We've got a separate medical forum because we are lucky to have our friends at Clearwater Chiropractic & Massage moderating for us. Dr. Bryan, Dr. Jake, and staff are onsite every Saturday at Portland Fit, but they are also available in this forum to answer your medical questions.
So post your medical questions in this forum and they will get back to you soon.
Full Version: Post medical questions/items here!
I've been walking pretty regularly but I'm not in the best of shape. I've got a strong desire to complete a marathon, either walking or running. Is Portland Fit okay for me, as long as I can work within the 18-minute or better mile run by the end of summer?
Absolutely! We've got folks of all shapes and sizes out there. The most important "muscle" to train is the one between your ears -- so if you *think* you can do it, you can do it.
RMK:
Even if you can't get under the 18 minute/mile by the end of the summer, PDXFit is the place to train for your first marathon. You might consider changing your goal to: complete a marathon in Fall of 2007. In order to complete this goal you could:
1. Spend April through September of 2006 training with PDXFit. Attend all of the weekly seminars. (You will learn all about marathon training and improve your fitness.)
2. Join a StayFit group (free of charge) from October 2006 through March 2007 to continue with your fitness improvements.
3. Then join the 2007 PDXFit training program with the goal of completing that Fall 2007 marathon! There are a lot of fun marathons to choose from.
The most important part of training for a marathon is having a realistic goal. If the goal is too aggressive then the chance that you are going to get injured or "burnt out" and not complete the goal increases dramatically. If you don't know what a realistic goal is for you, then talk with one of the coaches at PDXFit.
The second most important part of training for a marathon is the training itself. Completing a marathon is just the "icing on the cake". Don't try to push yourself to improve your pace before your body has learned to adapt to the new stress you are applying to it. Enjoy the training journey. Make sure that you listen to your body and pay attention to aches and pains. Get them fixed as soon as the appear. Don't try to walk/run through the aches and pains. Get plenty of rest to let your body recover and rebuild the muscles. PDXFit has some excellent medical support provided by Clearwater Chiropractic Clinic every Saturday morning at PDXFit meeting location.
PDXFit also has shoe fitting expertise provided by Portland Running Company. The shoes are going to be the most important piece of walk/run equipment that you purchase. Don't try to save money by finding the cheapest pair. Get shoes that are professionally fit. The extra $20 is money well spent, since improper fitting shoes can cost you hundreds of dollars in doctor's bills and lots of pain. Improper fitting shoes can also interfere with completing your goal.
Don't forget to make some new friends at PDXFit. They will help keep you motivated to attend the weekend walk/runs and complete the weekly walk/runs.
Enjoy the first marathon training journey!
Even if you can't get under the 18 minute/mile by the end of the summer, PDXFit is the place to train for your first marathon. You might consider changing your goal to: complete a marathon in Fall of 2007. In order to complete this goal you could:
1. Spend April through September of 2006 training with PDXFit. Attend all of the weekly seminars. (You will learn all about marathon training and improve your fitness.)
2. Join a StayFit group (free of charge) from October 2006 through March 2007 to continue with your fitness improvements.
3. Then join the 2007 PDXFit training program with the goal of completing that Fall 2007 marathon! There are a lot of fun marathons to choose from.
The most important part of training for a marathon is having a realistic goal. If the goal is too aggressive then the chance that you are going to get injured or "burnt out" and not complete the goal increases dramatically. If you don't know what a realistic goal is for you, then talk with one of the coaches at PDXFit.
The second most important part of training for a marathon is the training itself. Completing a marathon is just the "icing on the cake". Don't try to push yourself to improve your pace before your body has learned to adapt to the new stress you are applying to it. Enjoy the training journey. Make sure that you listen to your body and pay attention to aches and pains. Get them fixed as soon as the appear. Don't try to walk/run through the aches and pains. Get plenty of rest to let your body recover and rebuild the muscles. PDXFit has some excellent medical support provided by Clearwater Chiropractic Clinic every Saturday morning at PDXFit meeting location.
PDXFit also has shoe fitting expertise provided by Portland Running Company. The shoes are going to be the most important piece of walk/run equipment that you purchase. Don't try to save money by finding the cheapest pair. Get shoes that are professionally fit. The extra $20 is money well spent, since improper fitting shoes can cost you hundreds of dollars in doctor's bills and lots of pain. Improper fitting shoes can also interfere with completing your goal.
Don't forget to make some new friends at PDXFit. They will help keep you motivated to attend the weekend walk/runs and complete the weekly walk/runs.
Enjoy the first marathon training journey!
QUOTE(AC Eric Lewis @ Mar 20 2006, 11:03 AM) 
Enjoy the first marathon training journey!
Eric, thanks so much for your informative, well grounded suggestions. I look forward to the journey with this first step! Rick
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