OK I must be getting really brave or I have lost my mind. I just registered for the 1st annual Las Vegas Marathon. Yes this is the BIG Marathon. NOT the 5K. I have to start training at the end of the month. The date for the Marathon is December 4, 2005. ACK!!!

Anyone up to join me? LOLOLOL!!!!! I don't expect to finish I just wanna participate. Then again maybe I will finish. Who knows?

The September Manhattan 5K Marathon is going to be a good way to keep me in training as well. I am gonna run that one. I will run that one. I WILL RUN THAT ONE! LOL! I think I am trying to convince myself of that.

It has helped me to have a goal to reach in my exercise routines. If I don't have that goal then I am not motivated to exercise. I will inform my personal trainer of my decision and hopefully she will step up the sessions.

Anyway, just wanted to let you guys know in case you read the headlines later. "Lap band patient cracks under Marathon pressure and kills trainer!"

LOL!!!!

Penni, do you run at all now? I've been exercising a lot and have really gotten much better, but I still can't imagine taking that first running step. I'm totally convinced my knees and feet won't be able to take the punishment. Walking is one thing, but running is still beyond my reach (I feel). When and how did you start?

In all honesty - I so admire you and the others that can run. When I even attempt to run (for example, chasing the kids) my boobs nearly kill me... so I cant imagine running on a street for any distance. That would be self inflicting harm!

Paula, modern science really has come up with excellent sports bras. I'm still a DD and couldn't do even a decent treadmill walk without my Champion sports bra. It's well worth the investment!

You are so awesome - You go girl

When I was training for the 5K I would run for 2 min then walk for 5 or 10 min. I use a really good support bra that I found at Target believe it or not. They really support you and keep me from getting black eyes while running. I am a 40 DD and I need all the support I can get. LOL!!! And the running doesn't really bother my arthritic knees at all. I was afraid it would. I guess all the walking has helped in that respect.

I do a modified run stride. I call it a "WOG". Slow jog and fast walk. It is shorter stride than a full out run and longer stride than a walk. I keep my arms in close to the body and it seems to work for me. I can sustain it for the full 2 min for now. I will work up to more as I train harder. SIGH!! Pray for me. LOL!!

I encourage all that like to work toward goals to pick a 5K and train for it. That is 3.1 miles. It takes me almost an hour to walk it. Get a walkman, ipod, mp3 player and crank up some tunes and take off walking. I find myself dancing along my walking route sometimes I get so involved in the music. If you walk for one record length that is 3 miles. The normal record length is almost one hour. So gauge your walking by that. I did that instead of looking at my watch every 5 min. LOL!! Get a pedometer to gauge your walking distance and calorie burn. I have heard that 10,000 steps is what we should do in one day. Some pedometers will measure the steps as well. MIne does.

The most important thing about walking is to have fun and enjoy it. I tried to walk with a partner but I can't. I have a set pattern I do and when I walk with a partner I have to modify my pattern and I don't usually get the best workout. It is fun to walk with someone though. Makes the time go by faster but do so knowing you won't get your normal workout in well at least that is how I am.

OK I will shut up now.

I was thinking about you this weekend Penni.

My sister called and asked if I would Sponsor her for the Relay for life Cancer Walk I told her sure sis I will sponsor you then she says why don't you walk with us. Humm me that could never walk far with out gasping for breath or having to take a break. Thinking of you I said yes cannot wait to do it not even sure how much I can walk but I'm gonna try..

Thanks Penni for being such an inspiration:)

Awww shucks!! And holy moly how cool is that. What a way to bond with your sis! I highly encourage anyone to make the effort to do a marathon. Doesn't matter if you finish or not just try. Makes you feel GREAT! Great sense of accomplishment. And I think you will be greatly surprised at what you can do.

Penni, I walked the Chicago marathon 10 years ago as a member of the Leukemia Society's "Team in Training." I slowly built up my endurance over six months; I trained with a friend who had a similar schedule, so we kept each other motivated. (My dog is my current walking partner.) You might be able to walk the Vegas marathon if you aren't up for running. Walking or running, your ambition is impressive! I wish I could talk myself into walking 26.2 miles again.

Hey Zoe: thanks for the encouragment and advice. I am planning on doing a WOG and walk type approach to the marathon. Maybe I can get my endurance built up for the Los Angeles Marathon for next year. LOL!!

HUGS

I would sooo do this with you Penni but alas, I am broke from my recent insertion of the band. Maybe next year I will join you? I would love to do this.

Prevention magazine has a schedule to train for walking a marathon. If you go on line, they have lots of information and started April 1 getting ready to walk an Oct marathon. Unfortunately, my feet gave out about a month ago and I'm having problems walking 20 minutes but hopefully, after I get banded, that will improve.

Beginning my marathon training on Monday. UGH!! Tell me,...no someone convince me that this is a good thing. THis marathon thingy. Hey if I back out at least I can live it up with Lisa in Vegas. We can go crash the WYNN hotel. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!