Cookies??

Umm.. Ya.. I think I'll pass.. Have fun with that! :lol:

Heck I enjoy running but don't even have any aspirations to race a half-marathon.

Whooaaaaa....

Kewl!!!! When is it?? My plan is to stroll the pug until spring is on the horizon. Then I'm going to work to run 5k hell or highwater....Then maybe even sign up for a 5k run once I know I can do it. I wish you an injury free time in your mission for the half marathon.. What's your motivation?

Little too late last time I checked.

Eh? I have never raced a half marathon and don't plan to. Jogging 21k, well that's another story ;)

The race is May 15, lots of time. Motivation is just to do it. Then maybe a marathon, or a triathalon, although my swimming needs some work :)

Ya, I guess to qualify this, racing involves some thought you could win. I'm just going to run 21k and try not to die -lol

One suggestion for anyone with knee issues is to look into a supplement such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Being < 30 with my knees bothering me from running on pavement and doing the grouse grind too much, I've decided to try this for a few months and see if it helps with joint healing.

I was actally discussing the glucosamine with my pharmacist... He also mentioned that it takes a couple months for it's full benefit. The turn off however is that it needs to be taken 3 times a day, and I am not a good medicine taker. This chondroitin you speak of... Is it along the same lines?

Good to hear you haven't dropped out Trabbs.. I took my boxer out with me the other night but had to make a pitstop after 3.5k to drop her off at home as she was starting to lag behind. I need to take her out more often i guess. :lol:

Brad... awesome you are doing the half marathon. Might consider something like that next year. Im already signed up for the MS bike tour this spring though.

In a former life I was a pharmacist and yes it is along the same lines. They are of course two totally different molecules/substances but often are combined together in the same dosage form. In my experience many people have had good results but in my opinion its not a miracle cure. Probably at best its a good supplement to combine with other forms of rehabilitation/treatments.

BTW I like running too! I think there is something about having the patience of watching corals grow and putting one foot in front of the other that just gels.

Palmer

I run PT which is Physical Training in the Army where we do from 07:30-0815 as a unit. I'm 41 and when I go to take some of the young soldiers for a run like 5 kms they are almost dead. can't keep up its funny. the newer generation. so I usually run 5 -8 km's evey day and on the weekends I run 8-12kms ,but now where I don't have the time or just getting back from Christmas holidays. Hmmmmmmmm i will be focusing on Hockey for the big tourney that is coming up and then the Regional's and off to the Nationals in Borden.

That's great Mike but your sig is still too freakin' big.

Brad how do you plan on training? As in...as a streat team member... will I be seeing some runs show up under your profile or WHAT? :biggrin:

I own a gym. I deal with exactly your situation daily. As has been pointed out, motivation is key and everybody motivates themselves differently.

Perhaps the most important thing is discipline. If you don't have a lot of that, then fear is a good substitute. Fear that you won't be able to be there for your kids because you didn't take care of yourself properly !

The best thing you can do for yourself right now -even if you do nothing else- is quit smoking. That in itself is a HUGE factor. Do nothing else and you'll improve your health. Quit smoking AND start some kind of regular physical activity and you're really on your way to some noticeable improvements.

If running is going to be your activity then I'd suggest you start off easy. Get a pair of decent shoes and stop there -don't go nuts on fancy running clothes and Nike+ systems just yet. Try and run some distance 3 times a week for a month or so. Run outside if you can make yourself do it. Consider joining a gym if that's just too much for you. When you can run a kilometer without feeling like you're going to die (your time to complete is not important) then go join a running clinic at the Running Room or similar. This will teach you technique and give you like-minded people to share you runs with. There is a social/comraderie component here that is very powerful and should not be underestimated.

Most important, congratulate yourself for taking the initiative to take this on. It's not easy and you should pat yourself on the back for taking the first step, so to speak !

Reward yourself too. If you improve your running time, take some of the $ you're saving on smokes and buy something that makes you happy -reef stuff might be a good one !

If you want a goal to shoot for, I sponsor the Melissa Run in Banff and we try and take a bunch of people up for that. It's a 10K and half Marathon (go for the 10K first !!!):mrgreen:

You're more than welcome to come run with us. We have a good time and it's a beautiful run.

Good luck !!!