20,000 Leagues of Running (comments welcome)

[Scootin'By]

I did it! I finished my 10 miler This distance is no joke. I was gassed when I got to the end with nothing left in the tank.

So, it was a beautiful day to hold the Parkway 10-mile Classic (presented by PNC ). Sunday was supposed to get up to 80+F, but the morning was cool and cloudy/foggy. AKA perfect weather for a race!

This was a one-way trip from Mount Vernon up the George Washington Parkway to Oldtown Alexandria. So I had to park in Oldtown and then take a shuttle bus down to the start. This definitely felt Disney-esque since the line for the busses was literally around the block. Everyone was commenting on how they'd never seen it this bad before. I think it was because of the 40th, but who knows. Our bus ride was uneventful, but we passed a bus that had broken down halfway there. It wasn't there when I ran by, so they must have made it, but still.

As soon as we got off the bus, the line for the porta-potties started. It must have been 100+ deep I had to go, again, but not that bad. I dropped off my bag (inadvertently leaving my gum inside, grrr) and then warmed up and stretched. With just about 20 minutes to go before start time, the bathroom line was significantly lower and people were moving through fast, so I jumped in line and had a few minutes to spare before the start. Phew!

The race itself was good. Beautiful views of the Potomac River, lots of green scenery along the way almost like you were running in the woods. It was great! I've never seen so many people stay bunched up for so long, it was amazing. They said there were only 3,100ish, but it felt like a lot more.

I was a little in my head for the first few miles so they went by slow, but then I chatted with someone about mile 4 and things started to go by faster then. I also caught up with the 1:50 pacer, whom I hadn't seen in the start chute. I kept them in sight for a while before finally passing them.

At mile 5 I had been running for 52 miles. Doing some bad runner math I figured I was on pace for may 1:45 or 1:50. The miles really peeled away after this and all of a sudden so did the trees and I was in Oldtown with just one mile to go. I deliberately didn't look at my watch this last mile. I was NOT going to increase pace just to shave off a few seconds and end up in the med tent again. Nope! So I enjoyed the run, gave high fives to the kids sitting along the curb cheering people on, and just did my thing. This last mile went by REALLY slow. Heck, the last half mile felt like it could have been two miles. The finish line just did not get any closer. And then, boom, there it was.

I could see the running clock was at 1 hour 48 minutes and I was determined to make it in less than 1:50, so I opened up just a little bit and crossed at 1:49 and change. YAY!

As I stopped running I started to feel really sick. I figured it was because I was low on energy and so I slowly ate a banana, chips, nature bar, and protein bar I'd brought with me. That helped a lot, but still took about 20+ minutes to feel better. I think I need something real to eat along the way (more than just three packs of Gu).

So here are my mileage times:

Mile 1 - 10:26
Mile 2 - 10:11
Mile 3 - 10:33
Mile 4 - 10:26
Mile 5 - 10:30
Mile 6 - 10:03
Mile 7 - 10:35
Mile 8 - 10:50
Mile 9 - 11:00
Mile 10 - 10:10

Pretty consistent except for miles 8 and 9 when I was starting to get tired. Could have used another chat then LOL
But, here's the best thing. I did even better than I thought. When I crossed the line at 1:49, I forgot that I hadn't started right away. My final time was 1 hour 45 minutes! WHEEE

This is my new favorite distance. It's long enough to require some real effort in training, but not so long that I have to give up my life for it. 10ks are nice too, but I like the challenge of the extra 10 miles. Might have to look into the Army 10 miler for the fall

Pictures coming soon. Still waiting for them to be uploaded.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

Great job! Congratulations!

As I stopped running I started to feel really sick. I figured it was because I was low on energy and so I slowly ate a banana, chips, nature bar, and protein bar I'd brought with me. That helped a lot, but still took about 20+ minutes to feel better. I think I need something real to eat along the way (more than just three packs of Gu).

Did you drink water as you were having your GUs? Most gels will upset your stomach without enough water (and that's plain water, not Gatorade or Tailwind or whatever).

Might have to look into the Army 10 miler for the fall

It's a good one! I did it last year as a training run. There is another bus situation, though, to get from the finish back to the start

 

[Naomeri]

For runs longer than a 10K, I shove a packaged brioche waffle in my pocket and eat it when I start feeling hungry, which is usually somewhere between miles 6-8. I’ve also experimented with gummy bears and chopped up Twizzlers, but the waffles have been the best.

 

[superchime]

Congrats on a great race!

I was a little in my head for the first few miles so they went by slow, but then I chatted with someone about mile 4 and things started to go by faster then.

This last mile went by REALLY slow. Heck, the last half mile felt like it could have been two miles. The finish line just did not get any closer. And then, boom, there it was.

Both of these things happen to me so often. Running is such a mental game.

I think I need something real to eat along the way (more than just three packs of Gu).

I've finally figured out that I fueling every 20 minutes is my sweet spot for longer runs. I'm slow, so that means I'm usually carrying a ridiculous amount of stuff with me, but I feel so much better.

I've also found that the Ucan edge gels make my stomach much happier than any other fuel I've tried, and you don't have to take them with water.

 

[avondale]

Great race! Congratulations! 10 miles is definitely a nice distance for a race. The Cherry Blossom race is 10 miles, you know.

 

[RuntheMouse]

This is my new favorite distance. It's long enough to require some real effort in training, but not so long that I have to give up my life for it.

I too love a 10 miler, I wish there were more of them.

My final time was 1 hour 45 minutes!

Great job!

 

[Scootin'By]

Good news: I'm alive and I survived another summer in DC (although just barely).

Bad news: I did almost no running this summer - like, six runs since June! Thanks depression and hot, sticky, gross weather. I also got a promotion at work - same pay, but new title and more responsibilities. Woo ... This at least partially explains the extra fifteen pounds. Grr

Also, I also broke my finger in a pillow fight (yep, a pillow fight), but its just a finger, meh.

With the MW HM in just about five months, it's time to actually start training again or I am just going to DIE on the course. So, here my game plan:

#1
I bought a new treadmill so that I can try to squeeze in two 30-mim runs a week. I used to try to get in two 3.5 miles runs a week, but there just isn't time with the new schedule. So maintenance runs will become bare bones, how little can I do to survive.

I also bought four new tank tops, because running inside on the treadmill is just too hot for regular tees.

And I downloaded Zwift Running on my tablet and bought a Zwift foot pod on sale. So we'll see if that helps!

(The old treadmill was fifteen plus years ago and the motor finally conked out. So it wasn't like I bought a new one just for the sake of it. But I admit, the tank tops were just for fun )

#2
I went for a "long run" today. Yep, 4 miles! And boy that kick my pitoot. The first mile I took a walk break every 4 miles. By mile 2 I needed a solid 1 or 2 minute recovery. Mile 3 was SO hard, but the finish was good.

As a reward I opened my Summer 5k box finally and awarded myself the Candy Apple medal (my least favorite of the snacks).



#3
I'm going to start posting every week again. A - to try and hold myself accountable and B - 'cause I missed y'all!

I'll post my training plan next week. That'll be a good incentive for me to follow it LOL

 

[The Expert]

Welcome back and congrats on the promotion!

 

[superchime]

Yay! You're back! Yeah this summer was brutal! You definitely needed those new shirts!

Sorry about your finger. At least it's a good story? I always seem to hurt myself in boring or embarrassing ways.

And congrats on the promotion and on getting started with a new plan. Its the perfect time of year to recommit. I bet you'll be back on track pretty quickly.

 

[col1]

Good news: I'm alive and I survived another summer in DC (although just barely).

Bad news: I did almost no running this summer - like, six runs since June! Thanks depression and hot, sticky, gross weather. I also got a promotion at work - same pay, but new title and more responsibilities. Woo ... This at least partially explains the extra fifteen pounds. Grr

Also, I also broke my finger in a pillow fight (yep, a pillow fight), but its just a finger, meh.

With the MW HM in just about five months, it's time to actually start training again or I am just going to DIE on the course. So, here my game plan:

#1
I bought a new treadmill so that I can try to squeeze in two 30-mim runs a week. I used to try to get in two 3.5 miles runs a week, but there just isn't time with the new schedule. So maintenance runs will become bare bones, how little can I do to survive.

I also bought four new tank tops, because running inside on the treadmill is just too hot for regular tees.

And I downloaded Zwift Running on my tablet and bought a Zwift foot pod on sale. So we'll see if that helps!

(The old treadmill was fifteen plus years ago and the motor finally conked out. So it wasn't like I bought a new one just for the sake of it. But I admit, the tank tops were just for fun )

#2
I went for a "long run" today. Yep, 4 miles! And boy that kick my pitoot. The first mile I took a walk break every 4 miles. By mile 2 I needed a solid 1 or 2 minute recovery. Mile 3 was SO hard, but the finish was good.

As a reward I opened my Summer 5k box finally and awarded myself the Candy Apple medal (my least favorite of the snacks).

View attachment 889217

#3
I'm going to start posting every week again. A - to try and hold myself accountable and B - 'cause I missed y'all!

I'll post my training plan next week. That'll be a good incentive for me to follow it LOL

Welcome back !!

 

[Scootin'By]

@Herding_Cats thread made me think of a serious question that only this group can answer. How busy is Christmas break at Disney really?!

Since I'm going to be in Florida for MW anyways, I thought I'd drive down early and spend Christmas with my family (probably arriving December 22 or 23). For the first week, I'll have my two girls with me before they fly home with their mother. And they -really- want to do Hollywood Studios. But, their schools starts back up on January 2, so there are not many options to squeeze in a trip.

I've read basically that it's wall to wall people with two hour waits for pretty much everything (including food) and that you can't get Genie+ or Lightning Lanes because they sell out. Is that true? And if it is, is it even worth going?

Thanks for the advice. I'm really struggling over here. Don't want to disappoint my girls, but don't want to waste a thousand bucks either.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Christmas at Disney is bonkers. It just is. And if you go in expecting that, and approach it that way, it’s tolerable if your family can handle wall to wall people.

If you will be frustrated by possibly the heaviest crowds you’ve ever seen, and with longer waits for rides, or with walking with your face buried in your phone refreshing for LL, then don’t do it.

 

[nancipants]

Yeah, it's literally the busiest time of the year. If you go for simply the vibes and atmosphere, you'll have a good time. If you want to get things done, you'll be frustrated with wall to wall people and hours long lines.

 

[RuntheMouse]

We won’t go near the parks between Christmas Eve and New Years. We came in early for MW the last 2 years and we stayed at the resort the entire time. There’s just too many people for things to be enjoyable.

Years ago, we used to travel mid December and leave on the 23rd or 24th. The crowd level increased every day.

 

[Scootin'By]

I had a good week last week - sort of LOL

My daughter just started a new school and she can bike there, but it's little too far to go alone. So, I decided that a few days a week I would run over with her. Perfect! It's just over a mile each way, so it's a nice 2ish mile run. The only problem is that there's a 5+ minute wait while she gets her bike locked up and we wait for the school to open. This means that by the time I run home I'm rested and ready to go, which I feel is not quite the intent of a maintenance run. I added in a day on the treadmill so that I could actually run for 30 minutes. Ugh, that was tough! Stupid summertime break.

Anyways, my week looked like this:

Monday - 2.1 miles outside
Wednesday - 2.2 miles inside (treadmill)
Thursday - 2.1 miles outside

Friday and Saturday I was pretty tired, so I didn't push it. Sunday I meant to get my "long run" in, but just didn't have time with getting ready for a party. But it was a good thing I waited, because Monday was absolutely GORGEOUS! I have no idea what the T&D was in DC, but there was a cool breeze, it was just great! I meant to do 4.5 miles so that I would gently increase my distance and not hurt myself, but it was just so nice outside. I was really happy with my splits (not that I was tracking them during the run, I just wanted to finish, but it's good data).

Monday - 5.1 miles outside

1. 10:48 mins
2. 11:09 mins
3. 11:44 mins
4. 11:09 mins
5. 10:55 mins
6. TOTAL - 56:28

I was a little sore the rest of the day, but today I'm feeling much better. Next up, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday maintenance runs and 5.5 on the weekend!

 

[Scootin'By]

Thanks for the advice @nancipants, @Herding_Cats, @RuntheMouse. I am NOT a big crowds person, so I think I'm going to skip Christmas at the parks and maybe just try to do a character breakfast at one of the resorts and maybe hit the monorail I did Disney Springs over the summer when I went to Harry Potter World. My appetite says that I should go back for more treats, but my waist line definitely says that I should not LOL

 

[Naomeri]

The only problem is that there's a 5+ minute wait while she gets her bike locked up and we wait for the school to open.

That’s just practice for character stops

 

[nancipants]

If you are able to come a few days earlier, you could look into Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios. The last date is December 21. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/e...ios/jollywood-nights/#drawer-card-DatesPrices

 

[Scootin'By]

I hurt myself again

This time it was NOT running related, I swear. I went upstairs to get a cup of coffee and slipped coming back down the stairs, crashing my lower back into the bottom step. Grrr! It's not broken thankfully. I just have a deep muscle contusion (internal bruise) that hurts like a I was so excited that there was no break I forgot to ask the urgent care doc when I could go back to running, so I'm taking it easy for a few more days.

It's starting to feel a bit better and I've taken some 2 mile walks (not over doing it, just walking!). Hopefully I can get back on track in another week or so.

Why does this always happen to me?!

 

[avondale]

So glad to hear you are ok! I did something similar a few years ago and it was pretty scary.