Dave0222

Thanks Jefro! I've got to make NF a daily-stop on my computer to keep motivated and update this challenge!! My long run this past Sunday was 5 miles. I finished it, but didn't feel great afterwards. Did some time on the foam roller afterwards, and the next day went to a shoe store to get fitted for something better. The baller part about living in Boston is that I was able to go to a shoe store that's located at the finish line of the Boston Marathon! Definitely got some expert advice there (and was glad to give them my business since they are raising money after the bombing that happened right outside their location). Lots of extraneous info :-P Thanks for checkin in Jefro! I'll be better about keeping this updated.

Thanks YJ! Yes - I really have to crack down on the food diary and planning. Today was an EPIC FAIL - it was like a parody of what NOT to eat when trying to be healthy. I'm contemplating the Whole30 challenge, since I like structure and some clear "do not eat" rules as opposed to the vague "just be healthy and moderate." My mind works better with extremes :-P I'm hoping for dad-hood in the next couple years, and I would love to be the 6'3 34-year old running after his kid without getting winded :-) I think the only difference between you and I would be that I can never seem to grow my hair out long LOL

I did a different 10K in July, but I think I'm going to try to sign up for the BAA Trilogy next year, and get teh 5K, 10K, Halfie all in one registration fee.

Thanks Jefro and Liz! Yeah, logging food has been an issue for me for two reasons: I forget to log and I am embarrassed to log :-P I am still eating fairly crappily. But the running is going well, and hopefully the food will start getting good soon, too. I just need to be more planful about the stuff I'm going to eat on a daily basis. I would love to have a long-run partner, but all of my runner-friends are either much faster than I am or are busy when I am free. I'm looking around for running groups in the Boston area, or even NF Boston people who want to run together. Hopefully that works out!

Thanks Liz and Jefro! The points are critical for me because otherwise I find it too easy to say "weeeell I can skip this particular run in the training program." This week I'm up to 35 points, and I'll get 30 more tmrw after I do my "long" run (2 miles LOL) and the beginner body weight workout. I did a terrible job tracking my food this week (I'm using the weight watchers app) but that's ok. I'm giving myself permission to not dwell on that and just do a better job next week. Liz, I'd heard about Run Zombies, and I completely forgot about it. I'm gonna download it right away - thanks!!

So far so good - two days of the Body Weight workout, and one "official" run of the training completed. It was literally only a mile, but it's what my program called for :-) I'm not personally a big fan of running, at least until I get my body into the habit of it. So these first few weeks will be tough - thanks for the encouragement :-)

Anyone else running the BAA Halfie this year? This will be my second attempt - I trained really poorly for it in 2011 and ended up hurting my knee and hobbling the whole thing :-P Ready to kick it in the butt this time! Who's with me?

Good luck - that's a great goal!

Good luck man! My first challenge too. I need to get some measurements and pics up here soon, too. We can do this!

Is anyone signed up for the BAA Halfie in October? In a couple weeks I'd love some buds for the long runs :-) I'm actually near Jamaica Pond and parts of the actual route, so it'd be cool to meet up and train!

Hey gang, I've been on/off the NF boards for over a year; I started a challenge in 2012, but life got in the way. Not this time :-) I signed up for a Half-Marathon, but I also promised to raise $500 for charity to run it! That means no backing out :-) Character Profile: Male, 30, 6'3, 210lbs, largish frame Prone to self-delusion, "underwear collecting," and coming up with killer excuses to procrastinate. Main Quest: Run the Boston Athletic Association Half-Marathon on October 13th in 2hr11min (10 min/mile). I "ran" this two years ago, but I didn't train for it, I jacked up my knee, and walked/hobbled for most of it. Not this time! I'm on a training plan that (coincidentally) starts today! Woohoo! The Halfie isn't within the timeframe of the 6Wk-Challenge, but I can certainly get a good start on it. 3 Goals: 1) Meet all the weekly mileages in my training plan (5, 5, 9.5, 9.5, 13, 13, 17.5, 19, 19.5, 18, 18.1!) 2) Complete the Beginner Body Weight Workout 3x/week (I think it's important to work on my overall fitness along with my cardio/running to be successful with this quest) 3) Log ALL food and activity, every day (what I put in to my body is more than half the battle to feeling ready for these long-ass runs). Motivation: I am sick and tired of feeling like a lazy, tired, overweight slob. I'm also scared every time I see my father and the unhealthy person he has let himself become. I just entered my 30s, and I want to be more energetic by the time I have kids, and to stay that way throughout their childhoods. I want to feel confident when I'm walking around on the beach that I look like I care about my body and have self control (6-pack not required). Super-Specific Points! How I'm going to keep track of things to keep it fun! - Starting the challenge and getting everything prepped for succes = 5 - 3 short runs per week x 11 wks @ 10 pts each = 390 - 10 weekly long runs @ 25 pts each = 250 - 5 pts for each week I do 3 Beginner B-Weight workouts x 11 wks = 55 - Completing the half-marathon = 200 - If I complete it in 2hrs11min or less = 100 Total: 1,000 Points (I can earn 470 of them during the 6-week challenge, plus the bonus points below) Bonus: +25 points every week I completely log every food and activity item

Hey gang, I've been on/off the NF boards for over a year; I started a challenge in 2012, but life got in the way. Not this time :-) I signed up for a Half-Marathon, but I also promised to raise $500 for charity to run it! That means no backing out :-) Character Profile: Male, 30, 6'3, 210lbs, largish frame Prone to self-delusion, "underwear collecting," and coming up with killer excuses to procrastinate fitness. Main Quest: Run the Boston Athletic Association Half Marathon on October 13th in 2hr11min (10 min miles). I "ran" this two years ago, but didn't train for it, jacked up my knee, and walked/hobbled for most of it. Not this time! I'm on a training plan that (coincidentally) starts today! Woohoo! The Halfie isn't within the timeframe of the 6W-Challenge, but I can certainly get a good start on it. 3 Goals: 1) Meet all the weekly mileages in my training plan (5, 5, 9.5, 9.5, 13, 13, 17.5, 19, 19.5, 18, 18.1!) 2) Complete the Beginner Body Weight Workout 3x/week (I think it's important to work on my overall fitness along with my cardio/running to be successful with this quest) 3) Log ALL food and activity, every day (what I put in to my body is more than half the battle to feeling ready for these long-ass runs). Motivation: I am sick and tired of feeling like a lazy, tired, overweight slob. I'm also scared every time I see my father and the unhealthy person he has let himself become. I just entered my 30s, and I want to be more energetic by the time I have kids, and to stay that way throughout their childhoods. I want to feel confident when I'm walking around on the beach that I look like I care about my body and have self control (6-pack not required). Super-Specific Points! How I'm really going to keep track of things! - 3 short runs per week x 11 wks @ 10 pts each = 390 - 10 weekly long runs @ 25 pts each = 250 - 5 pts for each week I do 3 Beginner B-Weight workouts x 11

Hey Kevin! Welcome to the site! I'm new here, too, and I think I'm gonna steal your "one new meal a week" goal. I keep making the saaaaaame stuff. Thanks!

So I foam rolled before a run just now, and the results were IMMEDIATE! I almost cried, but I guess that means I needed it :-P Ran a trial 2-miler, and not an ounce of tightness around my knee. Usually I feel it strongly after a mile! Def gonna do the strengthening and stretching exercises others mentioned, too. Vibrams are a present I'm getting myself if I can run consistently for a month. I buy too much equip I never use, so I want to earn it. Thank you all so much! Part of my epic quest is a 10K in July, and now I can get there :-)

This is the perfect blend of Nerdy and Fitnessy :-) A quadrocopter that acts as a pace-setter/companion on your runs! http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-06/video-motivating-joggobot-hovers-above-your-morning-run

Wow - that is so helpful! Is this something that works over time to strengthen flexor muscles, or does it help right away if you do it before a run? A little part of me is worried that the exercises would make my IT band *more* tight in the short term...

This summer is presenting me with some unique challenges, but nothing I can't handle. For example, I have 3 weddings in June, Pride, and a barcrawl today. That's a major drinking event on every one of June's 5 weekends. Yowza. So, Step 1: I have to be <b>saintly</b> during the weekdays. No wiggle room there. The weekends have to be my exceptions, not my status quo. Step 2: Go into each event with a plan. Today is the Fenway Pubcrawl; we do 9 bars that represent 9 innings, all around Fenway. It's a <b>blast!</b> I've decided that I'm bringing just $100 in cash with me, only drinking light beers, not ever having more than 2 drinks/bar, and keeping a bag of almonds in my pocket to avoid to drunken orgy of eating that is associated with day-long drinking. Wish me luck!

Great question! I'm transitioning into full Paleo over the next week, and doing a kettlebell/bodyweight workout (MWF) and interval training (TThSt). I figure once I'm successful with this for 3 weeks it's time to reevaluate and up the ante.

So this is a pre-woot that I want to throw out there as a goal. A few years back a friend of mine went from doughy to ripped basically overnight. Then for Halloween he went as superman, with red shorts and just body paint for the rest of his costume. It's been my goal to look good enough and be confident enough to do something like that ever since. So, Halloween 2012, I want to be ready to do something like this: I know it won't be this artistic, but this is the general idea :-) So... time to get rid of all my jiggly parts and add some definition!! Basically 5 months to achieve this. I'm setting a reminder on my calendar to see this post once a month until then. I'll re-post at Halloween with success pics. I *will.*

I am riDIculously inspired by this post man! I'm wicked new to the site, too, but I don't have a year of butt-kicking under my belt like you do. Congrats! Can't wait to see what types of results you post over the next few months! PS, I did a Warrior Dash last summer and it was a BLAST. It rained Jurassic Park style the whole time, but it made everything seem even more intense. Good luck!

It always is, isn't it... ::Pours one out for Firefly::

Thanks! Foam roller-ing is the one thing that I keep seeing mentioned everwhere but have never actually done. Gonna grab one today after work. Scotticus, this site is AWESOME! It's super authentic and research-based, unlike the random youtube clips I'd been using. You guys rock!

Hahaha thanks everyone :-D Yeah - I was stressing about the blog title and then that ep of the office came on; it was meant to be. Haikoo, I love BSG with all my heart, soI have to use some pretty sophisticated mental tricks to convince myself that the ending was PERFECT! Just don't ask any questions! LOL :-)

Hey everyone! I'm trying to incorporate running, especially interval training, into my plan, but for the past year or so I've had wicked IT band problems and the pain/inflammation that goes with it. I've tried the prescribed stretches and even a thin band righ under my knee, but it is still problematic. Anyone have success overcoming this? Thanks!