know that it would be an incredible experience!

Anyone know of a perfect race?

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12/31/09 12:00 A

I have a few concerns. 1. Me not being fully ready when the time comes. 2. My Graves Disease not being totally under control, so I would be able to run/train to the fullest. 3. Injuries that can come from running long distance.

Although these are things I think about, my determination is stronger than my concerns and can’t wait to get going.

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12/21/09 9:33 A

WOW!
way to go!!!

i'm jealous & excited too!
(but i won't be building up to THAT kind of mileage until the summer!)
the closest i'll get will be 30k in March (which completes phase on of my M training)
and that'll net me $3 in my training bank-fun money fund!

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12/21/09 2:40 A

Congrats on the 20 miler! Hmm ... perhaps ignorance is bliss cause right now I can't wait for my first 20 miler. lol! You'll manage the 6.2 just fine with race adrenaline pumping through your veins. :)

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12/21/09 12:18 A

I did my first 20-miler today, and my major concern now is: Oh my WORD how am I supposed to do that plus 6.2 more????

Fortunately, it is not my last 20-miler. I see some confidence-building coming my way. :)

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12/20/09 5:29 P

yup!
definitely have a foam roller
i should try using it before & after running...
(typically i just use it after...)

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12/19/09 6:14 A

The foam roller has been the one tool I don't miss out on using before and after runs!

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12/18/09 9:07 P

I actually think it is my ITB that has flared up on me this week. Since I broke out the foam roller it has finally started to feel better.

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12/17/09 3:11 P

Can, I'm fighting a TFL/ITB issue...do you have a foam roller??

I can agree about summer running. I live in FL. I luckily am doing a spring marathon.

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12/17/09 2:41 P

summer running is definitely a challenge!
i'm worried about that too (but dropping more lbs will help make that a bit more comfortable for me)
but right now, i'm worried about injury (IT band syndrome seems to flare up about 2/3 of the way into my training programs).
and i'm worried that i won't like or that my body won't be able to handle the increased demands of training....

but that mileage and cross training challenge will help keep me motivated.
i started last night and so far i've got... a whopping 0.70 in my bank!

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12/16/09 12:08 P

The month of July. I have allergy related asthma and July will land smack in the middle of my training and I will be laid up.

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11/29/09 7:49 P

The biggest concern is finding the balance between enough training and not burning out. And staying injury free. All three of these were real challenges for me this fall. Injuries and burn out lead to a giant meltdown of confidence that I could actually succeed. Luckily, Spark Friends rallied and put things into perspective for me. 26.2 isn't intimidating anymore, but it is still a challenge.

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11/21/09 1:37 P

Totally! I thanked her a gazillion times as we ran in. She's a great example for all who run.

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11/21/09 6:32 A

She is who we should always try to be! She was your race angel!

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11/20/09 5:16 P

Yeah, I wonder how I'll react as well. I hit a wall once in a half-marathon. Well, I don't know if it was truly a wall per say but I reached a point where I just didn't care about finishing. It was hot and the sun beating down on me was frying my brain. Some sweet gal came up behind me at the last half mile and said, "No you don't" when I stopped to walk. She literally ran me in. Kept me talking and motivated. It totally gave me the last bit of umph I needed. I'm so grateful to her. When I looked at the results later I saw that she had even let me finish ahead of her by a couple seconds. I may use that experience as something to think about. A reminder that it is really all just a state of mind.

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11/20/09 4:30 P

lol! from someone who has no kids: ewwwww!

'hitting the wall' is an interesting topic though. I am wondering how I will react to that- I am totally ok with walking part of it though!

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11/19/09 5:40 A

You and me both!

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11/18/09 7:07 P

I had fast labors, too. 4 hours with my 1st and 2 hours with my 2nd. Sure wish I could run as fast as I can labor! LOL!

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11/18/09 2:09 P

My labors moved so fast I just knew, contractions...to OMG I need to push! 6 hours total from the start of the contractions to birth (less than 15 minutes of pushing) with my oldest

2.5 hours with my youngest, I only pushed 3 times.

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11/18/09 1:05 P

Thanks for posting that. Very informative. It reminds me of when I was pregnant and hearing about the ways to recognize transition during labor. If you can recognize the signs it is much easier to push through. ;)

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11/18/09 9:31 A

Interesting article to help us if we hit "the wall"


The Wall is the term used when runners reach a point where they have depleted their glycogen (which is converted from carbohydrates). It is kind of like running “on empty”. When glycogen is depleted, your body begins to depend on fat as the source for energy. This creates a transition within your body that initially causes you to have very little energy.
How to avoid the wall is the common question. Proper training and nutrition (carb loading) can help to minimize your chances of reaching this point. The amount of time you are running is another factor.

When hitting it, some runners find it difficult to run and sometimes even walk. If you reach this point, it is okay. Just know what is going on when it happens. It can be a traumatic experience at first because you literally feel empty as if you have nothing left. What do you do? Keep going! Your body will make the transition and you will push through “the wall” to the finish line.

Once you push through, you may experience the “runner’s high” which some runners claim to be better than sex. If this happens, keep going! Remind yourself that you are a marathon runner and feel the feeling you will have when you cross the finish line. In a perfect world, you will deplete the last of your glycogen as you cross the finish line. However, chances are that you will hit the wall. Just remember your preparation, know what is happening, and know you will push through. You can do it! And you will.

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11/18/09 6:02 A

Lucky lucky lucky!!!

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11/17/09 7:24 P

So my physical therapist brother is moving to my home town. Can we say I'm just a little excited to have his expertise just down the street at the beginning of my marathon training? ;)

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11/17/09 7:16 P

Shhh no talk of injury I'm FINALLY coming off mine! I think after being injured as long as I was, my biggest fear now is another injury

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11/17/09 6:57 P

Jasmine,
I'm injury prone too. Never equated it with stress though. Hmm ... something to think about. I've actually got the worst kink in my neck right now cause I'm hosting T'giving at my house (which is a wreck thanks to sick kids) and I'm stressed. lol! On my long run yesterday I kept having to remind myself to run relaxed. It probably wound up being one of my more relaxed runs ever cause I was so aware of the tension I was carrying. ;)
Anyway, I'm sure you'll be fine if you can keep it fun and "easy".

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11/17/09 4:58 P

ohh Disney Princess sounds SO fun. Wish I could do that one.
My biggest concern is time and stress. I want to run the marathon just before my wedding, and while running helps me to relax, stress can cause injury. I'm slightly injury-prone so worst case scenario I end up over stressed and hurt my shins or knees. On the other hand, I have no time goal, I just want to finish, so if I take it easy when training I think I can do it.

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9/22/09 7:02 A

Our halfs are training runs, learning distance, pace, all about the experience (the bling doesn't hurt LOL) I know we are discussing a half 1 1/2 - 2 months before the full, but it will not be an all out run for it race, more like a step up from training, like a long tempo run.

I have my first 1/2 in 2 months and I've lost my mileage with the muscle pull and the now upper respiratory infection, so while I wanted a good time on it, I'm just going to enjoy it. Disney is 5-6 weeks after that, again, there to enjoy it, hopefully run the whole thing on that one.

As for the one up in the air, I'm between New Orleans (husband may have a cow) and Disney Princess.

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9/21/09 10:50 P

Okay, figured this was as good a place as any to post this question. It does voice concerns I have for marathon training. :) My training plan for my full marathon starts me out in November with my first 13 miler happening in early January (no half marathons available at this time). I would really like to get a half marathon in before my full but the only option is the Seattle Marathon the end of November. I could easily be ready for it. Not a problem. My concern is I would be jepordizing my full marathon training with all the high milage right before I'm supposed to begin training for the full. I've had injuries in the past after running a half - push hard in race and then not taking enough recovery time. I'm figuring if I treat it as a slow training run, include some walk breaks, and not push it I'll be okay. I'd like another long race experience before the full to help refresh my memory of what they are. All I've done since this March have been 5k's. Plus, I'm just itching for another medal/experience. ;) What do you all think? I know some of you have half marathons planned. How do they fall in with your marathon training? What do you think? Should I go for it? Thanks for any feedback!

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9/7/09 3:05 P

Oh, yeah, the bathroom issue is a big one for me. I think I know where every public restroom is for a 10-mile radius!

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9/7/09 12:26 P

Oh, I reading The Non-runner's Marathon Trainer book right now. My training is longer than 16 weeks so I'm not actually following their running plan--but it's been great to read each section during the week or during two weeks. It's just an extra helper--something else to help motivate me and give me ideas about how to get through all of this!

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9/1/09 5:42 P

Have to agree about benefit of being a man!

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9/1/09 5:14 P

I've had to pee on long runs but fortunately at nicely timed bathroom locations. I dread the day my only option is a tree or bush. Gotta say, peeing in the outdoors is the only time I wish I was a guy. ;)

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9/1/09 3:52 P

LMAO I luckily have never had to pee when I'm in the middle of a long run outside, only on the treadmill, but I know it is coming!

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9/1/09 3:41 P

I have that book as well. Haven't started reading it yet. But I also got "The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide for Women" that I finished reading. It's less a training book and more hilarious/motivational read. I darn near wet myself laughing at some parts of it. Excerpt:

"One of the greatest things that will come as a result of your marathon training (besides a new ability to spot and use appropriate peeing locations on a running trail with lightning speed) will be the absolute shattering of what you used to accept as your physical and mental limitations."

Now if that doesn't motivate you, I don't know what will! LOL

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9/1/09 3:14 P

I think I'm going to be at the book store!!

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9/1/09 12:09 P

Phatkat36, that sounds like a good book. I have the Marathoning for Mortals by John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield. It also has training programs and lots of inspirational words to help prepare for the distance. I used it for my first half and have reread it before each subsequent one. Here's to hoping it does a great job for the 26.2 distance! LOL!

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9/1/09 9:22 A

I have all of the same concerns as most of you guys. Can I do the miles? Am I mentaly ready? Will I have time (full time job, mother of 3, wife)? A friend of mine who is a runner lent me a book...The Non-runner's marathon Trainer. It is a 16 week program that prepares you mentaly and physically for finishing a marathon. It's really helping me with all of my concerns.

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5/26/09 2:21 P

My Brooks Ghost I didn't have an ounce of issue, I actually improved my time in them, but I took them out of rotation as I didn't know if they are what caused the hip issue in the first place, I now think they didn't since all discomfort and pain was completely gone and flared back up with different shoes. I think the original call on the hip injury may have been right...carrying my 20 month old around - I must have twisted wrong, he weighs 30 pounds and feels like dead weight. I do remember a popping in the hip when I was holding him before the pain started.

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5/25/09 8:16 P

It took me a while to find the perfect shoe, too. But once I did it was like night and day. Also, for me I've noticed I need to get new shoes before the 300 mile mark - closer to 250. Bummer for me but great news for my local running store. ha!

Brian36 - I use glucosamine also and have noticed a difference.

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5/25/09 7:27 P

Have you tried glucosamine? When I first started running my knees would hurt.. I started taking glucosamine every day with my multivitamin and within about 3 weeks the pain went away.

Dragonfly, do they no longer sell that shoe that worked so well earlier? I have to get a new pair. I've read that you should get new shoes every 300-500 miles. I'm at 375, but I think even if I hadn't been tracking miles, I'd know I needed new shoes. My feet, ankles and lower legs hurt a lot after a 5 miler. Shorter distances don't seem to hurt so much. I will be getting the exact same pair, and if they weren't so expensive I'd get 2 just in case they discontinue them. I'm using Asics Gel-Platinum2. Never had a shoe that fit perfect and felt awesome from the minute I put them on like these ones did.

Good luck finding the perfect shoe, that is half the battle!

Edited by: BRIAN36 at: 5/25/2009 (20:34)

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5/25/09 2:15 P

Only reason I wonder about dehydration is the lubrication in the joint is less and I have damaged cartilage in both knees from soccer. I've had operations on both knees, I quit running, they quit hurting though. I'm frustrated with this whole shoe thing. Everyone that's fitted me has said high cushion neutral shoes. Video gait analysis, regular fittings. My first shoes did awesome for the first 6 months, it's been one ouch after another with the next 4 pairs of shoes. They said all the ones I've been in are extremely similar, so I'm at a loss.

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5/25/09 2:05 P

Okay, no six miler for me. My folks came for a visit so I opted to visit. I did manage to get out and do a hot 3 miler today. I pushed speed since I did't go for distance. lol!

Dragonfly, hmm ... don't know if dehydration can make knees achy?

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5/25/09 12:00 P

I got a very 2 hot and humid miles in this morning. Felt good but I was already dehydrated and my knees were achy. I think it is the new shoes. I don't know if dehydration could make them achy.

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5/25/09 10:45 A

You did get your 6 miler in, right??

But yeah...I need to just pick a time and just go. No...I could do it later...which turns in to tomorrow because it's too hot or I have to cook dinner.

I'm going to start running in the morning. I'll have to switch that up come August, but for right now it works.

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5/24/09 6:53 P

I'm trying to talk myself out of a 6 miler today. It's hot and I just don't want to sweat that hard. lol!

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5/24/09 6:14 P

HAHAHA...I'll donate!

I'm horrible about just not doing things too. I know I'm going to have to get strict with myself and not talk myself out of anything.

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5/24/09 5:25 P

Put me down for mental toughness too. Just thinking about the fact that I will be out there for hours is hard to wrap my head around. I don't have that much to think about! (I let my mind wander on runs...it's soothing time to just think about whatever)

Also not letting my brain say it's done.

Willpower too...sticking to the training schedule. I can very easily talk myself out of doing stuff. I've done it with other training schedules. So I need to keep on top of that.

I have to laugh at the bathroom issues. I completely pondered that myself!!

Also, I'm with BRIAN36...I could use a little something in the chest area if you could donate. That was the first thing to go when I lost the weight. Yesh.

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5/13/09 4:00 P

My biggest concern is having the mental toughness to succeed. There are training programs to build endurance and increase strength, but I'm having a hard time getting my head around 26.2 miles. One of my first thoughts after finishing the half was, OMG--that was only the half way point in a full marathon!!

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5/12/09 1:45 P

LOL no harm in asking! My insurance pays for mine as I have back and shoulder issues. Even at 87 pounds when I was 19, I was a 32D, so I have a feeling mine aren't going anywhere

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5/12/09 1:22 P

I went from baby stretch straight to obesity stretch. I'd love to believe that in 2-4 years that extra loaf of skin that I get when I lean over would be gone.

Dragonfly, Do you suppose they'd offer a plastic surgery 2-for-1 where they take what they reduce from you and add it to me?? I used to be a D and now if I tuck and pull enough, I might, MIGHT fill a B! LOL

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5/12/09 1:10 P

they say once your weight stabilizes it will take 2-4 years for your skin to tighten back up, so there is non-surgical hope at least. The only surgery I've contemplated having is breast reduction if I don't get below a DD when I'm at my goal weight. I wear a DD now, but I'm coming out of the sides and top of my bras as I can't find anyone who makes them bigger without upping the band size.

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5/12/09 12:50 P

Kids do a number on the stomach, don't they? Let me clarify. I have ab definition if I'm standing up. But don't watch me lean over or sit down. Then I get this flabby roll of loose left over baby skin that is just under my abs. To boot, it's covered in stretch marks. The only way I'll ever rid myself of it is a tummy tuck and I don't see that in my near future. lol!

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5/12/09 12:41 P

I wish I had abs, I wouldn't mind 5 pounds...well I do have abs, but not in the tight, fits well under clothing kind of way! I have the I know they are in there, but have the weight of my 20 month old to dig through to find them!

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5/12/09 12:35 P

Thanks for the info, Brian36. I'm actually at a happy weight. I don't need to lose more but I wouldn't complain if it just fell off. lol! I just remember when I first started training runs thinking I'd drop more weight. I've since learned my body reached a point where that wasn't going to be the case without serious dieting, something I'm not willing to do. I need a certain amount of calories to run. I remind myself when I was 5 lbs lighter (about 3 years ago now) I didn't have ab muscles. Now, I have abs! I'd much rather the abs. ;)

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5/12/09 12:13 P

I gained about 5 pounds when I was doing my longest runs, but I probably dropped a size in clothes (didn't buy new, I figured it was only temporary.) Since I've been a slacker the last couple weeks, I dropped those 5 pounds and my clothes fit properly again. Weight distribution?? I ate like a machine during the last few weeks before tapering!!! I had people commenting all the time about how they never saw me that I was chewing on something.

I would strongly recommend that if you want to continue losing during training that you adjust your calorie burn and calorie range on spark every couple weeks as your mileage increases. Do NOT be afraid to eat more (healthy stuff of course!). I blogged about this back in January or February if you're interested...

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5/12/09 11:40 A

Ugh, I haven't lost a pound more since starting to train for long distances. In fact, I'm up about 5 lbs (same clothes size though)and it's been rock steady. I can't diet when I'm eating to fuel long runs. It will be interesting to see how the whole fuel in/energy out of marathon training runs will impact my figure.

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5/12/09 10:14 A

ERMA, I'm right there with you, not to mention the fact that losing the excess will be easier on our knees!!! I know once our distances get up there we will lose some, but I'm worried about the ravenous hunger I would get after my long runs.

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5/12/09 9:55 A

One of my other concerns is losing about 20 pounds, ha. I know that the beauty of running is that almost any "body" can do it, but I think it would be much more comfortable if there was less leg chub to rub while running. But I guess that's why they make Body Glide!

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5/12/09 9:44 A

I guess the good thing is we will all be doing this around the same time so advice will be valuable!

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Posts: 713
5/12/09 9:30 A

I haven't done a run longer than 6 miles since my half 3 weeks ago (a little burnout I suppose). Anyhow, I forgot about the bathroom thing. Only once did I have to do a tree dash during a long training run. Hope to never have to repeat that. I think I have a handle on it now. I hydrate well the night before, eat a regular breakfast and drink at least 8 oz. but I have to have all this done at least 2 hours before start time, then about 15 min. before, I drink 4 oz. and take some type of energy food. I'm not sure how this will change with the extra distances I'll be doing.

current weight: 114.0

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Posts: 9,526
5/12/09 5:34 A

OMG I didn't even think about the bathroom issue...UGH! I need to read more it seems, I didn't even think about menial things that could turn into a big thing!

current weight: 140.0

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Posts: 229
5/11/09 10:29 P

For me it's keeping my mind occupied on long training runs. Training runs for a half could seem long and now I'm looking at 20 miles... It is a long time to be by myself on the pavement. Also, seriously, bathroom pit stops. lol! I've read so many horror stories on Runner's World. Last but not least, I'm worried about an inury keeping me from my goal. I've wanted to do this for the last two years and was totally envious of my sil who ran her first last year. My dh asked me to wait til our youngest began kindergarten so I can run while he's in school. That's this fall! Whoo hoo!

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5/11/09 1:44 P

I think my biggest concern is balance. I want to train enough to be ready to not only finish, but do well. But I don't want my training to be so all-consuming that it takes time away from my "real" life responsibilities (mother, wife, full time employee). I selected my race based on the "off" season of my kids' sports schedules but still provided me enough time to get some outside training runs instead of doing them all on a treadmill due to weather.

I have a year to get ready, there will be no excuses, just results.

current weight: 114.0

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Posts: 690
5/11/09 1:42 P

I think that my biggest concern is like yours, Holly and ERMAC...being ready!
I also have this mental note associated with the word "Marathon" and that is 5 hours of running...I guess because my longest run was 90 minutes 5 hours seems scary.
But like Holly said...I have plenty of time to train and get my body and mind ready!

current weight: 152.0

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5/11/09 12:04 P

ERMAC...I think I have the mental toughness, just not as focused as it should be though...that is a good one, I didn't even think about the mental part...see this is why teammates are good to have!!

current weight: 140.0

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SparkPoints: (11,219)
Fitness Minutes: (17,010)
Posts: 1,081
5/11/09 11:59 A

It's being ready for me also. And the mental toughness that I hope to develop - that I'm actually capable of doing this!

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5/11/09 11:54 A

For me, it's being ready...and having enough time to get there.

current weight: 140.0

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Posts: 9,526
5/11/09 11:54 A

What is your biggest concern with "m" training? Is it finding time? Being ready for the actual race? Or even for qualifying for your dream debut race?

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