So the real question is, why is ita awake?

I think ita's headache is back in full force.

5K is very doable. I would stay at the 1/3 ratio for longer than a couple days though

This is the program I'm looking at; although I think I'd adapt it to cover 3 months rather than two, in deference to my extreme unfitness. In January I want to move on from the Treadmill to using weights, but I'm thinking about trying this running stuff instead/as well.

Hey, PC!

Fay, I so totally get that. And hey, I was picked last for every team (well, me and the girl who had polio) even BEFORE I decided to deal with junior high by eating steadily.

I started martial arts before I learned to run, and it was a horrible and demoralizing experience. Now I know that's mainly because I had the wrong kind of teacher, but then I just quit. And started fencing, which was better, but really not my thing. Whatever physical skills I have, they don't lend themselves to fencing.

I did drop some pounds and build some endurance fencing, though, and due to that and other reasons I decided to start running. Which helped with EVERYTHING. I'd never been able to run around the block, let alone 5k.

I will say that ita's right, though - I've been to three dojos (and taught at one of them) where you didn't need any kind of physical fitness or expertise to start and get better. Judo can burn 800 calories/hour if done solidly, and you get muscle tone. But it is tough to find these dojos, and I've never found any like them "overseas" (one was in York, two in the States).

Weightlifting's another good confidence-builder. That (and exercise biking) were actually my first love. The great thing about weight training is that while you feel all macho doing it, and get to sit down a lot, it helps burn fat - an ounce of muscle tissue "eats" the same number of calories as a pound of fat, so if you are constantly asking your body for muscle, the calories you eat go to the muscle rather than the fat.

Gosh, I'm wordy today.

I think I'm getting a cold. My throat is sore and my head is fuzzy.

Yay!

Hey all. Thanks for awesome PICTURES OF VICTORY, Drew! Or as I like to call them, Victures. Or, Pictory. The jury's still out on that one.

Can I request some ~ma for my Grandma? She is having a hard, hard time these past few months since she packed up her life and left her home of 40+ years, and moved to a assisted lviing/condo type place. She is scared, and lonely, and in a lot of physical misery and discomfort (I think it's a family trait for stress and anxiety to manifest in GI problems). She asked me to pray for her and ask God to help her get through this. I don't know that I believe in God, but I definitely believe in Buffistas, so I thought I'd ask for some powerful ~ma to head Mary's way.

Much ~ma for Mary...and some prayers too, just for good measure.

I don't think I'm going to get this quiz done. Ah, one more thing to turn in late. Hee!

Hmm. Thanks for that, Raq - that's another encouraging story about running. I mean, I know it's not a particularly interesting activity, but the simple process of engaging in physical activity and NOT hating it/feeling like a failure is very new and quite exciting in and of itself. So I think I'll maybe have a crack at running in January, then, and perhaps work out a Weight program with a personal trainer for once a week or so. Maybe. Because I'd like to develop some upper body strength.

I'm only planning on being in Egypt for another year and a half; after that it's probably going to be the Far East, or India, or the States. Maybe then I'll be in a location where I can try fencing/martial arts.

Much ~ma for Grandma Mary.

Timelies all.

Fay - I'm bookmarking that running site. I have to do something to get in shape and maybe K-Bug will be willing to do that with me. Always nice to have a partner. I've been slowly gaining back some of what I lost and that needs to stop.

DH has a job interview today, so any interview~ma anyone can spare would be GREATLY appreciated.

eta - Health ~ma to Grandma Mary (that is my mom's name too)

Fay, I went from not running at all to training to run a 1/2 marathon last year. I had been doing some cardio, a little weight training, and pilates for a little while before I started running but I was not particularly active and certainly did not consider myself to be athletically adept at all.

I started out doing long walking/short running intervals which helped because I could change the intervals slightly, like adding a minute to the running interval, and feel like I was making progress QUICKLY.

When I had tried to run in the past I always gave up right away because I'd get shin splints. So when I took it up seriously last year the first thing I did was go out and buy real running shoes. Expensive but very much worth it. ALSO expensive but so so worth it--hardcore jogging bras.

What also really helped keep me motivated is that I was running the 1/2 in honor of my best friend's good buddy and colleague who had died suddenly and way too young earlier that year. He was a kid who'd been super unsporty, always picked last for the team etc., who took up running and got really into doing triathalons and who was always incredibly supportive of his friends' athletic endeavors. So when the running was utter torture (as it often was and sometimes still is) I'd just think of him and how he would have been cheering me on.

I did find that the pilates helped me out a lot with posture and, to some extent, breathing while running. Actually yoga helps even more with the breathing and for stretching out the tight muscles. So I've been trying to do at least one class of each every week (I know I should do more but too much other things to do usually...like work).

Good luck!