I am 6 weeks out today and I feel fantastic. So much so that I just registered for my first ever half marathon in November. WTF? I don't run. A killer could be chasing me and I'd just lay down.

To think just a few short weeks ago I was an emotional wreck and kicking myself for going through with the surgery, and now here I am feeling better than ever and registered for a freaking half marathon.

Never in a million years did I think this could be my life.

THANK YOU VSG!!!

Is that what it's called @@KindaFamiliar

We talked on the phone for a bit, then he will work up what he called a "proposal". That must be code for death wish. Lol. He will email that to me on Thursday and we go from there.

Oh well. They say the toughest part is starting. I REALLY hope that's the case!!

lol love it!! the other day, i decided to walk instead of taking the bus to a park...about a 20 min walk or so. a year ago, that 20 min walk would have taken 2 minutes cause i would have definitely taken the bus!

this increased energy and mobility is so super crazy awesome

I am 6 weeks out today and I feel fantastic. So much so that I just registered for my first ever half marathon in November. WTF? I don't run. A killer could be chasing me and I'd just lay down.

To think just a few short weeks ago I was an emotional wreck and kicking myself for going through with the surgery, and now here I am feeling better than ever and registered for a freaking half marathon.

Never in a million years did I think this could be my life.

THANK YOU VSG!!!

Well played on setting up a future fitness event that will be something to focus on. That is really cool......and uber smart.

The training and work you'll do in preparation will have you feeling great.......provided you don't get injured. That is my biggest frustration with things....injuries. I freaking hate them. I tweaked an achilles that had me off the treadmill and elliptical for a month. I found some super supportive tall lace up desert boots that helped on workdays....but looked crazy.

Sounds like you've gone after some really high level coaching. Great strategy.

No injuries....and please don't die in the race.

@@Andrea72

I am 5.5 months out from surgery and I did a crazy thing like you only I went for the FULL marathon! Mine is October 9th. I am training with a group while raising $$ for a cause. One of the nice accountability things is that there are group training runs each Saturday and people of all levels who are training. You might look to see if there is a similar type of training group in your area. I find that the group runs get me up at out of bed better than I do on my own. I get up earlier on Saturdays for the runs than I do to go to work, but I haven't missed one yet and that included the week I had to walk because I was having such bad allergies I coughed all the time. Anyway, the team is a great accountability group.

I also know that there are just regular running clubs in my area that train 1-2 times a week. They don't cost anything and also provide a group for motivation if that helps you.

I also want to second the get fitted with good running shoes. Make sure they take the time to look at your gate and your arches, etc. I had one running store where the guy who fit me took one look at me and insisted I needed motion control shoes. (for flat footed and people who overpronate). I have high arches and a neutral gate so those shoes were the opposite of what I needed. It messed me up so bad that 2 MRIs, a lumbar puncture, and physical therapy later, my PT, a runner, finally figured out what was causing me so much pain! The only explanation I have come up with was that the guy took one look at me and saw fat woman and assumed I had flat feet. Anyway, shoes will run you $100 or more, but getting fitted correctly will make all the difference and prevent injuries.

Good luck!
Keep us posted!
pam

e

Thanks for the advice. I have already contacted the one and only running store and unfortunately their programs meet at 6:30 in the morning, and being a single mom of a 10 year old does not allow that to be possible for me. So, I will stick with my personal trainer and my niece who is a marathon runner. I have every bit of faith in them both, and thankful I have them.

I also have an appointment with someone at the running store on Monday for fitted shoes. She explained to me that I could get a decent pair for $160, but they can range up to $200 so I am totally prepared.

Congratulations on your decision. All though I'm excited to run, I have no desire to put in 26 miles. The half is just a way to prove to myself I can do it.

Good luck in your training and on race day.

My closet looked like a shoe graveyard of new running shoes that I bought at Academy Sports and the like. New Balance, Nike, etc. Each of them had fit issues or some aspect that I didn't care for after a couple of sessions.

I finally went to a local running store and was fitted properly. Fitted not just for size, but for stride, foot strike pattern, etc. First time in my life I've done this.

The results have been unbelievable.

The shoes I bought were a bit pricey......but they've stood up through my punishment of them and are insanely comfortable. They help eliminate knee and back pains and take a pounding.

The two pair I bought are from Hoka One One and Brooks.

http://www.hokaoneone.com

http://www.brooksrunning.com

I alternate them in gym sessions and they've both become daily shoes for me. Nothing more comfortable.

I'm sure your running store will get you taken care of. Great experience for me. I wished I done this years ago. Would have saved heaps of money by avoiding the graveyard of new cruddy shoes.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice @@Dub

After a minor setback on Monday(sick child), I got started with a few things yesterday. Man was it tough, but I was happy I did it.

I'm still a little leery on the whole thing and I guess my trainer could sense that cause he kept telling me to get out of my head and break through my comfort zone.

It's kinda hard to push through when you think the Grim Reaper is waiting on the other side. Lol

And I'm not one for shopping, I actually despise it, so I figured I'd just go for the best the first time around.

No shoe, or support bra, graveyard for me.

Speaking of support bras....those things are no joke.

There was one I was trying on and got it stuck halfway down. My arms were trapped in the air. I swear for a few minutes I looked like one of those wacky air ballon people thingys you see at the front of used car lots.

It....was....awful!!! Lots of heavy breathing and sweating.

On the plus side, I hadn't done that kind of cardio in years

@@Andrea72 lol ... I just snorted protein shake!

@@Andrea72

I had a few of those situations trying on bras and now I stick to the kind that close like regular bras. I'm in this for the exercise not the contortions!

I don't know if anyone mentioned to you, but make sure to replace your shoes after about 300 miles. Knowing that 300 miles will be before my marathon, I have already bought my next pair (on sale) because I wanted to make sure to get the exact same kind. I wear Asics Cumulus. They number the models and they change slightly from model to model. I wanted to be sure I got model 16 and since the 17s just came out, 16s were on sale! I chose a different color scheme so I don't get them mixed up and wear an old one and a new one! I won't start using my new ones for another month or more, but I have them so I don't have to think about it later. Getting the same model number means I already know how they will fit and it should take minimal breaking in time.

I am 3 days into getting up early to run before work. So far so good, but this is a hard habit for me. My bed is way too comfy and warm in the mornings! It takes me 3 alarm clocks in different rooms of my apartment to get me out of bed!

Good luck! You can do it one step at a time!

pam

Thanks for the encouragement and advice @@Dub

After a minor setback on Monday(sick child), I got started with a few things yesterday. Man was it tough, but I was happy I did it.

I'm still a little leery on the whole thing and I guess my trainer could sense that cause he kept telling me to get out of my head and break through my comfort zone.

It's kinda hard to push through when you think the Grim Reaper is waiting on the other side. Lol

And I'm not one for shopping, I actually despise it, so I figured I'd just go for the best the first time around.

No shoe, or support bra, graveyard for me.

Speaking of support bras....those things are no joke.

There was one I was trying on and got it stuck halfway down. My arms were trapped in the air. I swear for a few minutes I looked like one of those wacky air ballon people thingys you see at the front of used car lots.

It....was....awful!!! Lots of heavy breathing and sweating.

On the plus side, I hadn't done that kind of cardio in years

LMAO. Good stuff.

@@Andrea72

I had a few of those situations trying on bras and now I stick to the kind that close like regular bras. I'm in this for the exercise not the contortions!

I don't know if anyone mentioned to you, but make sure to replace your shoes after about 300 miles. Knowing that 300 miles will be before my marathon, I have already bought my next pair (on sale) because I wanted to make sure to get the exact same kind. I wear Asics Cumulus. They number the models and they change slightly from model to model. I wanted to be sure I got model 16 and since the 17s just came out, 16s were on sale! I chose a different color scheme so I don't get them mixed up and wear an old one and a new one! I won't start using my new ones for another month or more, but I have them so I don't have to think about it later. Getting the same model number means I already know how they will fit and it should take minimal breaking in time.

I am 3 days into getting up early to run before work. So far so good, but this is a hard habit for me. My bed is way too comfy and warm in the mornings! It takes me 3 alarm clocks in different rooms of my apartment to get me out of bed!

Good luck! You can do it one step at a time!

pam

right now I have two pair of shoes in rotation - my goal is to walk 100 miles a month - so after about 6 months I will need new ones. watching for a sale on good shoes now because I hope to have my replacements all lined up before I need them. Good shoes make all the difference!

@@Andrea72

I had a few of those situations trying on bras and now I stick to the kind that close like regular bras. I'm in this for the exercise not the contortions!

I don't know if anyone mentioned to you, but make sure to replace your shoes after about 300 miles. Knowing that 300 miles will be before my marathon, I have already bought my next pair (on sale) because I wanted to make sure to get the exact same kind. I wear Asics Cumulus. They number the models and they change slightly from model to model. I wanted to be sure I got model 16 and since the 17s just came out, 16s were on sale! I chose a different color scheme so I don't get them mixed up and wear an old one and a new one! I won't start using my new ones for another month or more, but I have them so I don't have to think about it later. Getting the same model number means I already know how they will fit and it should take minimal breaking in time.

I am 3 days into getting up early to run before work. So far so good, but this is a hard habit for me. My bed is way too comfy and warm in the mornings! It takes me 3 alarm clocks in different rooms of my apartment to get me out of bed!

Good luck! You can do it one step at a time!

pam

right now I have two pair of shoes in rotation - my goal is to walk 100 miles a month - so after about 6 months I will need new ones. watching for a sale on good shoes now because I hope to have my replacements all lined up before I need them. Good shoes make all the difference!

Thanks for the advice @@mngreeneyes and @@Christinamo7

But right now I'm not even wanting to think about 300 miles. Hell IM not even wanting to think about 13.1.

@@KristenLe The struggle is real. Stick around for more laughs cause this is my everyday life!!!

@@Andrea72

You'll be surprised how fast those miles add up. I figure it is about 3 months give or take. Good luck! You can do it!

pam

As far as finding great shoes, never forget to say a prayer to St. Tubin:

http://movie-sounds.org/old-movie-samples/sound-clips-from-this-is-spinal-tap/what-was-he-the-saint-of-the-patron-saint-of-quality-footwear

Patron Saint of Quality Footwear*

* If you have not seen "This is Spinal Tap", you won't get this joke.

As far as finding great shoes, never forget to say a prayer to St. Tubin:

http://movie-sounds.org/old-movie-samples/sound-clips-from-this-is-spinal-tap/what-was-he-the-saint-of-the-patron-saint-of-quality-footwear

Patron Saint of Quality Footwear*

* If you have not seen "This is Spinal Tap", you won't get this joke.

I have not, but I just looked it up and I can assure you I will watch it in the very near future!!

@@Andrea72

You'll be surprised how fast those miles add up. I figure it is about 3 months give or take. Good luck! You can do it!

pam

Thanks, Pam. I need a great cheering section.

@@Andrea72 -

I don't want to be a wet blanket now, but make sure you talk to your surgeon's office and your NUT. I went to my 6 month post-surgery appointment and was informed that they don't think I should do the marathon! They have known about it for more than a month because I called almost right away to talk about nutrition during long runs, etc. Their stated reason is that there isn't much research out there about bariathletes. What I have been able to find has no recommendations as to when a person can start thinking about events like this or what length. The information I read even talks about bariathletes doing ultra events and multi day events.

They have decided that they can't tell me I can't, but they don't recommend it. I am frustrated. I don't want to do anything to damage myself or hamper the effectiveness of my surgery, but I also don't feel like they have given me a good reason not to do it. One of my support group friends thinks I should just keep training and listen to my body. It will tell me when it needs a break, needs more calories, etc. If I had known all this a month ago, I might have waited a year and not signed up, paid, started fundraising, and told so many people. Now I feel like I'll be a failure if I drop out.

sadly,

pam