Confessions of a reluctant runner, a DL 1/2 & PHM PTR. 7/5 race recaps and final thoughts

[eandesmom]

So i've been doing pretty good on the running. Been able to do 5 minutes of running non-stop with 3-4 minutes of walking. At least, I hope that's good. But I haven't been on the treadmill (at least running wise) since I returned from DLR.

Welcome home!

Such cute FB pictures of your trip!!!!!

You have not been back all that long!

That does sound good!!!

So asics are a good running shoe yes? I should look into a pair. I usually get Nikes or Adidas cause of the design and colors (yes, i'm totally girly) but the ones you posted are really cute!

Yay! So glad MEK is joining you guys for the PHM!

Running shoes are a funny thing. There are a ton of good brands. Nike, Adidas, Asics, Saucony, Brooks, New Balance and Mizuno are kind of the main ones. People have different opinions of what is good or best but at the end of the day all that matters is it works for you, and your foot.

Most important thing is to get the ones that are right for your feet and that is REALLY different for everyone. If you go do a decent running store they will fit you for shoes. Which means probably watching you walk or run, maybe doing a thermal image of your arch, stuff like that. It is free (or should be, if not go somewhere else!). That will help them know what kind of shoe you need. Shoes fall into categories that have to do with how your foot lands when you run. Part of my challenges are that. I have a high arch and I under pronate so for me I need something cushioned that has a little stability, but not too much. Some folks need a lot of stability to control the motion, others none at all. They categorize the shoes as Neutral and Stability but within that, there is a huge range.

Good news is you can usually find cute girly colors in any kind!

Asics seem to work best for me, narrow in the heel which I need, but a bigger toe box. They have many different models, my current ones are the GT 2000. Nikes and Mizuno's don't fit me right and I've tried (and returned) Brooks and Saucony. So for now, I am sticking with Asics.

It's worth getting the right shoe. As you put on more miles, it can make a huge difference in both avoiding injury, and improvement.

A good store will have a wear and try out policy, usually 30-90 days where you can take them home, run in them, if they don't work, bring them back to exchange.

 

[elphie101]

Ugh, the saga of foot issues Not what I want to see you dealing with! Here's hoping you find some solution soon or, worst case scenario, it doesn't impact you too badly.

I love that race course! Even though it looks like way too much for me It still look exciting and interesting!

Can't wait to hear about your corral assignment!

 

[MEK]

Ugh to the feet issues and shin splints. But look at how great you did with your 12 mile run. That's pretty darn awesome.

I am trying to remember back to my 1/2 marathon. I think I ran 9:30 miles on a completely hilly course. That was so long ago and I thought it sucked at the time, but what I wouldn't give to be able to do that now. My longest run so far has only been 5 miles. I rode all weekend instead. I am going to go for an hour run this weekend and see what I get. I need one of those watches. I don't like using my phone.

Adrenaline does count for a lot - all the stimulation and being around people. It really will help pull you through. You got this and I think you are going to do awesome!

 

[IheartDDuck]

There is a big difference in the heels of those inserts.

I do wear compression when I run, but I know it's not for everyone. It helped me when I first started running, but now I'm actually afraid to run without it. Like, somethings going to happen.

Stretching is super important, and another thing I'm not the best at. I'm so trying to get better!

 

[Chilly]

Given running is supposed to be the easiest sport to do it all sounds so very complicated!

 

[eandesmom]

Ugh, the saga of foot issues Not what I want to see you dealing with! Here's hoping you find some solution soon or, worst case scenario, it doesn't impact you too badly.

seriously, it should not be that complicated!

I love that race course! Even though it looks like way too much for me It still look exciting and interesting!

Oh you can get there! I know you can. ToT 2015, right?

Can't wait to hear about your corral assignment!

We got partial "leaked" info yesterday but we won't really know what it means until the official corral assignment info comes out. The good news is our bib numbers (assuming they are right lol) are close to each other and so the chances of being in the same corral seem very very high.

Ugh to the feet issues and shin splints. But look at how great you did with your 12 mile run. That's pretty darn awesome.

Yeah, I'm pretty over these issues let me tell you, I just want to go out and run and not think about that stuff!

I am trying to remember back to my 1/2 marathon. I think I ran 9:30 miles on a completely hilly course. That was so long ago and I thought it sucked at the time, but what I wouldn't give to be able to do that now. My longest run so far has only been 5 miles. I rode all weekend instead. I am going to go for an hour run this weekend and see what I get. I need one of those watches. I don't like using my phone.

I really like having the watch. I did go cheap and get an entry level one, which took me a bit to figure out how to use. But it works and I get the data I need. I may upgrade one of these days but I had way too many issues with my phone. The GPS around here is spotty and the app would be SO off, telling me I'd run a lot farther (and thus faster) than I really had that it totally messed with my head. Most of the time the watch is super reliable. I've had a few issues here and there but in general, it's been user error. For some reason any time I try to manually do a split, or pause, I muck it up. As long as I avoid those (I still get splits, just not ad hoc ones) it works great.

I wouldn't be surprised if you could get back to that pace, if that is what you wanted. It is interesting, perspective. 9:30, for a Disney Race, is considered on the faster side for sure. I'd be quite happy with that at the half. With the heat though, who knows. At my local races? Upper third or half but not "fast". Certainly a good time but it's just a different mind set and draws a different crowd in terms of time. It varies SO much by race though. My 10K PR is at an 8:40 pace. I came in 5th in my bracket. The race I got 2nd in my bracket, also a 10K, was at 9:09. Pretty big difference in pace, similar sized races and yet very different placement. Different time of year and weather too, and one was a non technical trail but both billed as "flat and fast". You just never know.

The hilliest one I've had is the one Ann and I did together. Rolling hills but pretty constant for the whole race. That one frustrated both of us as it was billed as a 12K. But when you looked at my watch, her app, and the published results, the times and paces didn't match up with a 12k. Sure enough, it was USATF certified at just a bit more than a 12K which matched the published result paces, my watch and her app. It was a good one for me, for that distance with hills and warmer weather at 9:02. If I didn't have the better 10K, I'd have wanted to use that one as my POT. But since they marketed it as a 12K...very likely that the pace would get calculated differently, and not get the same kind of placement.

It is hard for me to know how I will do pace wise compared to training, in a longer race. All I really have to benchmark is my races and then training. Then of course you have the legions of folks who have the mantra that a runDisney event is NOT for time, or a PR. Well for me, since it's my first, no matter what it will be a PR. LOL! And yeah, I do care about the time. Not enough to kill myself but is my overall time more important than a line for a character picture? Yeah, probably. It kind of makes me mad. I have zero issues with folks not caring about time and just doing it for the experience but I don't think that makes it "wrong" if you do care about those things. As long as you go into it knowing that maybe the vast majority around you do not, and as a result that could impact your ability to make better time.

I don't know. It will be interesting. I suspect that the higher corrals do care a bit more about time and that may make it less of an issue as we should be closer to the front, but we will see.

Adrenaline does count for a lot - all the stimulation and being around people. It really will help pull you through. You got this and I think you are going to do awesome!

I will finish and not die. I know that much! How well the feet do remains to be seen

There is a big difference in the heels of those inserts.

I know, kind of crazy huh! They felt good though. I don't know if they helped delay the issues but they certainly didn't make anything worse and were cushier which was pleasant.

I do wear compression when I run, but I know it's not for everyone. It helped me when I first started running, but now I'm actually afraid to run without it. Like, somethings going to happen.

I get that, runners are superstitious for sure! I like it for recovery, I used it a bit in the winter (though now that I think about it, I think it's tied to the time where I should have replaced my shoes earlier than I did). I would run in them again if I felt I needed to though I'd like to try the ultralight full sock instead as that would be a bit more comfortable in the warmer temps. I don't want to try it badly enough, to spend $38 on a pair of socks! Ouch.

Stretching is super important, and another thing I'm not the best at. I'm so trying to get better!

I'm great....on a gym day.

Before and after a run?

Not so much.

Given running is supposed to be the easiest sport to do it all sounds so very complicated!

Well, I tend to over-complicate things by nature, Jeff thinks I am ridiculous. To start, it isn't. Get decent shoes and something comfortable to run in. Go from there.

 

[eandesmom]

One of the things runDisney does, is require a signed waiver. Basically you have to sign your life away, releasing them from all responsibility should anything happen to you during the race.

You need this, printed and signed, and your ID to pick up your race bib.

They release these about a month before the race.

The waiver also includes your bib number on it!

Historically it seems that the link to print/view your waiver gets "leaked" about a week or so before rD sends it out.

Which means you can look up your bib number.

You can guess at corral placement

But you don't really know. It's different for every race. It depends on how many corrals, how many total racers, how fast the registered racers are. It's also complicated because the corrals include folks that are "just" doing the half, and those doing the Dumbo Double Dare (10K the day before plus the half).

I looked up my waiver yesterday.

And promptly freaked out.

Using last years breakdown, that would put me in A.

I am not slow.

But I do NOT belong in A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That terrifies me. I have visions of being trampled, of being given the evil eye because I don't belong there, the whole thing.

It's also a really cool number, the kind that actually seems "fake" if that makes sense and that makes it feel like it couldn't possibly be real.

I expect (hope and pray) that with the addition of the 3 corrals, it means I will be in B.

It could even be C.

I am betting on B.

Honestly that is too wide of a spread. Most of the corrals are 1 min spreads, or less. This, this could have seriously a solid 3 minute spread for everyone in A under their old format. That's dangerous! I mean each corral is bigger than some of the races I've done!

Last year it looked like this

A up to 9 min mile (2000 people)
B 9-10 min mile (2000 people)
C 10 - 11 min mile (2200 people)
D 11- 12:35 min mile (2500 people)
E 12:36 - 13:08 min mile (2900 people)
F 13:09 - 13:43 min mile (2900 people)
G > 13:45 (or no proof of time submitted, 3300 people)

I'm telling you, that would be 1999 people faster than me being super annoyed. VERY happy they added 3 more corrals.

Yeah, having an "A" on the bib would look cool. I'll admit that. But GAH! I really really hope it's not the case, it will seriously stress me out.

Who knew. The pressure of living up to a bib number. Careful what you wish for I guess!

The BEST news though is that Ann and I are only 67 bib numbers apart! She would have been in A last year as well. Granted, it's the back of A for both of us but it still would have been A.

Freaks her out about the same I think. But, being that close almost ensures we will be assigned to the same corral which makes us both very

 

[elphie101]

Eeeek! I bet your guess is right and because of the extra corrals you'll both be in B (glad to see you two will probably be in the same corral!!). Even if you are in A you could always put yourself in the back of the corral!

Having the A is pretty cool - we were in Corral A for the Everest Challenge (it was based on order of sign-up, since there was no proof of time required) and even though I knew I didn't have an A-pace it definitely gave me a confidence boost.

It'll just be one giant drum roll until you get the official assignments now!

 

[eandesmom]

Eeeek! I bet your guess is right and because of the extra corrals you'll both be in B (glad to see you two will probably be in the same corral!!). Even if you are in A you could always put yourself in the back of the corral!

There are a few ways they may do this.

They could reduce evenly across the board, which would be about a 40% cut per corral. We'd be in B.

They could "reward" A&B (which they have done at some of the WDW races and not at the others) with significantly smaller corrals for those 2 and then a more equal redistribution across the rest. Last year A had about 2059 people in it, G, the last one 3359. We could end up split up in that scenario but we'd both be out of A.

They could make all corrals basically the same size (PHM did this last year). We would both be in B.

Who knows?

yeah, I play with spreadsheets for a living, LOL!

It is interesting though. Part of my concern with A is being in the way of really fast people, the other is starting out too fast. However when I look at race reviews a lot of folks really complained about C (2200) and D (2500) last year as being super congested. They were bigger than A&B but not hugely so. Which makes me wonder, maybe that many people SO close in pace really isn't a good thing either.

LOL.

We can definitely position ourselves at the back of A although I think that's cool in theory, I do wonder how practical it is in practice. I know the larger races I have done (4,000 people) it is super congested and even though in those they try to do waves and people position accordingly so maybe 1600 per "wave", it's pretty difficult to move around and position yourself just right.

I am prepared for the first mile or 2 to be really congested no matter what, it is just a lot easier if folks are closer to the same pace then having a huge spread.

Having the A is pretty cool - we were in Corral A for the Everest Challenge (it was based on order of sign-up, since there was no proof of time required) and even though I knew I didn't have an A-pace it definitely gave me a confidence boost.

It'll just be one giant drum roll until you get the official assignments now!

Yes, probably early next week. It looks like the "official" link went live today, though it's not published by Disney it's certainly working without any special tricks lol. My number held so I guess that's good. Now we just wait.

I am VERY glad our numbers are so close together. It is interesting. Folks with other times that are maybe only a 1-3 minutes apart in what they submitted as proof of time or estimated finish are as many as 1000 apart in bib numbers!


It is always interesting though as you never know if they are going with the estimated time of finish you enter or your proof of time. Some people enter a very different estimated finish than what their proof of time supports so in theory that can mess stuff up....if that's what trackshack pulls from.

Thing is, even if you did that (which I didn't lol) if you do update your proof of time I think it overrides whatever you put down at registration as it calculates a new estimated time for you.

 

[PrincessInOz]

A could be a YAY. I hope you're in the B group. Sounds like you'll be more comfortable in that group.

 

[annmarieda]

I am glad you have your spreadsheets to speculate. Normally I go through an entire process of speculation. Now I just look at what you have come up with. Things have been hectic here, so I really truly appreciate all the thought you have put into it!

You are so right though... I too would be a bit scared to be in A. I know I would be trampled. Course, (at least at the WDW races) I think you would be surprised at how many people start to walk shortly after the race begins. I think this will be getting better though as it is getting harder to lie about POT and purchase other peoples bibs. I have to wonder if those two things made a huge impact on congestion. I mean, think of it.... if you have Jane who is a sub 2 hour runner who decides to sell her bib and Sally is a 3 hour gal and purchases that bib..... well, she won't be keeping the pace Jane would have. Then of course the obvious - if someone lies about POT the truth will not reflect the POT.

Just a couple long runs left and then it will be time to taper!

 

[englishrose47]

I would be in Z group one who may complete the course in 24 hours !!!

 

[eandesmom]

A could be a YAY. I hope you're in the B group. Sounds like you'll be more comfortable in that group.

Most definitely. I am fine with my pace but for those significantly faster, it just isn't fun to be around folks a couple minutes slower than you are.

I am glad you have your spreadsheets to speculate. Normally I go through an entire process of speculation. Now I just look at what you have come up with. Things have been hectic here, so I really truly appreciate all the thought you have put into it!

info is out!

You are so right though... I too would be a bit scared to be in A. I know I would be trampled. Course, (at least at the WDW races) I think you would be surprised at how many people start to walk shortly after the race begins. I think this will be getting better though as it is getting harder to lie about POT and purchase other peoples bibs. I have to wonder if those two things made a huge impact on congestion. I mean, think of it.... if you have Jane who is a sub 2 hour runner who decides to sell her bib and Sally is a 3 hour gal and purchases that bib..... well, she won't be keeping the pace Jane would have. Then of course the obvious - if someone lies about POT the truth will not reflect the POT.

Just a couple long runs left and then it will be time to taper!

Well, I am not so sure the folks in A would start to walk right away. But maybe they do, what do I know!

I'd be trampled, or start way too fast...or both!

It is interesting though. I am very curious as to the breakdown as it will give me insight as to whether they went with my POT or estimated finish. It seems like if you update your POT, then it overrides the estimated finish and uses their calculator, but if not, you can enter whatever you want at that initial registration.

My POT, using McMillan which most folks seem to think is closest, would suggest 1:59:xx. Others came in at 1:58:xx and 2:00:xx. Last years corral A cut off at 1:58. I put an estimated finish of 1:59. But the bib numbers for both of us are in that A range from last year. So, it will be interesting to see. Funny to me that one minute could make a difference in corral assignment but it really can.

Yeah, a bit freaky to think it is only 2 long runs away!

I would be in Z group one who may complete the course in 24 hours !!!

LOL! You'd be surprised how many miles you walk at WDW...you may have completed a half and just not realized it!

 

[franandaj]

I'm sorry about all the issues that you are having. I hope that you are able to get them under control before this run, or at least have them at bay.

You are doing great!

 

[eandesmom]

I'm sorry about all the issues that you are having. I hope that you are able to get them under control before this run, or at least have them at bay.

You are doing great!

Thanks Allison!

I will be ok with at bay, that's probably the most realistic scenario

 

[rentayenta]

Did you find out if you're in A or B?

I'm still here. Some of the running lingo goes WAY over my head but I'm here and cheering you on.

 

[KatMark]

Cynthia, I am not ignorning this PTR. However, all the running lingo is way beyond me. But I continue to read and follow your progess, and hoping the issues all get resolved.

 

[eandesmom]

Did you find out if you're in A or B?

I'm still here. Some of the running lingo goes WAY over my head but I'm here and cheering you on.

I did, I will have an update soon!

Cynthia, I am not ignorning this PTR. However, all the running lingo is way beyond me. But I continue to read and follow your progess, and hoping the issues all get resolved.

no worries my friend! Hope to get updates up on both reports shortly.

 

[Chilly]

SO are you part of the A-Team?

 

[eandesmom]

SO are you part of the A-Team?

Nope!