Posts by phoenix121

I guess it depends on the person. Of our 2 best runners on the team, one was at least 5'7/5'8 and a healthy weight (stomach not completely flat, but clearly skinny, especially her legs), and the other was about 5'4 with similar traits, but a flatter stomach. We had girls who were far skinnier and smaller, but just weren't as good.

As a sprinter who joined cross country, I was always stockier and more built than they were- I lifted and had a bit more muscle. I was never the worst on my team, but there was no chance I would ever be the best. So to cut my rambling short, yes, genetics plays a part (especially in the distance vs. sprint talent), but it's not as though ONLY girls of X, Y, and Z body types make the best runners.

Ag. Logically, I know this is unhealthy and that I shouldn't be doing this. I started running with the cross country team yesterday (my coach is letting me do so until I head off to college), and I was literally having to force protein bars down to eat anything afterward since I just wasn't hungry. It's not that I feel I don't deserve to eat normally- I just have an irrationally large fear of weight gain and getting fatter. And frankly, most of the "calorie-dense" foods I could eat I'm either allergic to do or just don't like. How on earth am I supposed to get to 1800 calories a day, if that's even how much I should be eating? It sounds like waay too much.

Ug- that does suck-I know how you feel. Earlier this year I had a stress fracture with some added complications and ended up missing my senior year track season and months of any kind of exercise. I too tried everything but resting, but in the end, it wouldn't have healed if I didn't. I know it's hard, but you need to take it easy and let time take over in healing- otherwise, it could get far worse.  Take care, and I hope it heals soon!

Oops- my bad- didn't see that! Thank you very much!

Original Post by brittanyhasgottenchunky:

sfred: No no no, 25 is not chubby and honestly neither is 26. It's a proven fact that all women overestimate their size by ten-fifteen pounds! So no matter how chunky or fat you think you are, you have to keep telling yourself that it's just your imagination!

 

Also, it is a bit worrying to hear someone who used to struggle with eating disorders complain about size. But I think it's also good to get other opinions on the subject, and others' measurments as something you can measure up against so you know that it's just that little bit of anorexia that's left in the back of your mind telling you that 26 inches is far too big. For me, it's comforting to know that there are other girls who are my size or smaller and still feel the same anxiety about it, it makes me feel a bit more normal

No offense, I rather disagree- my 26 inches now feels rather huge....  I'd rather not feel the anxiety at all...

Huh. I don't know. I'm right handed, but my left leg is usually dominant, but my right thigh is bigger. I do lift, but usually not standing, so I don't know. The running is quite possible, but I guess it could be running the same route too many times since I don't run THAT much on a track.

Thanks everybody!

Oo Is there any chance that some people's metabolisms just really aren't that fast? How do I know my BMR is the same as the formula?

Rargh. I guess my question now is where to begin? It looks like I'd have to count calories to get back to a normal level, but how many do I start with? I don't eat the exact same amount every day, and barring those 2 weeks, I've never had to keep track of every single thing I eat before. How do I work in eating more while still being able to exercise and not packing on pounds?

Also, I know from that calculator thing my BMR is a little over 1400 calories. But I guess it's probably a lot lower now that my metabolism sucks, so how do I know what it is now?

First of all, congrats on getting started- I love running, and it's one of the most rewarding activities ever. As for my tips...

1. Once you get to the distance of a 5K, train with at least a mile or so above that distance. The day of the race, you never know what's going to happen with the weather or whatever, so it's always nice to have a little more endurance that you can pick up your pace a little on race day.

2. As far as training goes, I normally take one rest day a week and alternate distance runs and speed workouts. Like.... Monday: distance. Tuesday: HIIT. Wednesday: distance with hills. Thursday: Fartlek (basically, a semi-distance workout where you randomly run at a faster pace for a minute or so at least 3-5 times during your run). etc.

3. If it's hot where you live, DON'T run at the hottest part of the day. The shade is about 10 degrees cooler than out in the sun. Even if you have to run back and forth across a rural road for shade (assuming there aren't cars), do it! It makes a huge difference.

4. Don't get discouraged, and set small goals. My first 5K I wanted to break 30, and I don't think I did, but on my second one I did. 

5. Train how the race will be. If you plan on listening to music during the race, then feel free when you run- I personally think it keeps me motivated. But when I ran cross country, we weren't allowed to during the race, so I didn't run with any.

6. Practice different kinds of runs. Try a really long, flat run and some hilly ones in the same week. My coach had us train on this incredibly difficult hill so when race day came, we laughed at how small the course ones were in comparison and ran up when everybody else was walking. That said, don't try to win the race on a hill- conserve your energy! 

That's all I've got for now- good luck!

Original Post by poofyball:

When I see people running, no matter what size, I think of them as fellow runners, not people looking to lose weight. A LOT of people run for the joy of running itself, not to lose weight. No need to assume that people will assume you're trying to do anything but run. Nobody on my old cross-country team joined the team to lose weight.

I agree completely. I smile at every runner or walker I see, and it makes me happy to see others enjoying running as I do. Don't be embarrassed- it's inspirational for others to see, no matter what weight you are. And if you have weight to lose, all the better since it shows that you're doing something about it. Good luck!

Does anybody know if there's an age limit to when you can start training with this kind of stuff? 

I just graduated, so I hear you on the lack of time. Freshman year shouldn't be that bad, though!

To give you a hint of what I did:

6:00- Wake up (I had zero hour)

6:20-6:30ish- Drive to school

7:00 Class starts- lasts until 3:00

3:00-5:30/6:00 Track or XC practice

6:00-6:30  Eat

6:30-11:30 Homework...

11:30-12:30 Read! (I like my relaxing time, and I'm an insomniac so I couldn't fall asleep anyway.)

Throughout the day whenever you have time, do your homework. For classes, I always did the notes for the entire chapter the weekend it was first assigned so I could just spend the time reviewing every night and lectures were review for me. I loved joining a school sport- great for exercise, fun, and you're getting involved.

Hope this helps!

I also find the elliptical much easier than running, but it is possible to crank up its resistance. I've been stuck on it for 2 months in rehab from stress fractures, and while I don't hate it as much as a treadmill, it is not particularly enjoyable. That said, don't forget to cross train or you'll end up with stress fractures! And they suck. Very badly.

I'll get that book; thanks!

When weight lifting I'll normally do 3 sets of 14 reps with 4 different exercises and jumping rope or ab work in the minute rest between sets.

And unfortunately, I do know the no pain, no gain- I've gotten stress fractures, a Morton's neuroma, and a pulled ITB band from not taking it easy....