Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for? (comments welcome)

[superchime]

So in terms of mortality risk:
OG marathoner > Dopey > "Just" the marathon... got it.

. But my actual strategy is to hunt down @Herding_Cats and @nancipants and @superchime and force us all to finish this thing together!

I like that strategy a lot!

 

[DopeyBadger]

So in terms of mortality risk:
OG marathoner > Dopey > "Just" the marathon... got it.

There MIGHT be some space in there, but yea... close enough.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

I ask Siri to read mine! I also ask her to text for me. Makes me look like I'm talking to myself, but we're all a little nuts during a marathon, right?

Hey, remember that time like 6 weeks ago when I screamed "Let's f---ing go" at mile 20? Also during my first marathon (WDW 2023) I was singing/yelling along to the Spice Girls' "Wannabe" while running through World Showcase (that was the 90s themed one) Do whatever gets you through it!

 

[WillRunForPizza]

Ooh. Also just thought to add: in the marathon, there's always a time where I feel absolutely miserable and hate everything. It's usually a little after halfway (like 14-16 maybe). If you feel this way, do not panic! You will feel better in 10-15 minutes probably. Marathons are an emotional roller coaster

 

[superchime]

Ooh. Also just thought to add: in the marathon, there's always a time where I feel absolutely miserable and hate everything. It's usually a little after halfway (like 14-16 maybe). If you feel this way, do not panic! You will feel better in 10-15 minutes probably. Marathons are an emotional roller coaster

This is good to know. Looking at the course map I was sort of expecting to hate the bit between MK and AK (miles 13 - 16), so this seems like the perfect place for a meltdown. I'm saving some primo snacks for this stretch, so I hope that helps. Maybe a mantra too? "Soon there will be goats"?

 

[The Expert]

It's usually a little after halfway (like 14-16 maybe).

For me at WDW it's from AK exit to BB parking lot. I think that's like 18-22? Every time.

 

[Herding_Cats]

For me at WDW it's from AK exit to BB parking lot. I think that's like 18-22? Every time.

That's because it's like 4 miles or NO SHADE, and it's like a scene from an apocolypse with Western Way (I think??) littered with discarded sponges and people who are regretting their spring decisions shuffling down the road. And the excitement of "I'm doing a MARATHON!" has worn off to reveal the work that is, "I'm doing a marathon."


Those miles between MK and AK (Bear Island Rd) are usually pretty OK for me because you get an aid station, they have some fun entertainment (the Nautilus, a character stop I think, and Adventurer's Club is usually there?) and it's reasonably shady.

 

[GollyGadget]

You’ve received a lot of great advice already. Marathons are hard, there’s no doubt about it. There will be times when it gets difficult but you can do this! There’s a reason you’ve done all this training. Use these last few runs to find a way to get through those rough patches. I usually count. I try to count down from 100 and inevitable lose count but it keeps my mind distracted for long enough that I can find a groove again.

Sorry to hear the dates didn’t work out. I can’t believe you ate 6 at a time! The most I’ve ever taken at once is two.

 

[superchime]

You’ve received a lot of great advice already. Marathons are hard, there’s no doubt about it. There will be times when it gets difficult but you can do this! There’s a reason you’ve done all this training. Use these last few runs to find a way to get through those rough patches. I usually count. I try to count down from 100 and inevitable lose count but it keeps my mind distracted for long enough that I can find a groove again.

Oh hey, counting down from 100 is how I fall asleep if I'm having trouble, so that'll definitely relax me while I'm running.

Sorry to hear the dates didn’t work out. I can’t believe you ate 6 at a time! The most I’ve ever taken at once is two.

Well, it was 6 over an hour. But they were so good! If my stomach hadn't protested I could have eaten more. But maybe when I try again I will start with just one or two.

 

[superchime]

Hey, remember that time like 6 weeks ago when I screamed "Let's f---ing go" at mile 20?

I remember reading that cursing helps increase pain tolerance. Like, if you stub your toe and curse about it, it feels better than if you don't curse or use a non-curse instead. So this makes a lot of sense and I may have experimented a little with it during a particularly gnarly hill in my neighborhood this week.

 

[superchime]

Weekly summary, back on track
December 9 - 15

Mon - off

Tues - 3.5 miles easy
3.5 miles in 59:42
Avg HR 124
T+D 62 + 60

This is my ideal running weather. It was just so gorgeous outside! Probably when I've got some time I should book an appointment with an ENT to see why I have more trouble breathing when it's cold. I can't decide if it's just that my nose gets stuffy or if I've maybe got a little asthma or something happening. But I am way happier when it's a bit warmer and more humid.

Wed - off
And a perfect day to have off, too. It rained all day. I felt so bad sending my youngest for his last day of forest school for the semester. But he came home soaked and happy, they made a fire and he had a blast. Better you than me, kid. (And he's 15 so totally able to decide whether or not to participate in this activity, please don't think I was shoving a 4 year old out in the rain and waving goodbye while I sat inside warm and cozy all day!)

Thurs - 8 miles M tempo
8 miles in 2:01, avg pace 15:12 (a touch slower than goal pace but not by much)

In stark contrast to last week, today's nutrition test was: Coca Cola! I am hoping to enjoy some as I pass through Animal Kingdom, and nothing new on race day, so I was the weirdo jogging through my neighborhood with a can of Coke this week.

I got one of the tiny 7.5 oz cans and picked it up when I passed my house at the halfway point. At first it was definitely too fizzy but after running a bit with it the bubbles were mostly gone and everything was fine. Zero protests from my stomach.

Fri - 2.5 easy
2.5 miles in 45 min

Slower than goal pace, but I was weirdly sore from Thursday's run. Sore in the right places, at least, not "oh crap you've injured yourself" but definitely more sore than recent tempo runs. Was it the Coke? I hope not!

Then I went to PT and saw a therapist I don't usually see. She had me do lunges, which I know my knees don't like but they felt ok at the time so I did them. Bad call.

Sat - 3.5 easy
Not much data for this one! I paused my watch to talk to a neighbor and forgot to restart it! Knee felt a little off this morning, so I took this one easier than easy.

Sun - Progression Run
Yeah, the knee is still feeling weird so I'm taking today off. I have tomorrow off already so I'll reevaluate then. It's not bad, it's definitely been worse, I'm just feeling so overly cautious right now because race weekend is soon and things have been going well and I don't want to screw things up at this point!

Costumes - hoping to get to work on them some this week. Kid stuff is winding down for the year so I will have a bit more time the next couple of weeks.

Looking ahead - I'm signed up for everything at Princess and Springtime Surprise weekends (it seemed like a great idea at the time!) so I need to figure out how to handle training after the marathon. I'm hoping to take a little time off, maybe a week, and then do enough running to maintain and get through the races, but these are all going to be fun runs, no goal but to finish and enjoy myself. But Princess is really soon after Marathon weekend!

I don't have any good pics of my own for the week so I will leave you with a pic of the old school Pizza Hut where my son and his scout troop ate dinner last night. I can just see my 8 year old self at one of those booths, enjoying a personal pan pizza that I earned by reading books! Those were the days!

 

[WillRunForPizza]

I remember reading that cursing helps increase pain tolerance. Like, if you stub your toe and curse about it, it feels better than if you don't curse or use a non-curse instead. So this makes a lot of sense and I may have experimented a little with it during a particularly gnarly hill in my neighborhood this week.

I feel like there was a study recently that looked at cursing while running specifically, and it does help!

I don't have any good pics of my own for the week so I will leave you with a pic of the old school Pizza Hut where my son and his scout troop ate dinner last night. I can just see my 8 year old self at one of those booths, enjoying a personal pan pizza that I earned by reading books! Those were the days!

I remember those days! And my family always used to go to Pizza Hut after the first day of school. Ah, memories.

 

[nancipants]

Book it!!!

I am in the same place as you with a sore knee. Really hoping it keeps improving!

I’m also with you as I’m doing the Princess Challenge and am considering the Springtime 10 miler. I’m also not going for time, but this will be my first challenge so it’ll be interesting to see how my body reacts.

 

[superchime]

I am in the same place as you with a sore knee. Really hoping it keeps improving!

I hope yours is better soon! We've got time to recover, it'll be ok. That's what I'm telling myself anyway. I'm just trying not to push too hard and make it worse at this point.

I’m also with you as I’m doing the Princess Challenge and am considering the Springtime 10 miler. I’m also not going for time, but this will be my first challenge so it’ll be interesting to see how my body reacts.

I've never done anything but the 10k at Princess weekend, and I'm usually sick at that point in the year so I will be working really hard to avoid that this time. I did the Springtime 10 miler 2 years ago and it was so warm, and it hadn't warmed up at home yet so it was a shock to my system. You can see in the race photos my face getting more and more red, it's pretty funny. But you're a local so you would have an advantage there.

 

[superchime]

Weekly Summary
Dec 16 - 22

My shoes were nearing the end of their lifespan so I switched into some new ones. Maybe too abruptly but they were the same model number (Altra Torin 7), just a different color. Those little jerks gave me blisters! Both feet, on the inside of the heel where the liner meets the shoe. A little knockoff kt tape on both the shoe and my heel fixed that problem but the shoes themselves are maybe creating bigger problems, as you'll see.

Mon - off

Tues - 5.5 easy, avg pace 17:39, walked a lot of it. Knee ok, top of foot pain starting again, ran in the morning and PT in the afternoon where she made things much better. Seriously my PT is a miracle worker, I came out of there feeling so good.

Wed- off

Thurs -1 mile easy, 4 miles tempo, .5 mile easy. Tempo run, I think this was ok, I hit paces and got it all done anyway. The new shoes are still giving me issues, though. Top feels too tight and heels are too slippy. I'm annoyed because it's the exact same shoe I was just in! Just a different color.

Fri - 2.5 easy, 17:30 pace,
Put caterpy laces in the new shoes, spent a lot of time fussing with them. They're still too loose on my heels, lots of slipping, top feels too tight. Ordered a pair of Altra Via Olympus, due to arrive Dec 27. I used these this summer and liked them ok once I got used to the rocker. Feel like they might be easier on my toes. But I got purple instead of the white I previously had, so who knows if that's going to be in issue.

Sat - 5.5 easy, did 4.51 at 17:53 pace, Cut run short by 1 mile. Top of foot pain got worse through this run, heels still slipping. Came home sad and angry.

Sun - 11 easy on the agenda for today.
I might wear my old white Via Olympus from this summer for this one. It's obvious the new black Torin 7s are not going to work.

Editing to add: I spent 3 hours on the treadmill. Kept the pace easier than easy and my foot felt fine up until the last 15 minutes or so, but even that was nothing like Saturday's pain. I think the Olympus is the way to go.

I thought I was being super smart switching in fresh shoes 3 weeks before race day, now I've created more problems for myself. I ordered a supposedly new pair of Torin 5s off ebay this morning. They are what worked best for me in the past but I was having trouble finding them in my size so I switched to the 7s, which where fine in yellow but are apparently not ok in black.

The toe pain is worrying me too. I've dealt with this in the past and usually it goes away overnight but I woke up feeling a little stiff and kind of sore. I will wear the Olympuses and start out today on the treadmill because that eliminates the variable of hills. We'll see how it goes.

Wishing I hadn't cancelled my y membership now, I could at least swim or bike or something to keep my endurance up for the next few weeks.

Might try to get into see my sports med doctor tomorrow morning if she has any availability.

On a positive note, the new Via Olympuses I ordered look like they were made for Dopey.

 

[superchime]

Weekly Summary
Dec 23 - 29

Monday - off

Tuesday 3.5 miles easy
3.5 miles in 1:01
avg pace 17:30
Wore the old Via Olympuses again and not even a hint of foot pain. Whew.

Wednesday - off

Thursday - 8 miles M tempo
8 miles in 1:57
avg pace 14:42

Fri 2.5 miles easy
treadmill 45 min, 2.25 miles

Sat 3.5 miles easy
3.5 miles in 59:41
avg pace 17:02
New shoes arrived, all better

Sun Progression run: 1 mile warm up then 5 rep progressions (one mile each), 1 mile cool down

What a difference! At the end of last week things were bleak. I was so worried there was something seriously wrong. But the switch back to the old Olympuses, and then the fresh pair when they arrived, was an absolute game changer. I'm in a good spot right now, and just holding my breath that it continues. And I have learned that in the future I need to switch to fresh shoes 2 months before a big race so I have plenty of time to adjust if there's a problem.

 

[col1]

Weekly Summary
Dec 23 - 29

Monday - off

Tuesday 3.5 miles easy
3.5 miles in 1:01
avg pace 17:30
Wore the old Via Olympuses again and not even a hint of foot pain. Whew.

Wednesday - off

Thursday - 8 miles M tempo
8 miles in 1:57
avg pace 14:42

Fri 2.5 miles easy
treadmill 45 min, 2.25 miles

Sat 3.5 miles easy
3.5 miles in 59:41
avg pace 17:02
New shoes arrived, all better

Sun Progression run: 1 mile warm up then 5 rep progressions (one mile each), 1 mile cool down

What a difference! At the end of last week things were bleak. I was so worried there was something seriously wrong. But the switch back to the old Olympuses, and then the fresh pair when they arrived, was an absolute game changer. I'm in a good spot right now, and just holding my breath that it continues. And I have learned that in the future I need to switch to fresh shoes 2 months before a big race so I have plenty of time to adjust if there's a problem.

Good news on the shoes

 

[superchime]

2024 Summary

What a year. At some point I should add up all the miles I ran, but I already know it was the most I've ever done. This year has been Dopey (and puppy) focused and now that it's almost here I'm equal parts ready for it to be done and nervous about how it will go.

I will say this, though. I'm stronger than I was a year ago, both physically and mentally. I got through things that would have made me stop running in the past. I've done almost every run on my plan and I let a lot of other things slide in order to make that happen. I knew going in it was going to be a huge commitment, and it was, but I'm proud of myself and, no matter how the races go, I will have that.
I will still cry if I get swept, though. Big ol' tantrum if I have to get on the struggle bus. 100% guaranteed.

I've also definitely benefited from all of the time outside. I'm not anti-outdoors, I like a good hike, love the national parks, but I do tend to gravitate towards couch/book/tea when I have free time, especially if the weather is less than perfect. So while I am looking forward to not running quite so much, I do hope to continue spending more time outdoors.

I've assembled a team to keep me together this year and I wouldn't have been able to do this without any of them. I am so grateful to @DopeyBadger for writing a plan I could stick to and that wouldn't hurt me, and for answering all of my relentless questions, patiently and with data. And big thanks to my PT for getting me back on track and keeping me there. I'm also super thankful for a couple of friends who ask how things are going or listen to me debate the merits of different fuels or socks or water bottles, even though they don't understand why I would even want to do this. Running is a solo sport, but not really.

And my family, especially my kids, have been absolutely key. I know some of you train for Dopey with small children and let me just say that you are absolute legends. I could not have done this if my kids were younger. In fact, I tried training for a half ~10 years ago and quit because it was a lot and then I got shin splints and just gave up. The kids are teens now, though, and they picked up a lot of the slack this year and held things together while I ran, and all of us learned what's actually a priority at home because if I didn't do it and it didn't get done, and nobody noticed, then it's probably not actually that important.

Zero love for the hills in my neighborhood, though. I am tired of them and I am glad Florida is mostly flat.

Costumes are almost done, packing piles are taking over, gloves and hand warmers and extra layers have been ordered. It's almost time to go!

 

[superchime]

Good news on the shoes

I have never been so excited about footwear!

 

[The Expert]

Running is a solo sport, but not really.

Truer words were never spoken!