<p>Managed to run 8 (slow, 8:40 pace) miles without puking my guts out or stopping or coughing myself to death. I am definitely getting better! The ears are still plugged after the flight. Ugh.</p>
<p>Counting Down:</p>
<p>All I know is that from all the progress you have reported here on both diet and exercise, you are an inspiration! Sure sounds like to me that you are doing everything you can do and should be proud of your efforts and progress.</p>
<p>^ditto! CD, you are textbook of all the things one is supposed to do.</p>
<p>Idad, hope you’re not sidelined too long over the slip. I have grave concerns about a slip n fall because we’re moving half the studio home at the end of Feb., and I’m praying for no ice storms, because even salt doesn’t nail it sometimes, depending on conditions.</p>
<p>PizzaGirl, glad you’re feelin the mojo return 
BMI is notoriously inaccurate, bordering on meaningless, particularly for folks with a muscular build. Granted, I’ve also not reached the holy grail of 25, so I’m quick to point that out 
</p>
<p>But personal bias aside, you can take two people the same height and weight and quickly see two completely different shapes and levels of condition. For example, I interviewed a female body builder several years back who’d just won a national competition. In street clothes, she looked positively petite, and didn’t even really look like she was large-framed. Her BMI? 28! God love her So don’t let the “number” run ya. If ya feel good and look good, you’re golden! </p>
<p>In other news, the vinyl-foor-installation-yoga-workout is drawing closer to its end without casualty I am hopeful that it has improved my squatting power, all 750 pieces of it. I’ve got a month to recover until I start the 2500 s-f “farmer’s carry” of packing up 10 years of studio nonsense for the move. The movers I’ve hired are optimistic that they can do the move in a day, even though we’re moving into two new locations 10 miles apart. I have a hunch I’ll be doing some lifting to ensure that really happens in a single billable day :)</p>
<p>Which means the kettlebells and I need a vigorous reacquaintance over the next few weeks. The snowshoeing, while giving some movement to arms via the ski poles, doesn’t really do much for my arms compared to the kettlebells :)</p>
<p>So yesterday I did a spin class (only my second one, this is a drop-in). There was some chickie there who I took for early thirties, really built nicely, and she was exhorting the teacher to go faster, etc. (Meanwhile I’m just barely hanging on, but giving myself props that I was there.) After the class, she starts chatting w me and another woman, and she says something about twins - and as it turns out both this other woman and I had twins, so she’s asking about separating them in school. I said, well, mine are in college now but here’s what I did, blah blah blah. The other woman’s twins were junior high age. Turns out Miss Chickie has two sets of twins, one set about 7, another set around 3, and a singleton in between. With a sculpted bod. I instantly decided that I hated her :-)</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice! I have tried gu chomps before, and they’re ok, but I’ve also run 10 miles with nothing and felt perfectly fine. What and when to eat for a long run is still a mystery to me. </p>
<p>I like the idea of adding something to my water, it seems like it might be easier. But then again, I haven’t had any gastric suprises (:)) with gu chomps, so maybe I should stick with that until after this race. I have 2 weeks, is it too late to start experimenting?</p>
<p>Could of, should of, would of…try not to linger in the past - deal with the present! Miss Chickie is also in her thirties, maybe was an athlete before having kids and was in stellar body shape to begin with. Let’s see how she looks when she’s fifty - maybe great - maybe not!!!</p>
<p>IMO, if she’s telling the teacher to speed up the class, she’s got her own issues. :)</p>
<p>Bromfield,
You are not alone in wanting the support of others to work out. I gave away my home treadmill and some other equipment, and rarely use my bike. My home weights rarely are touched, except when cleaning. I love my Pilates teacher, and faithfully join her 3x a week. I do much better with classes or having a companion.</p>
<p>blankmind- you might want to wait until after the race to tweak your in-race nutrition, although I am the Queen of Trying New Things on Race Day (with mixed results). I, too, have run 10-12 miles with no problem and no water (cold weather), but on other occasions (including yesterday) I think I needed water and a gel. I didn’t carry water because I thought I would be OK at 35 degrees and the fountains are turned off for the winter. In retrospect, it was a mistake.</p>
<p>pizzagirl- Don’t get Michael and I started on “going faster” in spin class. Spin class should not be a frantic spinning of the legs with your butt bouncing around the seat. Miss Chickie needs to go back to 60’s aerobics class!</p>
<p>Contrary to others, I am one who DOES put a lot of stock in the number on the scale. For me, it is what I am carrying around, whether it be fat or muscle. I don’t want to lug any more than I have to for 26.2 miles. I can tell a difference in how I look and feel with a 3 pound swing (which at my size is more than it would be for a 170 pound guy, for sure). I DO recognize that there can be drastic swings from day to day and that due to cross training I will never weigh 102 (no upper body muscles) like I did in 1980! Nor would I want to. </p>
<p>Victory for today- there was a big tin of something sitting on the coffee bar at work as I walked in. I didn’t even hesitate. I walked on by.</p>
<p>Since I have the day off, was able to get a workout done earlier today! Mix of track, walking and “running” elliptical. How great to have it done by noon!!!</p>
<p>MOfWC, yay to no peeking into the tin! I got a box of Euro chocolates as a late holiday gift from a friend - I’m taking them to the office tomorrow without even looking into the box.</p>
<p>I completely agree with you on the weight issue for distance runners - every pound counts when you have to lug it for 26 miles!</p>
<p>Water aerobics for me this AM; boring as all get-out, again.</p>
<p>Question for you guys… am I just overreacting? The last two times I’ve been in the locker room after class, two different women have been on their cell phones. This is not a huge locker room, meaning, we’re all in the same area, perhaps, 15’X30’; showers and sinks are adjacent. And you can just tell, these were unnecessary conversations - “I’m fine; just finished my workout. And you?” “Yea, I’ve got some time to talk. Just got out of the shower.” ETC. Of course, my biggest fear is that unless I decide to stare someone down and get close enough to look at their cell phone, I don’t know if it’s a cell phone with a camera on it. So many places these days have signs up requesting people to not use their cell phones in waiting areas, because people are held hostage to them; when you’re waiting for an appointment, you have no place to escape, so people are expected to refrain from using their cell phones. I firmly believe that the rec center should place a sign up in the locker rooms that cell phone usage should be refrained in the locker rooms. But I don’t know if I’m overreacting.</p>
<p>1 hour with weights today.</p>
<p>My perspective would be - I’m not a celebrity, or so amazingly hot, that I need to worry about anyone taking a picture of me. Maybe you are :-)</p>
<p>Ha!! Those are the least of my concerns - I doubt anyone would be selling pictures of me to tabloids!</p>
<p>You’re afraid of them recording you? Hmm…I wouldn’t assume someone would be taking pictures or the like…I don’t know if you’re overreacting. The thought never came to my mind before.</p>
<p>^^^ Well, I know I’ve read stories of it happening to people over the years, not a lot, but even a few is more than enough for me to remember.</p>
<p>It never crossed my mind about the camera part. I think it is rude to have extensive calls in the locker room, and I try to be respectful of that. I did receive a call Friday as I just entered the locker room after work that I did have to take, and I felt guilty, even though there were just a few people in the (large) locker room. I tried to keep my voice down and keep it short.</p>
<p>Teri, although I agree with Pizzagirl that no one would be interested in seeing “nekkid pix” of me, it is a legitimate concern - I would bring it up with the management. Most gyms I went to in the past (2004-2008) had these signs in the locker rooms, and some had attendants who would have friendly chats with “offenders”.</p>
<p>BB - yes, I’m guessing that gyms I’ve belonged to in the past probably have similar policies - they were nicer gyms than this one… much larger locker rooms, etc. There would even be a part of the locker room that is not as crowded as other parts that you could go to if you had to take a call. But this one is small; there are a few full-length lockers, but the majority are only half-size - one on top and one on bottom, so people can be crammed in pretty tight. Regarding ‘attendants’ trying to nip it in the bud, one of the cell phone offenders was, unfortunately, an employee of the gym… one of the personal trainers. I got to hear all about her previous three clients of the day and the one she had coming up in an hour.</p>
<p>If they are talking on their phone, how would they also be using their camera??? Sounds like the locker room is small enough that unless you have your back turned to them, taking a pic would be a little obvious. I agree it is rude to carry on with a phone call - answer it if you must, but keep it short and sweet!</p>