Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

[nmupiccdiva]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Pics from this year's Fifth-Third. All the changes I've made are finally paying off.

You do look much healthier!

How do you like your Alchemy 10s?

Did a charity 5K this past Saturday - signed up for the "walk" version. Wound up doing ~17 minute miles, and finishing in just over 50 minutes (ran the last 1/4 mile).

Today, started the C25K plan. Cheap iPod app is invaluable - makes the "now run", "now walk" intervals idiot-proof and seamlessly interrupts my music. Had to work through shin splints the first 10 minutes, but eventually they go away, and I assume they will completely disappear with more training time. Found a couple 5Ks to shoot for later this summer.

Weighed in at 201 this morning (not as bad as I thought - feared it would be slightly worse). Hoping to lose 20 lbs. by the time I start to write my Master's thesis in September. I figure this is very do-able if I cut out pretty much all eating after 6 PM (I have a nasty snacking habit), and 80-90% of current alcohol consumption. Need to remember that whiskey - regardless of scotch, bourbon, Irish, etc. - is distilled from grains, therefore a 2 oz. shot and a cube does not really amount to much fewer calories than a bottle of domestic beer.

Nice! It is kind of crazy how quickly alcohol calories add up. I've cut back MASSIVELY since New Years (Frozen Four weekend being the glaring exception to this rule ). I haven't weighed myself at all, but I'm down a clothing size all around.

3 days until race day. I did a final tempo run on Sunday (in my racing shoes--Asics DS Racer 8s--I LOVE THESE SHOES!!). Well, it wasn't so much a tempo run as it was a "let's see what I can do and hold run." I was hoping for 8:20's or 8:30's. I was hitting 8:05's. Of course, now I'm panicking that I may have left my race out there on the training run.

 

[DisplacedCornellian]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Need to remember that whiskey - regardless of scotch, bourbon, Irish, etc. - is distilled from grains, therefore a 2 oz. shot and a cube does not really amount to much fewer calories than a bottle of domestic beer.

I need to remind myself of this from time to time, too. I've been hovering around 210 for the last month - if I'd cut out my whiskey and wine, I'd probably kick these last 10-15 pounds pretty quick...but I like whiskey and wine!

Also - I can vouch for the Couch to 5K program. Worked great for me! I've been focusing more on interval runs lately, but last week I decided to check my 5k time. I was more than satisfied with my time (25:30).

 

[alfablue]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

You do look much healthier!

How do you like your Alchemy 10s?



Nice! It is kind of crazy how quickly alcohol calories add up. I've cut back MASSIVELY since New Years (Frozen Four weekend being the glaring exception to this rule ). I haven't weighed myself at all, but I'm down a clothing size all around.

3 days until race day. I did a final tempo run on Sunday (in my racing shoes--Asics DS Racer 8s--I LOVE THESE SHOES!!). Well, it wasn't so much a tempo run as it was a "let's see what I can do and hold run." I was hoping for 8:20's or 8:30's. I was hitting 8:05's. Of course, now I'm panicking that I may have left my race out there on the training run.

You did a tempo on Sunday, and still have 3 days to rest? You'll be fine. Go and run the race at 8:05.

Still have a week and a half of prep for us- DX-AA is on June 4. No chance that I'll beat my time of last summer, but I'm ok with that. What I do need to do is keep the weekly miles up, and not rest too much from the race. If I can get back to 12 miles on a Saturday right away, I think I'll be better off. Which may allow me to do multiple 20's prior to Detroit.

I'm also going to try to find some more 5k and 10k races to do this summer. It's one thing to do a tempo run- it's another to have people around me running hard, too. And I'm pretty sure I need to introduce Mrs Alfa to running when you are in pain. I think I can do it just because I played hockey, and know that pressing hard at the right time is a good thing, but she seems uncomfortable when doing that. Seeing so many top runners go from 5k/10k's to their first marathon tells me there's something in the short races that will help long distances. (and if I can convince her to relax more and focus on form when she's going fast, I think her issues with getting hurt/blisters/etc when going fast will go away)

Looks like June will be the time that Thursday mornings, I'll drag myself out of bed by 5am, do 5 miles, so that I can do 4 in the evening, and still do Jazzercise.

If we can both peel off the 8-10lb we've added since getting hurt, I'm pretty sure we will be faster than we were when we got hurt. It would be awesome if I can get her qualified for Boston, even if she never runs it.

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

You do look much healthier!

How do you like your Alchemy 10s?



Nice! It is kind of crazy how quickly alcohol calories add up. I've cut back MASSIVELY since New Years (Frozen Four weekend being the glaring exception to this rule ). I haven't weighed myself at all, but I'm down a clothing size all around.

3 days until race day. I did a final tempo run on Sunday (in my racing shoes--Asics DS Racer 8s--I LOVE THESE SHOES!!). Well, it wasn't so much a tempo run as it was a "let's see what I can do and hold run." I was hoping for 8:20's or 8:30's. I was hitting 8:05's. Of course, now I'm panicking that I may have left my race out there on the training run.

I like em! They support my heavier frame and they kept my feet stable during the Fifth-Third.

And don't panic. Remember, your training is done. Everything you can do has been done alright. Get in your group on Saturday and just run. Just run.

 

[nmupiccdiva]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

I like em! They support my heavier frame and they kept my feet stable during the Fifth-Third.

And don't panic. Remember, your training is done. Everything you can do has been done alright. Get in your group on Saturday and just run. Just run.

What I love about Mizuno is that they don't add to the shoe to give it support, they simply re-engineer it. So, instead of using the additional dual-density foam on the medial part of shoe, which can add a LOT of weight to it, they just give the Wave plate in the shoe higher peaks. Voila--support, without being too bulky!
/shoe geek
//our Mizuno rep was up doing a Tech clinic for us last week.

 

[MattS]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

What I love about Mizuno is that they don't add to the shoe to give it support, they simply re-engineer it. So, instead of using the additional dual-density foam on the medial part of shoe, which can add a LOT of weight to it, they just give the Wave plate in the shoe higher peaks. Voila--support, without being too bulky!
/shoe geek
//our Mizuno rep was up doing a Tech clinic for us last week.

I don't know what Mizuno does with their shoes but I love it. Every since I switched to my Wave Runner 14's back at the first of the year, I have felt better running longer (and quicker) than ever before.

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

What I love about Mizuno is that they don't add to the shoe to give it support, they simply re-engineer it. So, instead of using the additional dual-density foam on the medial part of shoe, which can add a LOT of weight to it, they just give the Wave plate in the shoe higher peaks. Voila--support, without being too bulky!
/shoe geek
//our Mizuno rep was up doing a Tech clinic for us last week.

I didn't know that, but I love what Mizuno does! Thanks for letting me know!

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Weather here has sucked this week. May have to repeat Week 1. Before anyone accuses me of being a quitter , I risked a downpour to do the first session on Monday (managed to finish before it started), and yesterday's storms were complete turd floaters.

 

[nmupiccdiva]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

I don't know what Mizuno does with their shoes but I love it. Every since I switched to my Wave Runner 14's back at the first of the year, I have felt better running longer (and quicker) than ever before.

Ditto with my Wave Inspires.

I didn't know that, but I love what Mizuno does! Thanks for letting me know!

No problem--that's my job! (No, really--product knowledge is part of my job. And starting 9/1, I'll be in charge of employee training in that regard. )

 

[DisplacedCornellian]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

No problem--that's my job! (No, really--product knowledge is part of my job. And starting 9/1, I'll be in charge of employee training in that regard. )

I should probably get a new pair of running shoes. Mine are about a year old, and probably have 300-400 miles on them. I underpronate, so I usually lean toward a neutral shoe with some cushioning - no stability control stuff though. Any recommendations?

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Well, for the first time in a few years, I have to buy a bigger pair of pants. Never thought it would happen.

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Ran for about 5 miles this morning, my first run in two weeks. Didn't experience any problems.

And word is that 'diva rocked hard at Bayshore today!

 

[nmupiccdiva]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

1:48:51. 8:19 pace, 20/140 in my age group, 263/1652 overall. PR by just over 14 minutes. I'll take it.

The best part of all: for years, I've been the slow one in my family. Saturday morning, I was, for the first time in my life, running, keeping up, and racing with my mom without her purposely holding back to stay with me. It was the most amazing feeling. I have come so far in the last year. If you would have told me last May that I would have raced with my mom this past weekend, I never, ever would have believed you. Now, I need to catch up with my little sister (who ran the full in 3:22:50 despite having an allergic reaction to the sports drink on the course and making multiple bathroom stops. She's a beast, I'm so proud of her and I can't wait to watch her run Boston!)

Next up: The National Cherry Festival of Races 15K in July, and then another crack at the Marquette Half Marathon in September. I was so close, I think with a good, solid summer of training I should hit or break 1:45 in that one.

 

[unh_hockey]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Ran my first 5k with an 8:40 pace, or 26 minutes and change - give or take. Good enough to finish in the top 25 percentile, or 500th out of 2000 which is significantly better than I would have through given I am not a distance runner. Pace was an issue as I thought the start/ finish were the same so I gunned it and found out I had 400 meters left to go - still finished strong though. One of my friends finished 16th overall with nearly 6:00 minute paced miles. Still , the guys who finished above that were significantly faster than my friend

Not sure long distance is my thing, but 5k was fun and probably the longest race I want to do. It’s a different crowed that I normally hang out with, so in that sense it was fun.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

1:48:51. 8:19 pace, 20/140 in my age group, 263/1652 overall. PR by just over 14 minutes. I'll take it.

The best part of all: for years, I've been the slow one in my family. Saturday morning, I was, for the first time in my life, running, keeping up, and racing with my mom without her purposely holding back to stay with me. It was the most amazing feeling. I have come so far in the last year. If you would have told me last May that I would have raced with my mom this past weekend, I never, ever would have believed you. Now, I need to catch up with my little sister (who ran the full in 3:22:50 despite having an allergic reaction to the sports drink on the course and making multiple bathroom stops. She's a beast, I'm so proud of her and I can't wait to watch her run Boston!)

Next up: The National Cherry Festival of Races 15K in July, and then another crack at the Marquette Half Marathon in September. I was so close, I think with a good, solid summer of training I should hit or break 1:45 in that one.

Ran my first 5k with an 8:40 pace, or 26 minutes and change - give or take. Good enough to finish in the top 25 percentile, or 500th out of 2000 which is significantly better than I would have through given I am not a distance runner. Pace was an issue as I thought the start/ finish were the same so I gunned it and found out I had 400 meters left to go - still finished strong though. One of my friends finished 16th overall with nearly 6:00 minute paced miles. Still , the guys who finished above that were significantly faster than my friend

Not sure long distance is my thing, but 5k was fun and probably the longest race I want to do. It’s a different crowed that I normally hang out with, so in that sense it was fun.

awesome, both of you!!!! Great weekend of running, it seems.

So, based on recent results- has the working out repaired some nagging personally induced health problems? Seems to me, the answer is clearly yes. (I know I can say yes for me).

My Dexter-AA half marathon is this weekend. I don't expect a PR- I was in much better shape a year ago. But considering the time off for recovery + the food eaten over various trips, I'm darned happy where I am right now. I'm also learning that it's a LOT more important for us older people to rest- Skipping Sunday's has been a big benefit.

But, in the 40-45 mens group, I'll still end up in the lower 1/3... Oh, well. It's what happens when you start late and overweight.

 

[unh_hockey]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

awesome, both of you!!!! Great weekend of running, it seems.

But, in the 40-45 mens group, I'll still end up in the lower 1/3... Oh, well. It's what happens when you start late and overweight.

Thanks! Glad to finally post a time considering that everyone else does. All in all, it was about going out there and having fun which myself and the few people I went with managed to do.

As for where you finish, it’s a combination of age, genetics and training. Some little girl who was walking/ running managed to beat me over the finish line ( who knows if she started before I did out the gate), meanwhile I was blowing by others. The real challenge is continuing to improve your own time. I list the percentile because it was my first one, and it was MUCH higher than I would have thought. Next time I hope to do a little better on the time. If person A shaves off a few minutes each time and person B runs faster but stays stagnant, person A has accomplished more in my mind.

Your age group is a different beast. Think of those guys who have maybe been training for 10+ years. Actually I’d say your at a disadvantage since their training time , on a whole, is probably longer than guys my age. My friend is a top 1% guy, but he’s been training for a few years hard. Think of how good he’ll be in 5 more years…

 

[nmupiccdiva]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Nice work on the 5K, unh_hockey!!

FINALLY found a finish line photo of me from Saturday. Please ignore how awful my arms are.



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[pardonme]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Decided to take a week away from work and life in the big city and ride my bike from Pittsburgh to DC. Unfortunately this was the first week of my last month of ramp up training for the half-iron so now I am probably really behind on everything else except biking. Hopefully when I get back in to running and swimming this week things won't go too poorly.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Your age group is a different beast. Think of those guys who have maybe been training for 10+ years. Actually I’d say your at a disadvantage since their training time , on a whole, is probably longer than guys my age. My friend is a top 1% guy, but he’s been training for a few years hard. Think of how good he’ll be in 5 more years…

Holy understatement. I see guys in my age group compete for ther overall. Kills me.

And I am quite realistic that I'm not going to qualify for Boston anytime soon. I'm not Mrs Alfa by any means.

But I'm totally ok with that- especially toward the nagging health issue thing- I'm getting back to a weight I was last year, and on my way to a target weight. And the target is more based on me living a long time, and STILL being able to enjoy it. So I hope I can keep that perspective.

FINALLY found a finish line photo of me from Saturday. Please ignore how awful my arms are.

Huh? they look fine. High, maybe, (I've seen 90deg as a target angle), and maybe toward your center (seen forward as a target). But other than that....

Nothing wrong with them.

crimeny- you JUST RAN 13.1 MILES. you are in good shape. Correct that- RACED 13.1 MILES.

 

[goldy_331]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Huh? they look fine. High, maybe, (I've seen 90deg as a target angle), and maybe toward your center (seen forward as a target). But other than that....

Nothing wrong with them.

crimeny- you JUST RAN 13.1 MILES. you are in good shape. Correct that- RACED 13.1 MILES.

AND, you are finishing ahead of a strong looking guy! I don't run but some of my friends do. They comment that you never want to buy that picture of you following the frail looking older woman with grey hair across the line. You look good in that one by beating out the other guy in the photo and he's not some out of shape schlub.