*Doing the Donald in 2010* Jan. Half Marathon Support Thread!

[Sandy321]

I'm really loooking forward to this. I was with my TNT coach yesterday and following her training plan, I am going to try to get to 14:30 mpm over the next two months. That means making sure that I get in all of my weekday workouts too. I'm going for a PR, but I want to be able to stop for a picture in front of the castle too! For the princess half I didn't stop for pictures until I was inside Epcot.

and that's ok too - because it may only take 1 min for that picture - which is why I stopped.... 4 or 5 times for pictures in 'o8!

Keep in mind that they do have the "official" photographers (not Disney not photopass - its thru the AI something) that will take photos as you run out of the castle - with the castle backdrop -

they are all around the course too - so make sure your bib number is clear (not folded) and try and make sure you are in view (not blocked by runners in front of you - easier said than done - its a pack running - and everyone has this tip!!)

at the end - I had the photographers at the finish line - and I made sure I was "visible" but those pictures never appeared online - I believe its because I finished "after" the "official" time - by 10 min~! (4 hours 10 min - you have 3 1/2 hours to complete the marathon, but the last wave starts 30 min after the first wave... keep in mind the last person in the last wave may be 15 min behind that official time... that I didnt know - I really thought I would be ok by chip time finishing in 3 1/2 hours chip time - but they turned off the chip timer at 4 hours )

After talking to dh and looking at google map pedometer I think I completed 9 miles yesterday!! 17 min miles - so I'm ok... I can and will do better - I have 8 weeks to work at it!!

 

[dismagiclover]

Sounds like lots of us had good training "runs" or wogs this weekend It's starting to seem real as it gets closer.

Sandy Awesome job with the 9 miler and great tips for all the newbie runners out there.

Dolce Thanks for sharing your half experience. I definitely think you have to trust in your training and stick with the same patterns on race day. I really hope the Mickey is a better race for you

My advice for everyone is respect the distance. 13.1 miles is a long way no matter how you slice it so put in the training so you can finish the race without keeling over. (Though after both my previous 2 halfs all I wanted to do was take a nap!) I'm hoping to get in more training miles this time so I can maybe enjoy the parks a bit on Saturday.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

My advice for everyone is respect the distance. 13.1 miles is a long way no matter how you slice it so put in the training so you can finish the race without keeling over. (Though after both my previous 2 halfs all I wanted to do was take a nap!) I'm hoping to get in more training miles this time so I can maybe enjoy the parks a bit on Saturday.

So, how many miles is everyone running each week? I'm a little nervous after reading this!! I've been between 24 and 32. The long runs are gradually increasing. I'm now at 9 miles. Midweek runs are 4, 4, and 6 now. The increase to 5, 5, and 8 within a couple of weeks. Should I be okay? My goal is to finish without keeling over at the finish! And, ideally, walk around Disney Studios that afternoon with the family! Right now after a 9 miler, I feel great! No stiffness at all.

 

[MapleGirl]

So, how many miles is everyone running each week? I'm a little nervous after reading this!! I've been between 24 and 32. The long runs are gradually increasing. I'm now at 9 miles. Midweek runs are 4, 4, and 6 now. The increase to 5, 5, and 8 within a couple of weeks. Should I be okay? My goal is to finish without keeling over at the finish! And, ideally, walk around Disney Studios that afternoon with the family! Right now after a 9 miler, I feel great! No stiffness at all.

Sounds to me like you're in great shape! This week I am doing 14 miles, next week is 15 and the week after is 17. I'll just keep going up until I get to 25 miles/week a couple of weeks before the race. Then I'll back it down to 20 again. The longest run in my training program is 12 miles 3 weeks before the race.

Yesterday I did 4 miles at a 12.5-13 minute/mile pace. I'm quite pleased! Today is a rest day. Tomorrow is 3 miles on the treadmill. I guess I should get a book on Mp3 or something for my treadmill days.... music isn't really cutting it anymore.

 

[Dolce27]

So, how many miles is everyone running each week? I'm a little nervous after reading this!! I've been between 24 and 32. The long runs are gradually increasing. I'm now at 9 miles. Midweek runs are 4, 4, and 6 now. The increase to 5, 5, and 8 within a couple of weeks. Should I be okay? My goal is to finish without keeling over at the finish! And, ideally, walk around Disney Studios that afternoon with the family! Right now after a 9 miler, I feel great! No stiffness at all.

You're doing great! You will be fine for the 1/2. Most 1/2 training plans stop your long runs at 10 but you have a little bit of time to do a couple of higher mile runs before you need to taper. I'm doing the full and my midweek runs (and I am sticking to a training schedule) are at 4,6,4 this week. They move up to 4,7,4 next week and then will be at 5,8,5 for a few weeks until I taper. My week-end long runs are at 13 right now. I will do 14 this week-end and then it moves up to 16, 16, 17, 18 & 20 before I taper.

 

[dismagiclover]

So, how many miles is everyone running each week? I'm a little nervous after reading this!! I've been between 24 and 32. The long runs are gradually increasing. I'm now at 9 miles. Midweek runs are 4, 4, and 6 now. The increase to 5, 5, and 8 within a couple of weeks. Should I be okay? My goal is to finish without keeling over at the finish! And, ideally, walk around Disney Studios that afternoon with the family! Right now after a 9 miler, I feel great! No stiffness at all.

You are doing great! I'm at 18 miles a week now and by race time will only be up to 26 or so. If you do between 24 and 32 a week you are definitely respecting the distance

 

[dislvr74]

Hi everyone! I did my first of 5 half marathons over the next 7 months on Saturday. I knocked 5 minutes off of my previous PR to finish in 2:53:55. It took me four attempts to get below 3 hours and I am still so excited to finish in the "twos" now. That said, it was a miserable race for me. I was undertrained and paid the price. The last four miles were absolute agony and I was so mad at myself because I know better! It was a good lesson to respect the training and not be so casual about these events. It doesn't matter if it is your first or your 6th (as mine was yesterday)-you have to put in the miles in order to have an enjoyable race experience.

Here's my vent for the day. If one more person says "Oh, I could walk 13 miles" in a totally dismissive tone, I am not responsible for my actions. First of all, it is 13.1 miles and that .1 is very important. Secondly, it is NOT easy to walk that kind of distance and finish in the same day that you start. I trained as hard to walk my first half marathon and I have to train to wog them now. I bet I train just as hard as the people who can run them. I need a tshirt that says "anyone who thinks it is easy to 'just walk' a half marathon obviously hasn't tried it."

 

[Ronda93]

I've never done 13.1 miles, but after the Donald I'd be ready to clock someone, too.

Trainng continues. My weekend run was four miles and I have four miles on tap tomorrow morning. I have a 10k on Saturday. It's going to be hillier than I'm used to. I plan to use my race strategy (OMG, I have a race strategy) of run 10:00 and walk out the mile (eh, 2:30, 3:00). It fits perfectly into my training and gives me another opportunity to get a number, be on time, use the porta potties a lot, line up and wait. From what I've read these are all important skills.

I didn't look at my time from Saturday until Sunday - busy day. I should have bought lottery tickets... the first three miles were all 12:35! I am consistent!

Jennifer you should be fine. With that mileage you will be READY. I run 3x per week and am just getting to 14 this week.

Ronda

 

[SGcruiser]

Reading everyone's mileage and times started to get me worried, but then I realized I am following a plan and staying on track with it. I need to have faith and believe that I will succeed as long as stick with it. Our runs are increasing in length and our longest run will be 10 miles before we taper in preparation for the actual day. We ran a path this weekend that just six months ago I couldn't even imagine running. So everyone stick with your plan and you will be ready for January 9th.

 

[Duanerice]

Reading everyone's mileage and times started to get me worried, but then I realized I am following a plan and staying on track with it. I need to have faith and believe that I will succeed as long as stick with it. Our runs are increasing in length and our longest run will be 10 miles before we taper in preparation for the actual day. We ran a path this weekend that just six months ago I couldn't even imagine running. So everyone stick with your plan and you will be ready for January 9th.

You'll be fine. 10 miles will get you through as long as you consistently work up to it. You don't want to peak too soon,

enjoy,
Duane

 

[dislvr74]

Reading everyone's mileage and times started to get me worried, but then I realized I am following a plan and staying on track with it. I need to have faith and believe that I will succeed as long as stick with it. Our runs are increasing in length and our longest run will be 10 miles before we taper in preparation for the actual day. We ran a path this weekend that just six months ago I couldn't even imagine running. So everyone stick with your plan and you will be ready for January 9th.

You will be fine. You have to remember that some of us have other races before January and we are increasing our weekly miles in order to prepare for those. Running 10 miles will be plenty of preparation and you don't want to get there too soon.

 

[french lady]

58 days and we will be at WDW.
Today was hell, I mean hill day with 5 done. It was ok. And the weather was beautiful. I just hope it will be in the 50'so 60's in January.
Who is also doing the 5k on Friday? It will be an easy run for me.
Tomorrow is a 6k and then Thursday my long run.

Diane

 

[dsnyfan21]

I am also doing the 5K on Friday as My Mom and her friend are doing it. I will most likely walk the whole thing as to save myself for the half like I did last year.

I did my last long miles on Sunday as my Half Marathon for the Spacecoast is coming up and now its time to taper!!

Tracy

 

[Sandy321]

Hi everyone! I did my first of 5 half marathons over the next 7 months on Saturday. I knocked 5 minutes off of my previous PR to finish in 2:53:55. It took me four attempts to get below 3 hours and I am still so excited to finish in the "twos" now. That said, it was a miserable race for me. I was undertrained and paid the price. The last four miles were absolute agony and I was so mad at myself because I know better! It was a good lesson to respect the training and not be so casual about these events. It doesn't matter if it is your first or your 6th (as mine was yesterday)-you have to put in the miles in order to have an enjoyable race experience.

Here's my vent for the day. If one more person says "Oh, I could walk 13 miles" in a totally dismissive tone, I am not responsible for my actions. First of all, it is 13.1 miles and that .1 is very important. Secondly, it is NOT easy to walk that kind of distance and finish in the same day that you start. I trained as hard to walk my first half marathon and I have to train to wog them now. I bet I train just as hard as the people who can run them. I need a tshirt that says "anyone who thinks it is easy to 'just walk' a half marathon obviously hasn't tried it."

I KNOW what you mean!!

and sadly I did one really really crappy 1/2 marathon. I did ok in the Jan WDW Half in '08 so when my DIL asked me to do the Chicago Half in AUgust, I thought, piece of cake! She was to run "her race" and I was just going along for the ride - it was before ds and her got married so we Priceline'd a hotel in Chicago - girls bonding...

OMG AS you so eloquently remind us that .1 was the hardest thing to finish. I thought maybe I could crawl... I thought, maybe I should just lay down and let the ambulance take me out of my misery... I was seriously in tears... it wasnt pretty.

Like another person reminded us "RESPECT the Distance" I certainly do now!!

Seriously in '08 I thought "eh its just a walk in the parks" and I think my longest run was 6 miles - my weekly totals were maybe in the 10 mile range (I refused to wog in the snow and ice and below zero) I did ok. I did finish (barely in front of the sweepers) but that last 3.1 mile was not pretty... I was embarrassed, and disappointed in "ME"...

There are many times these days when I want to cry and quit. To give up. I'm in worse shape today than I was in '08... life happens. and this is HARD! and I HATE RUNNING!

and it is only a "Half" marathon...

so I am posting to keep me focused. and reading to know I am not alone!!

 

[Sandy321]

so Sunday I did app 9 miles, Monday I rested... today I did app 3 miles...

it took me 50 min tho. and as I was mentally wanting to check out (stop after 2miles) I thought it was time to pick it up and train for those last 3.1 miles!!

I feel better now that its behind me!!

Now to get prepared to do 3 more tomorrow!! and think about doing another long run...

Taper - I'm really good at the Taper

 

[dismagiclover]

so Sunday I did app 9 miles, Monday I rested... today I did app 3 miles...
it took me 50 min tho. and as I was mentally wanting to check out (stop after 2miles) I thought it was time to pick it up and train for those last 3.1 miles!!
I feel better now that its behind me!!
Now to get prepared to do 3 more tomorrow!! and think about doing another long run...
Taper - I'm really good at the Taper

Great job just getting out there Every day when it's time to go train I contemplate not doing it. Then I remember I have never regretted going out for a run after it's over and I usually regret it if I stay home. That usually motivates me to get my behind out there!

Love your taper comment. That is my favorite period of training as well. You hear about those folks that don't like the taper. It makes them nervous to rest, etc. That is definitely not me

 

[dislvr74]

There are many times these days when I want to cry and quit. To give up. I'm in worse shape today than I was in '08... life happens. and this is HARD! and I HATE RUNNING!

I used to have this goal of being able to run an entire half marathon without walking. I was on my way to reaching that goal, but then I realized that I was finding excuses to avoid training and every minute was painful. I decided to stick with run/walking and I have never looked back. Best decision I ever made. My point is, if you hate running, why not stick with walking? Or do some running and some walking?

 

[Sandy321]

I used to have this goal of being able to run an entire half marathon without walking. I was on my way to reaching that goal, but then I realized that I was finding excuses to avoid training and every minute was painful. I decided to stick with run/walking and I have never looked back. Best decision I ever made. My point is, if you hate running, why not stick with walking? Or do some running and some walking?

it definately is more "moving" than running!! I'm just too big to "run" - I did give myself permission to walk - and that was a huge mental black for me to get over!

its just that one foot in front of the other!!

I have plantar fascia which flares up worse at times - so mentally I'd just rather do nothing than something - that's my lazy side!!

I cant wait to finish the Half - but putting in the work to get there? that's tough!!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience - and encouraging me!! I really appreciate it!!

 

[liznboys]

Hey everyone! We had a wonderful time in HHI, the Disney resort was fantastic and the island was wonderful. We LOVE it there. It's such a beautiful beach town, so different than the typical tourist type. We saw all sorts of wildlife including a good-sized alligator in a drainage pond by the side of a road. It was cool!

Unfortunately, I ended up coming down with a nasty cold and have been down for the count so far this week. No running. I'm hoping tomorrow I can get back into it.

Being sick is one of my fears with this whole thing. I get sick pretty easily, unforunately. This is my 3rd cold since the start of the school year. School year begins, kids start getting sick, so that means I do too! I expect to get sick one or two more times before the half, I just hope I am not sick FOR the half.

 

[dislvr74]

Sandy,
I too battle the dreaded PF. I have been limping around for the last few days after making the poor choice of wearing regular shoes after my half on Saturday. I wore my running shoes today and that seems to be helping. I really want to start training for Donald tomorrow and I hope I can get at least a few miles in.

Everyone who uses w/r intervals, what ratio are you using? I have done run 1/walk 3, run 1/ walk 2, and lately I seem to be sticking with run 1/walk 1. I still feel like I haven't quite found the perfect ratio for me. I was doing run 2/walk 1 and got down to 11:30 min miles, but I find it difficult to maintain that pace. I can do 12:00 min miles at run 1/walk 1 and I'm starting to think that I should just stick with that. Opinions?

P.S. Someone here (sorry I forgot who it was) found a great spreadsheet that predicts your mile pace based on your r/w ratio and running/walking pace. If you are interested, you can find it here: http://runwithperseverance.blogspot.com/. It's about half way down the page on the right.