Kathybad

Georgia & Whosya... congrats on the win!!! That was a good one. Georgia... I've noticed your ticker runner is moving! Congrats!

I just finished my run. I did 4m outside in the beautiful sunshine! I followed a new route that took me on some main roads outside the neighbourhood. I've shyed away for the main roads - self consious - but wanted to push myself. It was fine! There were also a lot of hills, which I did ok. By the time I was finished I felt spent but in a good way. We took the kids and dog to the park and this time my DH did the long run as I walked the kids & dog. It was fun. I can feel spring is coming, even though its still very cold, I can see the buds on the trees... oh I love spring! Now its off to bake a cake... promised the kids I'd make one for DH & my anniversary!

Kristen... REST!!! When you are really sick, you won't be doing your body any favours by taxing it with too much exercise. If you are only a little under the weather, then a bit of exercise can be good... but listen to your body, and if it says "NO WAY", then don't. Also, don't beat yourself up for not running while away. Even if you weren't sick, its hard to keep motivated and on track when everything else is out of routine. Give yourself a few days to heal up before pushing yourself. As for your run... you still have 2 weeks to prepare, so don't worry. If worse comes to worse, walk some of the race. I ran last night for 30 min at a fairly good pace for me. I've been pushing myself to get to 5mph, but I can't sustain that for more than a few minutes, so I've been doing intervals with that speed and then putting it down to 4.5 or less if need be. Last night I did 5 min at 5.0 and the rest at 4.8, which is much faster than usual. At one point I had to slow it down to 4.5 for about 1min, and it felt so SLOW!!! LOL. I ran a total of 4.2 km and made my Feb goal of 50km. Today I plan to run outside. Its very cold, but not windy and beautifully sunny, and no ice or snow on the ground!!! Listen to me... I'm actually excited!

Tomorrow is DH and my anniversary. He's been watching me with the Nike+ and mentioned he might get one eventually. So for his present, I got it for him!!! I also signed the two of us up for the 5k run on April 5. This is the 2nd largest run in London... gets about 1500 people at it. Should be fun. Now we can do challenges together, and when I beat him in distance, I can officially gloat!!! LOL.

Ohh I was so bad! I planned to run last night, but played hookey!! Instead, DH and I just curled up together and watched Survivor & House... I love my PVR! Tonight for sure, as I need to get in the last 3km to meet my Feb goal. I want to get them in today so that I don't have to worry tomorrow. Tomorrow is DH & my 11th anniversary, so we have a family day planned - I know, not romantic, but we're celebrating 11 years as a family!

On My 19 Month Bandaversary... I hit a major milestone! I've now officially lost over 100 lbs!!!! When I started this journey I knew I had to, but really never thought I would. Well, today I have. I'm now at my lowest weight since University, which was 19 years ago! OMG I'm getting young again!!! LOL. I also overcame my blahs last night and ran 2m fast. Felt good!!!

Suzanne... I didn't know the lingo either :thumbup:. Thanks Mac for filling us in! I'm not hypoglycemic, but do try to eat before my runs cause I sometimes run out of steam if I don't have any nutrition in me. I think with the amount I eat in a meal, its not enough to sustain me through a long run. I will try to eat any one of the following about 10-20 min before my run: Yogurt Cheesestring All Bran Bites Orange Juice Milk That usually works for me.

Carol... I know I'm a little late in responding to your question. However, since I PB alot, and get stuck alot :thumbup:, I figure I'll give you my 2cents worth... Go for the run! I've only had 2 experiences where I had to stop running because of being irritated, and I've ran with an irritated throat/stomach numerous times. I decided a long time ago that I would start the run and if I didn't feel good, I'd stop. Its amazing how many times your head will try to convince you that you shouldn't, but when you don't listen and you actually try the run, you feel so much better afterwards. BTW, I don't PB because I'm too tight or don't chew. I have an incredible gag reflex, always have, and certain foods will "tickle" my gag reflex and cause me to PB. Also, overly dry or starchy foods will often glum together for me and get stuck for hours. Very icky, but I live with it in order to get a variety of foods in. When I'm stressed, its 10x worse too! When I lost my job in the summer I lost all sorts of weight cause I just couldn't eat! LOL! Something good came out of that at least! I'm struggling tonight. I don't feel like running. DH is going to go downstairs to run soon and I know that will motivate me to go when he's done. Thank goodness we both run... it really helps to keep us on track! I have to get in 7km by Sat to meet my 50k in Feb goal. I've kind of slacked off a bit this month, so at this point I don't have much slacking room left unless I plan a longer run. Plus, I'd rather beat the hell out of my goal instead of just meeting it.

Ok, just a bit of a pity party! How long do I have to sit at the 99.5 lbs lost mark before the scale tips a measly 0.5 lbs! Its been weeks and it still hasn't moved. I just want that measly 1/2 lb to make the official 100 lb club! Ok... venting gone!

Suzanne... You can do it!!! 5 min is a hard hurdle to get over, but you can!!! If you need to just slow your run down a bit until you feel right. Don't get discouraged by comparing to us. Remember, we were right there with you a few months ago... just started earlier that's all! Soon you'll be powering through right along with us. It doesn't take long, but its important to get the basic body conditioning first. I can't tell you how much that has helped me. I hated running, but for some reason by following the C25k program, I built up my bone/muscle structure enough and my heart health so that I could do it, and better yet... I wanted to do it! Keep it up... you're doing amazing!

Well todays run was much better than yesterday! I did struggle with my head at the beginning... funny how that still gets in the way once in awhile! It kept telling me... "oh you're still too tired; just run for a few minutes; the kids need you; etc; etc" But I kept going and after 10 min, I was on a roll and went for the full 30 min. My DH took the dog outside to run today. We want to train her to run with us. So far, we've got her up to a fast trot (my normal pace LOL) for about 2.5 km. Hopefully by the summer she can run a full 5k with me. Not bad for an old gal - she's 6 (LOL - that's me in dog years!). I'm also going to get my son on the treadmill, I think. I'm a bit nervous about that, given his mental capacity. But I think he'll like trying it, as long as we're there with him. He likes to run, and last fall we had him running 1/4 mile laps, so I'm hoping the treadmill will hold his interest and get him running.

Whosya... Congrats on the Triathalon!! How short is "short"? How did you do the bike portion inside? I took 2 days off due to work activities. Then ran yesterday. I was really stiff and couldn't go very far. Probably tired from some late night activities. I plan to run this evening, so hopefully it will be a bit better than yesterday. I went to see the Toronto Leafs play the Columbas Blue Jackets the other night. Our company has a Box, so I was there entertaining a customer. First time in the box for me... cool!!! (((((I'm not a hockey fan)))))... I whispered that - afterall, I am Canadian! LOL! Good thing I was in the box, as I got to socialize rather than focus on the game. However, it did go into sudden death overtime and then a shoot out! Of course my team (Leafs) lost, but really... that's ok!

Welcome back Renewed! Glad your move was successful. How's that treadmill doing??? LOL! Well... I did go for a walk which turned into a run! I started out walking to see if it caused any issues with my migraine. It didn't, so I started to run... and didn't stop for an hour! I ran 7.7 km. I was slower than usual, but it felt good, and my migraine is receeding even more! Yeah!!! BTW... the Hotties are back on top!!

Ninner... good for you! Amazing how switching to your own music is so much more motivating than listening to that other stuff! I won't say congrats on the achy feet... but congrats on the reason! LOL.

Thanks Whosya! It helps to hear another's perspective. This one was one of my worst yet. But I'm feeling relatively good right now. I still have what I call "motion echo". Kind of a woosy throb in my head. When I exert myself, like picking up something, my head throbs, but when I walk from room to room it feels good. So I think I might get on the treadmill and just walk to see how it feels. Usually, if I don't catch it within the first 1/2 hour or so, then meds don't help at all. That's what happened yesterday. I thought it was just a muscle kink in my neck, and didn't have anything to take at work. By the time I got home it was a full blown migraine with nausia right away. I couldn't get or keep anything down last night. But when I took the meds this morning it did help a lot... even though I felt it melting in my throat, as it didn't pass through easily! I haven't had anything checked out... no scans... haven't even told my Dr. about this. It doesn't happen very often, and my Dr is in Toronto (2h away) so I don't see him often and when I do, I usually have something else more pressing. My DH gets so mad at me for not following up with this... can't blame him... I probably havent as I'm a bit of a chicken!

Scalingdown... congrats on your runs so far. I got my first runners high around week 2 or so, and then sporadically throughout. I don't get it everytime... my DH does, so I'm jealouse! But when it happens, its amazing. You get all euphoric... Don't get discouraged! It is hard going for the first several weeks, and then you start to notice the real benefits, and thats what motivates me! However, I agree... the people here are my daily dose of inspiration! LOL... as long as you're a Hottie, nothing else matters! Carol... I love reading your posts! They are filled with insights and make me think. It is amazing how people can affect others. I sent you those links, which helped you and hopefully a few others. But someone else sent them to me, and so on. Its the "6 Degress of Separation" all over again! I'm having a tough day today. A migrane started yesterday afternoon and came on like a tonne of bricks. It totally wiped me out last night and I tossed and turned with the pain. Finally I was able to swallow some meds around 5:30am - nausious before that - and the pain has receeded a bit. But I'm home today as I don't think I could handle working. I had wanted to run today, but not sure what physical exercise would do to my migrane... might make it better, but might make it worse?? I used to get lots of headaches pre-banding, but they slowly receeded with the weight loss. But I still get a couple migranes each year. They are weather related. When the pressure suddenly goes up (or down... not sure which), then it happens. For me, when its grey skies and in a very short time it suddenly clears up and is beautiful outside, usually causes me to get one. Thankfully it doesn't happen often.

Whosya... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! 15m is huge! You are such an inspiration! Carol... congrats on Week 1 Day 1! You're officially a runner now! Yeah, I know, you walk too... but you're a runner at heart! don't worry about repeating a week. I know many of us did... Just move on when you're ready. My only advice is to push yourself a little, but don't be crazy. I moved up when I was able to complete the run requirements in at least 1 of the week's runs. If not, I stayed. Suzanne... great work! Keep it up! Georgia... you must be feelin better if you ran 5m. BTW, on the new team challenge, did you know you're on both the "Hotties" team and on Salsas team? Of course you're supposed to be a "Hottie", cause we need you!!!

Wow... I'm on a major runner's high!!! I went on my longest run yet... 7.4km (4.6m?) and loved it. I went to this great park... same place as my 5k run was in the fall. DH took the kids and dog on a walk and ended at the playground, and I just ran, and ran, and ran! I just wanted to see how far I could go, so when my legs finally started to feel like rubber I finished. I ran the whole distance, and at a decent pace. In fact, my Nike+ told me I ran 5k in 35:37 min. I'm so psyched up I think I'm going to enter the Mother's Day 10k. That's 12 weeks away... if I can go 7.4 now, I should be able to do 10 by then!

Carol... I used the "Podrunner" series. Here's the link to it: Podrunner: Intervals - Free Workout Music for 5K Training You can download the podcast on iTunes or directly from here. The outline is also helpful, as it gives you what each week's plan is. Here's a link to that... First Day 2 5K - Printable Outline The music isn't the greatest... but it takes the guesswork out of when to run and when to walk. I used it up until week 7 when I didn't run/walk anymore. That's when I switched to my own music.

MacMadam... love the new picture!

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!