Welcome to the blog! I've just started running again in the past few months, too. The best advice I got to get through that first month was not to worry about pushing yourself, and just get out there 6 days a week. Running a mile without stops and no previous training is pretty hard! Good job.

I gain about a thousand pounds with each pregnancy, BTW. I should put a pregnant picture up--I looked like a beach ball with legs at the end.

What kind of dance do you do? My hubby and I like to ballroom dance. There are lots of great dances you can do alone though--or you might like Tai Chi or something like that. I have a dance workout video. My kids think I am so funny when I try to do it!

Gooooo cougars! Rise and Shout!! Welcome the Blog. I have been running for about 3 years now. 3 marathon. several half marathons. many 10 k Races and a few 5 K races. I really enjoy the freedom I feel when i get out and run. good luck. set some goals and you will do well.

I'm Lybi's brother. I just wanted to write to encourage you to keep trying. I started running a few years ago when I realized I was becoming pathetically out of shape. In the beginning I just ran around the block once (about 0.7 miles). Soon I could do it twice and then three times. It's pretty fun to see that you are running farther each week. Don't worry about the speed in the beginning. Take walk breaks as needed. Just keep track of distance and gradually increase the distance. Then every Saturday is a new record and that feels great!

I can still remember how I was so excited I was almost flying the first time I ran 10 miles.

Now I race pretty competitively around town. It's fun to beat men much younger than I am. I've run one marathon and I'll do another this year.

Keep track of how you are improving because it's a great source of self esteem. Don't weigh yourself. That's not motivating. Just focus on the running for it's own sake. Your body will change to meet the demands of the running and the result will be good, regardless of what the scale says.

Keep it up!

Welcome to the blog! I will second Heber's advice - instead of your weight or size, focus on running longer and faster as your goals, the weight and the size will eventually move where they should be. However, make sure to eat a healthy diet, this makes a big difference.

Hey Stephanie(how do you spell your name?)

It's me sarah....fastrunningmommy that doesn't really run that fast.....we are all so excited to have you here as you can tell from the previous comments. I think you are going to like running because you will get comments on the blog...and also you are going to get into shape...I can just feel it...it's going to happen. I hope that you learn to love running as much as dancing....maybe.....

Hi Stephanie,

I second some of your coments, I can't say I love to run but I love the way running makes me feel. I know when I'm consistantly running I'm happier and feel so much better. It makes me want to eat better because I can really feel the difference when I don't eat right in my running. I also have to say that I haven't lost a lot of weight running but I lost inches and gained muscle, which alows you to burn calories more effectively! So I think the benefits are too many to mention! So keep up the good work! I know you've got it in you!

Stephanie - it is time to update your blog!

The key to success in running is getting out pretty much regardless how you feel. The only exceptions I can think of is if you have an injury that makes it impossible or counterproductive to run, or if you have a 102 degree fever or some other medical condition that seriously interferes with your daily activities. Otherwise, you should always get out and put in your daily doze of running. If you are not feeling good, run slower. If you feel exceptionally good, run longer if you have the time (ideal), or faster otherwise. You must approach the process as a heart patient that has to take a certain medicine in order to survive. Skipping just because should never be an option.

Hey Cougar Gal! I'm glad to hear you didn't give up. I keep checking back to see if you would post another day of running.

Don't get discouraged. Small setbacks are just that -- small. Happiness comes from knowing you are doing the things that will lead to the good destination. That's true in all aspects of our lives, including running.

That's why I worry about people who run to lose weight. The goal is good but they keep getting on the scale which focuses attention on where they ARE right now. Happiness comes from knowing WHERE YOU ARE GOING.

Just keep at it and right down your progress. Notice how much farther or faster you ran this week compared to last week. Soon those numbers begin to increase and you feel good because it's your direction that matters, not where you are right now.

At least you had the courage to get on here and say you didn't do anything...good for you....call me...Let's talk about tomorrow...at least I need to get the directions from you because I think we are still going....

If you feel extremely rotten, even getting out and walking will help. It can help work out sore muscles and lift your mood, which is always nice.

Hum, I sometimes find that the days I do not feel like running are the best days to run to help mentally. Feeling good about yourself is the key, find a positive montra. If you do want to run a day, ride a bike, something. Running is a big mental game, you mind does not like the pain, the body does not like the pain. It takes time when the mentai wants the endorphins and positive vibes more than not wanting to run because of the physical misery. When I first started running I was 30 pounds over weight, the hardest part is the first step out the door. You are your own superhero each day you give the effort.

B of BS Rools out

At least you had the courage to get on here and say you didn't do anything...good for you....call me...Let's talk about tomorrow...at least I need to get the directions from you because I think we are still going....

That is weird! But it sounds like it did the trick! Have fun getting out and enjoy the camping, nothing like the fresh mountain air to energize you for a good hike or something! So have a good time and try and capitolize on some exercise!

Thank heaven for small miracles! Soon you will be hooked and you won't need a call. Once running gets in your blood it becomes something you don't want to miss. Then your success becomes just a matter of time.

Keep it up!

all I have to say is that although Sasha really didn't do it on purpose before we were married I could TOTALLY see him doing something like that to poor unsuspecting sleeping runners. He likes to call people early in the morning and be obnoxious about things he believes in. He used to call our non-member investigator friends EVERY sunday to make them come to church...he's a fun guy!!!

Great job Cougar Gal! Just getting out there is enough. If you keep doing it you will improve. Then you can look back through your blog and see the improvement after a couple of months. Nothing is wrong with you. Morning runs are often a little harder. Maybe a walking warm-up would help.

I get yucky stuff from pollution too. When it builds up (several days or weeks of bad pollution days) I get a chronic cough. I finally tried talking just half a claritin and my cough cleared up.

I would recommend getting a heart rate monitor and wearing it regularly to learn what your running heart rate is. Then when you feel you do not have the stamina you will see if it is cardiovascular, or something else. For a beginning runner a lot of times the "something else" is an incorrect perception of fatigue - the stamina is really there, but the mind is playing tricks on you. Sometimes looking at the heart rate monitor could reveal the mysterious "something else", and you may find the strength to attack it. Penny had good results using this method - she was able to break 13:00 on the mile, while at first she struggled with a 17:00 mile.

Actually it sounds like you are going good. When I first started I took a walk break every mile. If you give your legs a break for about a minute then you'll find that they recover quite a bit and can go on.

No need to push it of course but at this point you want to be increasing you mileage. Walk breaks can help you do that.

I'm proud of you! Keep it up!

Stay with it! Just getting out is half the battle! So sounds like you are winning to me!

It is alright to walk. it is good that you committed to get out the door. good job.

When you are building your weekly distance there's no need to worry about speed. You did the right thing by getting out the door.

Keep it up!

Time to update the blog!

Good idea. I've learned that you have to listen to your body. When you feel good, run more. When you are not 100% scale back a bit. After all, a lot of our problems come from not listening to our bodies (eating when we aren't hungry, not sleeping when we are tired, etc).

I'm proud of you. Keep it up. When the cool weather of fall comes around you'll be in shape to take advantage of it and run longer distances.

Hey cougar gal.

I'm on the eastern earth surface processes team of the USGS. That's a long way of saying I look at landforms and sediments under your feet in areas out east--specifically parts of the Chesapeake Bay. Geology is an incredibly interesting field, and there is a lot of volcanology going on here at the survey, actually. Happy trails!

hey lady...we need to start going together...let's get through these crazy holiday days and then see what next week looks like....you would love my running partner..she is the loveliest nicest lady in the world...her name is Adrianne...bad part is that she is moving to Iowa in a few weeks so we really need to start going together.

Any training since then?

I think from where you are if you go to University it is about a mile.

Biking counts of course. That's good exercise.

But don't fall into the trap of saying to yourself "well I walked a lot in the mall (for instance) so that will count as my running." Make time to run. Make time for yourself. You are worth it. I'll tell you what I do. I've got an MP3 player (iPod shuffle) that I load up with general conference talks or scriptures or something and I take it running. That is my time to get centered. I'm helping body and spirit at the same time.

Also you need to pick one day a week when you will run longer than the other days. For me it's Saturday because I work. Depending on the ages of your kids it may differ. Take some water and your iPod with you and go LONG. In the beginning long may be only 3 or 4 miles. Don't worry about speed on this long run. Take as many walk breaks as you need. But put it on your calendar every week and plan to spend at least an hour on your long run.

Make running special. It's only once a week but it's for YOU. Tell your family so they will be supportive. It's YOUR TIME. You deserve it.

Stephanie - I will second Heber's suggestions. The success will come from a resolution to get out and do it. Only a handful of runners ever make the Boston Qualifier in the marathon, maybe top 3% or so. I would say at least 50% have the ability. Why is it that only 3% make it?

What kills the other 47% (as well as a good portion of those 3% that have the talent to run world-class times, but end up doing no more than just qualifying for Boston) is the excuses for not training properly. People read popular running magazines and browse the web in search for magic recipes for better marathon times. Yet, if they just trained like they should, with some very rare exceptions, they would run their dream times and even faster.

In order for you to succeed, you first need to mentally move from the majority that makes excuses to the minority that trains.

WOW! Your really putting on the miles, good job!

don't overdo it....how are you doing? Do you want to try running again with Adrianne and I on Thursday or Friday?

I felt dumb when we took off and then ending up seeing you again. This nice old man from our ward felt like talking and I couldn't tell him I had to go....I just get too anxious to get back to my kids I guess...I'll call you and we can try again.

Super! I'm so proud! I was just reading an article on CNN about a woman who went from a size 22 to a size 2 to 4 in just 10 months by working out 6 days a week.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet.fitness/07/09/weightloss.success/index.html

Could be you soon! Keep it up.

Good training this week. You should probably start doing 1 minute run 30 seconds walk and then cutting down the walk as you become more fit until you do not need it anymore. You should also start with a walk, and the go into the run mode towards the end rather than running until you can't and then walking the rest. Walking would be much more productive if it is planned as opposed to out of desperation.

I'm so proud of you..can't wait to see you tomorrow...we need to start doing field trips again....tomorrow is out because my brother and family are in town...got any ideas for next friday?

Wow, you are really improving. Great job!

By the way, Heber is my oldest brother, and he writes comments sometimes, but he doesn't have a blog. He is a really good runner, though, and an overall really nice guy.

Time to update the blog!

Hey, none of my business, but, come on BYU girl, pick it up, come on, you can do more. As the old saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. It hasn't got tough yet. Come on, make a goal to increase your total a little each week, say 10%. You can do it!

B of BS Rools out.

do you want to go sometime this week? Did you have fun walking around everywhere on Pioneer Day at the celebration in the park?

I went there later in the day and we had a blast....everything was great for the kids except the axe throwing...that made me feel a bit nervous...especially since I thought it was dull arrows they were shooting and sent them to stand in line without looking first...I come over and see these huge tomahawks they are about to hand over to my overzealous 8 year old...fun fun...talk to ya soon.

Sarah

Try alternating running and walking, this will get you through more distances. You should also try to cover 4 miles this way. Your weight drops in proportion to how many minutes you keep your heart rate above a certain level, probably around 70% of your max. So the idea is that throughout the week you want to do whatever it takes to keep your heart rate there for as long as you can handle without being injured or overtrained.

Yes it feels good to get out in a run, although it can be hard to get started. Keep working on it, its helped me, Im overwight but Ive dropped from 205 to the low 190's although Id do better if I can ever kick the sweets. $ miles is a good effort, way to go

Where have you been, I hope that you have been running and just too busy to get your miles logged! Look forward to hearing how it all is coming along!

Don't let 'em get you down. Keep it up the good work. You're doing it!

I'm sorry you're sad, cougar gal! Hang in there! You get extra points for getting out there when you are down.

Very good. You are learning something important - organize your life so that the workout happens pretty much regardless of how you feel or what is going on.

Stephanie. The struggle you're going through is hard. Nobody's struggle is the same, but I'd like to tell you how it worked for me.

Each time you make a choice to go out or not to go out you're literally changing the way your brain is structured. It becomes easier to do it the next time (if you run) or harder (if you stay in bed). Then your body begins to change along with your brain. It becomes easier to go for longer (if you do it) or harder (if you stay in bed). Then the way you live your life begins to change along with your brain and your body, as these new habits and muscles reinforce each other, bringing out the structure of the weeks and months and days.

So each morning you do two miles even though you feel sad you're digging away at the sadness. You're making it easier to feel something else, even if you can't see it at the time. It's never easy to change your brain or your body, let alone your life. But there are moments along the way when you suddenly notice--Oh, I've come that far! Look out for them. They're really wonderful.

Hang in there.

You didn't say why you are sad. Lots of things happen in our lives that make us sad sometimes. Interestingly running is one of those things that can help the clouds part and get us feeling good again.

Sometimes we feel our bodies are our enemies. But in fact it can be your friend during times of stress or sadness. If we exercise our mood will improve and it will help us deal with the problems we have.

how ya doing? You don't have to write back if you are still blog wary...just thinking of you....can't wait to see your tummy popping out....

I've been where your are cougar gal. I started running just .06 miles at a time. It took me 18 minutes to finish my first mile. I just kept at it and slowly increased my miles. In a year I had lost a lot of weight and did a marathon.

You can do it. Just keep it up.

Just wondering how you are doing? Today determines our tomorrow.