Did it!

No medals, no bagels, no spectators, but probably ran the best race ever this Sunday! I want to thank all of you for supporting me and asking where the heck I was when I flaked during the past few months. It's been a tough recovery for me - but, I'm back, baby!

This Sunday was a perfect day in Central Park. It was cold as anything - and I could barely hook my chip on my shoe lace, my hands were shaking so much! But, when it was time to run, it just felt so good! Turns out my friend who ran the race with me is fast! As in V fast!!!! She turned to me about ten steps in and said she was leaving me and took off! I was glad to see her go (not in a mean way) - I just wanted to focus on the run, consider if my calf was hurting, get my breathing right and just settle in. It went really fast - though I was not AT ALL. I've lost about a minute off my pace. I used to run around 10 minute miles. Now I'm more than 11. But, doesn't matter. I didn't stop. Not once. I ran ever single step of that five miles and funny - I didn't feel it in my calf - I felt it in my hip flexers (know of any stretches??)

I am back. I feel it. You know that energy when you finish a race and you automatically think "what next?" I'm there. I think Sarah and I are going to do a 10k in December. I did it last year so it will be a good comparison to see how I'm doing on building back my pace.

And, I will tell you and only you this. I'm seriously considering the triathlon. I know I can do the run. And, yesterday, I rode the bike at the gym just to see what my base is with no training and I did 12 miles (a tri is about 24 miles). Found out yesterday I can use another of my gym's locations - which has a pool and I'm going to see where I am with swimming.... I think this is where I'll be weakest. I'm not sure why - but this is REALLY appealing to me.... I don't have a bike - but, figure I can just borrow someone's.... or rent one...

I keep seeing lots of signs - that I should do this - the biggest one being that I was flipping around and out of nowhere - some obscure channel i never watch - was replaying this year's triathlon....

Will keep you posted! Cathy

Has anyone seen or tried these socks? I just saw an ad for them and they looked interesting. I immediately thought of Christy and her blistered toes! These socks are like gloves, with individual slots for each toe. Just curious about them...

This is kind of a dumb question, but good running shoes aren't cheap. I stocked up on running shoes shortly before I had to take a timeout. So now I have two pairs that haven't been worn, and won't be worn for at least another 6 months. I hesitate to use them for walking since I know the mechanics and wear will be different than running in them.

But, will they still be good in 6 months? If not, I'd rather use them for something. I'm thinking of my old shoes that I save for yardwork, get stored in the closet, and come out with the soles so hard and stiff they crack when I wear them. Will that happen to these?

I also was planning on rotating them and using them now, so I threw out the boxes along with the silicone anti-moisture pack. I'm sure if I stored them in the boxes they'd be better off, but I don't have them anymore. So they're in my closet, waiting patiently for me. Any hints on how to store them to make them last?

New Bloggers

Hey all, we have 2 new contributors!

Rachel jumped right in and has already been a tremendous asset. She has some great personal fitness goals for this year, to include becoming a certified personal trainer.

Billie has been a regular visitor to Angie's and Christy's family blogs. She, too is expecting a baby. Billie hopes to run another marathon next fall.

We are thrilled to have you both and we look forward to hearing your thoughts. Welcome to the group!

Run Cathy Run

Cathy, How did your first race back go? Can't wait to read all about it.

Goal Setting

I am pretty certain that those who train for events and have certain goals regarding their workouts are much more fit than those who just go to the gym everyday because they don't want to get any larger. So my question is: Do you set goals other than training for a race? (what are they, how do you determine them?)

This year was full of goals which were easy to make after having a baby -thanks to the lady at the Vilseck gym who told me I only looked that way because I didn't have children. :) I have a few more goals to meet before Christmas and they are coming along well (improve my VO2MAX and reduce my body fat by 2%), but I am not sure what I should put on my plate for next year (yes, I am a planner). I have a couple larger goals (do a century ride/race, run the Pike's Peak Accent (if I get in), climb 11 more 14ers). I feel like I need little ones along the way to keep me moving. I have never 'trained' for anything formal so maybe once that starts little goals may pop up? Any ideas or suggestions?

First race back!

Hello friends. First, I don't want the blog to go away!! Please let's hang onto this! I will be better about checking in and writing. I think I let myself fall out of the habit because I was so bummed about the injury. But, now, I'm back to 100% so, I will start checking in again.... promise!

So, my big news! My first race back after the calf tear is on Sunday!! It's five miles in Central Park. It's supposed to be good weather - a little chilly, but overall, good. And, it's a cool race - it's the week before the NYC marathon - so, our finish line is the marathon finish line (everything's set up for the marathon by that point). A friend of mine decided to run it with me. I'm actually a little worried because I really prefer to run solo. The only time I ran with someone was the midnight run on New Year's Eve and at that race, they had champagne stations instead of water stations - so I really didn't care if I was with someone or not! It should be fine, I just don't want to feel pressured to go faster than I should be going....

And, here's my question for the blog.... has anyone ever done a triathlon? Thoughts? NYC has a super cool one.... run in Central Park, bike up the west side highway into the bronx and swim in the hudson river.....

Question Numero Uno

I have a question to pose...How do you pack for the gym as a working girl? I am a full make-up for work kind of gal (most days) and it is very time consuming for me to pack a bag, change, take off make-up, etc. when working out after work. I have a fear of working out with make-up on...breakout reasons. I loved the "working on my masters" days when I would go to the gym about 9am and get to come home to my own shower then move on with my day. That is not happening any longer. I need some advice on the best way to pack and juggle getting there when the drive to the gym is approximately 25 minutes from home, 10 minutes from work and a closer gym is not an option. As anyone who has ever traveled with me knows, I am an overpacker, and it is so deeply ingrained that I don't know if I can change (I HAVE to have my hairdryer for my unruley locks). I could rent a full sized locker for $16 a month, but I'm not sure I want to spend the money. There are lots of evening yoga/pilates/swim classes that I would like to take, but the lazy struggle to do the whole change thing gets me every time. V gave me a link to a great bag. But, I am looking for some guidance on makeing it all feel easier. Or, your knowledge that this process is never really easy and that I simply need to get over it.

Blog at Risk!

We are a bit dissapointed that we have had only one person express an interest in joining our group on the blog. (Welcome Rachel!). 3 of our current contributors are pregnant with various restrictions that prevent them from exercising. Without new people, our conversation is minimal at best.

We know there are lots of our friends out there that work out regularly. We are willing to change the focus of the blog to fitness in general to attract some more participation. We would like to see several people contributing conversation pertaining to fitness: challenges, successes, questions, new ideas/products, food, etc. I am afraid that if we do not have more interest, we will have shut the blog down.

Have you ever felt like you were killing yourself and getting nowhere?
Have you ever felt like you just don't have time to work out?
Have you ever wondered what people are really eating to stay fit?
How long do you really have to do cardio/lift weights to see results?
Can you make sense of those work out plans? Do they work?
How do you pick a personal trainer? Is it worth it?
How do you break the work out plateau?

At some point, all of us have asked at least one of these questions. If you would like to join in on the discussion, please leave a comment and come join the group.

Wanted: New Bloggers

Now that the Army Ten Miler is over, we need to refocus our blog with new goals and new people.

We would like to invite our friends who would like to chat about their running efforts and support ours, to join the blog as contributors.

If you are a runner, walker or you would like to take the leap and try it, you could be a great addition to our group. We would like to hear your thoughts.

Qualifications:

- You must run, walk, or have the desire to learn.

- You must have the willingness to share your pain publicly.

- You must have a sense of humor.

- You must be encouraging and still a little pushy.

- You must have a connection with a current contributor.

Apply Now:

- Please leave us a comment expressing your interest and then send an email to us with your email address and the screen name you would prefer.

Send an email to us with this link.

ATM 2007

E, V, Angie & Christy