Just starting

[EdgarHF]

Today's weigh in I was down another 2 lbs putting me at 223 lbs. I did an easy paced 4 mile run on the lakefront this morning. The Chicago Triathalon was going on while I did run so most of the time on run I could see the participants doing the cycling portion on Lake Shore Drive. I don't know if I would want to put one of those on bucket list.

Today's iPod artist for run, Santana

Time: 00:56:02
Distance: 4.00 mi
Elevation Gain: 18 ft
Calories: 512 C

Timing
Time: 00:56:02
Moving Time: 00:55:21
Elapsed Time: 00:56:02
Avg Speed: 4.3 mph
Avg Moving Speed: 4.3 mph
Max Speed: 6.9 mph
Avg Pace: 14:00 min/mi
Avg Moving Pace: 13:50 min/mi
Best Pace: 08:39 min/mi

SpeedPaceElevation
Elevation Gain: 18 ft
Elevation Loss: 31 ft
Min Elevation: 579 ft
Max Elevation: 594 ft
Laps 4
View Splits SplitSplit Hour:Minute:SecondTime MilesDistance Minutes per MileAvg Pace
Summary 00:56:02 4.00 14:00
1 00:12:42 1.00 12:42
2 00:13:56 1.00 13:55
3 00:14:46 1.00 14:46
4 00:14:36 1.00 14:37

[EdgarHF]

Okay, I am a special kind of dumb. I forgot to eat breakfast today I ran a test 5k today and struggled. I would have done better I am sure if it was a real 5k race, but I am hitting diminishing returns on improvement. I think weight is still the biggest factor. Luckly, it is gradually going away. I plan to do an easy 3 miles on Thursday then push long run to 7 miles on Sunday.

Note: I really did not want to run today. I had to force myself to get out there and do it. I don't know why that was. I was not sore or tired I just didn't want to go out there.


Time: 00:36:57
Distance: 3.11 mi
Elevation Gain: 14 ft
Calories: 512 C

Timing
Time: 00:36:57
Moving Time: 00:36:34
Elapsed Time: 00:36:57
Avg Speed: 5.1 mph
Avg Moving Speed: 5.1 mph
Max Speed: 7.0 mph
Avg Pace: 11:52 min/mi
Avg Moving Pace: 11:45 min/mi
Best Pace: 08:30 min/mi

SpeedPaceElevation
Elevation Gain: 14 ft
Elevation Loss: 26 ft
Min Elevation: 579 ft
Max Elevation: 594 ft
Laps 4
View Splits SplitSplit Hour:Minute:SecondTime MilesDistance Minutes per MileAvg Pace
Summary 00:36:57 3.11 11:52
1 00:11:22 1.00 11:22
2 00:11:24 1.00 11:24
3 00:12:57 1.00 12:56
4 00:01:12 0.11 11:04

[fitoverforty]

I ran a test 5k today and struggled

that's okay. You are supposed to struggle if you are running a pre "race" 5K, it shouldn't be easy. At least it gives you an idea of where you are at. I like to do 5K pre race tests the week before I run one. And yes, you will do better at the actual race - but it is good practice. Try running with someone who is just a bit faster than you - let them push you on your pace. It is much easier to run at a faster pace when you are in a group or with someone else.

I am hitting diminishing returns on improvement

Are you still doing speedwork one day a week? For example: 50, 100, or 200 meter repeats. Try starting out with doing 4 repeats of one of those. Pushing through to the end on each one. Imagine you are 'breaking the tape'. Steadily increase your speed each repeat, using the last one to really give it all you have. Each week add one more repeat. Or do "pickups" during a 3 mile run, either by time or distance, choosing 30 secs. to run at a faster pace, then back to normal, or pick an object ahead and run faster to it, repeat this 2 times for each mile.
Also, tho' I know you don't like these.....doing some core work will really help with your running. Planks, rev. crunches, leg lifts all help to strengthen your core and running posture, giving your diaphragm more room to get air in.

I really did not want to run today. I had to force myself to get out there and do it

It is normal to feel this way, don't worry. You just need to mix it up a bit. Do the speedwork one day, group run, solo "pace" run, etc. Find different places to run, so you don't get bored with the same locale.
Just a few ideas for you - hope it helps some. Stick with it Edgar, you are doing awesome!

[Boss Man]

Purposefully not eating Breakfast, I can understand, as some people just can't be bothered, or labour under some myth, that it makes weight loss better not eating it, when it doesn't.

Forgetting to eat Breakfast however, takes some doing Unless possibly you're just getting back into the habit of eating it, which I don't think you are. So congrats on your grade A boner Edgar .

[LittlePinky82]

Wow Edgar - you are doing amazing! Losing over 70 lbs!! As far as clothes, it's too bad there isn't a *place* <--for lack of a better word, where we all can't deposit clothes we no longer wear, that can be given to those who are working their way down the scale.....I had tons of size 18, 16, and 14 pants/ slacks from Chico's and Talbot's, and suits that I would've been happy to give to someone who needed them due to weight loss......when kids were young and growing, they went through jeans and Z's....I had them in every size - I brought them to the office and put them anonymously in the lunch room by size...they were gone in less than 5 minutes....I hate going to Goodwill - the workers take all the good stuff, and once I brought a bunch of stuff straight from being dry cleaned and they threw them on top of a very large pile of dirty clothes....ack! Sorry Edgar - got caught up in a pet peeve of mine But seriously...too bad there wasn't some place we could give and go to if needed...

Have you thought about maybe a community kitchen type center? Or, since you're female, a woman's center if your town has one? Like for battered women etc?

[EdgarHF]

This is one of those days that is hard to figure out. Today I ran with two friends from the running club. After the second mile of these runs I usually start sucking air and fall back to a slower pace. Today we were jogging along talking and the next thing I knew we had run our 3 miles. I never pushed once the whole time. It just felt like an easy jog. We even stopped a bit at a water fountain during the second mile and gabbed while taking a drink and continued on. When we finished I realized we ran the 3 miles at what is for me near race pace. It was even fairly hot out so it was not because of cool weather. I am going to look and it as a good sign.


Time: 00:38:04
Distance: 3.00 mi
Elevation Gain: 5 ft
Calories: 446 C

Timing
Time: 00:38:04
Moving Time: 00:36:57
Elapsed Time: 00:38:04
Avg Speed: 4.7 mph
Avg Moving Speed: 4.9 mph
Max Speed: 9.6 mph
Avg Pace: 12:41 min/mi
Avg Moving Pace: 12:18 min/mi
Best Pace: 06:16 min/mi

SpeedPaceElevation
Elevation Gain: 5 ft
Elevation Loss: 6 ft
Min Elevation: 579 ft
Max Elevation: 586 ft
Laps 3
View Splits SplitSplit Hour:Minute:SecondTime MilesDistance Minutes per MileAvg Pace
Summary 00:38:04 3.00 12:41
1 00:12:13 1.00 12:13
2 00:13:30 1.00 13:30
3 00:12:20 1.00 12:20

[fitoverforty]

Today we were jogging along talking and the next thing I knew we had run our 3 miles.... It just felt like an easy jog. We even stopped a bit at a water fountain during the second mile and gabbed while taking a drink and continued on. When we finished I realized we ran the 3 miles at what is for me near race pace

This is what I LOVE about running with friends. Time flies by, you have fun, are distracted from what you are actually doing, AND get a great workout in at the same time. Awesome. Good run, Edgar.

[ldematto]

Have you thought about maybe a community kitchen type center? Or, since you're female, a woman's center if your town has one? Like for battered women etc?

Yes, I often bring stuff to the local agencies and I'm sure they go to good use. But seeing comments regarding needing different sizes due to weight loss and the cost involved made me think wouldn't it be nice to have somewhere to go......

[EdgarHF]

I had another 0 loss weigh in today. rational side knows this is just going to happen from time to time for no reason, but in the long run I will reach weight goals. That being said I am really disappointed. I have been eating healthy as I should and workouts are gradually getting harder. What really bugs me is that if I lose 8 more lbs I will, according to the BMI calculators, no longer be obese. I will still be overweight, but not obese. I really wanted to lose those 8 lbs before I left for Vegas on the 26th. It looks like I am not going to make it.

I did a 7 mile easy paced run this morning. Tuesday, I think I may take Lynne's advice and run intervals. I have 2 weeks until next race and another one the week after. I have in fact 5 races now calendar. They are as follows.

September 19 5K
September 25 5K
October 17 5K
November 21 10K
April 29 Illinois half marathon

Time: 01:42:50
Distance: 7.00 mi
Elevation Gain: 29 ft
Calories: 876 C

Timing
Time: 01:42:50
Moving Time: 01:39:42
Elapsed Time: 01:42:50
Avg Speed: 4.1 mph
Avg Moving Speed: 4.2 mph
Max Speed: 22.2 mph
Avg Pace: 14:41 min/mi
Avg Moving Pace: 14:14 min/mi
Best Pace: 02:42 min/mi

SpeedPaceElevation
Elevation Gain: 29 ft
Elevation Loss: 30 ft
Min Elevation: 579 ft
Max Elevation: 594 ft
Laps 7
View Splits SplitSplit Hour:Minute:SecondTime MilesDistance Minutes per MileAvg Pace
Summary 01:42:50 7.00 14:41
1 00:13:09 1.00 13:08
2 00:13:57 1.00 13:56
3 00:14:40 1.00 14:40
4 00:14:40 1.00 14:40
5 00:15:30 1.00 15:30
6 00:15:21 1.00 15:20
7 00:15:30 1.00 15:32

[Boss Man]

You may have gained some muscle as well as lost some Fat, so don't take this 0lbs weightloss too much to heart.

As you say, your rational side understands, but it is easy to get overriding emotions, but it is a long-term thing all this and that's what you need to focus on, that you CAN get what you want and you ARE capable.

Chin up big guy and don't worry about it yeah. You're doing the right things, so keep believing and don't let this sort of thing knock you off your stride, because you're NOT that kind of person .

[fitoverforty]

OMGosh Edgar, I'm so stoked about your improvements! 7 freakin' miles today!!! I got one word for that.....AWESOME!!
Focus on the positives - don't worry about the weigh in this week - alot of factors can play into that, you know that, so don't let it overshadow what you are accomplishing.
Here are the positives I saw in your post:

in the long run I will reach weight goals

I have been eating healthy

workouts are gradually getting harder

I did a 7 mile easy paced run

take Lynne's advice and run intervals

( favorite)

I have in fact 5 races now calendar.

September 19 5K
September 25 5K
October 17 5K
November 21 10K
April 29 Illinois half marathon

You are out there Edgar, working hard, running races, improving your times, loosing weight, bettering (is that a word?) your health - you are setting goals, and one by one you ARE attaining them and setting new ones. I see all good things here.

Max Speed: 22.2 mph

must have been downhill.... gotta love that watch of yours!

[EdgarHF]

Max Speed: 22.2 mph

must have been downhill.... gotta love that watch of yours!

There was also this: Best Pace: 02:42 min/mi. I am finding the Garmin extremely inacurate some measures like Max speed and Max pace. It is inacurate on max any thing. I have found it to be fairly accurate over the long haul. On 5k race for instance there was only a 3 second difference between the Garmin time and the offical clock time. There are a few other strange reading the Garmin gives that I have learned to account for. For instance, it takes about a quarter of a mile to get an accurate pace reading after each mile. When each new mile begins the pace readout will swing wildly for a bit before settling in. I have a felling that is where those screwy max readouts are coming from. I have found the heartrate monitor to be useless.

[Boss Man]

Well you might have done 22.2 mph down a hill if you'd tripped and then rolled most of the way .

By the way, how are your spine and hips? Hopefully rolling down the hill didn't batter and bruise too much

I suppoed the watch then said you went uphill at 2.2 mph perhaps.

[EdgarHF]

Well you might have done 22.2 mph down a hill if you'd tripped and then rolled most of the way .

By the way, how are your spine and hips? Hopefully rolling down the hill didn't batter and bruise too much

I suppoed the watch then said you went uphill at 2.2 mph perhaps.

Finding a hill in Chicago would be even more amazing than me running 22.2 mph

[EdgarHF]

I put in some intervals into the middle of 3 miles run today. I really should say fartleks since it was the first time setting watch up for intervals. I have no garmin readout today because setting it up was a disaster as far as the watch goes. The workout itsself was pretty decent. I think I do have the garmin figured out now for the next shot at doing intervals.