So last year I may have said "never again" but like childbirth pain, apparently you forget marathon pain! I signed up for my second for Memorial Day weekend. Same one I ran last year--my sister talked me into it. It will be her first (she's lost 80lbs without surgery and kept it off over 5 years!) and I will earn my "s." (As I "I run marathonS" lol).

Any other distance runners currently training for a race? I have a few half marathons and ragnars on the way to May 28th and then the main event. Would love to swap stories!

I have the Star Wars Dark Side 10k in April. Starting to wish that I had signed up for the 1/2, but that's ok. My goal is to run a half before the year is over. Last year I ran the Tinkerbell 10k and my time was horrible; I was also at my heaviest. This year I'll be (hopefully) down 100+ pounds. Running is so much easier now then it was a year ago. Heck, it's easier now than when I ran my first race, Disney's Expedition Everest Challenge in 2013.

@@jess9395 I'm training for my first half marathon on April 24th. I have a question for you as I start working my way up to some of the longer runs. How do you prepare for your long runs with your food the day before? I am having a hard time figuring out how to get enough calories in to fuel my longer runs. Would love some advice from someone who's already done a half post-VSG.

This is the year for me to up my distance. I did my first 5K in November, one in December and I have the Star Wars 5K this Friday. 10K is my next goal and I want to sign up for either the Avengers, Star Wars, or Tinker Bell half when registration opens later this year.

No turning back on this goal now. I have signed up for three 10Ks

The Coaster Run 2016 - March 6th

www.thecoasterrun.com

Anaheim Semper 5K/10K - May 21st

http://www.semper5k.org/

The 10K during the 2016 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend - Sept 3rd

http://www.rundisney.com/disneyland-half-marathon/

@@jess9395 I'm training for my first half marathon on April 24th. I have a question for you as I start working my way up to some of the longer runs. How do you prepare for your long runs with your food the day before? I am having a hard time figuring out how to get enough calories in to fuel my longer runs. Would love some advice from someone who's already done a half post-VSG.

The day before? Honestly I don't! I eat whatever I'd normally eat!

You typically burn 100 calories per mile so you don't really need a LOT of extra food.

Day of if I will be running longer than an hour (6+ miles usually) I will eat a bit higher in carbs than usual--oatmeal with Protein powder in it or a small banana with Peanut Butter. My goal is about 200 calories. Then if it's a race or a really long run (10 miles or more) I will often drink juice--I like evolution brand with fruits and veggies and sometimes coconut Water.

Then I try to take in 100 calories at 30-40 minutes and then every half hour after that. Sometimes that's purchased runners fuel--gu's or gels--or more often the more whole food ones like bonk breakers or honey stinger waffles. I can't typically eat it all at once so I do it but by bit.

Sometimes I use fruit pouches marketed to kids, sometimes I make my own date/nut/dried fruit balls or use the Lara bars that are just those. Sometimes I use peanut butter pretzels.

I typically drink NUUN on a run but if I'm worried about getting enough calories I will do Fluid or something with sugar.

Then after I refuel with protein and carbs--often a higher carb Protein shake like BSN Syntha 6. Sometimes I have geek yogurt with granola or pretzels (I usually need some salt) or I save my peanut butter and banana for after.