Forums / The hangaround / Marathon

So far in my life, I really haven't accomplished anything worth value. I have been to college and am continuing my education towards a Master's in Education. I have two children and an awesome wife, but how many other people can say that? I was watching an American TV show about two weeks ago called The Biggest Loser. In the show grossly overweight (American) people work out and try and get themselves healthy again. These people had been on the show for something like 10 weeks and their "challenge" for the week was to run a 5k or a half marathon. As I was watching this and the woman who finished first finish her's in 2hrs and 30min, I thought to myself, "Damn, I feel worthless!" The only decent accomplishments outside of family life I have made are here.... :(.

So, in the last couple of weeks, I have been training to get ready for my 5k (13 miles) which is in July. I hopefully can finish this and move on to my new goal of a full marathon in September which is the closest one.

Anyone into this kind of thing? Any Triathletes, Ironmen/Ironwomen, or Marathoners in VU land? If there are, any tips for me?

ha ha funny man...Steriods are too expensive.

"for my 5k (13 miles) "

well...5k is about 3.1 miles =)  I think you meant half marathon is 13 miles;  I run 5ks a bit (actually, running one tonight as part of some corporate gimpic here in Orlando to raise money...employees run, companies pay the $25 entrance fee; I usually average a 8-9 minute mile, so no where near the front).  Alas, once it gets to the half marathon range, I much prefer my car's air conditioning...one of my co-workers went up to Alaska for the first day that is 24 hours of light with his wife..ran a half marathon at midnight in Juneau and then later in the day they ran a marathon in Anchorage...INSANE :|

Running with others!

My bad on the misfire, 5k (3.1miles) gotcha :p.

I get "side stiches" a lot when I run over 3 miles at a time...which has me worried, I really want to push myself to a marathon though. My mile falls in the 7:00-7:30 range, So I know where you're talking about Bob Smurf. I just think the accomplishment alone will be enough. @ Seloc, running with others is fun occasionally, but I prefer plugging in some headphones and jamming away on my ipod :) 

hell, if P.Diddy can run a marathon, I should be able too.

" @ Seloc, running with others is fun occasionally, but I prefer plugging in some headphones and jamming away on my ipod :) "

Hehe, while that is true...there is NOTHING better than having a hot chick wearing a sports bra running in front of you in a race to help motivate ya =D  I had my best time last year when that happened for the last 2k ;)

For the side stitches, I would recommend drinking more (either alcohol b/c you won't care any more, or more realistically something with potassium/electrolytes like gatorade or fruit juice)  Drinking the electrolytes before I go out for jogs helps prevent me from cramping up esp in the summer.  I'm not *certain* the side stitches are something similar (I know what you're talking about, I'm just not sure if the same thing that causes leg cramps causes the cramps in those muscles), but hey, can't hurt :)

Learn to breath, no i mean properly.

The innnnnnnnnn............ouuuutttttttt thing.

Everthing I have read so far says DON'T in through the nose out throught the mouth. The ratio of oxygen decreases vastly when breathing in through the nose. Runner's World said that a comfortable pace is needed, and by comfortable pace they mean, you should be able to hold a conversation while running and not be out of breath. If you cannot do so, slow your pace.

I dig the chicks in sports bra thing too...but how about those leggings the girls wear now-a-days? skin tight and oh so right :P

Well, the only thing I have found with tights/spandex is this...

Girls that shouldn't be wearing just sports bras, usually don't...

On the other hand, some girls that really should be wearing more than spandex apparently still try to go with jus tthe tights and make me hurl :S

(don't get me wrong, I'm far from the most buff guy out there, so you won't see me in a speedo at the beach either...)