Wendy's Transformation - Page 20 - JP Fitness Forums

Bytsi · 05-18-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

I don't know what the "runner type" is anymore. I see many non runners type kicking my butt on 5k's. Although the worst happened to a friend of mine. He got beat by a midget on a 5k. Not even close. I think the little person beat him by 10 min or so.

I've been beaten by... a mom pushing TWINS in a jog-stroller, and a very senior (70's or more?) dude with knee braces on both legs... sigh...
For now, even a half-marathon would be way outta the question... I won't say never, but it's not something I'm working toward, not really a goal at this point...

But I love watching other people do it!

fengshway · 05-20-2008, 07:03 AM

bytsi, ((sigh)) I know. I have been beaten by stroller moms too.

ok, so here is another real world example of what strength training can do:

wow, it was so GREAT to be back at masters today. my coach says I dont't look like the same person and that my stroke is amazingly improved. funny, scale weight hasn't changed at all since I left, but weightlifting really has completely redistributed that weight. I will never again allow someone to interfere with my swimming.

the jerk lane mate, by the way, is still there, and either his swimming has deteriorated or mine has improved, because he couldn't stay anywhere near me or his wife today--we lapped him a bunch. she is a great person and a wonderful athlete. qualifies for boston every year. had another great race this year at boston. her swimming has improved marketly, and it was tough for me to stay with her today, but what a great workout!

tcoy777 · 05-20-2008, 07:51 AM

Good workout. Its amazing how many things improve when you add strength.

On the stroller runners, I consistently got beat by the same man pushing 2 kids in every 5k last year. He is my arch nemesis.

fengshway · 05-21-2008, 03:58 AM

strength rules. one of the runners in my group from last year ran a fast track mile, so he has moved up a group. last night at track, he was telling me how weight lifting is a waste of time for runners yadda yadda. this guy is perpetually injured. last year he ran his first marathon in 5:12 and suffered greatly to even get that time. this year his goal is 4 hours. HUH??? total recipe for disaster.

stingo · 05-21-2008, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fengshway

she is a great person and a wonderful athlete. qualifies for boston every year. had another great race this year at boston. her swimming has improved marketly, and it was tough for me to stay with her today, but what a great workout!

This is one reason why some people prefer to work out in a gym environment because at home you're always the best person working out.

fengshway · 05-21-2008, 07:21 AM

so true tom. with weights, I have been fine at pushing myself, but in my running and swimming, it helps to have someone to pace off of and keep you focused.

last night at track, there is a lady that is similar to my speed and it helped to run the 400m repeats with her. suffering with others makes it more bearable somehow!

tcoy777 · 05-21-2008, 08:26 AM

What is your 400 meter repeat workouts consist of? I love interval work.

kfisherx · 05-21-2008, 09:27 AM

I have to echo all this RE strength training. I am the same weight (almost literally) as when I walked into see my trainer 6 months ago. I am not the same person even closely. I am faster and stronger at all my sports and people keep commenting how much I have changed. I will have this in my life for the rest of my life too.

fengshway · 05-21-2008, 07:39 PM

agreed karla!!!

tcoy, we just did 400's at around 1:55 with 1 min rest--did 10 of em in the wicked heat

tcoy777 · 05-21-2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fengshway

agreed karla!!!

tcoy, we just did 400's at around 1:55 with 1 min rest--did 10 of em in the wicked heat

Ahh that is brutal. Was that the first round of intervals for the training? or did you all work up to that level. When I did my half marathon I did 1/4 mile sprints at 5k pace (2 min) with equal distance recovery jog. It had you going from 4 to a total of 10 by the end of 12 weeks. I can't imagine 10 of them with only a min rest. Great Job!!!

nutbar · 05-21-2008, 11:08 PM

I thought of you yesterday as I did a short (2 miles) run in the heat. I kept thinking to my sweaty self, "Self, if Wendy can run marathons in freaking Florida, you can run a couple of measly miles further north!" Of course, I also imagined Karla's schnauzer was nipping at my heels, taunting me for not running faster. Maybe I should run and seek help at the nearest mental health facility next time I get the running urge.

fengshway · 05-22-2008, 04:01 AM

tcoy, don't be too impressed. that time got a bit slower as the repeats continued!!! I have been doing speedwork since about january. check out the book run less run faster--great training programs.

diane, WAY to go with the run. my friends in michigan just don't get it. they get this perfect 55 degree overcast weather to run in--they are all faster than me until they try to run in our heat! of course, they try to tell me I am "acclimated". uhhh, even us "acclimated" folks are slower in heat than in ideal conditions.

way to go for toughing it out in some tough conditions.

fengshway · 05-22-2008, 08:26 AM

woohoo! I am doing a triathlon on sunday.

my friend is 16 weeks preggers and called me yesterday and wants to do the race at an easy low heart rate, catch up on old times pace. I am SOOOO excited!! I am using my hybrid bike with the basket on the back wheel!! she will be on her mountain bike. we are doing the athena division (women over 145 lbs)

I just love that my fitness is such that just any old time I feel like impulsively jumping into a sprint triathlon, I just do!!

it is a quarter mile ocean swim, 10 mile bike 3 mile run. I am very very happy!

Bytsi · 05-22-2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fengshway

woohoo! I am doing a triathlon on sunday.

my friend is 16 weeks preggers and called me yesterday and wants to do the race at an easy low heart rate, catch up on old times pace. I am SOOOO excited!! I am using my hybrid bike with the basket on the back wheel!! she will be on her mountain bike. we are doing the athena division (women over 145 lbs)

I just love that my fitness is such that just any old time I feel like impulsively jumping into a sprint triathlon, I just do!!

it is a quarter mile ocean swim, 10 mile bike 3 mile run. I am very very happy!

How fun!!! Enjoy!!!

And yes, be PROUD that you can "just" jump into a triathlon - not many people could do that!

fengshway · 05-22-2008, 12:57 PM

bytsi, if you had told my 35 year old, 228 pound , sedentary self that I would be this fit at 44, I would have never ever believed you! I feel like I am a medical miracle, an obesity survivor.

LisaS · 05-22-2008, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fengshway

I just love that my fitness is such that just any old time I feel like impulsively jumping into a sprint triathlon, I just do!!
!

good for you!
this is one of my longer term fitness goals - sufficient fitness to be able to "do" and enjoy most sporting activities if invited - including a sprint tri (ha, as if I'll EVER run on purpose)

fengshway · 05-22-2008, 01:36 PM

lisa, so psyched you will one day do a triathlon. they are a total blast. kind of like being a kid--you get to swim, bike and run in the same clothes.