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San Francisco 5k/HM 2/6/11 - YAHOO!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

OK -

I made my decision - well, sort of anyways...lol

I'm going to register for the San Fran 5k/HM where you can either run or walk either of the two which will take place on 2/6/11 - a day after my birthday! What a way to celebrate another spark-filled year! I can't wait. I don't know if I'll be allowed to sign up for the 5k run and be able to stop and brisk walk if needed, so I have to find out. Or...should I just sign up to brisk walk the HM? I dunno...decisions, decisions. Either way, it's something I've long wanted to do, and since my achilles tendon issues from the beginning of this year seem to be under control, I think it's high time I put my foot down (literally) and as the Nike slogan says, "JUST DO IT!"

Today they're starting a training program through work at lunchtime on how to run/walk safely. They'll have personal trainers there and all. So from 1245-about 1:15 I'll be there...wish me luck!
They'll have this M-F the whole time, and Saturday sessions TBA after Christmas. Hope I'll be ready! Excited, excited...(can ya tell?? lol)

So, calling all of my wonderful and truly amazing and inspiring SPARKFRIENDS - any advice you can offer me? I know I'll listen to my body, be sure to stretch out thoroughly both before and after any trainings...Wondering if I should high protein it up until then and continue with my lower carb intake I've been tinkering with lately. Should I run with gel insoles? Buy a new pair of shoes? Currently, I have those Aasics Gel Oberon 3's - but I've racked up some miles on them so I'm not sure...Open to all suggestions!

So...this will be my very first "official" event in the name of fitness and being healthy! Imagining that in October, 2009, when I first began my Spark-Venture...this would never have crossed my mind! That, in itself, is very much a friggin BOOST and a half - and I know I CAN do it!

Allrighty Ya'll...
Hope to hear some great advice. Glad I have so many incredible ppl here I can count on!!!

xoxo
Jeanie

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MOM23JS
Not sure how far you are from the central valley, but for serious running, I would tell you to make the drive to Stockton to Fleet Feet.. the staff there are AMAZING and will fit you properly in shoes (spend about 1 hour on a fitting). If you have crummy shoes you are more prone to hurting yourself which takes all the run out of this. I am a new runner (since November) and I am currently working towards a HM (just completed a 10K over the weekend) and my shoes and arch supports have been VITAL.

Good luck because YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

3695 days ago
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LORENVER
Hey Girlie this is AWESOME! As everyone else said, good shows! Don't risk the feet and all they carry! There are some really good HM books, and Jeff Galloway has a whole walk run method that lost of people really like.

Overall I think you should be your sparky self!

Loren
3705 days ago
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YOGINIMAMA108
How am I just seeing this? Sorry for the late reply!

How exciting!!!!! I am 100% sure that you can walk at any point in the 5k. No one is going to pull you out if you have to go to a shuffle. It is all good! (I bet you will end up running it all anyway)! Who knows, you might be up to walking/jogging the 1/2!

For sure I must say invest in a good pair of shoes that are professionally fitted. So important! Worth what ever the cost, esp since you do not want to re-injure yourself.

You are so lucky that you can get training advise at work! That is awesome! I completely made it up as I went along.

Stretching after is way more critical than before a run....

I have heard to be eating low carb while training, but I never found it was a problem for me, even training to run the 1/2. If you start to feel burned out, you can increase a bit.

SO awesome! can not wait to hear how training goes! A great goal for 2011!!!!!!!!

That is all I can think of for now. Of course, I am happy to help in any way I can!

3706 days ago
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ALESHABEE
Nice...and I echo what other people say about good shoes, especially since it seems like you've had an injury. Also make sure you hydrate plenty during training and for the days before your race especially. And don't start out fast on race day...even though your adrenaline will want you to
3719 days ago
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CD7466362
Just ran across your blog.... I'm signed up for my first ever 5K run/walk here in San Dimas, CA on Jan 8th. Definitely walking, but this is huge ... for you and me... 2011 is going to rock!
3719 days ago
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TEENY_BIKINI
I have no advice but I know you will rock it, diva.

How exciting?!! Yee haw.
3719 days ago
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DAV128
My only advise, if you're going to start a serious running/walking program, is: Make sure you have good shoes and (if you have any medical history of problems with your feet or legs - or if you develop any) make sure your feet and arches are supported properly and that you are bio-mechanically sound. A doctor can check things out for you and if needed, you can get orthotics (prescribed or generic) to help put yourself back into bio-mechanical alignment.

In any such fitness program (roadwork), you feet, legs, and hips are most important and poor bio-mechanics can lead to chronic problems and injury.

If you have time, check out this article (http://www.goodhealthus.com/articl
es/footorthotics.htm)

Good Luck - Run/walk far, Run/walk fast - but don't forget to look around and enjoy nature.

3722 days ago
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OZARKMARY
You WILL do it!!! You're in such good health now, that with this training from work, you shouldn't have a problem running the whole thing. They don't watch, so if you did have to walk for a bit, it won't matter. My youngest ran when she was like 6. lol We even took her to an April Fools' Run at midnight 4/1, once. Those were fun days! Good luck getting the right shoe. I'm really excited for you.
3724 days ago
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CARLA-216
Good on you for doing this event! I love that it's a day after your birthday, too!

How awesome that you have this program available to you at work! Maybe they can help you decide if the half marathon distance is safely doable by then. Ask them oodles of questions; that's what they're there for! Also, in my experience, if you sign up to run a 5K you most certainly can insert walk breaks. Others may have different things to say about that.

My main piece of advice is to go to a running store and be professionally fitted for your shoes. Don't go to Dicks or a place like that and just pick out a shoe that feels good; go get a professional fitting. We have Fleet Feet here that does it, so hopefully you'll have something like them in your area.

xoxo
Carla
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3724 days ago