HURRAY!!!! Trish, I am SOOOOO PROUD OF YOU!!!! Oh my gosh, if you can run 2 miles straight, you WILL be able to do the 5K! You are almost there girl! Yes, my knees hurt still on occasion. Definately ice them after you run, it helps tremendously! Another thing I've done lately is slow my pace down. I was always trying to go as fast as I could but then my legs, butt, hips, knees would hurt like crazy. So I started slowing the pace down and I hurt so much less now. I always try to push through the pain and haven't stopped but I don't really recommend that if you are hurt because you don't want to make an injury worse! If your ankle is swollen, you might want to get it checked out! Have you iced it at all? Some other race day advice ... put some lip balm on. For some reason my lips always get chapped when I run outside! Another problem I have is that my nose runs like crazy when I run outside! So I always carry a wash cloth or handkerchief with me to blot at my nose. Also helps to wipe the sweat away! And do not worry if you have to stop and walk. A LOT of people walk on the course and you won't be alone. I have found that there are way more "normal" people out there than I ever thought would be. It's inspiring! I'm so excited for you! When exactly is your race! I have a 10K coming up on April 20th that goes over 2 bridges and one of them is a HUGE bridge. I'm worried about running up the incline of that one! Deanna

I've decided (again) to try to run a 5k. It's just something that I NEVER thought I would be able to do and want so much to accompli**** Deanna, if your out there you are our resident exercise expert and an inspiration to me...So, I started "training" a couple of weeks ago and made it up to 2 miles of running without stopping but the problem is everything hurts! My ankle has been wrapped for a week, is very sore, swollen and I am afraid to try to run again. Also, my knees are weak and painful when I try to squat...is this normal? Am I just being a baby? Should I just power through it and chalk it up to my body adjusting to the new type of exercise? I only have 1 month before the run, so I hate to have to stop training but... Thanks for you advice. Trish

Well I am coming out to say hello. Its been a very long time since i posted. I am sad to say that i have gain some weight but I have been back on track for a few weeks and I am almost back down were i was. I am so glad that I stopped myself before I gained it all back, it does happen to some people. I have learned some lesson for life that I will keep close to my heart. I will never be a 455 pound woman again!!!!!!!!!! Well I just want to say hi i will check in again soon. Sophia

Thanks Andi...don't be too proud...yes I've brought it but have not eaten it yet...I am so weak. I look at our lunch hour as an escape...a social event...I always feel the need to get out of the building and somehow let the others tempt me into joining them. I seriously need to work on this! Trish p.s. No batteries for the scale yet and maybe I won't!!!

I find this so interesting! I am off all high blood pressure meds, meds for asthma, meds for the hiatal hernia (repaired during surgery, the surgeon saved my life), cholesterol is doing just fine thank you! I climb the stairs at work for exercise simply because I can and Andi power is WAY quicker then the rickety old elevators. I play with the kids i have fun with them. Andi