@deb922, you will get there. I feel that I’m starting at the beginning too - I really neglected my running to focus on Pilates and that was a mistake. Keep checking in with us - I’ve been thinking about you, I know what a tough time this has been for your family.
One thing my new Garmin gives me is “running cadence” - hence my shuffling comment - I think I really am just shuffling! My average is around 167-170 - I’d really like to improve that. I think some of it is just getting used to a new way of training - running for time rather than distance.
To answer your question, abasket - my disastrous run last week was an evening run - and we all know I love morning! I just do not do well at night - and I definitely did not feel energized!
Spotify has a feature (if you listen to music when you run - which I do) that plays songs to match your cadence - I think you can increase or decrease to change your pace. I have tried it but it is more important to me to run to songs I have chosen - rather than songs chosen for me! https://www.spotify.com/us/running/
abasket - yes, I change it up a little. I prefer to run in the morning because my energy level is just so much higher then, but right now the weather in SD is very conducive to afternoon runs, so I’ve switched temporarily. As soon as it heats up, I’ll go back to am.
deb922 - I hear you. It’s amazing what stress can do to your body. I have had a highly stressful 3-4 weeks as well, dealing with an interpersonal situation with an extended family member, and I have been observing sort of scientifically the effects on my body. Intense fatigue, headaches, digestive issues, a lovely eyelid twitch that flares up when things get intense, As soon as I decided to “take a break” from that person, the effects started to lessen & my mood sky-rocketed.
Last year I had to really work on not shuffling and moving my arms better. And not running so stiffly. Last year I felt like my running was better.
My H, who loves to gives advice B-), is after me to bike more. Since that’s what he likes! Biking is ok, but I’m such a wuss. Has to be warm and not windy… And I don’t love it.
I’m too nervous and uncoordinated to bike. I have vivid memories of being a kid and not being able to get the gears figured out. Come to think of it, I’m not very good with a stick shift either!
deb, stress is a real killer. For example, broken heart disease - caused not by a heart condition but by stress - is now officially recognized as a medical condition. Glad to hear that you are getting back into c25k. Exercise does help with stress management - been there.
Sabaray, I had my best race after a long “neglect” - I focused on weights and core to combat my iffy knee. Boy, it did feel like shuffling when I got my running shoes back on. Do not get discouraged.
I thought you enjoyed biking Deb! Here you were just trying to be a good wife.
I like to bike - however I sort of consider it a nice walk on wheels - I like looking around, riding through neighborhoods, to the ice cream shop - that sort of thing - not distance riding. But a 5-6 mile bike ride is a nice change of pace for exercise.
Gertrude - I was in San Diego 2 years ago. It seemed like any time of the day/year was conducive to running!
Deb922 - fellow wuss here. Don’t like cold and windy on the bike. In fact, I don’t like cold and windy running (see San Diego reference above.)
I am seriously considering an altitude tent since work is preventing me from living/training in Flagstaff AZ full time. http://www.higherpeak.com
I am getting serious resistance from my wife–too ugly, paying for daughters college, retirement funds, etc. Excuses!
Ohio - yes, I have very little to complain about here. I live inland, so we can get very hot in July, August & September, but other than that, we have it pretty good. In the winter, when the days are short, it can be a struggle to find daylight to run in on either end of my workday. I usually opt to start in the dark in the AM, and the sun will be coming up during my run.
Here’s what I want to know from you morning exercisers: how much time passes from when you hop out of bed to when you hit the pavement/exercise equipment? What is your routine - are you running in your pj’s!!!
Abasket- I get dressed, brush teeth then walk my dog ( about 1/4 mile) . When I get home I read the paper and have a cup of coffee before going out to run/ walk/ yoga. Yes, I do get up early
I get up early enough to have at least an hour to drink my coffee, eat some breakfast & read the paper / internet before putting on my gear & heading out. So that means up at 5:00 most mornings. But I am truly a morning person. Not much fun to party with - I’m in bed by 8:30 or 9 most evenings.
@abasket, I get up very early - if I’m meeting folks, around 4:15 am. If I’m running alone, I sleep in another hour. Like FallGirl, I have a cup of coffee to get things moving, dress and head out. Dogs get walked when I get home. Weekends I’m up around 4:30 - coffee, water and usually something to eat. Don’t call me Saturday afternoons - I am usually having a recovery nap! It’s dark when I start my run, but you can see the most beautiful sunrises - and the moon setting - at the end!
Yeah, that sunrise time must be worth it. But the clock starting with 4 or 5? NO CAN DO!!!
So you guys ARE getting up and having a bit of a routine before you head out. If I do mornings, I am literally out the door probably 10-15 mins after getting out of bed. Walk the dog when I return for my cool down.
I’ll continue to leave mornings to you all who do it so well.
@sabaray Yes, that’s the blog. Whole Health Source. Some of the blog posts on Set Point are from 2009-10 and I don’t know if the info is up-to-date (another reason to look forward to his book).
In the upper left hand corner of the blog is a search box, and entering “Why Do We Eat” will pull up the series. And, entering or clicking on the tag “Food Reward” will bring up some interesting posts as well.
I like to read his (balanced) book reviews too (also a tag on the right hand side of the page). For example, see the book review: Mindless Eating
I’m out the door in 10 minutes for my morning run. Many weekdays I also do a couple treadmill miles after work while I watch the news. I sometimes run outside after work from the office- and occasionally at lunch. If I don’t run in the morning there is too much chance something will interfere. My job can be unpredictable.
@Midwest67 - I noticed quite a few books he recommends that I’ve enjoyed - I appreciate the search tips! I really enjoy reading about food - Mr. Sabaray jokes that I’ve substituted exercise for eating and to a certain extent that is true. Most of the folks around here are probably sick of hearing it, but at one point I weighed around 250 pounds. I gained weight for emotional reasons - it was so easy to eat McDonalds that I picked up on my way home to prepare dinner (that I also ate); I would buy a dozen donuts that no one in my family but me would ever see - you name it, I ate it to make myself feel better! So I’m always interested in the psychology and science behind why people eat - and eat to excess.
