Maple

Last week I managed 16 miles, to double my original goal of at least 8! Woo! Unfortunately, this was marked by several days of doing nothing, complete right foot numbness and blisters. (My right foot went so numb, it felt like it was replaced with a rock.) I suspect that my shoe lacing was the culprit*, so I re-laced my shoes and haven't had a bit of numbness yet; however, I have not run more than 4 miles at a stretch either. As for the blisters, I went to REI and purchased a couple pairs of double layer socks. I used these during a half-marathon and they worked wonders. I have feet like tender peaches, apparently. Today I logged two more miles to work on my overall goal of two miles in 18 minutes. My fastest so far was 19:47 and today I did it in 18:22!!! Holy crap! I didn't realize that goal was that close! Of course I felt awful at the end, but I didn't expect to hit it that close. Tomorrow I'm going to try a long and slow to build some miles into my legs. Steady 9 minute miles, here I come! * I have had surgery on my foot in the past, so that is the source of the wonkiness. I think I was cutting off blood supply the way the laces were crossing. Now my shoe is actually tied completely on the inner side. It looks weird, but it works.

Thank you!! It will be a slog, but totally worth it. Yay! Here's to chin-up solidarity! We'll get there!

I ran/walked a 16 mile week despite overnight emergencies, feeling not quite stellar, and blisters. One trip to REI and a re-configuration on how I tie my right shoe later and I'm back on the trails!

Yay! I'm trying to do a pull-up too. We are going to feel so awesome cranking one out. When I was starting out running, consistency was the major key for me. I concentrated more on getting out there than getting better. It kept me from getting discouraged and before I knew it, I was getting better and running longer.

Good luck on the resume...I totally feel ya on that one. I'm looking/interviewing for jobs now and it is stressbunnies. I'm still thinking about the route you will run for the Philly Rock'n'Roll Half with a smile on my face. Ahh, nostalgia. You'll love the run.

I admire anyone who can write narrative. I like to write, but cannot delude myself into thinking that I would be able to string words together in a cohesive story. 20 pull-ups is crazy trains! I'm working to do just one!

Awesome goals! I'm checking back for motivation.

Awesome! This motivates me to complete my 8 mile/week goal and then some!

Running goals: 8/7/12: 2 miles, 19:47 minutes, average pace 9:50 min/mile Notes: Yay! It looks like the treadmill has been holding me back. The quickest I logged for 2 miles on the 'mill was 21:03 min/mile. That being said, the road by my house has some mild hills so my pace might reflect the declines. I could have gone further, but my husband may want to work out later, and I want to save some energy to hold him to his word. I use Runtastic to log my miles, so I'll ghost run this next time to see if I can run the same route quicker. Pull-up goal: When I pass under the bar, I try to pull myself up. Its kind of crazy that I see the bar getting a smidge closer every time. I'm augmenting this with pull-ups and weights. Life goal: Worked on one of my papers today. If I can get these two done, it will be a huge (HUGE) panda off my back.

Yay! Thank you! I've never done the Rock 'n' Roll Half, but I've run an approximation of that route many, many times. In fact, the route along the Schuylkill River up to Falls Bridge and back is the exact path that put me on to running. I remember struggling along that river with my hat pulled almost over my face because I was so embarrassed at my inability to run a quarter of a mile. The beautiful thing about running, is that no one laughs at you for trying. There was a lot of solidarity on that path!

I ran outside today to see where I was starting from: 4 miles in 45 minutes. I'll have to re-lace my shoes, because my entire right foot went numb, but it was a good run. I'm glad I finished, considering I wanted to quit around mile three or so.

Thank you! We're going to be hitting the running goals right there together!

15 hours is a ton of time!! Good luck with your goals!

Yay! I'm excited for my first challenge. I joined NF after the last one had already started, so I can't wait to take this one from beginning to end. I thought long and hard about my goals because I find sticking to my goals is tougher when I'm not by myself. I succumb to the "what the heck" philosophy more than I'd care to. (Which has completely derailed my momentum.) I stumble when my days get interrupted by work, emergencies, family, etc. And because that's life, I think my goals need to center around a sustainable regimen. Mini-background: Over the last year, work was stressful and I gained a solid 10 pounds and exercised almost never. Now my endurance and aerobic capacity is dismal. Before that, my husband and I went on runs and I have previously finished 2 half-marathons and 3 10-milers. (Broad Street Run, for any Philly types. It's a fantastic run.) Despite all that, I'm not a natural runner. I have to work at it, but I do (against all odds) really like it. Why a Scout? Because I want to run longer distances more comfortably. If we get our wish and move to the ultimate time zone, my husband and I will both get bikes. And both my husband and I swam in high school (although he did far more competitively than I did). I think I'm going to gift him with a YMCA membership so we can both get in the pool again. But right now, I'm limited to what my finances allow...which is a trusty pair of running shoes that I already own. Goals: Fitness: 1. Run 8 miles a week, minimum. It doesn't seem like much, but part of this is getting out there and just DOING it. 2. Continue to work on 2 miles in 18 minutes. I've never done speed work. I can plod for a long time, but I hate slowing down my husband. I'm at 21:03 right now. 3. To do a pull-up. I have to carry this over from my work-out battle log thread. I can pull myself up ever-so-slightly further than I could before and that is incredibly motivating! Life: 1. [i messed up my life goal! Supposed to be life, not mindful eating.] Hmmm...it would have to be to finish the rough draft for TWO papers. Completely possible. Even though I hate writing. This is all about 6 entire weeks of no such thing as "What the heck"? I have the capability to eat well and work out consistently. Let's do this.

Seriously. No one "earns" a cookie with exercise. (Although I really wish it were true!) It is amazing to me how every infomercial, magazine, and scheme all purport it as an embellished fact.