HopelessRomantic : I haven't tried any of these myself, but the trainer who made these videos works at the gym I go to. He works with only women, as far as I've seen, and he says he knows what works for us fitness-wise. http://www.youtube.com/user/Perfectfitpt/videos


Yesterday I went on a 2.5 mile run. It's a love/hate relationship I have with running. The getting out the door part is the worst and I have problems getting past that, but once I get out and moving, the rest goes fine. Wish I could just skip the first part. Does anyone have any suggestions/advice/mind tricks on how to do this?

Oh my goodness! The short version: I was in a lot of pain but still finished in a little over 2.5 hours. Not bad for a half marathon.

The long version: So, it was pretty cold this morning, but I was feeling good. I started off way too fast which took a toll on me later in the race. By mile 5 or 6, my knee started to bug me. Then it just kept getting worse and worse. I stopped and walked a few times trying to stretch it out and take some pressure off, but not much was helping and I had to finish. I did finish, but it wasn't pretty. No new PR, but maybe another time. Not as many people came out to cheer us on this year (probably because it was so cold).

I probably won't run the rest of this week (due to the soreness, the knee, and leaving for a grad school interview on Thursday). Just have to take things easy for a little bit. Of course, this makes me wonder how in hell I'm going to finish the full marathon in a couple weeks. Yikes!

BAH on the knee but YAY on finishing! Have it looked at and figure out how to rehab it?
Where are you off to on Thursday?

Well, this morning, the knee is actually fine. No pain or anything. So it seems to have only been a temporary thing (thank goodness!). In the future I just need to take it easier and try to run in grass when possible so it'll be softer on the knees.

Thursday I'm coming to Irvine! And I don't leave until Sunday morning. Awww yeah!

Thanks for the link, Noirette. I'll try those when I'm feeling better.

I run when I can, on the treadmill mostly. I have a pedometer and keep track of my steps on my wall calender along with my daily weight. Have your tried setting a reminder on your phone? Or promising yourself a treat as motivation? Like, if I go running 3 miles a day for three days this week without dying... I'll buy myself something from Starbucks (new top, manicure, iTunes card, whatever)

I have a swimsuit hanging up on my wall as a reminder why I push myself to do this, too. Hope this helps?

Saw the doctor (sports medicine) yesterday for my sore lower back. Got put on a muscle relaxant and physical therapy. He figures it's just a back sprain. I had to wait an hour to see him though. pppppfffftttt This started after a long run that had too many long gradual uphills - my running form probably wasn't good from fatigue.
My next long run will have to be postponed for a week or so, I figure. BAH

-- Thu Feb 02, 2012 7:28 am --

Welcome (in advance) to California, Rogoth! May all go well.

-- Thu Feb 02, 2012 7:56 pm --

BAH! That muscle relaxant apparently has depression as a side effect. I really felt down in response to a stressful situation at work, even though people were saying "don't beat yourself up about this". I think that blasted drug messed me up. I will stick with ibuprofen after this.

I won't be running the marathon after all. I have no idea how my back has been hurting as much as it has, but it is. Work stress probably didn't help. In any case, I have no business training for a marathon given that I just don't have a high enough speed and mileage. Got to build up the speed and lose 20 lbs. Just coughed and my lower-to-midback went into spasm.

Noirette, it IS hard shoving yourself out the door for the run, I feel the same way. I really have to make myself go. I'm better once I've warmed up (although it takes me a mile or so).

Aww harpy. *hugs* You'll get there eventually. Boo to depression. It sucks very much.

So, since my psychiatrist put me on Abilify, as well as the Lexapro I've already been on for a while, my mood has improved. I've also been exercising and eating less. So hopefully this will work and I'll lose a little weight.

I've been using the bellydance DVDs I have to exercise (as well as the treadmill), although the DVDs are more fun. So yeah, worked up a sweat today from that. On the bright side, this way of getting exercise makes me happy, so that's good.

Yay Dragonwings! All sounds good! Keep at it.

Well, my back was really bothering me this morning and the first half of today. I took ibuprofen and applied ice, and tried a different chair. I think it's working - when I left work and stopped at the grocery store, it occurred to me that I wasn't feeling a lot of pain *whew!*

Just had a healthy dinner of salmon and lots of greens (raw spinach, arugula, red chard, mixed salad greens).

I think it helps in a lot of ways to have a psychiatrist today. They seem to only deal with neuropsychiatric illness which means being a patient means you have a physical illness which means you are fighting against something real which then means You are couragious

Thanks Golomen Du. I wish more people realized that depression is an actual disease, not just a oh woe is me feeling. I try to be courageous, but it can be hard.

I may do some exercise today, but first I have to get some quizzes out of the way.

Well friends, as of Sunday afternoon, I have joined the ridiculous group of crazy people (*cough*ahem, Harpy*cough*). I completed my first full marathon! It took me a little under 6.5 hours. I ran most of the first half, but walked most of the second. The biggest problem was that my feet started to hurt a lot (was recovering from an injury in my right foot following the half marathon I did in January and then I got massive blisters that formed on the balls of my feet). I'm still fairly sore, but the feet are the worst part currently.

I couldn't even begin to understand ahead of time not just the physical difficulty of doing a marathon, but the emotional difficulty! That was unbelievable. So few people cheer on runners that are staying on to do the full. By mile 20, I'd almost breakdown and cry whenever I went by a group of people still out cheering. Such an incredible experience! Yesterday I was saying I'd never do another one of these any time soon. I think I'm already wanting to get down to training for another (well, once I can finally walk again like a normal person).

Anyways, just wanted to share that with everyone. A true testament of how amazing the human body is!

YAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!! Rogoth!!!!!!!!!! you are a MARATHONER!! The support means a LOT. If you want a marathon that offers lots of crowd support, you need to go to New York. People turn out in droves to cheer for the runners!
ICE ICE ICE those feet!

I decided not to run the LA marathon because I really am not ready for it. My back has been giving me problems, and I can't kid myself - I was really dragging through the long runs. I really have to get much better at middle distances as I did years ago - have a much stronger base.
The physical therapist worked on my back, and said he thinks that a disc may be affected but he's not sure. I am feeling MUCH better than last weekend though. I'll see a doctor who specializes in back conditions tomorrow. We'll see if I need an MRI to determine what's happening.

-- Tue Feb 21, 2012 8:29 pm --


Indeed so. I am glad you are starting to feel improvement from the Abilify. It is difficult to deal with this, but not impossible.

I'm not a body builder or anything but I build some muscle with my bowflex. For cardio I wear a 40lb. vest, use medicine balls, jump rope, etc. I use the Ab coaster to work out my core. I haven't worked out a lot lately, I'm gonna try and get back into shape.

I'm still have allot to lose... and I thought I would have a great start at the year but got really sick and had to do a operation, one organ less and almost two months later (recovery and a cold) I can finally get started with my workout again...But this 7 weeks have not been all bad... for as long I have not been using nicotine or been drinking any soda. So healthy point to me any way.

My stomach still hurts a little and the muscles are sore and not at all as they was before...my posture have gone to hell by only being able to walk like an hunchback. -_- But time to work that up again and there I feel blessed I have some corsets in my closet and a gym at home.