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

[Ronda93]

So glad I did my 10 miler Thursday. Today is cold, cloudy and windy. Kinda like bad dwarves. I did 5 miles on the TM at the Y. Done for the weekend! It was hard. I wasn't hydrated enough. All my runs are early morning affairs. I finally started paying attention to being dehydrated when waking in the morning. I would brush my teeth and take my allergy med and that would be it for water until I started running (I carry a bottle with me). Now I'm getting up to pee in the middle of the night and drinking when I come back to bed. Slugging a bottle of water as I drive to work and then starting my run. Much better. I didn't do that this morning and I can tell.

I've been noting the temperature of my runs and how I was dressed. I've also jotted down how it felt - the highest rating is Goldilocks! I'm taking one of everything to WDW. I'm taking a trash bag, some jersey gloves and a pair of sweat pants that can be sacrificed. I can peel these off and let them go. I saw a history of start temps somewhere. Robert would be a good resouce here!

I'm getting paranoid about getting sick - so far, so good. I've been pretty healthy this year and can't imagine running with yucky lungs. Speedy recovery vibes to everyone under the weather. Physically holding steady.

I'm making the final Christmas shopping push today. Here we go!

Ronda

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Is anyone else already stressing over what to wear for the race?

Nope, see my avatar. I'm set

 

[cewait]

I've been noting the temperature of my runs and how I was dressed. I've also jotted down how it felt - the highest rating is Goldilocks! I'm taking one of everything to WDW. I'm taking a trash bag, some jersey gloves and a pair of sweat pants that can be sacrificed. I can peel these off and let them go. I saw a history of start temps somewhere. Robert would be a good resouce here!

Ronda

Not to trump Robert but if you seach his forum you find....

Charles temp history-

Date --------HI------LO------Mean------Rain
2009-Half----78------50--------63--------0
Full ---------81------57---------68-------0
2008-Half----81------61--------69--------0
Full ---------76------58--------66--------0
2007-Half----83------67--------75--------0
Full ---------84------63--------74--------0
2006-Half----56------40--------48--------0
Full ---------66------34--------50--------0
2005--------81-------57-------69--------0
2004--------64-------39-------52--------0
2003--------62-------44-------53--------0
2002--------71-------51-------61--------rain
2001--------70-------31-------51--------0
2000--------78-------61-------70--------0
1999--------60-------45-------53--------0
1998--------70-------47-------59--------0
Averages---72-------48-------63

Note Average Highs and Means reflect Sunday temps ONLY. I omitted these from the average since they really do not apply to the half.

The low is taken at event start time. It may have gotten a couple degrees cooler as the day neared dawn. Means is really what you need to think about for race temps. It nears the average morning temps. For seven hour folks you are out there at near these temps. Really depends on the day. As you can see we have only been effectected by a rainy run once in the period I have been here. Back of the packers may disagree with the 2008 '0' rain but it did fall at 1:15 by my notes at the BWV.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Charles: Only low of 40 on 1/2 in 2006? I wore 3 long sleeve shirts and a fleece jacket(with gloves) the whole race(3:04). Never could get warm. Marathon got better at AK(when the jacket came off).

I hope for 2007 weather over 2006

 

[corinnak]

Whatever the weather is, it's going to be fantastic! I love the smartwool socks - great in heat and cold. I've run in everything from -2ºF up to about 90ºF wearing them and my feet always feel fantastic. Also, bring a hat and gloves, preferably ones you can ditch as your body warms up. If your feet and your head are warm enough, everything else is likely to be OK. That's my experience anyhow!

Did I post the Runner's World What to Wear Tool here? It's helped me decide what to wear lots of times. Though I'm not a big fan of vests. That's just me, though!

 

[cewait]

Charles: Only low of 40 on 1/2 in 2006? I wore 3 long sleeve shirts and a fleece jacket(with gloves) the whole race(3:04). Never could get warm. Marathon got better at AK(when the jacket came off).

I hope for 2007 weather over 2006

That Saturday was a little warmer but the wind was just enough to keep you cool (cold) . I also wore my thow down shirt the entire race. The next day did not discard until the north end of the course at mile 10. I think I wore my little ****e painter gloves through the race on the half also.

The really neat thing about Sunday's race was that everyone 'frosted' over in the two miles from Epcot Dr to the Race Track. I was running with Oklahoma Bob and his Daughter thinking it was a really cool sight until I realized I was also frosted over on the back and got cold.

 

[goofy57]

Did my 12 miles in the snow this morning. NW wind was kinda wicked, but I was dressed for it. Two weeks of tapering, then off to the World for the big day.

 

[sk8ingmom]

Nope, see my avatar. I'm set

Duly noted - kilt and nothing else!

Seriously, I hate hot. I grew up in an ice rink, wearing tights and a tank top, for goodness sake. DH always overdresses for races, so I've already told him that I will not listen to him on race day if he tells me I should wear more clothes.

I am thinking about thow-away sweatpants (over shorts), a throw away sweatshirt (over either a tank or t-shirt, cool-max of course). I can keep the sweatshirt if I need to, but I plan to start the race in shorts, pretty much no matter what. I really hate being hot!

BTW, I am so not running 10 miles in 13 inches of snow today!

 

[JoanneNC]

Another weekend checked off.

Saturday wasn't rainy like expected so my family did a 5k run. DH raced it while I ran with the jogging stroller and my 7 year who I am proud to say shaved 90 seconds of his last 5k time.

Sunday was spent exploring 8 miles of a new trail.. I really do prefer trails for my long runs..

Weather is looking up for this week as I am seeing 50's and 60's on the forecast...

 

[dislvr74]

Stan, you must live in the same area as me. Are you planning to run the Illinois marathon? I only did the half last year, but it was great.

 

[goofy57]

dislvr74,

I am planning to run the Illinois marathon next year. I sent you a Pm with some info.

 

[fairestoneofall]

i just wanted to say that i've been following this thread and will be eager to hear your reports after the race. i've been running for the past two months (after not running for over eight years). i'm almost done with the c25k program. my goal is to run the donald next year!

you're all an inspiration!!

 

[dsnyfan21]

Ok all you Donald Medal Peeps....

Got your long miles in?? Are you tapering now?

Did my 12 on Sunday (I just did a Half 3 weeks ago) and now ready to taper.

Yes, throw away clothes are nice to have. Being from South Florida it is tricky for me to figure out what to start out with for the Orlando races in January. Plus, we are up so early and waiting around. This past race I did, the start temp was 51. I had on my running skirt with shorts underneath, I had on my v-neck short sleeved WISH shirt, tube socks on the arms and they also work like gloves and a sweat shirt. I was still just a bit chilled while waiting for the start. At about mile 3-4 I got rid of the sweat shirt. I had slits in the socks so I could pop out my hands when I needed to, but everytime I did my fingers got cold so I would put them back in. I finally ditched the tube socks at about mile 9. So all in all the layering worked out pretty well. Just gotta figure out what works for you!

Take care,
Tracy

 

[dismagiclover]

I suppose my taper has unwillingly begun. I have a 12 miler on my schedule still, but with 2 feet of snow on the ground it looks like I'm going to have to stay in for the next little bit, and I don't think I could handle 12 miles on the treadmill So my 11 last Friday will be my last long one unless the weather forecast does a dramatic shift.

Hope everyone has a fabulous holiday. After Christmas is over we're at the 2 week mark

 

[MapleGirl]

Oh my! What a couple of weeks it has been. I finished graduate school last Wednesday!

I was scheduled to run on Sunday, but the two feet of snow convinced me to stay inside by the fire.

Tonight and tomorrow night I'll be on the treadmill. Next Sunday I'll do 10 miles outside. Then I guess I'll start to taper. I wish I could do long distances on the treadmill, but I just can't. I'm going to try to do 5 miles tonight. I hope I make it.

I wanted to get up to 12 miles in my training, but I'm not sure that's going to happen now. Should I do 12 miles on January 2 or is that too close to the race?

 

[MapleGirl]

Is anyone else already stressing over what to wear for the race?

YES! I have a personal question for the ladies.... what type of underpants do you wear for the race? I have a pair of light weight shorts that I was thinking of wearing. They go down to my knees and are super comfy. But they show terrible panty lines. I was thinking about wearing hanky-panky underpants, but the idea of running 13.1 miles in a thong sounds a bit painful. Other ideas? Should I just embrace the lines or find something else to wear?

Here's what I was thinking for the race:
knee-length shorts
thick socks
tank top with built in bra
old long-sleeved t-shirt on top for warmth. (I can just take this off and trash it when I warm up)

If it is cold, I'll wear some running pants instead.

Hmmmm..... you know, I'm kind of vain and very self-conscious. Maybe I'll go to the athletic store and buy a cute outfit to wear to the race. I wonder if I could find something great on clearance. I'll have to get it soon so I can practice running in it.

Ideas? What do other people wear for this race?

 

[dislvr74]

Maplegirl,
I wear a running skirt with built in compression shorts and I don't wear anything underneath. I would be very concerned about chafing if you wore a thong!

 

[MapleGirl]

Maplegirl,
I wear a running skirt with built in compression shorts and I don't wear anything underneath. I would be very concerned about chafing if you wore a thong!

Thank you! I love running skirts but I have a couple of issues...
1. The compression shorts are never long enough and I get chafed thighs. (I'm a tiny bit chubby)
2. I'm always worried they are not long enough and I spend time trying to pull the skirt down to cover my tuckus.

Are there tights/capris that one can wear under running skirts?

I tried the iron girl running skirt with pants built in, but the skirt in the back rides up. Then again, I wore a running skirt 2 summers ago at my first (and only so far!) race (5k) and the pictures look ok. I also wore that same skirt around WDW in September 08 and I was fine. Maybe I'll break that skirt out again and try wearing it for some of my treadmill runs. Too bad I can't try it outside, but it's wicked cold and snowy in Massachusetts.

 

[dismagiclover]

Maplegirl:
I'd say 12 miles on Jan. 2 is too close to the race. I've run 2 halfs previously and the longest run for my 1st half was only 9 miles. The longest for my second was 10. I finished both races, though I was pretty tired. I think peaking at 10 miles is just fine. Lots of training programs do it.
I too just wear a running skirt or running shorts.

Good luck

 

[MapleGirl]

Maplegirl:
I'd say 12 miles on Jan. 2 is too close to the race. I've run 2 halfs previously and the longest run for my 1st half was only 9 miles. The longest for my second was 10. I finished both races, though I was pretty tired. I think peaking at 10 miles is just fine. Lots of training programs do it.
I too just wear a running skirt or running shorts.

Good luck

Thank you!!!!!! You just made me feel a lot better about only having run 8 miles so far. I'm so scared that I won't finish and all this training and misery will be for naught. Boo. (To be honest, I've been avoiding this board out of shame.) My wonderful mother told me that it doesn't matter if I finish or not.... that one should reward the effort, not the outcome. But, I feel like I HAVE to finish or else I'll have failed. I don't care what time I finish as long as I get a medal to wear and be proud of. My wonderful sister is running the race with me. It's her first race too, but she is already slim and fit. I am not, so I'm worried I'll hold her back or embarrass myself in front of her, my family and everyone at the race.

OK, enough of my scaredy-cat brain dump. I've been trying to ignore my fear and stay positive. To be honest, I can't believe I've come this far. 2 years ago I couldn't run more than 30 seconds. Now I can run 2 miles together!

I have another question: I've been avoiding running outside because it is cold. When the weather is cold I start to wheeze and cough. Is this related to exercise induced asthma? Is there anything that can help it? If I run in the cold in the morning, I'll have a wheezing raspy cough for the entire day. i've tried using my inhaler and drinking hot liquid, but it doesn't help much.

Thank you everyone!