MichPA

First and foemost everyone is different and fills affect everyone differently my fills are ALWAYS delayed by at least 2 weeks and I have had several and some have given me restriction and some have done nothing. The hardest part for me along this journey has been to accept that this is MY journey that just because someone has restriction at 2 fills and someone else has restriction at 4 cc and someone else is loosing 10# a month is not necessairly mean that I am a failure because that is not what is happening to me. I know it is hard and I had to take a deep breathe and RELAX and enjoy the ride and as long as I knew that I was working for the band the band would work for me. This journey is NOT a sprint but rather a marathon loosing 36# in 5 months is NOTHING to be discouraged about that is an average of 7# a month right foot left foot keep doing what you are doing and you will get there. If we focus on comparing ourselves to others we are going to miss out on the beautiful opportunities that are to be ours and ours alone. Hang in there and keep doing what you are doing, listen to your body you will know if you need to see your doc, excerise and keep a journal and enjoy the ride...

Katie, That is great and yes it is good to do the full 3.1 miles prior to race day so you know what to expect and how your body will feel. Your speeds and incline sound great and you are approaching this with the right attitude and pratice. Good luck and I can't wit to hear how it went so excited for you.

Hi Katie, First of all congratulations on taking the first step and commiting to a 5K and training for it. As you have noted running outside is much different than running on the treadmill. When I started running 5K's I concentrated on finishing and not so much worrying about my time or how much of it I actually ran. I timed myself and would run for 4 min and walk for 2 min and lather rinse repeate till I could run the whole 3.1 miles by increasing my run time by a minute and then decreasing my walk time by a minute. It is so much a mental game that is for sure and at times when you think you cant run anymore or further it is time to have a come to jesus meeting with yourself and say ok dig deep I can do this... The things that are important to me in preparing for a race are: Good Music ( if you don't have an I Pod Invest in one you will be glad you did) Good Shoes ( go to a running store and get fitted it is not about how pretty you look but how good your feet feel during and after the race) Fuel ( very important to properly fuel your body I have learned this lesson the hard way and not just on race day but for training runs as well) I eat about 1.5-2 hrs before my run and on race day usually do like 1-2 rice cakes with Peanut Butter Go to have Fun... Those that say it can't be done are being passed by those doing it... Have a great time can't wait to hear how it went Michele In the past 6 months I have ran 55 race miles and just completed my first 10 mile race and it was fantastic....