Exercise Goals for 2008

I like that (the attitude quote).

Learned new stuff to do with the resistance bands. The leg lift thing is good, I'm definitely working the quad but not killing my knees. I'll probably switch to that instead of squats, at least for now.

Gymmed!

My legs have not been perfect but definitely better. Tomorrow's the test. (Running with Gym-mom -- who should maybe be renamed Track-mom -- tomorrow.)

Just read previous page... sorry you're still sick, Joe! You must have access to world-class chicken soup with matzo balls -- get some. Stat.

Ran!

Still not perfect but wow big improvement and I'm starting to get optimistic that this is something I can get over rather than a momentum-stopper.

I read up extensively on shin splints (of course, right?) and one thing I read is that sprinters tend to land on their forefoot, while distance runners tend to land on their heels, and that heel-landings are better for shock absorption (and therefore better for shins). I got a bit twingy early on and paid more attention to my stride -- yep, landing on my forefoot. Still running like a sprinter, just slower. I adjusted and landed on my heels, seemed to help a bit.

Didn't do the full workout -- just two running laps (and two walks) before we were muscled off the track by the HS marching band. But I feel infinitely better than I did at this time last week. We plan to not meet for running again until Wednesday -- Monday's a holiday. Then gym Tuesday and Thursday (low-impact).

George, can you tell me more about how you got over shin splints? Was the change in shoes enough, no problem once you started wearing them?

I'm trying to strike the balance between continuing momentum, and not making a minor problem a big problem.

Hey, I was just catching up on what everyone's doing (got too busy with graduation to keep up - I kept up with my workouts, but not the thread)...just wanted to say how awesome you all are, still sticking to all your goals!

Jespah, congratulations on the weight loss! That's really wonderful, I'm so impressed!! It's so hard to do that--you must have an iron will, lady!

Also,



Beth, thanks for posting that, it was really interesting! Last time I went on a walk I went barefoot for most of it after reading that, and boy, did it make me notice how hard I was banging my heels with each step! Good to know--I'm gonna get the thinnest shoes i can find now. I've always hated that big-block-of-padding-strapped-to-my-leg feeling of thick athletic shoes anyway, but that really convinced me to avoid it!

So I'm an idiot. The "barefootin'" article I was referring to was exactly that one (and I didn't click on it until now).

Yeah, it was a good article. (I like the trompe l'oeil paintings too.)

I've been going barefoot around the house a lot more since I read it.

Best wishes to all the runners/joggers.

I'm hoping to get to the walking track this weekend.

Thanks, cypher, I think it comes from years of telling off spammers.

Question: hydrating. After, sure. What about before and/or during? Does it help with stamina? I'm hearing conflicting reports, plus for me drinking too much water before (I mean before weights but it could also mean before walking or other cardio) means sloshing, therefore a bit o' nausea.

Thoughts in that area? Thanks!

PS I've had shin splints and for me the change was to buy new shoes, you can end up with uneven wear patterns on your shoes if you've had them for a while, no matter how perfect your stride is. New Balance have always worked for me but I'm a walker, not a runner. Your mileage (heh) may vary.

I avoid sloshing. The chances of dehydration at room temperature in a half hour are very small.

My new Big Blue Pills cause dry mouth, but a sip of water is sufficient for comfort.

Week 21

25.6 miles

Scheduled cumulative mileage: 420
Actual cumulative mileage: 439.4


[Boogying through Baltimore on the Virtual Jog]

I just came back from a long week-end at the beach.

Ran a bit on the beach, defied the waves, swam the 100 meters almost at the same pace of famous Olympian Eric Moussambani, went down the waterslides... had fun.
Best of all, I did some archery. And improved a lot over the last time (which was a couple of years ago).

Sooo, the barefootin' thing.

I've been bellydancing, barefoot, for just about two years now.

I hadn't thought much about it til recently - but my legs/feet feel really good and strong - no shin splints like I used to get when I ran. My feet don't hurt like they used to in the morning.

Gotta mull about this.

I'm all for barefoot walking/ dancing.

Barefoot running is something else entirely though, and I'm not fit enough to risk it. (The article talks about that, too.)

I do like running and want to see if I can get through this. If not -- if shin splints persist or worsen -- I'll move on to something else.

FINALLY got off my deathbed/sickbed/fatass (stopped coughin' for an hour) and got out to run in the sunshine. 6 miles . Felt fine.

Mrs. Nation says she will kill me if I do that again before the coughing stops completely.

Joe(no. Really I feel fine)Nation

You did archery at the beach?

Right next to the beach. Across the street.

It would be too windy and dangerous to do it exactly at the beach.

Directions to the beach: just follow the arrows.

<thud>

Uh-oh

WE WERE POINTING TO THE OTHER SIDE