Get fit together support group, and: Join the President's Challenge!

[Mark Goldhaber]

I managed to finish at 2:11:21, which is the FASTEST I've ever done a half marathon!
Congratulations, Lani!


a leather thong. Very nice!
I'm just gonna leave this one alone. Waaay too easy.... ;)

After completing Active Lifestyle for the fourth time, I decided to try the full challenge, just for something different. Little did I realize, all of the points that I had earned since I started in April transferred over to the Challenge program, and I've got my Bronze and I'm moving in on Silver! :eek: Now, barring any real slacking off, I should have that by the end of the year. Sooner, if I can do better at getting downstairs to the treadmill more frequently.

[Bill Catherall]

Woohoo! I just earned the President's Champions - Silver award. After my back injury I've been having a hard time getting back into the gym. Also, I've been staying up later than usual catching up on all the Babylon 5 DVDs. :sheepish grin:

Now, having gone to physical therapy for a few weeks and continuing with the stretches and workouts I learned there my back isn't bothering me as much. Also, I've finished all the Babylon 5 DVDs and can get to bed at a resonable time now. So I've renewed my efforts to get to the gym on a regular basis. Besides, I've put on a little bit of unwanted weight over the past couple of months and would like to take it off. (All those late night snacks while watching B5 thickened up my midsection a little bit too.)

[MouseWife]

A big Howdy! to everyone!

Wow, Bill, I missed your injury. The Hubster has had one as well and so our workouts have changed a bit. I am glad to hear you are doing better. I know my husband gets really grouchy when he can't do his normal routine.

Lani~ I love your description of the Montery half marathon! I did so want to go. I can't remember the date but I know, even if I could have talked the Hubster into it we were obligated to some family thing.

I remember reading about the conditions {flat track} and I really thought that was great. Plus, you go through a variety of scenery, right? The mist sounds awesome, as long as it didn't mess with your traction. Yeah for you and Alex!

So, I haven't been on the computer much but I have been keeping up with my workouts. I have continued with my running, so much that I ran my trail course and fell in a puddle. :( I caught myself well enough that only one knee got muddy but I did get my mittens covered with thistles. {the things Eeyore eats?} Wednesday, it rained all day here. Woke up at 5:30 and went for our run. It was dark and raining constantly and the gutters were rivers and I loved it!!! So much so that after I took the boy to school my friend and I donned slickers and did our 2 mile walk! We were soaked, but again, FUN!!!

Anywho. Yes, what you've told me, Bill, has come up many times. My sisters were warning me about working out too much that it would 'bulk' me up. I know, from you telling me and later books I've read, that women can't bulk up like men as we are built differently, etc. etc.

So, I thank you because otherwise I would be feeling bummed and worried that I was doing the wrong thing. And, I am not!!

This weekend we are going to Disneyland! I am so looking forward to the walking AND we are staying at the GC and I can't wait to use their gym! I have such cramped conditions here to work out in. I still do it but it is nice when it isn't a chore to prepare to work out.

Congrats to those of you that are keeping up with doing your work outs AND posting them!!!

MouseWife

[timl33]

Well, the WDW Marathon & 1/2 Marathon are coming up. Who's all going? I hardly know anyone and I'll be traveling by myself so it'd be great to get a WDW meet sometime that weekend.

How's the training going? I've been feeling burnt out, but my coach says that's about right. I have to run 22 miles this weekend which will be the last long run for me. I plan to arrive in Orlando on Wednesday night and take Thursday-Saturday to enjoy the parks and get acclimated to the weather. I might even jog a couple of miles here or there.

I'm also finally conciously starting to look to drop some weight. I could lose about 20 pounds, but that won't happen before race time. I'm not going to do anything drastic, but I'm going to be giving up things I love, soft drinks, french fries and red meat in an attempt to drop 5-10 lbs. before race day. We'll see how it goes. I used to wrestle, so I know how crash diets work :(

Anyways, looking forward to the race. My first goal is to finish strong, instead of run 18 strong and stagger the remaining 8 miles. The 2nd goal is to finish under 4 hours. We'll see if that happens.

-Tim

[stan4d_steph]

I'm toying with the idea of getting a personal trainer. Any good resources for finding and choosing one?

[MouseWife]

timl33~ Wow! Your post is so exciting! Ah, that is a lot of running. I am just back up to trying to do 2 miles. I wish you the strength {and the loss of those 5-10 pounds!!} and great weather and a great time!!

stan4d_steph~ That sounds cool. Let us know what you do, okay?

Me? Well, I had slacked off on my running and weights. The garage is full of schtuff, too much, and it is too cold. I went to walking everyday and then just small weights indoors.

I am trying to get my focus back on my routine. I am also hoping to see results in the pound area as I have not lost any weight in a very long time. Actually, put on a few pounds. But, I feel good so I am happy.

I was going to run every day but I think I remembered that isn't a good idea? Not for plain old non marathoners, like me. :D

A big shout out to everyone and I hope everyone is being good to themselves and being happy.

[Lani]

Well, the WDW Marathon & 1/2 Marathon are coming up. Who's all going? I hardly know anyone and I'll be traveling by myself so it'd be great to get a WDW meet sometime that weekend. Both Alex and I are doing the half again (this time, actually registered for it; last year we did the half but registered for the full). AVP is also going to be walking it. Len Testa (who posts here occasionally) is also doing the half. I know a bunch of folks who are doing it and are on the Penguins (waddlers) list.

How's the training going? I've been feeling burnt out, but my coach says that's about right. I have to run 22 miles this weekend which will be the last long run for me. I plan to arrive in Orlando on Wednesday night and take Thursday-Saturday to enjoy the parks and get acclimated to the weather. I might even jog a couple of miles here or there.Training is going so-so. I've been doing a bit of traveling, which is always disruptive on one's training schedule. I'm probably a little more slacked off than when I set my PR for a half in early October, but I should be OK.

You are nuts to go tour the parks the week before the marathon. The last thing you should do is spending your days walking. I've always recommended waiting to do the park hopping until after the marathon. If you still can, show up on Friday, take Saturday to rest up, then wait to park hop on Monday onward. I've also spoken to folks who said they wished they hadn't visited the parks before the marathon. Too tiring. You need to be doing some serious tapering. In the past, we've done things like played miniature golf on Saturday, and that's it.

I'm also finally conciously starting to look to drop some weight. I could lose about 20 pounds, but that won't happen before race time. I'm not going to do anything drastic, but I'm going to be giving up things I love, soft drinks, french fries and red meat in an attempt to drop 5-10 lbs. before race day.Yup, eliminate all processed sugars. That's the first thing to do. Avoiding trans fats and simple carbs would be good. I don't know about the red meat stuff, but i guess grilled poultry would be good.

[Lani]

I'm toying with the idea of getting a personal trainer. Any good resources for finding and choosing one?The best place to start is by checking out your local gyms/fitness centers, and asking for referrals. Most personal trainers are affiliated with gyms or have arrangements to work in them. Most will sit down for a consulation/meeting with you. Let them know what you are interested in, and you can get a general sense of what type of trainer they are (heavy-duty weight lifting, long-distance running, etc.).

[timl33]

You are nuts to go tour the parks the week before the marathon. The last thing you should do is spending your days walking. I've always recommended waiting to do the park hopping until after the marathon.

Dang it, I've already made hotel reservations for Wednesday through Monday. Is there any way I can possibly change that? I guess I could always add on days, but it'd be better to arrive Thursday instead of Wednesday then.

Urgh.

[Lani]

Hey Tim, you can always rent a wheelchair! LOL.

Just stay off your feet as much as possible. Keep your walking to a minimum, and do those attractions that have you sitting for long periods.

[Sheila]

Just stay off your feet as much as possible. Keep your walking to a minimum, and do those attractions that have you sitting for long periods.

Ellen's Energy Adventure should do the trick. I highly suggest going for the new world's record on number of times on this ride (at 45 minutes per ride-through).... ;)

Hall of Presidents, the TTA and the MK Railroad would be good choices too. However, I would imagine this probably wasn't what you were thinking of when planning your theme park itinerary....

Good luck on the marathon, Tim! We'll be rooting for ya.

Sheila

[Emma]

I'm toying with the idea of getting a personal trainer. Any good resources for finding and choosing one?

Hey Steph--

My husband was a personal trainer for a few years, now he's a Fitness Manager for 24 Hour Fitness.

Make sure you get somebody who isn't just going to be a workout partner, but somebody who understands nutrition and is going to help you with menu planning, etc. Lots of gyms just offer the workout part, and if you look around you can get a better one who will create a nutrition and workout program for you for the same cost.

My husband says that 75% of the success is the nutrition part. I know nothing about it, other than that I worked out by myself for years and stayed the same size, but when I started working with him and following the program, I firmed up quite a bit.

My best friend works out with my husband as well, but still just eats whatever she wants, and hasn't seen a lot of change.

[timl33]

Hey Tim, you can always rent a wheelchair! LOL.

Just stay off your feet as much as possible. Keep your walking to a minimum, and do those attractions that have you sitting for long periods.

Well, I do have a park hopper pass for the duration of the stay, and I defintely want to see WWTBAM again over at MGM, (I think that's where it is out in FL). I do know enough to not walk the entire time. It'll be a little sightseeing and probably head back to the hotel for an early night.

So, anyone up for a meet, or am I going to be on my own? I'll just wait for the PMs to start flowing in ;)

[Mark Goldhaber]

After completing Active Lifestyle for the fourth time, I decided to try the full challenge, just for something different. Little did I realize, all of the points that I had earned since I started in April transferred over to the Challenge program, and I've got my Bronze and I'm moving in on Silver! :eek: Now, barring any real slacking off, I should have that by the end of the year. Sooner, if I can do better at getting downstairs to the treadmill more frequently.
Well, I was wrong about that. But do I get anything for persistence? It took a hair over ten months, but I just completed the Silver program. :eek: :cool:

Once again, it's time to try to restructure my time to get down to the basement and walk on the treadmill more often.

[Lani]

A healthier body and a big ol' hug from me! LOL. I haven't purchased any of the awards beyond the initial levels, but you can always pick them up directly from the President's Challenge Web site. :)

[Mark Goldhaber]

I'm gonna wait another few months until I can get the Gold. ;)