video worthy

Popped blister = new meaning to the term "Shoe Goo".

moving away from the "shoe goo" & blister topic ...I have two questions for the runners out there.

1) Has anyone ever used the knee-high compression socks, and do they work? The ones for running, not recovery.

2) With my first 10k coming up in a little over a month, does this sound smart or foolish? 5k on 3/16; 8k on 3/23 and 10k on 4/6...is that too much or do you think an 8k two weeks prior to the 10k would be a pretty good judge of where I am?

Sorry for the questions, but I am new to races and want to make sure I don't burn out, but that I am ready for the 10k in April.

It depends on how hard you run the earlier races. I know other runners who participate in races all the time but are not attempting to PR or finish in any particular time. They just enjoy the events and run most of them as they would any other training run. I on the other hand know that if I am running in a race I will run it hard so doing them that close together would not be wise for me.

Haven't tried the copression socks while running but I love the recovery ones.

I have friends that wear compression socks or sleeves but it's typically for long distances (marathons and farther). I've never worn any. Sorry.

I think your race schedule depends on your current mileage base and your goals. There is not much rest/down time in there with a race 3 our of 4 weekends.

Funny, that's how I run all my races. Competition is just not in my vocabulary, LOL.

I have the calf/shin compression sleeves. I use them for longer runs and typically leave them on for about 30 minutes after. I would say that they work pretty good.
As for your schedule, I am with the others on saying that it depends on your current schedule and what your body is used too. I just finished a series of races that were every other weekend. 5K, 8K, 10K and it was no big deal at all. I think I could have done them a week apart without a problem. But my normal miles mimick this progression.

Normal people can't gauge what their body is capable based upon what ^^ he thinks is normal though

I run every race to PR, I'm there to compete. If I want to have fun and/or relax, I'll stay in bed or play some Angry Birds. I'm not an overly competitive person, but if I'm going to do something with a clock, I'm going to race myself.

If you're running 3-6 miles multiple times per week now, then your body can likely handle that race schedule, but it depends on what pace you're working with now and how much faster you plan to go for the races too.

Don't feel bad asking questions, everyone starts at the beginning and it's far easier to learn from others than to learn it all the hard way!

Nasty girl

Usually when people say that, it's a compliment!

Bwahahaha!

But now I have Janet Jackson singing in my head. I should be fine as long as I don't spontaneously break out the dance moves!

Thanks for the quick responses everyone! I tend to be more like mani or derwood's friends...I'm not aiming to PR or stay under a certain timeframe. I guess I'm looking at the 5k and 8k more as using them as a barometer of where I am for the 10k.

Now, by this time next year, after more races under my belt, that might change and the competition bug might bite!

I am down 1 more pound - whoo hoo! If I lose 2 more pounds I will reach my 5% goal. The weight is coming off slowly but I am so glad to get out of that plateau! I have found that doing more cardio makes a difference. I started doing 2 miles on the treadmill at lunch and after 2 weeks I can see a big change in the way my clothes fit. I haven't started trying on my summer clothes yet - don't want to get discouraged but my winter clothes are getting loose! How is everybody else doing? I need to hear some inspirational stories to keep me pumped!

That is great Heather!! Slow and steady is almost always better. It tends to be more permanent. And, as you have discovered, the scale is not always indicative of everything that is going on. I would be willing to bet that the change in clothing size feels disproportionatly large compared to 1 lbs of weight loss. The scale is important but how you feel and total measurements are often more telling. Keep up the good work!!!

Way to go Heather! Slow and steady is definitely the way to go.

My trainer hurt her wrist so I haven't had any official weigh ins in almost 2 weeks. My at-home morning weight is at 207, meaning I have hit my under 210 goal! I've also been able to get into pants I haven't been able to wear in over a year. I could go down another size, but I love that loose fitting feeling on my waist...it encourages me to make them baggier.

New goal, under 200....which will probably be the hardest.

You go Dani! So smart to make a group of achievable goals that keep you in positive mind set!

Way to go Heather and Dani!! You are doing amazing!

I think I might be breaking out of the plateau..,the scale went down a pound this week. The trainer did another body fat measurement with the calipers, and if you exclude "the girls", my body fat is at 24%.

My weight is still 30 pounds above the maximum "normal" BMI, but dang - I was able to zip and button a pair of size 6 pants at Express last week! I thought the fit was just a tad too tight for now, but it was a great feeling. The size 8 pants fit amazing right now.

Both my husband and daughter noticed I have biceps and triceps and I am starting to get some definition in my abdomen. Still a long way to go, but now I am enjoying the ride.

Added a song to my cardio mix - My Sharona by the Knack. Way-back machine, here I am!

My Sharona - LOVED that song.

Congrats PR - and the rest of you. My scale was down 6.5 pounds this morning so I'm 4 pounds from my goal. In looking at myself in the mirror I may need to adjust that downward a little, but I'm pleased with my progress. Especially since my RA has not allowed me to exercise lately. My knees got terribly inflamed.

I've been to the Y for four straight days - running, weight machines, running, weight machines. I'm up three pounds this week. Something went wrong. I think I need to review what I've eaten.

And going to the Y 4 or 5 days a week has had another unexpected result: My CEO is nominating me for the YMCA board. Headslap.

PR...Rockin a 6!
There is a good motivating song in that somewhere!
Keep going PR!!

MBH, you're up because that muscle you're building weighs more than fat! That's a wonderful thing!! The more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn!!

Keep it up!! The scale will go down eventually, the imprtant thing is that you will notice your clothes fitting differently!!

round is a shape

Bought a kettlebell over the weekend. Now I need to figure out how to use it. Also increased the weights for my triceps. I'm going to have very nicely toned arms at some point.

There are lots of kb workouts in magazine articles, on YouTube, etc. I recommend compound movements whenever possible, they will work multiple muscle groups at the same time. Example: Squat with a shoulder press. Form is everything, so don't be afraid to move slowly.