Ok ladies and Sheltieguy, I'm going to need training assistance and support. I have decided to do the St. Jude's Marathon in December. (I'm going to be walking the half-marathon). I need to be in shape to walk 13.1 miles by the first week of December!

I'm really excited about doing this. First off, I think it is a wondeful cause. I am in a philanthropic sorority Epsilon Sigma Alpha. We are the largest third party donner to ST. Jude's. Team ESA participates in the race every year and I'm really looking forward to going and spending the weekend with my ESA sisters.

Additionally, I think this is a great goal to work toward for getting into shape.

Any ANY thoughts on how to go about doing that are greatly appreciated.

Dawn

quote:

Originally posted by Sheltieguy:
To avoid injury, listen to your body, rather than trying to "work through" any pain.

With me, it's the knees that "wear out" first.

Yep, remember my knee injury from last fall? That's the one thing I'm worried about. I do find that my knee can be a bit "achey" at about the 1 mile mark, but that it does feel better if I keep going. So far, it has been ok doing that. If it ever does go beyond "achey" and become painful, I will stop.

Dawn

Dawn,
I was thinking about you this morning while I walked. I was thinking about the time commitment it takes to walk extended mileage. This morning I did 4.5 miles without any running.
While I was out there I kept thinking that I could be home doing this or that. It took a push to stay out and to just walk. No returning calls or folding laundry or chopping veggies or whatever.
Walking takes time. For me it's a great experience at many levels, but I sometimes get uncomfortable with the time it takes to do longer walks. In fact, this morning, I was tempted to add another mile because I had the energy and the temps were perfect, but I just felt the pull to go back and do home stuff.

Not sure if this is relevant to your thoughts or situation, but it popped up for me today so I thought I'd post.

To avoid injury, listen to your body, rather than trying to "work through" any pain.

With me, it's the knees that "wear out" first.

Got my 3 miles in last night with the new shoes.

Peggy, we live not too far from a rail trail, so that is always an option for me. I'm sure that's where I'll go for the longer walks, and some of the shorter ones just to change it up a bit.

Dawn

Yeah Dawn! Glad you got in and found something you think will work! I encourage you to find one or more very pleasant 3 mile routes. You'll probably do that and the 4 milers the most of any so make sure they are enjoyable. I would even rather get in my car and drive to a trail or something rather than walk with noisy, stressful traffic.

Peg

Bought new shoes. Apparently my shoes have been way too small over the years.
Also bought a pair of socks to try.


Dawn

So, I'm planning to go to the Running Store today to see if they can help me with socks and shoes for walking.

Will also plan out a 3 mile course today. I found one, but the road it goes on is a bit busy. There is a sidewalk, but I'm just now sure how relaxing it would be.

Dawn

Thanks. My socks are generally soaked after a long, hard exercise. It just never bothered me and I don't get blisters.

Maybe I'll try the options suggested at some point. Might be better than my sticky, sweaty socks

Brie covered it well. Sheltie, I have used a glide product on my feet on particularly long walks/hikes. It seems to work pretty well. Some people recommended coating the foot in vaseline for the Avon walk. I wasn't having that much trouble with blisters (although I did have trouble on day 2) but couldn't quite get past the ick factor of that idea. The lubricant is a dry sort of thing that comes in a similar fashion as a stick deodorant.

Peg

quote:

Originally posted by Brie:
Basically cotton socks retain moisture when you sweat.

Yup, I found that out the hard way. I got some Thorlo CoolMax® Light Hiking Socks, at REI. (I'm sure that there are many other good brands.)

http://www.thorlo.com/

Don't some hard core runners also put some kind of anti-blister compound on their feet?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sheltieguy,

I walked last night. I'm definitly going to need to get the new shoes soon. I had forgotten that was one reason I kind of quit walking at the beginning of summer. (That and going to the pool instead.)

I don't think I went quite 3 miles, but it was a good start. I need to plot my 3 mile course. A 4 mile course will be easy. Everything around here is plotted out in 1 mile squares.

Dawn

quote:

Originally posted by Sandy:
Will someone explain this? I wonder if I am wearing the wrong socks?! Probably nothing to panic about, huh?

I wear cotton just up to my ankle socks to walk and run and do all aerobic stuff. Is this odd and out of the norm? Are there better options?

Basically cotton socks retain moisture when you sweat. My "running socks" are awesome and actually this reminds me that I need a few more pair ; )

Here's a really good, in depth description from the About website:

If you're having problems with blisters on your feet or if the expensive athletic shoes that fit so well in the store don't seem to cut it in your daily workouts, maybe the shoe's not the problem at all. When you're working out, a good pair of athletic socks comes second only to the proper shoes. If you've been wearing some generic brand of sock while running or walking, your feet may be suffering for it. At the very least, you're probably shocked at how often you run through the things - they wear out and get holes constantly. The truth is that your average, everyday cotton sock - yes, even those thick ones - really don't cut it for working out. Not even for fitness walkers. Yes, high-quality athletic socks are more expensive, but in the long run they're more economical because they last longer and you'll save on the bandages you were buying for your sore tootsies. Today's athletic socks are designed for specific needs and best of all they feel great. Seriously - try a few pairs and you'll never want to go back to the cheap stuff. Here are some pointers for buying the right socks:

Get synthetic. Yep, this is one time when natural isn't better. Cotton, as you may already know, retains moisture and wears out quickly. You don't have to eschew cotton completely - it can be part of the blend, just not the majority. Look for synthetic fabrics with names like CoolMax, Orelle or Dri-Fit - any fabrics that claim to "wick away" moisture. That's what you are looking for.

Your socks should match your activity. Socks are now designed for a variety of activities, with padding where you need it most for whatever it is you're doing. There are socks for walking, running, playing tennis, hiking and a number of other activities. If you can't find a sock specifically fashioned for your favorite form of exercise, at least pick a good, thick sock made with one of the wicking materials.

Socks are gender-specific. Men's feet and women's feet are built quite differently (in case you haven't noticed), so you'll only get a really good fit if you buy socks made for your own sex.

One last note - make sure there is room in your shoe for a nice, thick athletic sock. It's amazing how many people, even those who prize themselves on their fitness awareness, buy shoes that are too small. Your athletic shoe should generally be a little larger than your regular shoes so that you have room for a thicker sock (that is, providing your regular shoes are the right size for you to begin with). If you have any doubt about your shoe size, have your foot measured, and when you're shopping for athletic shoes, do it at the end of the day and wear the type of athletic socks you will be wearing when you work out. There's no use in stuffing high-quality socks into shoes that will make your feet feel claustrophobic.

quote:

Originally posted by p7eggyc:


You want to avoid cotton
Peg

Will someone explain this? I wonder if I am wearing the wrong socks?! Probably nothing to panic about, huh?

I wear cotton just up to my ankle socks to walk and run and do all aerobic stuff. Is this odd and out of the norm? Are there better options?

quote:

RE: Shoes and socks. We have a running store that anylises your stride and what not to recommend shoes, so I was going to go there to see if they do that for walkers too.

I'm allergic to wool, so I hope I can do cotton and/or synthetic...

I'm sure they will help you. My local store was where I went when I first started walking for exercise years ago.

You want to avoid cotton but try the synthetic stuff. If you have an REI or something similar, you'll be amazed by the selection.

I'm so, so tempted to join you. December is so crazy schedule wise but I'm pondering, pondering. LOL

Peg

Dawn,,
It sounds like you've thought through some important details like child care and rain/snow contingencies.

Thinking as I type...
Maybe some of us would "train" with you via this site. I am not sure how it might look. Maybe posting weekly/daily plans for walks and others might join in all or some of what you are doing.

I am finding this totally inspiring! I'd do some joining in!

Thanks for all of the info and support. I talked to my DH and DS so I could get them on board, so I think that will help.

We belong to a the local parks and recreation fitness center and I can walk there in incliment weather. Francie, you can join me there any time you want. You actually don't have to pay to use the indoor track.

The big thing that will help me this year is that on Sept. 14 Alek will be old enough that I can leave him in the pool area unsupervised by me. (They have loads of lifeguards.) AND he can get into the fitness center area. So, child care/child entertainment are not a problem. I explained to him that I am going to have to walk every day that I'm not working. My "off" days are going to have to be the days I work at Chico's, because I won't have time to walk on those days.

RE: Shoes and socks. We have a running store that anylises your stride and what not to recommend shoes, so I was going to go there to see if they do that for walkers too.

I'm allergic to wool, so I hope I can do cotton and/or synthetic...

Also, Peg or anyone else that may want to do this it would be a BLAST to meet up in Memphis. It is the first weekend of December. Google St. Jude Marathon and find the info.

Dawn

this is so exciting!

and you are right--what a wonderful cause.

Dawn,
You can look at http://www.ava.org/ava_search.asp?search=true for walking events/routes in IN in the 6 mile range. They are often through interesting historic areas and what not so that might add some nice spice to things.

Peg

Dawn,
That is super exciting! I have never trained for anything so big as a half marathon, but I have increased my exercise a lot over the past year. The big thing I find is that in order for me to continue to improve, I must stay consistent. It's the constant, almost daily pushes that make for improvements over time.

Congrats on making this commitment.