<p>Just got back from the running group’s happy hour. Happy to report that I am targeting under 9 min/mile speed for the 1/2 now. Could run easily at 8:45 pace during the training runs. </p>
<p>I saw some of the people here who started the exercise program at the same time as my and still only running 5 k. </p>
<p>Come on, set your goal a little higher. </p>
<p>I am proud of what I have achieved - from no physical activity for 50 + years, to complete a full marathon under 5 hours in less than 2 years. </p>
<p>Dad Ii, I’m glad you’re happy with your achievements, but amongst other things, you don’t live in anyone else’s body or know their health history or details of their current condition. What someone else wants to do does not need to coincide with what you like doing. It is not up to you to decide what someone else’s goals should be, and, imo, not cool for you to be insulting others for pursuing different goals than you.</p>
<p>Trying to peer pressure people to do more, more, more just because someone else likes doing marathons has nothing to do with health. Too many other health and exercise related threads have been folded into this one in the past for that type of attitude to be allowed to stand here without comment in my opinion.</p>
<p>Deborah, I had the same reaction to Dad II but was wondering if it was just me. As a new-ish exerciser, I am not sure I even ever want to try to run a marathon. Everything (reputable) that I have read says that it’s the first 20 minutes or so of exercise that produce the greatest health benefits. After that, it’s diminishing returns. Extended wear and tear from running marathons might even be harmful. </p>
<p>I could be that person you speak about DadII. And I can defend it and with confidence OWN my decisions. Iwas a non runner for 53 years. Just celebrated my 55th. For two years I have run consistently , without fail, 3-4 times a week. Not only have I done that injury free, but my health - both physical and mental has improved. Races aren’t everything - except a lot of admission fees! I don’t need persistent races to be dedicated to my sport. I am perfectly in a good, healthy place. And totally not stressed. I have run more than a 5k at a time - so what? Goals are our own mental fight - and for me, that doesn’t require measuring up to anyone except me, myself and I .</p>
<p>I don’t mean to be rude, but I must say, how awkward for you to leave the thread for how long? Only to come back and start bashing? Or comparing? Fact - in general there are no fails on this thread - you come, you learn, you try - hopefully we satisfy ourselves personally. That’s it. Simple, personally satisfying.</p>
<p>Finally, did you read through the last bazillion pages of the thread?? Do you know for a fact that your target person has not run more than a 5k ?? Nope, didn’t think so.</p>
<p>Everyone should define their own fitness goals and have an exercise program designed to achieve them. Setting goals is a very individual and personal process and what is good for one person won’t be right for another. Goals should be SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound. 'Nuff said.</p>
<p>Really didn’t mean to sound rude above - ticked perhaps, not rude. </p>
<p>I know that there are people afraid to look at this thread or participate in it for reasons like Dad alluded to - that they can’t measure up to others. If we truly care about the well being of others on this thread we will be encouraging and offer advice but not judge, measure or defeat someone’s effort. </p>
<p>Where was the positive and supportive community when I was being made fun of? I am going to be off this thread again and let your all have your special “positive, supportive community”. </p>
<p>Dadii, first, congrats on reaching your goals. It takes consistency and persistence to reach new levels of fitness and you have done that. Bravo! </p>
<p>My health stats rock anyone’s world, but my 50 year old body seems to fail me when I crank up my miles past 3 - 4 miles. My conclusion is that my sitting down day job (meetings and sitting at my desk in the high tech world) don’t help, so I have re-focussed my efforts at Physical Therapy and related strengthening exercises to catch my body and hips back up. That is my challenge, but I am happy for you because I know how good it feels when your physical body feels strong and successful.</p>
<p>I hope I don’t annoy those in this thread when I get to cross country ski season … I am a speedy and strong thing in the winter and my hips don’t lie when there is 6 inches of cold snow to get through (yep, stole that from Shakira.)</p>
<p>DadII- We told you repeatedly back when you got your panties in a wad that no one was making fun of you at ALL! I was the one that made the teasing comment that set you off, and I know that I was NOT making fun of you. Many of us poke fun at ourselves, and God knows that food choices and control is a difficult area for ME, no matter how far I can run. We tried to be supportive of you and help you with your training, shoes, injuries etc., and you ran off in a huff over nothing. </p>
<p>I agree that everyone sets their own goals and should be proud of every little accomplishment. If 9 minute pace for half marathon is what you want, then yay you! If Ohio and I want to see what we can do with low heartrate, then yay us! If someone passes up the donuts, great for them! We are here to celebrate our efforts and not shove our own methods down someone else’s throat. </p>
<p>Dad2—if I remembered correctly, you had some pretty lofty goals and kudos to you for achieving them. Many of us were supportive of your goals but were concerned that you might be going at it too fast and be at risk for injury. I really don’t think anyone was making fun of you. </p>
<p>If you used these comments to propel you forward to achieve your goals then I guess we succeeded. Just some future running advice from someone that respects your competitive spirit. You’ll get a lot more satisfaction and success in running if your motivation is internally rather than externally driven.</p>
<p>“We are here to celebrate our efforts and not shove our own methods down someone else’s throat.”</p>
<p>This is a way I think this thread has grown. As MOWC said, we celebrate the 10 mile run, conquering the new bike trail though we were exhausted at the end and the time we walk past the work room kitchen and DON’T take the chocolate cake. Small wins add up. While there may have been a time when the thread was competitive (or the people in it) - maybe yes, maybe no - I don’t get that vibe anymore. Maybe it’s because I’ve become comfortable with it. Not sure.</p>
<p>I am not competitive but I do have motivation. Two different things, but one drives me (motivation), one doesn’t (competition). Well, that may not be true. If there was a competition to snag one of iDad’s lobster dinners I might be up for that one. :)</p>
<p>Beautiful day in Ohio - we are enjoying cool mornings and low to mid 70’s afternoons. Trying to soak up every day I can with outside activity of some sort. </p>
<p>Cool and drizzly morning here, but happily got my 6 miles in. Saturday calls for 18 miles. I keep telling myself I can do it. </p>
<p>I got an email yesterday that informed me the half was almost sold out (the race offers an 8k, half and marathon distance). I spent most of yesterday worrying that I wasn’t prepared enough, should drop back in distance, you name it. There seem to be so many schools of thought on how to prepare…and everyone I know or meet just seems so much more experienced or shooting for a specific time…I just want to finish upright. </p>
<p>Gotta push that self-doubt out of my mind. </p>
<p>Sabaray- I’m going to change your goal. You should aspire to MORE! One of my dear running friends who is 69 and a leader in our running community has this goal for himself at every marathon- “Finish upright and WITH A SMiLE!”</p>
<p>Hi all. Haven’t checked in for a while, its fun reading all you have been up to. I am (sadly) on injured reserve - hair line knee fracture last month. Things are healing, but…its super annoying and really boring. Can’t get in the pool yet, can’t walk the dog, CANT DRIVE THE CAR, physical therapy starts next week. I have been getting creative with things I can do, like upper body, stretching, working on one leg and gently (with dr’s go ahead) working on the injured side. . I haven’t had such a debilitating injury in…forever. Just a klutzy fall, straight on the knee. At first I thought it was just bruised , but…, no.</p>
While there may have been a time when the thread was competitive (or the people in it) - maybe yes, maybe no - I don’t get that vibe anymore. Maybe it’s because I’ve become comfortable with it. Not sure.</p>
. I haven’t had such a debilitating injury in…forever. Just a klutzy fall, straight on the knee. At first I thought it was just bruised , but…, no.</p>