@BunsenBurner – if you mean me, I’m not offended.
No BB! I NEED your advice and sound words!!
DMD may be the exception to the rule - and it suits her. Or she accepts the consequences should there be any. No problem with that.
Most women do wear bras - probably a higher % when exercising than in daily life. I’ve received GREAT bra advice here! I know now to look for certain features like thicker racer back and compression for higher support which I like and need. CC taught me that!
We all have our “irks”. Let’s work through them. PLEASE. XXOO!
Abasket said
I always feel bad! And I’m trying not to. I think it somewhere from years of listening to H and S (both super competitive runners at one time) constantly saying “I NEVER WALK! WHAT’S THE POINT??” Now I find myself evaluating my runs by calling them a “one-walk-run”, a "two-walk-run"etc. Even if the "walk"is like 20 feet. Saturday and Sunday were one-walk-runs.
Love the discussion about different fitness levels. As an instructor I had this talk with many a student who watched from the doorway but was hesitant to come in to join the class.
Hmmm, I have been just viewing this thread for a long time. Think I may need to jump in! I used to be very active exercise-wise, but have fallen off quite a bit. I just went to a doctor’s appointment the other week and found out how much weight I have gained. It might not be a lot to some people, but it’s a huge amount for me. I have never gained that much before. I have never even gained even HALF of that much in that period of time! And the worst is that I know it’s coming from bad food and lazy habits. (And I FEEL the weight!)
I’m getting back into running. In November I “ran” my first marathon. It was slow but I finished. I have signed up for a half in April. I’m starting week four of training today (right after I finish this post! 5 mile run…or run walk…) and it has been awful! So tired! And I keep wondering how this training feels so much harder than the marathon training (and that was not easy for me).
Oh well. This seems like a great thread to keep myself accountable and get to hear about others. 
Welcome nahnah12! Congrats on that first marathon. Keep us posted on your training schedule.
Don’t go Bunsen!!!
I have seen people hiking on very rough trails with steep inclines/declines in the most outrageous shoes. Flip flops, high heels. I don’t get it.
Today I ran 6 miles and did yoga. The yoga class was particularly strenuous and I’m praying I didn’t injure my back.
Don’t leave BB!
I’m all for folks running or participating in other fitness activities in whatever is comfortable to them. I always wear running bras but if someone else prefers to not wear a bra, that’s ok by me (I likely would not notice). If someone wants to run in a Speedo, I don’t care. I do think flip flops are not a good choice for running because they tend to slip off and I really think there is a safety issue.
As for those who walk instead of run, walking is great! I started running a year ago and have never run more than 3.5 outside or 4 on the treadmill. I would like to do more, but we will see what my body has to say about that. I actually prefer walking and yoga to running. And although I work out several times a week, I have love handles, a tummy that is not flat, etc.
The #1 reason I work out is for my health and so that I will age better. I have watched people age and those who kept active in middle age and older seem to age much better than those who don’t. I can’t prevent getting older but I can try for the best quality of life as I age.
I only walk if I’m struggling in a long race (marathon or difficult half). HOWEVER, what I do is stop! My daughter prefers to walk for breaks if she needs to do so. I prefer to stop! I stop the watch (unless it’s a race) and just stand there for a minute or two. I don’t know why I do that. I actually think walking is better, but for some reason I am a “stopper”. I think it might go back to my early running days before GPS watches and if we walked a little bit, we no longer could figure out our distance because our pace was all messed up. Who knows?
I think it’s a big fallacy that to run you can never take a break. Once I did a couple races I discovered while some many people don’t break, many do. Even a 10-20 second break can be enough. Or enough time to suck down some water at a water break.
Welcome nahnah! (not sure I spelled that right!) Are you a parent? Were you a runner in the past?
abasket- I actually was on here maaaany years ago as a student when I was applying to colleges. I came back to look when I had a cousin applying to college not too long ago.
I really got into running when I was in grad school. I think I had no idea what I was doing, and that coupled with my first year of teaching kind of did me in I think. Then, I got back in it and was training for my second half when I hurt my back really bad. I’ve been running off and on until last year when I just started signing up for lots of races to make me at least get out there. I guess I shouldn’t say I’m getting back in since I’ve been running consistently for over a year, but it still feels like so much work most of the time. Where are those easy runs?! I guess that is where the added age and weight (and poor diet…) come in.
Ended up doing four at the gym tonight. Between someone with bad BO and the guy beside me constantly glaring at me because I guess I was on his favorite treadmill I just couldn’t do any more. I’ll do it on Thursday instead (I was supposed to do four then, so I’m just switching).
Excited to start being more active on here!
Nahnah- I’ve been a competitive runner for 40 years. Here’s some advice. Slow down. Try to make your easy runs really easy. Forget about how slow your pace is. The Kenyans often train at 9 minute pace. You can slow down.
Very wise words sabaray and great quote, abasket. So glad we can talk about body image openly here.
It seems I have really hit an unintentional slump in exercising. I’ve been keeping up my step count with walking quite a few miles, but I need to get out and get my heart rate up. It was 85 degrees today and when I got out to move, it was too hot. I took a photography course over the weekend and the temptation to practice with my camera is strong. I’m sure there’s a component of not feeling motivated as well. I am so glad I have this thread to provide all the nudges towards healthier decisions.
MNK, I hope your father is doing well. And MoWC, I’m so happy your DS is okay. He is going to end up with quite the collection of scars. Hope the skin heals.
Long walk today–5 miles. Love that the snow is melting. My witch hazel (flowering shrub) bloomed!! This is always the first sign that spring is on the way. I’m excited.
Rescheduled Orange Theory for later this week. BB–we need your voice and your wisdom.
When I’m in yoga I usually wear a top that has a shelf bra built in, but otherwise I’ll wear a sports bra when I’m doing some other activity (I’m not a runner).
Thank you Plantmom. He’s holding his own with good days and not as good days.
Did the stupidest hike yesterday. Have been enjoying the 50ish degree weather and thought I could do a hike through the woods. Went to the trailhead and saw that it was partially thawed so into the the woods I went. Big mistake! The trail became a thick solid sheet of ice. Foolishly I thought I could stick by the sides along the trail and make it around the looping trail. It was treacherous! Couldn’t turn around and go uphill and going downhill was dangerous.Of course it started raining to make the trail even more slick. I ended up falling several times but made it through by breaking a trail through the brush. First time I was frightened and worried that I might have to call someone to come help me. Stupid!
Oh my gosh NM I would have been frightened too! And with the rain - and sometimes cell reception in the woods is not too good. Lessons learned, right? I hope you’re not too sore today - stick to a trail you know today!!
@NorthMinnesota – maybe trekking poles for that situation?
We are having rain rain and more rain here. Everything is soaked and muddy and I’m keeping a bucket of soapy water by the back door to rinse off the dogs’ paws. But at least it’s not snow and ice.
Adding my welcome to @nahnah12! I admire anyone who has done a marathon, at whatever speed.
45 minutes on the Cybex Arc this morning, plus 1 mile walk on the treadmill. My gait issues continue; will try to find an ortho this week.
Re: sports bras – I pretty much only use ones with a front zip. I always feel as if I need the Jaws of Life to get off the over-the-head models – which is most of them. I sweat a fair amount, so they’re really hard to get off. Of course, with the zip ones, there’s always the concern that the zipper will let go …
I do a run/walk combo, a la Jeff Galloway. It works for me, and that’s all I care about.
Don’t go, @BunsenBurner!!!
BB, please pop in - just to let us know you are here. I’ll be totally selfish and say I enjoy you too much to not have you around.
All of you are ridiculously important to me!
Killer yoga today–hips and hamstrings. Spent lots of time on hip openers. Walking later today with friends–we are going walk on one of the conservation trails in our town.
NMinn- that sounds horrible and scary. Glad you made it!