Ok, I tried this once before and got way to eager. I started moving quicker than designed. This time I will follow the guidelines.

If you are not familiar with a Couch to 5K, it is a plan to go from not running at all to running 5k (3.2 miles) in only 2 months. It is very doable and such a great feeling of accomplishment. I ran/walked a 5k in May and it was one of the most rewarding things I have done in many years.

Here is the link to the info.. If anyone is interested in training together just join in.

Cool Running :: The Couch-to-5K Running Plan

We will start on Monday, June 29.

Let's get ready to MOVE!!!!!!:tt2:

I have so much to tell you all.

1. Male personal train (Young, hot firm body!) Very motivating for an "mature" women at 0500 in the AM. He did a great job- He also said I had great " form" Although I know he was talking about my posture _ I pretended he meant my body!!HEHEHE

I am totally back into the swing of the exercising. No more excuses.

My job interview - I am getting a lot of great feedback and leading comments from the COO's and lea administrators.

Things like "good things come to those who wait." Smile smile and more. I feel pretty good about it. Kathy don't get off those prayer knees yet!!

OK speaking about be selfless.

My granddaughter turned 10 Dec 12. We are big gift givers. however this year my graddaughter told everyone she did not want presents for her birthday shejust wanted dog food and cat food to donate to the humane society. We talked about it and thought it was a great idea. We did not get her any gift except animal food. She was thrilled!! I was so touched by her sensativity= I sent an email to our local paper.

Yesterday they ran a front page article with picture About Skyler and her dog food.

This year will be less focused on gifts and more on Christ and family.

Maybe this is the silver lining to these economic struggles.

Peace to all...

Lyn... it touches my heart when a young person does something so selfless and giving. If only more adults could do the same, maybe we would solve some of the world's problems that way! Thanks for sharing.

Confused... I don't know what your current physical condition is, but if your back is cramping up while walking, I'd suggest you find out why before starting running. Weight could be the main cause, but is there other issues. Then, make sure your stretch. There are lots of stretching exercises you can do the losen the muscles in your back. Once you're comfortable with that, go for the C25k program! Its amazing.

Bethm... good for you! I hated the thought of running, now I love it.

Welcome both of you!

Renewed... I love the 3 gifts idea! The kids are so into the Christmas Story this year that it would make so much sense! On Tuesday my DD brought home from school the "Joy Bag", which was a way to celebrate Advent. Inside was an Advent wreath, a nativity set, prayers, stories and some homemade cookies. The kids loved it. I think we'll do the 3 gifts too!

Today school was cancelled due to snow! I can't remember the last year we actually had a snow day! And its only Dec! Oh well, we had a nice day together baking gingerbread cookies! Yes, I had one!

Oh I have in the past went to my Dr. and he had me go to PT which does water walking. He did scans and found nothing. I carry most of my weight on my lower part of my tummy so it pulls. But thanks for your info! If I dont run then I can jog or walk fast lol. :laugh:

What a beautiful day! It was snowing and blowing and freezing cold today, so we went to the park with the dog! LOL. The park was empty... usually has hundreds of people on any given day (very large park). No one braving the weather. So we let the dog off her leash and we went running through the snow. It was about 1-1/2 ft deep, fluffy and clean! Had a big melt on Thur, just in time for our blizzard on Fri and Sat. It was hillarious. We were all bundled up, and the dog loves the snow. Spent about an hour or more outside playing around. I actually went running with the dog in the deep snow - we did about 1-2 km total. It was hard, but fun.

At church today they showed this video, which is very thought provoking... all about setting your priorities in life. If interested, here's the link to the same video on You Tube.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU]YouTube - Advent Conspiracy Promo Video[/ame]

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Kathy, that video was really neat. We are doing something similar at our church this year too...each Advent Sunday has had a focus and all offerings on that Sunday go to that focus. Advent Missions Projects, First United Methodist Church, Niceville, Florida

Very cool Kathy. I love it!! I am already looking at bills thinking, Why why why do we spend so much at Christmas and then have to play catch up. I didn't spend near as much this year, but I am allready feeling the strain of spending more than I had!! I like the idea of making gifts. Maybe that's what we will do next year.

Thanks for sharing!!

Lacey - my husband I spent a few years at Eglin AFB in the mid 90's. We really loved the area.

Kathy - neat video. It make you think.

Well, I did sclerotherapy on my legs again. Another 5 days in these support hose. ugghhh.....

Hi everyone. Just checking in. I got a new 5k time (3.1miles) yesterday on the treadmill

Merry Christmas to all!

Shhh, don't tell. I went for my run today, I couldn't wait! I went back and did three 5s, that seemed to go well. I ran on the packed snow - I got some of the chains for your shoes, they worked well. It was sunny and 28 out, finally above the teens! Yeah!

It was a great run and so far I don't have any port pain. We are supposed to get another big storm in tonight, so I wanted to get outside and run and not be stuck on the treadmill.

Great time Whosya!!!

Hi!

I'm just getting started with all this but was excited to do a bit of jogging along with my walks last week! A friend and I want to start the Couch-to-5k program and I found this thread and thought it may be helpful.

Any great hints for us "not so in shape still fat" people?

I walk @ 3.5 currently and "jog" at 4.5.

Thanks!

~~anne

P.S. We are also doing some hiking and loving it!

Whosya... Great Time! OMG that is fast!

Krtok... tisk tisk... not listening to your Dr! LOL, glad you feel good, and enjoyed the outdoor run. It feels like a freekin freezer here!!! No way am I running outside right now. What was the things you put on your shoes?

Anne... welcome! Your speed if good, don't worry about it. I've been running since the summer, started out at about 4.3 mph, and now I'm up to about 4.7 - 5.0 max. My only advice... follow the c25k schedule (there are podcasts available) for the first 5 weeks or so. Pick your pace and advance to the next week when you feel ready. I repeated weeks. Most important... commit to it and have FUN!

Kathy~I got the yaktraks. I think that is how it is spelled, they are like chains for your shoes. I got the pro version that has a strap over the top of your shoe so they would stay on while I was running.

I had really good traction. No slipping and I was able to push off really easily.

Anne... welcome! Your speed if good, don't worry about it. I've been running since the summer, started out at about 4.3 mph, and now I'm up to about 4.7 - 5.0 max. My only advice... follow the c25k schedule (there are podcasts available) for the first 5 weeks or so. Pick your pace and advance to the next week when you feel ready. I repeated weeks. Most important... commit to it and have FUN!

Thanks! Any suggestions for podcasts that are with "current" music? The two I checked out had music I wasn't familiar with. I would love one with popular current music!

~~anne

krtork... thanks! I've seen a few different ones, but wasn't sure if they actually worked. I think this winter is going to be horrible, and I don't want to always run inside... so I think I'll look into these!

Anna... I wish there was one with current music instead of what's offered. If you're running on a treadmill and can keep track of time, then I'd suggest you just create your own mix of songs. If you're running outside, then it becomes more difficult to know when to walk and when to run. That's why I used the podcasts until about week 8 (3rd try of week 5). Once I was just running without the walk intervals, I started using my own music. Much more motivating.

Ok... the stockings are hung by the chimney, the shortbread and gingerbread cookies are done... just doing the date pecan balls now (Santa's favourite), all the gifts are wrapped, the house is as clean as its going to get, DH is out shopping for a few more stocking stuffers (LOL), the kids are napping, and I'm sittin back enjoying a glass of wine and listening to Christmas music. Ok... I'm ready!

We got dumped on overnight, had about 1-1/2 ft of very wet, heavy, sticky snow in the driveway this morning. So we bundled up the kids and all headed outside to shovel. After about an hour, with only a small dent in the job... 2 young boys came along and we paid them (happily) to help finish the job! OMG... this was the biggest yet. It was fun though. All the neighbours were out chatting, having fun, and helping our ready to pop very pregnant neighbour across the street - her DH is laid up with a bad back! Nice way to spend the day.

Merry Christmas everyone! Have a save and happy holiday!