Posts by joyfulake

1. If you usually eat chocolate, there's no reason to skip it.  The only foods I'd skip would be things that you've never eaten before a run and you don't know if they'll make you feel weird.

2. Don't get freaked out about the electrolytes!  Of course you can drink water.  Especially now!  Drink plenty of water in the days before the race (yes, plain water).  On race day, unless it's really hot where you are, you probably don't need to worry.  I drank only water (and packets of gu).  As long as you get some electrolytes during the race, you'll be fine.  It's not a marathon. 

3. I think I just ate a cliff bar for breakfast and even that was forced.  I'm not one for early morning eating.  Just don't drink too much water too close to race time or you'll have to make a pit stop in the middle of the race (like me!).  Don't remember what I ate the night before.  Just eat something healthy (nothing too rich or fatty) and don't overeat or you'll feel like a bloated whale the next day.  For a half marathon, you don't need to worry about carbo-loading.

I forgot, here's one more - sugar-free jello!  It has practically no calories and is filling if you eat enough of it.

5 miles for yesterday.  I think running is mostly mind over matter, but lately my mind has started questioning if it's safe for me to be running.  The groin always hurts - as time has gone on since I came back from the injury, I've had to decrease my speed.  It's now taking me about 1 more minute/mile than a couple months ago.  I think I'll be doing a lot of bike riding on vacation next week.  If I can do that without pain, I might give up on running.  I love running, but I'm sick of being in pain and not being able to challenge myself to go faster.

Thanks wrm, for updating my total miles so quickly!

Please add 5.5 for today.  On the way back, not only did I have to deal with the ever-present groin pain on the left side, but now my right knee started hurting too.  Maybe running isn't the thing for me.  I'm worried.  I want to run.  I think I'm going to definitely rule out the half marathon next month.  The will is strong, but the body isn't.  If I still feel like this in a few weeks, I might have to switch to cycling or something.  I'm only 32 - I don't want to screw up my body for the rest of my life!

*edit - This is joyfulake - I don't know why I'm showing up as anonymous!

Hi all- please add 5 miles for me.  I had intended to do it Tuesday after work, but after working 11 hours and only getting a few hours of sleep the night before (I wish the bf didn't insist on watching the Olympics in bed all night!!) I was way too pooped to run - plus there wasn't enough daylight left.  So, I got up early yesterday and ran it.  I was going to tell you a white lie and say that it was on Tuesday (as planned) so I could finish up my RATW week as planned, but I think it's too late for those totals now anyway.  (I was insanely busy yesterday and never had a chance to get on this site.)

Melkor - I don't think I've noticed miles posted by you before.  I thought you were anti-running!  You pretty much talked me out of running the half marathon next month in my post where I asked for opinions on my training plan.  You were the only person who responded and your response certaily didn't leave me feeling encouraged.

Please add 6 miles for me today.  I finally made it all the way up the huge hill that makes up the first 1/4 of this loop!!  I've been trying for over a year now and always had to walk the last yards.  But today I did it!!!

kscout - congrats on the 20 miles!! (I have no advice for you on your training, but I'm excited for you!)

4 miles for today to wrap up the RATW week.

Hey, welcome back!  I remember you from before I took my hiatus/injury.  Have you been posting your miles on the Run Around The World post?  (I can't remember seeing you lately)

I'm strongly considering a half marathon Sept 21 (yes, SOON!).  I just decided yesterday!  I will probably do a 20K on Sept 1 to prep.  I worked out a rough draft of my training schedule this morning.  My long runs for the next 7 weeks are 8, 10, 11, 12.4, 9, 8, and then the race.  I wish I had more time to squeeze in a longer one before the race, but oh well.  If I can do the 20K, I can definitely do a half marathon.  What do your training plans look like?

Well, if the rest of you don't want to celebrate the 1-year anniversary, I still will.  I'll do my long run for the week on that day.

And I'm fine with adding or subtracting my mileage from the total once we're near the end (just provide clear directions).

Please add 4 miles for me for yesterday.

I just have to say that I thought I was the only one who couldn't stand up on a bike.  I have nothing to say to help (looks like others already have), but I think your post is too funny.  The exact same words (including the parts about the boyfriend) could be coming out of my mouth.  Except for the fact that I've now given up on bike-riding.

Sorry for this late entry for last week. Did 3.2 miles yesterday.  Ended up being about 5 miles less than I had wanted to do for the week, but oh well. Today's a new day! And if I feel like skipping a run due to heat and humidity again, I'll just drive to my mom's (the stupid gym is closed again this weekend!!) and NOT PROCRASTINATE anymore.

wiliwigi - I had to laugh at your calling me a runner after my little semantic debate on that topic:-)

I'd say that you're doing great - just keep it up!  35 pounds in 3 months sounds good to me!!

As everyone says, you can't control where the fat melts off.  You just have to keep losing fat overall and you'll eventually lose it where you want it gone.

Whatever slight difference there may in calorie burning at different body temperatures, it is so insignificant that it's not worth being uncomfortable (or putting yourself at risk for hear exhaustion!)

As for the intervals, that's a great idea.  You can become a faster runner that way.  You do also burn more calories by having your heart rate at varying levels like that.  One big caution: don't do it too much.  It's hard on your body and you don't want to injure yourself.  Maybe once a week.

If you want more motivation, join the "run around the world" thread on here.  Quite a few of us post our miles of whatever we run.  (It started last year as a way to do a virtual run around the world.  We started in South America and are now in Africa.)  It's a little incentive for me to have a place to annouce how far I ran (even if it isn't very far).  There'a also a good deal of encouragement and support there too.  The thread is usually in the first page of the fitness forum.

As to how many calories, it depends on what kind of hike it is and how long you do it.  A hike on gravel or a paved bike path isn't going to be nearly as challenging as a seep hike or one where you need to scramble over rocks.  Plus, you're probably not going to jog (at least to start) for more than 30-60 minutes.  If your hikes are that short, then hiking will burn fewer calories, but if you hike for a few hours, then that's a different story.  If you REALLY want to know, buy a basic (no bells and whistles) heart rate monitor.  (I mean, you can buy a more expensive one if you want, but you don't need it.)  You'll need to hike for a longer time and/or a more challenging (steep) hike for it to match jogging or biking.  I hiked for my main form of exercise for a while before starting jogging last year.  If you do a good hike every (or most) days, then you're good.  But, if it's only once a week, you need to do more.  I was pretty out of shape when I decided to be a jogger/runner.  I couldn't even do a mile nonstop.  Once I got to the point where I could jog uninterrupted, the pounds did start to melt away.   (Once I got up to 20 miles a week, I had to actually STOP counting calories because I was losing weight too fast!!)

In the end, I think it's best to cross-train.  Even though I mainly do running these days, it's really good to do a bunch of stuff.  I mean, I run most days of the week and feel in reasonably good shape, but boy, today - I really feel sore in my butt muscles (from the big steps I had to take over rocks, etc in my hike yesterday).  It's a good reminder that doing different stuff is the best bet to burn calories and firm muscle everywhere.  If you have any other questions about hiking or even jogging - let me know - feel free to PM me.  I'll probably not check this post anymore.

Hi Safina!  I'm with you - I'd much rather spend my time in the woods than in the gym!  Before you buy the boots though, you should ask yourself some questions:

1. Where are you going to hike?  For how long?

If it's just going to be short hikes (1-2 hours) in a local park, a sturdy pair of sneakers might be ok even.  (I just did a 2 hour hike today in Adidas trail running shoes and  it was great even though some of it was pretty rocky and steep. 

If you're going to do day-hikes (like on the weekend) or go backpacking, then you definitely need something sturdier.  I second medveditsa's Vasque recommendation.  I bought my pair in college over 10 years ago, and with proper care, they're still awesome.  They've taken me on countless backpacking expeditions - even an entire summer when I did trail work the whole time (hiking every day!)  You can get Vasques at any reputable outdoor store.  If they don't sell Vasques, then honestly, I wouldn't buy shoes from them because they obviously don't know what they're doing.  Vasques are a hiking boot standard.  I got mine at EMS, but they can also be found at REI or probably even LL Bean.  (This is my shoe: http://www.vasque.com/products/m-sundownergtx .cfm)

If you expect to be hiking in the winter in the snow, you should tell the person at the store so they can get the appropriate shoes.  Same if you're going to hike in the spring when things get muddy.  Wet feet aren't fun, and trail ethics dictate that you stay on trails, even if they are muddy (when people hike off the edges of trails - like to avoid a muddy spot - it kills the natural areas  and widens the trails.  it's really nice to have footwear that lets you just tromp through a muddy spot without worrying about wet feet.)

2. How much do you want to spend?  Have you done enough hiking that you know you want to spend a lot on this?

3. What other special factors do I need to tell the salesperson? (like your arches or if you plan to go hiking somewhere different than your local geography, like a desert or jungle)

After you've tried on a few pairs, remember - leather may not feel perfect at first, but it will eventually mold to your foot and fit perfectly.  Whatever you get, make sure you learn how to take care of them.

Found this on the vasque website too:

Q. How can I tell if my boots fit?

A. With the boot fully unlaced, move your foot as far forward in the boot as possible. If the boot is the proper size for your feet, you should be able to slip your index finger down inside the boot at the back of the ankle. Your finger is just about the right size for determining if that all-important extra space is available in the front. Lace the boots. Walk around. How do they feel over all? Ask the sales staff if they have a "slant board" where you can test how they feel on an incline. Walk down the incline. If your foot feels like its being jammed into the front of the boot or if your toes feel pinched, look for a different size. If your toes just touch the end of the boot, ask the sales staff for the next half-size larger.

At home, take them for a good walk inside your home. Stand watching your favorite TV show. Feel if the support is there. If they still feel good you can make the decision to take them outdoors!

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Q. What kind of socks should I wear with my boots?

A. It is recommended you wear two pair; a thin or lightweight wickable pair on the inside like a polypropylene, and a thicker pair made of wool or a wickable acrylic on the outside. This allows the two socks rub against each other instead of your foot, potentially raising blisters. Ideally, the socks should be synthetic or wool. Cotton socks get damp and soggy, and can and will raise blisters.

Happy trails!